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T E X T B Y W M . H A R T H U R I V
Igor B. Polevitzky and the Habana Rivera Hotel
Habana Riviera under construction, early 1957.
Credit: Hinman Photography.©
Igor B. Polevitzky (June 21, 1911 – May 5, 1978) was an American architect, most recognized for his contribution to the architectural styling of Miami and Miami Beach hotels, residences and the development of the tropical modern home in South Florida from 1936 throughout 1959. If you visited Miami today and did not see one of his buildings, you would have undoubtedly seen references to his work. A young Russian immigrant then graduate from the Beaux Arts University of Pennsylvania School of architecture, Polevitzky along with few other Miami modernists, transformed a new style of architecture that responded to the coastal climate, the history of the south Florida region and demands of the client.
The style of architecture was so unique it was later coined the term (MiMo), an acronym of "Miami Modernism". Polevitzky’s eminence extends beyond Miami to Havana, Cuba where he completed his first and only international work; the Havana Riviera Hotel. Polevitzky’s firm’s reputation by 1957 attracted casino promoter Meyer Lansky and led to the design of what would be later realized as the epitome of resort-construction in Cuba and one of the world's first "all air-conditioned" hotels. Polevitzky’s contribution to the perception of North American architecture in Cuba, and his relationship with Lansky speaks to a historically important Miami-Havana connection that exists even today.
Comparatively, Polevitzky’s concern with design, climate and how style can help to achieve coexistence between indoor and outdoor spaces, was shared with the architects in Cuba during this same time. As a result, Polevitzky's design for the hotel and willingness to corroborate with local architects and designers of the time, led to the building's relative embrace by architectural critics living in Cuba.
The style of architecture was so unique it was later coined the term (MiMo), an acronym of "Miami Modernism". Polevitzky’s eminence extends beyond Miami to Havana, Cuba where he completed his first and only international work; the Havana Riviera Hotel. Polevitzky’s firm’s reputation by 1957 attracted casino promoter Meyer Lansky and led to the design of what would be later realized as the epitome of resort-construction in Cuba and one of the world's first "all air-conditioned" hotels. Polevitzky’s contribution to the perception of North American architecture in Cuba, and his relationship with Lansky speaks to a historically important Miami-Havana connection that exists even today.
Comparatively, Polevitzky’s concern with design, climate and how style can help to achieve coexistence between indoor and outdoor spaces, was shared with the architects in Cuba during this same time. As a result, Polevitzky's design for the hotel and willingness to corroborate with local architects and designers of the time, led to the building's relative embrace by architectural critics living in Cuba.
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