Miami Beach Stories
The hotel feud that built a wall out of pure spite.
路 2 min read 路 Miami Beach
In 1954 the Fontainebleau opened on Collins Avenue, designed by Morris Lapidus for Ben Novack, instantly the most glamorous hotel in Miami Beach. A year later Novack's own former business partner, Harry Mufson, bought the lot next door and hired the very same architect to build the Eden Roc. The friendship died right there on the property line.
A shadow on the pool, every afternoon
So Novack built a 14-story tower, 160 feet of blank wall facing the Eden Roc, placed so its shadow fell across their pool by about 2 PM. The Eden Roc sued and lost: in 1959 a Florida court ruled there is "no legal right to the free flow of light and air." They built a second pool out of the shadow, and in 2008 answered with a 21-story tower of their own.
The spite wall is still standing on Collins, a few blocks from our counter in Miami Beach. Save this for your next walk down Collins Avenue, then come find us at Green Market, your corner store and coffee bar, and grab a coffee where Miami Beach history actually happened.
馃憖 What Miami Beach story should we tell next? Drop it below.
Te esperamos en Green Market. P谩sate por un caf茅 y te contamos la pr贸xima historia de la cuadra.
Where to find us on Collins
Green Market sits at 5101 Collins Ave in Miami Beach, open 7am to 10pm every day. Coffee from the espresso bar starts at $2.50, combos from $5.79. Walk in from the beach, or order on WhatsApp at +1 (305) 876-4513 and we deliver across Miami Beach.
Quick answers
- What is the spite wall on Collins Avenue in Miami Beach?
- In 1954 the Fontainebleau opened on Collins Avenue, designed by Morris Lapidus for Ben Novack, instantly the most glamorous hotel in Miami Beach. A year later Novack's own former business partner, Harry Mufson, bought the lot next door and hired the very same architect to build the Eden Roc.