Williams Island (Florida) Explained

Williams Island
Coordinates:25.9448°N -80.1376°W
Pushpin Map:Florida#United States
Pushpin Relief:yes
Address:7900 Island Boulevard
Aventura, FL, United States
Opening Date:1985[1]
Developer:The Trump Group and Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company[2]
Architect:Robert M. Swedroe Architects (1000 Island Boulevard,[3] 2000 Island Boulevard,[4] 2800 Island Boulevard,[5] 3000 Island Boulevard,[6] 4000 Island Boulevard,[7] BellaMaré[8])
Bradshaw, Gill, Fuster & Associates (Landscaping and landplanning[9])
Artec (Résidence du Cap,[10] Villa Marina[11])
Cohen, Freedman, Encinosa & Associates (Bellini[12])
John Randal McDonald (Williams Island Spa[13])
Operator:Williams Island Property Owners Association, Inc.[14]
Owner:Williams Island Property Owners Association, Inc.[15]
Website:williamsislandclub.com
Buildings:1000 Island Boulevard, 2000 Island Boulevard, Résidence du Cap, 2800 Island Boulevard, 3000 Island Boulevard, 4000 Island Boulevard, Bellini, BellaMaré, Villa Marina
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Type2:City
Subdivision Name2:Aventura

Williams Island is a luxury high-rise condominium complex on in Aventura, Florida.[16] The project was constructed by The Trump Group in partnership with the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company. Amenities include the Island Grille restaurant, a 27000adj=onNaNadj=on square foot spa, a fitness and wellness center, a Grand Slam-inspired tennis center, a marina, the Island Shop boutique, and the Island Club venue for private functions and entertainment.[17]

History

The eponym of the community is Raymond Gaylord Williams, whose family first came to Miami in 1924 from Van Buren, Arkansas.[18] Williams' father came to Miami to start a military academy in Coral Gables, Florida at the request of Coral Gables developer George E. Merrick.[19]

His father-in-law, Evert Price Maule,[20] was the founder of Maule Industries.[21] It was Maule Industries' operations in Ojus that created the peninsula on which Williams Island would later be developed.[22] Starting in 1913,[23] the company excavated and operated a large limestone quarry which filled with water from the area's high water table[24] and created two artificial bodies of water: Maule Lake and Little Lake Maule, which are connected to Dumfoundling Bay by the Ojus Canal.[22] It was these bodies of water that would form the boundaries of present-day Williams Island.

Williams sold the Williams Island tract to Saul J. Morgan and Norman Cohen for $1,815,000 in 1969.[25] Morgan sold his stake in the tract to Cohen in 1971[26] and in 1980, Cohen sold the property to Julius and Edmond M. Trump for $17,616,500.[27] In partnership with the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company, the Trumps began development on Williams Island and the first condominium tower, 4000 Island Boulevard, was completed in 1985.[28] In addition to the initial tower at 4000 Island Boulevard, the Trump Group developed an additional six towers at 1000, 2000, 2600 (Résidence du Cap), 2800, 3000, and 7000 (Villa Marina) Island Boulevard in addition to the low-rise Mediterranean Village at 3700 Island Boulevard. Advertisements for Williams Island featured Italian actress Sophia Loren, who was hired by the Trump Group as a creative consultant and spokeswoman.[29] In addition to serving as a consultant, Loren and her family also maintained a seasonal home on the island.[30] WCI completed construction on the 6000 Island Boulevard tower, BellaMaré, in August 2005.[8] An additional site at 1500 Island Boulevard was developed into Villa Flora by Vintage Properties and Williams Island Development in 2005.[32] Bellini, the final tower on Williams Island at 4100 Island Boulevard was completed by Martin Margulies in 2013.[33] [34] The Trump Group maintained an active interest in Williams Island until selling and turning over management of the island's common facilities to the Williams Island Property Owner's Association in 2004 for $17 million. The sale was financed by a 20-year $90 assessment to be paid by all property owners.[35]

In popular media

The complex was featured in a 1986 episode of the American television series Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. The episode featured Williams Island resident, celebrity spokeswoman, and creative consultant Sophia Loren. In the episode, series host Robin Leach referred to Williams Island as an "exclusive billion-dollar condominium community," and further stated "don't be surprised to see $200,000 Italian sports cars. It's all part of this money-no-object, Europe-in-America feel that Sophia helped give just the right accent to."[36]

