North Beach looked like that? See hotels, homes and restaurants from the early days

Miami Herald Archives
·1 min read

Some things might never change in North Beach, like the park space along the oceanfront. Certainly some landmarks have stood the test of time, like the Normandy Fountain and the Bandshell.

But the northern tip of Miami Beach has changed through the years. The three movie theaters are gone. A famous deli where Larry King broadcast from a booth is gone. Even the hotel where the Beatles made their American debut is gone.

North Beach surged in popularity after World War II. Apartment buildings, houses and a golf course popped up in the `1940s and ‘50s.

The North Beach community seemed to have it all: a butcher, a Royal Castle, delis and bakeries, a supermarket, Italian restaurants, even Eddie’s Newsstand with the latest comic books.

In the 1990s, the area got even more diverse, with an Argentine infusion of people and food.

Now, North Beach is evolving again as old buildings come down and larger residential and commercial buildings rise.

Here’s a look at earlier days from the photo archives of the Miami Herald:

LANDMARKS

The Carillon Hotel in 1991.
The Carillon Hotel in 1991.
Deauville Hotel in 1963.
Deauville Hotel in 1963.
Ed Sullivan speaks to Paul McCartney and John Lennon on the set of The Beatles’ performance from the Deauville hotel in Miami Beach in February 1964.
Ed Sullivan speaks to Paul McCartney and John Lennon on the set of The Beatles’ performance from the Deauville hotel in Miami Beach in February 1964.
Beatles’ fans watch the group at a dress rehearsal for the Ed Sullivan Show at the Deauville Hotel in Miami Beach.
Beatles’ fans watch the group at a dress rehearsal for the Ed Sullivan Show at the Deauville Hotel in Miami Beach.
Raul Benitez, owner of Surf Theater. in 1989.
Raul Benitez, owner of Surf Theater. in 1989.
The Normandy Fountain, in 1992, before improvements.
The Normandy Fountain, in 1992, before improvements.
In 2000, a plaque on the wall of the Byron Carlyle Theatre on 71st Street.
In 2000, a plaque on the wall of the Byron Carlyle Theatre on 71st Street.
Temple Menorah.
Temple Menorah.
Temple Ner Tamid in 1970.
Temple Ner Tamid in 1970.
North Shore Hotel in 1943.
North Shore Hotel in 1943.
Burleigh House on Collins Avenue in 1969.
Burleigh House on Collins Avenue in 1969.
North Shore Open Space Park, which runs from 79th to 87th streets.
North Shore Open Space Park, which runs from 79th to 87th streets.
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy stops for a red light in Miami Beach at 71st Street and Indian Creek Drive in an open car after leaving St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy stops for a red light in Miami Beach at 71st Street and Indian Creek Drive in an open car after leaving St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.
North Shore branch library on Collins Avenue in 1978.
North Shore branch library on Collins Avenue in 1978.
Normandy Plaza Hotel on 69th Street and Collins Avenue in 1960.
Normandy Plaza Hotel on 69th Street and Collins Avenue in 1960.
The original McFadden-Deauville hotel.
The original McFadden-Deauville hotel.

RESTAURANTS

Chef Jesus Li chops carrots in the kitchen at Fu Manchu in 1988.
Chef Jesus Li chops carrots in the kitchen at Fu Manchu in 1988.
Jesus Li, wife Lucy and, Victoria Yee and husband, Julio, owners of Fu Manchu restaurant in 2006
Jesus Li, wife Lucy and, Victoria Yee and husband, Julio, owners of Fu Manchu restaurant in 2006
In 2004, Tom Knieriem, and Kathi Knieriem Estevez, customers of Gil Capa’s Bistro, with restaurant owner and chef Gilberto Nalli.
In 2004, Tom Knieriem, and Kathi Knieriem Estevez, customers of Gil Capa’s Bistro, with restaurant owner and chef Gilberto Nalli.
Hedva Bank, the owner of the Hal’s Deli in 1989.
Hedva Bank, the owner of the Hal’s Deli in 1989.
In 1950, Pickin’ Chicken at 71st Street and Collins Avenue.
In 1950, Pickin’ Chicken at 71st Street and Collins Avenue.
In 1983, Pumperniks deli, across from the Deauville Hotel on Collins Avenue.
In 1983, Pumperniks deli, across from the Deauville Hotel on Collins Avenue.

HOMES AND APARTMENTS

In 1965, a home on 71st Street.
In 1965, a home on 71st Street.
Biscayne Point area from the northeast in the 1920s.
Biscayne Point area from the northeast in the 1920s.
Boats and apartments along the Indian Creek area of North Beach in 1986.
Boats and apartments along the Indian Creek area of North Beach in 1986.
The Dowling Estate on Bay Drive in Normandy Isle in 1958.
The Dowling Estate on Bay Drive in Normandy Isle in 1958.

COMMUNITY

Shuffleboard player. Bill Sampson at North Shore Park in 1984.
Shuffleboard player. Bill Sampson at North Shore Park in 1984.
A crane operator lifts a concrete slab from the foundation of the Biarritz Drive Bridge in Normandy area of North Beach in 1982.
A crane operator lifts a concrete slab from the foundation of the Biarritz Drive Bridge in Normandy area of North Beach in 1982.
In 1997, a room at the Normandy Hotel on 69th Street and Collins Avenue.
In 1997, a room at the Normandy Hotel on 69th Street and Collins Avenue.
A stuck truck under the 63rd Street flyover in 1995.
A stuck truck under the 63rd Street flyover in 1995.
The overpass on 63rd Street and Indian Creek Drive in Miami Beach in 1993.
The overpass on 63rd Street and Indian Creek Drive in Miami Beach in 1993.
A crime scene in front of the 71st Street post office in 2002.
A crime scene in front of the 71st Street post office in 2002.
Interior of the new Normandy Isles golf course clubhouse.
Interior of the new Normandy Isles golf course clubhouse.
A closed Pantry Pride grocery store in Normandy Isle. The building has been several supermarkets through the years.
A closed Pantry Pride grocery store in Normandy Isle. The building has been several supermarkets through the years.
North Shore Community Center in Miami Beach in 1974.
North Shore Community Center in Miami Beach in 1974.

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