![]() |
Entrance to Venetian Pool, Coral Gables, Florida.
Photo: John J Tackett for The Devoted Classicist blog |
One of this country's most beautiful public swimming pools is the Venetian Pool in Coral Gables, Florida, and perhaps the only one listed on The National Register of Historic Places. The Devoted Classicist had an opportunity to revisit it recently, just before a sudden summer downpour.
![]() |
| An early view of Venetian Pool. |
Coral Gables is a beautiful community of esplanades, fountains, and plazas that is the result of a desire to create a perfectly designed city by Dade County commissioner and land developer George Merrick starting in 1921. Although his dream was not fully realized, it is a remarkable, lush garden area adjacent to Miami that is protected by ordinances and a strong appreciation for historic preservation.
![]() |
The Venetian Pool, Coral Gables.
Photo: John J Tackett for The Devoted Classicist blog |
The site was a stone quarry pit that Merrick's uncle, artist Denman Fink, and architect Phineas Paist transformed in 1922 to 1924 to become a venue originally called Venetian Casino. Noted swimming film stars Esther Williams and Johnny Weismuller (
Tarzan) performed aquatic routines and orchestras serenaded poolside dancers during the entertainment heyday.
![]() |
The entrance pavillion and cascade at Venetian Pool.
Photo: John J Tackett for The Devoted Classicist blog |
The clear, cool water is fed by underground artesian wells, providing 820,000 gallons of water at a temperature of 76 to 78 degrees. Until 1988, the pool was drained and refilled every day during the summer; now a conservation method is utilized that recycles the water through natural ground filtration and returns it to the subterranean acquifer, according to the city's official information.
![]() |
Another view of the cascade, Venetian Pool.
Photo: John J Tackett for The Devoted Classicist blog |
The coral rock waterfall is twenty five feet tall and originally supported a high dive platform. It must have been particularly breathtaking to watch the daring dives as the pool is only eight feet deep.
![]() |
The grotto behind the cascade, Venetian Pool.
Photo: John J Tackett for The Devoted Classicist blog |
A 1989 restoration of the facility cost about $3.5 million to rehabilitate the historic features and add some new elements.such as a wading pool.
![]() |
Another view of the entrance pavilion, Venetian Pool.
Photo: John J Tackett for The Devoted Classicist blog |
I could have the uses of the two towers switched, but I think the one in the distance contains a lifeguard's apartment.
![]() |
A tower at Venetian Pool.
Photo: John J Tackett for The Devoted Classicist blog |
This tower contains the management office, if I am not mistaken.
![]() |
A detail of the enclosure for the perimeter of the Venetian Pool.
Photo: John J Tackett for The Devoted Classicist blog |
Hopefully the artistic stucco can be appreciated in these photos. The effect is intentionally distressed to reveal patches of brick. But the truly special feature is the subtle mix of coloring that combines pigments ranging from light pink to medium rose to lavender. And the matte pink iron fence is much more successful than one might have imagined.
Venetian Pool is located in a residential neighborhood of Coral Gables, Florida, at 2701 DeSoto Boulevard, and open seven days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day (and closed on Mondays during the winter). For vintage photos and more information, see the Venetian Pool website at
http://www.coralgablesvenetianpool.com/History.html