Loren and her Ted Fine-decorated Williams Island apartment were featured in the March 1987 issue of Architectural Digest. Describing the complex in the article, Loren stated "from the very beginning we used Portofino—one of the loveliest resorts on the Mediterranean—as the model while the plan for Williams Island was taking shape."[37]

Along with the ultra-luxury cruise ship Royal Viking Sun, the complex was featured as a filming location in the 1988 television special, Bob Hope's Jolly Christmas Show. In the broadcast, Hope and co-host Dolly Parton sang a rendition of Silver Bells while strolling through a faux snowstorm on Williams Island. In reality, the temperature the day of filming had been as high as 80 degrees and the snow consisted of shredded styrofoam and cotton dropped from a box suspended among palm trees.[38] Also featured was a conversation between Bob Hope and Miami Vice star Don Johnson in the Williams Island Marina in which Johnson showcases his 43-foot Wellcraft Scarab Excel "Don Johnson Signature Series" powered by twin Lamborghini V-12 engines.

Williams Island was a filming location for the 1992 comedy-drama film Folks!, starring Tom Selleck and Don Ameche.[39] In the film, the island was portrayed as the home of the irresponsible and gold-digging Arlene Aldrich (Christine Ebersole), sister of main character Jon Aldrich (Selleck). Filming was done on-site at 2800 Island Boulevard.

Footage of the island was featured in the 2012 documentary film . Downey, a Williams Island resident, is shown showcasing the artwork and furnishings in his new Ted Fine-decorated apartment he shared with his wife Lori Krebs. According to Robert Perlberg of Ted Fine Decorators, Downey chose a color palette of "tone on tone, ivory and taupe, with hints of black" when decorating his apartment.[40] Also included in the film was exterior footage of the Mediterranean Village and the Williams Island Marina.

Towers

NameHeightFloorsArchitect Year
1000 Island Boulevard≈348 ft 31Robert M. Swedroe Architects1990
2000 Island Boulevard≈348 ft 31Robert M. Swedroe Architects1995
Résidence du Cap≈348 ft 31Artec1997
2800 Island Boulevard≈337 ft 30Robert M. Swedroe Architects1990
3000 Island Boulevard≈337 ft 30Robert M. Swedroe Architects1989
4000 Island Boulevard≈337 ft 30Robert M. Swedroe Architects1985
Bellini≈370 ft 24Cohen, Freedman, Encinosa & Associates2013
BellaMaré≈337 ft 30Robert M. Swedroe Architects2005
Villa Marina≈371 ft 33Artec1998

