Biltmore Hotel Coral Gables

The Miami Biltmore Hotel is a National Historic Landmark in Coral Gables, Florida. It was built in 1926 by John McEntee Bowman and George Merrick as part of the Biltmore hotel chain. The tower is inspired by the Giralda, the medieval tower of the cathedral of Seville, Spain. When completed, it became the tallest building in Florida. At one time, the pool was the largest pool in the world. It served as a hospital during World War II and as a VA Hospital and campus of the University of Miami medical school until 1968. Abandoned for many years it became a hotel again in 1987.