Known as “The City Beautiful,” Coral Gables “stands out as a rare pearl in South Florida.” Founded in 1899 by George Merrick, a Massachusetts native, Coral Gables exhibits the design aesthetics of enlightened urban planning from the turn of the last century. Wide, palm-lined avenues, beautiful public green spaces, and monumental buildings combine with the Mediterranean Revival style inspired by cities like Seville and Cartagena. The result is a simply beautiful setting in the sun, urban and urbane, with a grand, yet human, sense of scale.
We recently celebrated the opening of Skinner Coral Gables, with a reception at the Coral Gables Museum on Wednesday, March 12th. More than 70 friends of Skinner, appraisers, customers, and members of the Coral Gables Chamber Commerce joined us for a festive evening of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, live music, and, of course, spirited conversation about art, antiques, and other collectibles.
During the evening, I had the opportunity to welcome the members of the Coral Gables community and introduce April Matteini, our new regional director for Florida, as well as a host of Skinner appraisers on hand for the event. Skinner has been helping Floridians to buy and sell valuable antiques, fine art, and jewelry for years, and we are thrilled to engage more deeply with the cultural community of greater Miami.
Skinner will continue to expand its presence in Coral Gables, Miami, and beyond. In addition to holding a weekly “Consignment Friday” series, we’ll be conducting appraisal and consignment events throughout the region, including the appraisal day at the Original Miami Beach Antiques show in February 2015.
I am very proud to call Coral Gables the home of our new South Florida office!
- Skinner appraisers Victoria Bratberg, April Matteini, Robin Starr, Karen Keane, LaGina Austin, Stuart Slavid, and Stephen Fletcher.
- Paola Zuver, Miami Real Estate Agent, April Matteini, Regional Director in Florida, and Victoria Bratberg, Director of Fine Jewelry.
- Emerson Tuttle, Director of Institutional Relations at Skinner with Mona Fields, and John Moorman of Carroll’s Jewelers in Ft. Lauderdale.
- Peter Klein and Stuart Salvid with Monica Fidel and Arlene Schwarz, members of the International Society of Appraisers.
- Teresita & Horacio Vignale, Monica Fidel, Stephen Fletcher, and Dorothy Long
- Skinner appraisers Robin Starr, Stephen Fletcher, and CEO Karen Keane with Allen & Dorothy Martin
- Coral Gables Museum was an excellent venue for the Grand Opening party.
- Guests look at Skinner Jewelry catalogs.
- The Jam Trio of Audrey Wright, Mary Beth Brown-Plambeck, and Jeremy Baumann performs at the Florida Grand Opening party.
Delighted that you are in Florida. Congratulations!