Notable residents

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://www.williamsislandclub.com/story Our Story
  2. News: Edwards . John G. . Two luxury hotels to go up in Dade . . June 14, 1984 . 24C . . December 8, 2021.
  3. https://web.archive.org/web/20210822045838/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/137432/1000-island-boulevard-aventura-fl-usa 1000 Island Boulevard
  4. https://web.archive.org/web/20200808002611/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/137429/2000-island-boulevard-aventura-fl-usa 2000 Island Boulevard
  5. https://web.archive.org/web/20210822045828/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/137430/2800-island-boulevard-aventura-fl-usa 2800 Island Boulevard
  6. https://web.archive.org/web/20171111173018/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/137428/3000-island-boulevard-aventura-fl-usa 3000 Island Boulevard
  7. https://web.archive.org/web/20210226014231/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/137427/4000-island-boulevard-aventura-fl-usa 4000 Island Boulevard
  8. https://web.archive.org/web/20210822045826/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/137434/bellamare-aventura-fl-usa BellaMaré
  9. News: Savage . Brenda . Echos Of The Riviera: Williams Island Garners 11 FAME Awards . . April 12, 1987 . C1 . . December 8, 2021.
  10. https://web.archive.org/web/20210411105820/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/137431/2600-island-boulevard-aventura-fl-usa 2600 Island Boulevard
  11. https://web.archive.org/web/20210413161120/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/137426/7000-island-boulevard-aventura-fl-usa 7000 Island Boulevard
  12. https://web.archive.org/web/20210822045831/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/1210000/bellini-at-williams-island-aventura-fl-usa Bellini
  13. News: Hughes. John. Hugo gives architect a third chance to put his monogram on St. Croix . . November 5, 1989. 1E . . December 8, 2021.
  14. https://www.williamsislandclub.com/poa WI POA
  15. https://www8.miamidade.gov/Apps/PA/propertysearch/#/?folio=2822100830021 28-2210-083-0021
  16. https://www.williamsislandclub.com/default.aspx?p=dynamicmodule&pageid=400002&ssid=323321&vnf=1 Home
  17. https://www.williamsislandclub.com/default.aspx?p=dynamicmodule&pageid=400002&ssid=323321&vnf=1 Home
  18. News: DEATH NOTICES: Raymond Gaylord Williams . . March 3, 1984 . 3B . . December 8, 2021.
  19. News: Werne . Jo . 'Invasion' Of Girls . . March 8, 1971 . 5D . . December 8, 2021.
  20. News: Ruth Maule Marries In Formal Ceremony . . December 30, 1934 . 1B . . December 8, 2021.
  21. News: E.P. MAULE DIES IN NORTH FROM HEART ATTACK . . August 15, 1939 . 1A . . December 8, 2021.
  22. News: Ojus Tract Development Under Way . . December 21, 1947 . 2-G . . December 8, 2021.
  23. News: Maule Industries Major Supplier World's Fair House . . July 12, 1964 . 6 . . December 8, 2021.
  24. News: Staletovich . Jenny . Dutch solution to Miami's rising seas? Floating islands . . August 23, 2014 . . December 8, 2021.
  25. News: Morgan, Cohen Buy Tracts . . March 9, 1969 . 9-M . . December 8, 2021.
  26. News: Century 21 Developers Splitting . . July 1, 1971 . 9 . . December 8, 2021.
  27. News: Canadians active in land deals . . April 26, 1981 . 38H . . December 8, 2021.
  28. https://www.williamsislandclub.com/story Our Story
  29. News: Hernandez . Evelyn . Williams Island pitches for beautiful with riches . . March 31, 1985 . 22 . . December 8, 2021.
  30. News: De Lollis . Barbara . WCI seals deal to build last Williams Island tower . . 19 . . January 15, 2001.
  31. Peppiatt . Michael . March 1987 . Sophia Loren's Home in South Florida . Archtiectural Digest . New York, NY . Condé Nast . December 8, 2021.

    The Trumps sold an additional tower site at 6000 Island Boulevard for development to Naples-based WCI Communities (WCI) in 2001.[30]

  32. News: NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS, AVENTURA: ITALIAN VILLA TO BE BUILT ON WILLIAMS ISLAND . . June 5, 2005 . 2 . . December 8, 2021.
  33. https://web.archive.org/web/20210822045831/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/1210000/bellini-at-williams-island-aventura-fl-usa Bellini at Williams Island
  34. News: Olurunnipa . Toluse . CONDO COMEBACK . . July 28, 2011 . 10B . . December 8, 2021.
  35. News: Terpoff . Carli . Residents take over clubhouse . . April 11, 2004 . 3 . . December 8, 2021.
  36. News: Witt . Emily . Paradise Lost . . March 15, 2007 . . December 8, 2021.
  37. Peppiatt . Michael . Sophia Loren's Home in South Florida . . New York, NY . Condé Nast . March 1987.
  38. News: Hanauer . Joan . A White Christmas Showbiz Style . . December 19, 1988 . 12D . . December 8, 2021.
  39. Web site: NEW SELLECK COMEDY PICKS WILLIAMS ISLAND FOR SCENES. 2021-11-22. Sun Sentinel. en.
  40. News: Tasker . Fred . Q: Borrow a cup of sugar? A: Get lost! . . January 11, 1989 . 1D . . December 8, 2021.
  41. News: Whitney Houston's baby girl suffers 3rd-degree burn to arm . . December 19, 1993 . 1B . . December 8, 2021.
  42. News: Bricker . Charles . Interesting ATP idea: best-of-four matches with tiebreake . . July 31, 1994 . 17C . . December 8, 2021.
  43. News: Johnson . Richard . Houston buys Miami condo . . February 27, 1989 . 2E . . December 8, 2021.
  44. News: Frisaro . Joe . Dolphins storm past Vikings . . August 20, 1996 . 6-Sport . . December 8, 2021.
  45. News: Tasker . Fredric . Time's been very kind to Sophia Loren . . February 16, 1984 . 1B . . December 8, 2021.
  46. https://www.atptour.com/en/players/fred-stolle/s129/overview Fred Stolle
  47. News: Smith . Thom . Valli may buy Boca home . . March 20, 1990 . 1D . . December 8, 2021.