Updated 3/5/2013 The Miami Beach DRB has approved demolition of the historic home.


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earlier:

The Miami Beach Design Review Board is to consider an application at the December 4th meeting from Dr. Leonard Hochstein for the construction of a new 2-story home to replace an existing 1925 architecturally significant home at 42 star island, to be demolished.

Dr. Hochstein recently acquired the property in a foreclosure sale.

The existing house was constructed in 1925 and designed by architects Degarmo & Varney. This classic three (3) story 1925 Miami Beach grand residence was designed by Walter Degarmo (b. 1876), one of the most distinguished architects to practice in South Florida. As a reference to the stature of Walter Degarmo's design work, he designed the Community Church, located at 500 Lincoln Road, for Carl Fisher in 1921.

Dr. Hochstein has submitted an "Engineering Report of the Existing Conditions" for the main residence, prepared by Reymundo J. Miranda, P.E., in an effort to support the demolition. the report provides for some dramatic reading with regard to the structural condition of the main residence, however no independent testing has been performed to corroborate the structural conclusions contained in the report.

The home has survived numerous storms, including the Great Miami Hurricane of 1926, as well as hurricanes Andrew, Katrina and Wilma.

Dr. Hochstein's wife is Lisa Hochstein, a cast member of The Real Housewives of Miami.

more photos of 42 star island:

Some renderings of the new replacement home that the Hochsteins wish to build can be found on the wonderful Curbed Miami website thanks to our friend Sean.

The architect is Kobi Karp.

http://miami.curbed.com/archives/2012/11/29/42-star-island-drive.php

Makes Sense.

I hope the Miami Beach Design Review Board has enough sense to the deny the application! Only a dumb bimbo would want to demolish a beautiful and historic house like this one...

Hey Sean, congratulations on making the Miami Herald today.

For those who want to sign the petition to preserve the house that is mentioned above:

http://www.change.org/petitions/des...42-star-island-a-1924-landmark-of-miami-beach

Currently 137 signatures.

-MDPL submitted an application today to have the house declared to be a historic landmark, saying 'It’s loss would be like knocking a tooth out of the Mona Lisa'

-Hochstein calls it 'ridiculous' and says he would not have bought it if the home had been designated as historic

http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/12/20/3150876/dispute-over-miami-housewife-lisa.html

In Miami Beach, homes face teardown frenzy or preservationist zeal
http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/12/22/3153771/in-miami-beach-historic-homes.html