Allen Morris Co. has announced a public-private partnership with the City of Coral Gables and Agave Holdings, owner of The Plaza Coral Gables, to undertake a comprehensive redesign of Fred B. Hartnett Ponce Circle Park at 2810 Ponce de Leon Boulevard in Coral Gables, Florida. The project, valued at more than $10 million, will introduce new public art, landscaped gathering spaces, an open-air performance venue, and pedestrian infrastructure improvements along surrounding streets. The redesign is led by Maria de la Guardia of de la Guardia Victoria Architects & Urbanists in collaboration with Andres Arcila of Naturalficial, with planting design coordinated with Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.
The improvements will be funded through a three-party arrangement involving Allen Morris Co., the City of Coral Gables, and Agave Holdings. Allen Morris Co. will also guarantee cost overruns beyond the committed funding amounts and serve as development manager, overseeing design, permitting, and construction through completion. The Coral Gables City Commission has unanimously approved the project, and a development management agreement has been executed among the participating parties.
“World-class cities are defined by their parks and public spaces,” said Mayor Vince Lago. “The transformation of Ponce Circle Park is another step in our commitment to creating exceptional open spaces that strengthen our downtown and enhance the quality of life for generations to come.”
“Every great city is remembered by its public spaces. They become the places where people gather, celebrate, reflect, and create memories across generations. Fred B. Hartnett Ponce Circle Park sits at the heart of Coral Gables, surrounded by many of the city’s most important destinations, and we have a rare opportunity to help create a park that truly belongs to the community. Working alongside the City of Coral Gables and Agave Holdings, our goal is to create a place of lasting beauty—one that enriches daily life, reflects the character of Coral Gables, and serves as a source of pride for generations to come,” said W.A. Spencer Morris, President of Allen Morris Co.
The park dates to the early development of Coral Gables in the 1920s under city founder George Merrick. Originally designed by landscape architect William Lyman Phillips, the public space has remained part of the city’s historic urban layout for approximately a century. The proposed improvements represent the most extensive redesign of the park since its establishment, retaining its civic function while introducing new landscape, cultural, and pedestrian elements.
“I am incredibly proud that Allen Morris Co. and the City of Coral Gables shared the transformative vision to reimagine Ponce Circle as a functional, timeless, and elegant public park. Chic, sophisticated, inviting, and European in spirit, the park reflects the magic that happens when great minds, thoughtful planning, and exceptional design come together to create a lasting legacy for residents, visitors, and everyone who lives, works, and gathers in our city,” said Maricris Longo, Coral Gables resident, real estate investor, and community advocate.
A central component of the redesign will be the installation of Puffed and Inverted Star II, a large-scale polished aluminum sculpture by American artist Frank Stella. The artwork will be positioned within a reflecting pool at the northern end of the park. The City of Coral Gables acquired the sculpture following a recommendation from its Cultural Development Board. Stella died in May 2024 at age 87, and the installation will bring one of his final large-scale works into the city’s public art collection.
Credit: Allen Morris Co.
The landscape and architectural design will incorporate a combination of formal public spaces, pedestrian circulation routes, and planting areas intended to complement the surrounding historic urban environment. De la Guardia Victoria Architects & Urbanists, a Coral Gables-based practice specializing in classical architecture and urbanism, is leading the design alongside Naturalficial. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is contributing to the planting strategy, which will emphasize biodiversity, regional suitability, and landscape resilience.
At the center of the redesigned park, plans call for the Odeon, an open-air performance structure intended to accommodate concerts, theatrical productions, civic functions, fitness classes, and other cultural programming throughout the year. The structure will also provide flexible public seating when events are not scheduled, allowing the space to remain accessible for everyday use.
Credit: Allen Morris Co.
The scope of work extends beyond the park itself to include coordinated streetscape and infrastructure improvements along Ponce de Leon Boulevard and Almeria Avenue to University Drive. Planned upgrades include enhanced pedestrian crossings, raised crosswalks, speed tables, and a new stormwater drainage system. These improvements are intended to address pedestrian safety, accessibility, and connectivity between the park and surrounding portions of downtown Coral Gables.
Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2027, with completion anticipated in the first quarter of 2028.
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Any parks/open spaces are very welcome, and this design looks over the top. Great job