Greystone Miami Beach
A masterpiece of Art Deco design by Henry Hohauser, this 1939 hotel anchors Miami Beach’s historic district with geometric precision and tropical ornamentation—recently restored to reclaim its place as a cultural landmark.
At a glance
Greystone Miami Beach stands as a defining example of Decorative Moderne architecture. The hotel reopened in September 2021 after comprehensive renovation, now housing the French-Japanese restaurant Sérêvène and an intimate jazz bar. Its corner location on Collins Avenue at 19th Street makes it one of the most prominent buildings in Miami Beach’s Art Deco Historic District.
History
Designed by renowned architect Henry Hohauser and completed in 1939, the Greystone Hotel emerged during Miami Beach’s golden age of Art Deco development. Hohauser received Florida’s “Great Floridian” designation in 1993 for his transformative contributions to the region’s architectural identity.
The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 as a contributing structure within the Miami Beach Architectural District. By 2020, it had been recognized as a member of Historic Hotels of America. In 2019, the hotel entered a major renovation phase, culminating in its September 2021 reopening under new stewardship and interior design direction by Bowenholly’s Holly Muhl.
What you see
The facade exemplifies the careful ornamentation characteristic of 1930s Miami luxury. A pair of round windows etched with tropical scenes frames the main entrance, their curves softening the almost-square elevation.
The facade divides into three sections: the central portion features bold vertical stripes ascending to a stepped, three-stage parapet crowned with flagstaffs. Horizontal flanking sections employ distinctive ‘tattersall check’ patterning between ribbon windows that sweep around curved corners. Incised squares in the stucco add further textural richness, details that—as the 1979 historic nomination noted—give the building its distinctive charm.
Cultural significance
The Greystone represents a pivotal moment in Miami Beach’s architectural heritage. Hohauser’s design vocabulary—tropical ornamentation merged with geometric modernism—helped define an aesthetic that became synonymous with the city itself.
The 2021 restoration, documented by Architectural Digest as part of a broader renaissance of historic Miami Beach properties, demonstrates renewed commitment to preserving this era. The addition of a French-Japanese restaurant and jazz bar signals how historic buildings can sustain themselves through thoughtful contemporary adaptation.
Key facts
- Name: Greystone Miami Beach
- Location: Miami Beach, Florida, United States
- Coordinates: 25.79557, -80.12947
- Year built: 1939
- Architect: Henry Hohauser
- Architectural style: Art Deco / Decorative Moderne
- National Register of Historic Places: Listed 1979
Practical information & getting there
Greystone Miami Beach operates as a hotel and restaurant destination. It is located at the corner of Collins Avenue and 19th Street in Miami Beach’s Art Deco Historic District, easily accessible by car or public transit. Current hours, admission policies, and booking information are available through the hotel’s website.
Sources & resources
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