Mediterranean Revival Architecture — A Guide
Overview
Mediterranean Revival architecture captured the American imagination during the 1920s boom years, evoking the warmth, romance, and leisure of Southern European living. Blending Spanish, Italian, and Moorish influences, the style created a fantasy of Mediterranean life perfectly suited to the sun-drenched climates of Florida, California, and the American Southwest.
Architect Addison Mizner is credited with popularizing the style in Palm Beach, Florida, beginning in 1918 with the Everglades Club. His romantic, loosely historical designs — featuring arched loggias, tiled courtyards, and ornamental ironwork — established a template that was widely copied throughout Florida and Southern California. The style experienced a major revival in the 1980s–2000s as a popular choice for upscale residential development.
Key Characteristics
- Stucco walls in white, cream, or earth tones
- Red clay barrel-tile roofs
- Arched windows, doorways, and loggias
- Wrought iron balconies, railings, and light fixtures
- Interior courtyards with fountains and lush planting
- Asymmetrical massing with towers and varied rooflines
Famous Examples Worldwide
Everglades Club
Palm Beach, 1919
Coral Gables
Miami, 1920s
Santa Barbara County Courthouse
Santa Barbara, 1929
Buildings in Our Library (4)
Where to Find Mediterranean Revival Architecture
Related Styles
Why Mediterranean Revival Matters Today
Mediterranean Revival created a uniquely American architectural fantasy — a sun-soaked lifestyle architecture that shaped the identity of entire cities and regions. Its enduring popularity demonstrates architecture's power to create aspirational environments that blur the line between reality and romance.