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Armada Road Multi-Family District Historical Architecture in Venice, Florida John Nolen’s plan for Venice integrated parkways, grid street patterns, a variety of parks, schools, industry, a business district, and a variety of housing types. The Armada Road Multi-Family District has 11 contributing buildings dating back to 1926, all surrounding the aptly named John Nolen Park. It also ushers in people of various incomes. Many of the original apartment buildings like Park Terrace and Granada have Mediterranean-style revival which lend a hand to its architectural character. Park Terrace Apartments Park Terrace apartments offer an inviting arched entryway. It is built to the traditional Mediterranean architectural character, and designed small and compact—at only 4,944 square feet—brings a sense of variety with a front porch, arches, columns, red tile roof, and green awnings over the windows. 517 Menendez Street Built in 1925 opposite of Granada Apartments, was the living quarters for the gentlemen officers during World War II. Granada Apartments The Granada Apartments used to be known as La Casa Bonita. They were once living quarters for the nurses during World War II. A signature of the Mediterranean Style revival, the decorative medallions are a feature of the Granada Apartments. The courtyard, typical of the Mediterranean Revival architecture, injects nature and a space cooled by breezes and shade to the 14-unit (10,214 sq. ft.) building that is small and compact. Also typical of Mediterranean style buildings are the arched doorways,. They can be found inside each building and outside. Just through the arched doorway, beneath the second story, is the annex. The officers quarters stucco walls and red-tiled roofs were made from materials produced in the region, which helped to define Venice’s unique sense of place. With nine units (6,122 sq. ft.), this two-story building remains small and compact, the way John Nolen had planned. It has its original fixtures such as the mail box. It also has the original oak, pine, and tile flooring. The apartments on Armada, that are currently being renovated, have white stucco walls, tile roof, arched entryways, and medallions adorning the building. With only two stories, the apartment building features 8- units (4,616 sq. ft.) maintaining the compact scale, as well as the order of the traditional vernacular in Venice. 504 Armada Road South Dorothy Korwek John Nolen Venice Plan Venice Museum and Archives Ambar Vizcarrondo & Lisa Caldes
