The City Beautiful in South Florida’s Miami metro area
The South Florida city of Coral Gables sits between vibrant downtown Miami and the 1.5-million-acre natural wonderland of the Everglades. Developer George Merrick in the early 1900s envisioned the city as a Mediterranean-style oasis. Today the city’s layout features a botanical garden and multimillion-dollar waterfront properties to the south, and historic homes, mature oak trees and canals to the north. Its tranquil streets brim with public art, orchid gardens and farmers markets. And the city’s park system, infrastructure and roster of corporate headquarters continue growing. With all of this, it is no wonder “The City Beautiful” has proven attractive. “Our very active residents include a lot of the who’s who from South Florida — former governors, Florida supreme court justices, Fortune 500 CEOs,” says Ariel Fernandez, city commissioner. “You’ll see people you know in coffee shops, in churches… The whole community comes together on a daily basis and welcomes new residents with open arms.”
Developer George Merrick in the early 1900s was the visionary of Coral Gables.
Giralda Plaza Artisanal Market offers an array of artisanal and handmade goods.
Waterfront homes in Lower Riviera can access the Bay via the Coral Gables Waterway.
Many Coral Gables Section residents head over to Gerald Ave for dinner.
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International business is on the rise in Coral Gables
Business thrives in Coral Gables. Companies like Catalyst Pharmaceuticals and Veritran are headquartered in town. Many international corporations have operations here, as well, including FIFA, which just opened a 60,000-square-foot office in preparation for the 2026 World Cup. New businesses aside, the University of Miami remains the city’s largest employer, boasting four Nobel Prize-winning alums and a reputation as one of the nation’s top research universities.
Downtown Coral Gables has recently gone through a transformation with new buildings.
Coral Gables has plenty of office spaces harboring many corporate headquarters like FIFA.
Eating and shopping on Miracle Mile is a popular activity amongst Coral Gables residents.
Students can easily walk to class across the Lakeside Walkway in Upper Riviera.
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Summertime swims at the historic Venetian Pool, golf at the Biltmore
The city is home to more than 60 public parks and green spaces, and more than 40 miles of waterways. “We just inaugurated a dog run at Salvadore Park, and we’re working on a new pickleball facility close to downtown,” Fernandez says. The newest on the horizon is the Hammock Playground Plaza, transforming the land under Miami’s Metrorail into a state-of-the-art recreation space.
The city is also full of remarkable destinations, including the glittering Venetian Pool and the elegant Biltmore Hotel. The Venetian Pool – drained and refilled daily with clear water from the Biscayne aquifer – draws tourists worldwide to marvel at how a coral rock quarry was transformed into a showplace for beauty contests and famous actors in the 1920s. The Biltmore Hotel, renowned for A-list guests like Judy Garland and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, is a popular wedding venue. The hotel’s restaurants and the GableStage Theater make for great date nights.
The famous Biltmore Golf Course is a classic 18 hole facility with stunning views.
Have a dip at The Venitian Pool, just south of Granada, FL.
Salvador Park is a large park in the heart of Coral Gables famous for its tennis courts.
Stand up paddling is a fun activity for Cocoplum residents to enjoy.
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Eateries and happenings on the Miracle Mile
Downtown Coral Gables is known for its stretch of shopping, dining and entertainment that has become known as the Miracle Mile. “It’s our main strip where everyone comes to enjoy nights out on the town,” Fernandez says. “Recently, the city invested a few million into expanding the sidewalks to allow for more outdoor dining.” Bugatti Bistro and Christy’s have been mainstays for decades. New restaurants include the Michelin-star Bouchon Bistro, offering French cuisine by world-class Chef Thomas Keller. Down the boulevard, Shops at Merrick Park offers around 100 options for retail therapy.
