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Mention Venice, Florida and you’re apt to start conjuring up thoughts of laying on the beach and soaking up the sun. Yet, Venice is also known for something far beyond the sand and that’s its incredible architecture, from the red-tiled roofs to the interior flooring in Venice, FL. For such a small town of just over 20,000, mostly snowbirds from the North, this city has an extraordinary architectural beauty that’s known as The Mediterranean Revival Style of architecture. It’s a style that was popularized in the 1920s and 1930s in the rapidly growing coastal cities of California and Florida. It’s reflective of European architecture such as Spanish Renaissance and Colonial, Italian Renaissance, and Venetian Gothic. In fact, it’s no coincidence that Venice, Florida shares its name with the renowned City of Canals. Frank Higel, an entrepreneur and Gulf Coast pioneer, had recommended the name Venice for the city he had arrived in from Philadelphia because he was influenced by the scenic bayous, creeks, and canals that flowed out to the Mediterranean-like waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Originally used in countries bordering the north Mediterranean Sea, this architectural style became pervasive in Florida during the 1920's real estate boom and also had been known as Spanish Colonial architecture. Its dominant themes are ornate stonework and tile roofs often with a profusion of arches, columns, parapets, and wrought-iron details. Colors are also somewhat distinctive in the use of those that are reminiscent of the sea and sky and at times also include terra cotta, lavender and yellow. What is particularly interesting in this quaint little town of Venice is that a variant, known as the Northern Italian Renaissance Style, became popular during the years from 1926 to 1929. It was used by the city’s planner at the time, John Nolen, as his interpretation of the Mediterranean Revival Style. The significance of this is that the city formed an Architectural Review Board at the same time in order to protect this interpretive style. Today, this architectural style is protected through the establishment of numerous historic districts, which typically aren’t found in a city of this size. This ensures that any new construction or changes proposed to current buildings in these areas, including even minor changes, must conform to the regulations put forth in that architectural district. These can include, but not limited to, such changes as simply modifying the colors, which must be in accordance with an approved list of colors. Even though this Northern Italian Renaissance Style is an attraction for visitors who vacation here, it also is a point of pride for the permanent residents of this city, creating an identity that is distinctive from other coastal cities, whether here in Florida or California. From those much admired red-tiled roofs to the attractive Italianate-styled flooring in Venice, FL., there is no doubt that what makes this city special and such an attractive place to live for so many retirees who move here, goes far beyond the sandy white beaches and temperate climate.
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