The Park Central Hotel was built in 1937 and will be renovated soon.
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini
I long for the sparkling past in South Beach during my stay at the Park Central, an art deco throwback to headier times that is about to be renovated. I am glad I get to stay here shortly before its transformation. Its quiet interior—the bar, the lobby, that piano—remember the glitz of its early years when movie stars stayed here.
South Beach in its prime was the destination of movie stars.
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini
Walk into the past at the Park Central Hotel in Miami Beach.
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini
The bar at the Park Central feels like Old Florida.
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini
Memories linger at the Park Central.
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini
Looking for the ghosts of Clark Gable and Carole Lombard, who vacationed here.
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini
Lobby, Park Central Hotel
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini
A fixture at the Park Central for almost 30 years: Lian!
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini
It’s all about atmosphere at the Park Central. Feel like you’re walking into a film noir.
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini
A guest room at the Park Central
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini
Bathroom tile our grandmothers would love.
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini
The pool at the Park Central
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini
I hope to return when the renovation is complete, and I hope that the memory of what it was isn’t completely erased. I’d love to have visited South Beach during its heyday. I hope it is preserved even as these grand old hotels try to remain relevant in the future.
—Lori Tripoli
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