Local Team helps Salvage Coral Gables Businesses after Water Damage

12/10/2020 (Permalink)

When water wreaks havoc on your business property, contact the experts at SERVPRO right away.

SERVPRO Offers Reliable Services to Businesses Affected by Water Damage in Coral Gables

The development of Coral Gables started in 1925 and is one of the earliest successful planned cities in the world. It was developed during the Florida land boom in the 1920s. The boom was occasioned by several things, including technological developments such as the availability of automobiles and the financial incentives educated and skilled people were receiving at the time, including pensions, paid vacations, and other fringe benefits. With the ease of movements and money to spend, a destination like Florida with its fair weather soon became a favorite for many, and thus the demand for land soared. The thrill-seekers, therefore, helped increase the demand for land.

The Gables, as locals call it, was envisioned by writer and poet George Edgar Merrick after he inherited citrus groves from his father. He even wrote a poem describing his dream of the future city. Initially, the town was carved out of 3000 acres of land covered in citrus and pine trees. Later, nearby land was acquired, expanding the city. The name is derived from the description of the home where Merrick grew up, which had a coral-like limestone exterior and a gabled roof. 

The City Beautiful

At the time Coral Gables was being developed, the City Beautiful Movement was flourishing. The movement was a philosophy of urban planning and architecture in North America that sought to introduce beautification and monumental grandeur in cities. The poor living conditions experienced in most major cities where overcrowded tenement districts were the norm due to high birth rates and immigration sparked the philosophy. 

Merrick, who was passionate about aesthetics, incorporated the philosophy in developing the new city, including using strict zoning of commercial, residential, and recreational areas with clear divisions. He also chose the Mediterranean Revival Style as the main architectural style of the city. The centerpiece was the massive Biltmore Hotel. Some of the aspects that made the planned city unique included:

• A downtown only four blocks wide but over two miles long. Therefore, every business could be termed as less than a two-block walk.
• The city had smaller villages or communities designed with different international influences to break the monotony of the Mediterranean Revival Style, thus attracting a wider audience
• It was designed with an electric trolley system to provide public transport

The Great Miami Hurricane

Two storms almost quashed the dream of a model city - a financial one and a literal one. The 1926 Miami hurricane affected many areas in Florida, causing severe damage to properties. The Great Depression also started soon after, halting Merrick's plan for the further development of Coral Gables as he was heavily indebted by then. However, the dream did not die since the city is still one of the most beautiful places in Florida. Some of the notable attractions include:

• The Miracle Mile which has several restaurants, shops, boutiques, and art galleries, making it one of the most sought after shopping location in south Florida
• The Baltimore Hotel located on Anastasia Avenue built during the initial development of the city as its main attraction
• The Venetian Pool on De Soto Boulevard. The pool resulted from repurposing the abandoned quarry where most of the materials to build the city were obtained. It has the unique distinction of being spring fed. It was listed in the national register of historic places in 1981.

Fine Dining Capital of South Florida

Away from the fascinating architecture, Coral Gables is also popular in culinary circles with many restaurants, especially along the Miracle Mile. Visitors and residents can enjoy Caribbean, French, Mexican, and Italian or other specialty dishes in the city. Some of the distinguished restaurants include:

• Ortanique on the Mile, which opened in 1999. Diners can enjoy Caribbean flavors made with local ingredients. The restaurant has colorful tropical-themed décor.
• Caffe Abbracci opened 10 years earlier than Ortanique in 1989. The Italian restaurant offers a unique ambiance with an intimate low ceiling dining room and opulent crystal chandeliers. The menu mostly consists of traditional Italian dishes.
• Talavera Cocina Mexicana offers authentic Mexican dishes like corn masa, carne asada, chile relleno and mole poblano among others.
• Brasserie Central is a great place to enjoy authentic French cuisine. The restaurant is famous for making everything from scratch. They use classical French techniques to prepare their meals. Apart from the food, diners can also enjoy a variety of French wines at this establishment.

Sometimes, diners may have other interests apart from enjoying a hearty meal.  Some establishments, such as The Café at Books & Books, located at the famous bookstore, offer a chance to enjoy meals after a stimulating activity such as book reading. The menu highlights local and seasonal ingredients in salads, sandwiches, and entrees. Vegan options are also available. 

How Does SERVPRO Help Coral Gables Business Recover From Water Damage?

Water intrusion into business premises leads to many challenges, including creating hazardous conditions for customers or employees, discomfort, and damaging various materials. Coral Gables business owners must respond appropriately to ensure the water intrusion does not ruin their operations. SERVPRO provides a team of professional water restoration technicians to help provide protective and restorative services.

Preventing is the best solution for Issues that make the premises hazardous. For instance, floors become slick when wet, increasing the chances of slip and fall accidents. SERVPRO technicians mark place warning signs around the wet floor surfaces or isolate the areas. Expediting water extraction is also another viable strategy.

Other helpful things that our technicians might do for the business include:

• Checking moisture levels in all sections of the property, including cavities such as walls, to ensure the drying steps chosen are appropriate
• Cleaning up all affected areas to remove soiling, stains, or other issues 
• Managing the speed of moisture removal to avoid secondary issues such as condensation 
• Performing finishing steps such as deodorization to restore comfort levels in the facility since water spills cause bad smells

SERVPRO of South Miami helps business operators in Coral Gables deal with all cases of indoor water intrusion. Call us at (305) 269-8900 to help start mitigation processes in time.