Inspired by the architectural traditions of Mediterranean countries, particularly Spain and Italy, the style gained traction in North America in the early 20th century and flourished during the 1920s and 1930s, especially in the rapidly expanding cities and coastal resorts of Florida and California.[2][3][4] The movement also spread to neighboring countries, often through American architects, such as Cuba and Canada.[citation needed]
Structures are generally based on a rectangular floor plan, typically one or two stories, which feature massive, symmetrical primary façades. Common characteristics include stuccoed walls, red tiled roofs, arched or circular windows, wood or wrought ironbalconies with window grilles, and articulated door surrounds; keystones were occasionally employed, while ornamentation varied from simple to dramatic.[5][6] The style often integrated lush gardens and landscapes through courtyards, patios, open-air doorways.[1]
Pasadena City Hall in California is also an example of the City Beautiful fashion.Located in Miami Beach and built in 1927 to house the Washington Storage Company, the Mediterranean Revival building opened to the public as a museum and research center in 1995.
↑"Lake Wales Multiple Property Listing"(PDF). National Park Service. p.Section F.1, p. 2. derived from a combination of architectural elements borrowed from countries and cultures surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, primarily Spain and Italy
↑"Francis Marion Stokes Four-plex National Register Nomination". National Park Service. p.Section 8, p. 8. The early twentieth century revival of Spanish or Mediterranean flavored architecture dates its American roots to the Panama-California Exposition in San Diego
