Hooded Gunmen Get $31,000 in Cash & Jewels.
So read the Miami Herald caption to this photo. Published on the first page of the local section on Monday, November 23, 1964. The robbery occurred while Mom & Dad were out, around midnight. Three gunmen tied up the children and their babysitter and searched for valuables for up to 45 minutes. There was no sign of forced entry and detectives believe the intruders obtained the house keys from Mom’s car; under the driver’s seat where she always kept them. The gunmen escaped in her car afterwards. No mention how the three entered the gated Moorings neighborhood 55 years ago. Fortunately, no one was hurt and Mom’s car was later recovered on Poinciana Avenue.
This house on South Moorings Way was designed by famed architect Phineas Paist in 1931. When your parents name you Phineas, great things are expected of you. And he did not disappoint. This young architect, artist (pencil & watercolor), designer came from Philadelphia in 1916 to do a project for James Deering. He told his wife he would not be staying long. He remained in Miami the rest of his life. When Deering gave George Merrick a tour of his Vizcaya estate, and George asked…so who did your place? The response was Phineas.
He was not Vizcaya’s principal architect as he had not yet received his architect license, but he was involved in every aspect of developing the Villa’s look. Merrick hired him as his “colorist” relying on his expertise on finding the correct pigment for stucco and the overall color scheme for Coral Gables streets, houses and buildings. Within a year of being hired, Phineas started designing for Coral Gables and had the final say on all architectural plans for the young city. Phineas Paist became one of the most important architects in Florida. He designed many public properties, such as Venetian Pool, the Miami Court House, Coral Gables City Hall, the Police & Fire Station (now the Coral Gables Museum and Books & Books) and some private houses. This 7 bed/7 bath 9,000 sq ft. Mediterranean Revival house has been updated and enlarged, most prominently in 1998. The external work highlights a glamour and tonality Phineas would most definitely approve. It’s unfortunate that the house’s 15 minutes of local fame would come about because of a robbery. It remains one of Coconut Grove’s finest houses.
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