Bal Harbour was incorporated in 1946, and it soon became an exponent of the bright American future. With the new tech, materials and design that emerged after the end of WW2 and from the nuclear and space races, relatively close by the iconic Cape Canaveral (~3h drive), the new resorts were the highlight of the Mid-Century Modern: Kenilworth-by-the-Sea, the Sea View Hotel, the Bal Harbour, the Balmoral, the Ivanhoe, the Colony, the Singapore, the Beau Rivage and the Americana.

The 300-rooms Beau Rivage was built in 1959, bearing the signature of the Architect Melvin Grossman. The hotel featured a gorgeous beachside pool, a coffee shop, dining room, cotillion supper club, cocktail lounge, poolside patio bar, room service, close circuit TV, its own newspaper "Bon Mots", 21" TV and radio in every room, cabana club, card room, health club-solaria, 9-hole golf putting green, shuffleboard, children's playland and pool, shopping arcade, televised baby sitting.

The Church-By-The-Sea (Community) in Bal Harbour, Miami Beach, Fla. Founded in 1945, its membership now includes over 30 major Christian denominations. Founding Pastor is John Lawrence Yenches, D.D. The illuminated 35 foot glass spire and 7 foot cross atop can be seen for miles around. Not shown in this picture is the beautiful Ford Chapel. Russell T. Pancoast was the architect of this building, modern in design but reverent in atmosphere.

 Bal Harbour was incorporated in 1946, and it soon became an exponent of the bright American future. With the new tech, materials and design that emerged after the end of WW2 and from the nuclear and space races, relatively close by the iconic Cape Canaveral (~3h drive), the new resorts were the highlight of the Mid-Century Modern: Kenilworth-by-the-Sea, the Sea View Hotel, the Bal Harbour, the Balmoral, the Ivanhoe, the Colony, the Singapore, the Beau Rivage and the Americana.

WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA: A Florida landmark, the new Palm Beach Mall houses 87 stores including three department stores and nine restaurants. The beautiful illuminated Wonderfall is the centerpiece of a completely enclosed and air conditioned plaza. Such luxurious shopping facilities combined with the fabulous Florida climate guarantees a holiday that will never be forgotten by the millions annually that come here.

The illuminated Wonderfall at Palm Beach Mall located on Palm Beach Lakes Blvd between Congress Ave. and Interstate 95 in W. Palm Beach, Florida. Among the Mall's 87 stores are three department stores and nine restaurants.

 Colonial Plaza Mall, Orlando, opened on January 31, 1956 as Florida's largest shopping center. It was designed by architect Morris Lapidus and built by R. M. Thompson Co. of Clearwater. The most iconic part of it was the space-age designed Publix Market - the largest supermarket in central Florida. The second anchor was an A&P. It also featured a Belk's a Jordan Marsh and a Ronnies. The interior was air-conditioned, and it had over 2,000 parking spaces.

 "Lauderdale Isles, the latest waterfront project of our company, is an excellent example of our highly successful use of concrete block and stucco construction.

"During the many years we have been in business in South Florida, we have built more than 2,500 homes, all with exterior walls of concrete block and stucco. This type of construction has excellent customer acceptance, is very economical, and requires minimum upkeep expense."

GEORGE W. GILL, JR., manager, Gill Construction Co., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Lauderdale Isles is a modern development near Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The homes are built on 60-ft. lots, most of which are on waterways that connect with a deep channel to the ocean. All waterfront lots are landscaped and are protected with a concrete seawall.

Whether split-level or one-story, the homes in Lauderdale Isles are attractive and modern.

James Rosati, the developer and builder of Orange Lake Village, near Largo, Fla., has built more than 9,000 homes in the state-all with enduring concrete masonry walls.

Mr. Rosati sums up the reasons for his success as a home-builder in these words: "Precision construction with durable materials, in well-planned communities using big-scale production efficiency, gives the home-owner more for his money."

Builder Rosati chose running bond, a pattern familiar to most masons, to obtain attractive walls and efficient production. Floors in all homes are concrete slab, many having terrazzo finishes of selected colored marble chips in cement mortar.

The painted masonry wall is a suitable background for such decorative touches as this precast concrete sea horse.

Orange Lake Village, near Largo, Florida, is a community of 1,000 homes, with a shopping and recreation center and other community buildings.

Lehigh Acres residents and guests shop the modern, one-stop way, at a convenient Shopping Center which caters to every need. Supermarket, Self-Service Laundromat, Garden Shop, Hardware Store, Drug Store, Service Station, Beauty Shop, Barber Shop . . . all courteously staffed to make shopping a real pleasure. And more shops to be added for even more service! 

A view of one of the most popular shopping centers on the West Coast of Florida. 

Air view of Cortez Plaza, Ultra Modern Shoppping Center on Tamiami Trail at Cortez Road, Bradenton, Florida

The Seminole Mall was dedicated on November 4, 1965, a project developed by  Jesse W. Johnson, Richard C. Johnson and Stuart S. Golding and designed by Frank Mudano. The main anchor was a Publix supermarket. An expansion took place in 1969 and the entire complex was reinaugurated on February 12, 1970.

SEMINOLE MALL...considered to be one of the most attractive shopping malls on the west coast with colorful murals of the life of the Seminole Indians surrounding the walls above the shops. The mall is located on 78th Avenue North, just west of St. Petersburg. 

Ultra modern apartments, efficiencies and hotel rooms accommodating from 2 to 8 persons. Air Conditioned, T.V. and PRIVATE GARAGES. Telephones in Rooms, Shuffleboard and Heated Pool. 

Located directly on the "World's Most Famous Beach". Completely equipped cottages, accommodating 2 to 8 people. Spacious Shaded Terrace, Sun and Surf Bathing, Shuffleboard. Convenient to Deep Sea, River and Surf Fishing. Picnic and Barbecue Facilities. Adjacent to Florida's Longest Ocean Fishing Pier. 

Bellair Plaza is the largest shopping center in the area. It has over 50 stores including food, variety, several restaurants, and numerous specialty shops. It is just across Highway Al A from the Atlantic Ocean. 

53 Completely Carpeted, Centrally Air-Conditioned and Heated Rooms all with T.V. and Phones — Each Room has a Private Sun Patio. OLYMPIC SIZE POOL. Five Blocks South of Main Business District.