1111 Lincoln Road, Alexandra Pagliery

Having recently been completed in 2010, the Herzog and de Meuron parking structure situated at the intersection of Alton and Lincoln Road is working its way to becoming an icon. “Eleven eleven,” as it is so called, has become a new term in the vocabulary of Miamians and tourists alike to denote this large, yet light, concrete structure that functions as the grand entrance to the pedestrian zone of Lincoln Road.  It works similarly to the gateways of old cities in the sense that when people pass by it, it marks a new territory. In the case of 1111, it marks the beginning of a retail district or strip where people can shop, eat and take part in many other activities (Figure 1).

Fig. 1. The scale of 1111 and its prime location at Lincoln Road and Alton Road.

The design of 1111 has many qualities that would cause it to become an instant symbol for Miami Beach, and more specifically Lincoln Road. The structure stands at a height of 125 feet, towering over any of its neighboring buildings, which were all built with a height restriction of 75 feet. This allows 1111 to be seen from many vantage points while driving in Miami Beach (Figure 2). When one is driving down Alton Road or 17^th, it can be seen from a distance allowing a driver to know that they are approaching Lincoln Road, a road that does not allow for vehicular traffic (Figure 3). One might think it strange for a parking garage to become a symbol of Miami Beach but even though one of its functions is to serve as a parking garage, at its large scale, it only houses a shocking 300 parking spaces. The fact that it is a multi-purpose space that can host events, has a variety of retail and restaurants located within, and even has residences on its top level, makes it a very suitable icon because it contains all that defines Miami Beach and why people live and travel here. With its openness and large separation between floors, at night it serves as a beacon that becomes filled with light (Figure 4). It illuminates the entrance of Lincoln Road starting at the ground floor and continues all the way up through the structure. All these features, together with its simplicity of design and signage have allowed 1111 Lincoln Road to easily fill the role as new icon for Miami Beach (Figure 5). The real test for 1111’s ability to be the new icon will come when similar structures that are scheduled to be constructed by other well-known architects are placed in the Miami Beach grid (Figure 6). Although these other structures might make 1111 just one of many, 1111 will prevail because of its location and connection to the centerfold of Miami Beach, the historic and symbolic Lincoln Road.      

Fig. 2. View from a parking lot across the street.

Fig. 3. View from West Avenue and Lincoln Road.

Fig. 4. View at night all lit up.

Fig. 5. The simple signage.

Fig.6. Locations of current and proposed structures.
1111 Lincoln Road by Herzog and de Meuron
Parking Garage by Ten Arquitectos
Proposed Garage by Zaha Hadid
Proposed Parking/Retail/Hotel Complex by OMA
Proposed Structure by Norman Foster