There’s always something going on in Coral Gables. Small Business Saturdays mean free parking in the garages downtown. Gallery Nights on First Fridays push fine art into the frame. In 2022, the city collaborated with consulates to launch the new International Cultural Events Program, introducing events like the Carnaval de Barranquilla parade – a late-April celebration of Colombian Caribbean culture. The festive spirit carries over into March, which kicks off with Carnaval on the Mile. “[It’s] a huge party… we close down four blocks on Miracle Mile for art and live music,” Fernandez says. “And our Fourth of July festival on the Biltmore Lawn brings more than 28,000 for a concert and fireworks.”
Carnival on the Mile is a big event in Gables Estates
Doc B's in Miracle Mile, east of Granada, FL, is an excellent place for lunch and dinner.
Gables Gallery Night
76th Annual Miracle on the Mile Parade
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Century-old oaks around the university, mansions on the Biscayne Bay
Coral Gables homes range from one-bedroom condos in central and northern districts – priced between $200,000 and $800,000 – to seven-bedroom mansions on the Biscayne Bay going for as much as $70 million. Properties north of the university and around golf courses, such as the prestigious Riviera Country Club, average between $1 million and $3 million. With a median single-family home price of $2 million, Fernandez says, “We’re one of South Florida’s most expensive ZIP codes and one of the largest coastal cities in South Florida. But it’s not like Miami Beach. We have one beach park, and the rest are homes along the waterfront.”
Homeowners appreciate “white-glove garbage pickup,” as Fernandez calls it. “No one brings trash out front,” he says. “We pick up twice a week from beside and behind homes. We’re also working with Florida Power and Light to underground all our power utilities.” Flood insurance is mandatory for a federally guaranteed mortgage, and there is often a 30-day waiting period for new policies. Hurricane season on the coast is taken seriously, and new residents should familiarize themselves with hurricane preparation and evacuation routes.
A contemporary one-level single-family home in the Coral Gables Section neighborhood.
People can find beautiful homes along the waterways of Cocoplum.
Welcome to the beautiful Sunrise Point neighborhood in Coral Gables, FL.
Sunrise Point also has lots of condos to choose from.
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A-plus International Studies Preparatory Academy
Coral Gables is served by Miami-Dade Public Schools, graded A-minus on Niche. All the city’s schools earn a B-minus or higher, including the A-plus International Studies Preparatory Academy. ISPA partners with the Spanish, Italian and French Education Ministries to award equivalent European diplomas. In 2024, Coral Gables Senior High is undergoing significant renovations, including a new gym and courtyard. Gulliver Preparatory, graded A-plus, is among the city’s private options, and the University of Miami offers more than 180 undergraduate programs.
International Studies Preparatory Academy offers European diplomas.
Coral Gables High School has a large sporting complex.
Gulliver Preparatory School is an A+ school in Pinecrest, FL.
Upper Riviera is home to the University of Miami.
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U.S. Route 1 to Miami
Being home to a major university has contributed to traffic challenges over the years. Since 2000, the University of Miami’s mobility programs, such as subsidizing mass transit, establishing UBike and reducing speeds to encourage walking, have achieved a nearly 40 percent reduction in peak residential area traffic around campus.
Main thoroughfare U.S. Route 1 offers a direct route to downtown Miami, roughly 6 miles away. The vintage-style Coral Gables Trolley provides free transportation along Ponce de Leon Boulevard, connecting commercial districts to the Metrorail. Miami International Airport is 12 miles away. “Because of our location, we’re a cut-through city, and that can have a huge impact during rush hour,” Fernandez says. “But we’ve been implementing a 5-year plan for traffic calming.”
Crime statistics
According to FBI Crime Data Statistics, Coral Gables’ violent crime reports declined from 79 in 2012 to 51 in 2020. Property crime reports also fell from 2,277 in 2012 to 1,167 in 2020. Compared to crime statistics in nearby Miami Beach, Coral Gables trends significantly lower.
Brigitta Jaffe has been active in real estate for 35 years in Caracas, Venezuela, and for the last 12 years in Miami, USA. She speaks Spanish, English and German. Her clients will be served with her experience, patience, and respect. It is a privilege for her to help & solve her clients' needs, therefore she will be there before, during, and after the transaction.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
