Venetian Pool
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Venetian Pool
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Venetian Pool, the city of Coral Gables' public swimming pool.
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| Location | Coral Gables, Florida USA |
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| Coordinates | 25°44′46″N 80°16′27″W / 25.74611°N 80.27417°WCoordinates: 25°44′46″N 80°16′27″W / 25.74611°N 80.27417°W |
| Area | 4 acres (16,000 m2) |
| Built | 1924 |
| Architect | Phineas Paist |
| NRHP Reference # | 81000193 |
| Added to NRHP | August 20, 1981 |
Venetian Pool is a historic U.S. public swimming pool located in Coral Gables, Florida. Completed in 1924, it was designed by Phineas Paist with Denman Fink.
Venetian Pool, opened in 1924 as "Venetian Casino," was created from an old coral rock quarry abandoned in 1921 on 4 acres (16,000 m2). The pool was founded by George Merrick as part of the development of Coral Gables, which was created in Mediterranean Revival style and utilized a large amount of coral for ornamental features of the community. The remaining quarry was reconfigured by architect Phineas Paist and designed by artist Denman Fink. Named for Mediterranean city of Venice, Italy, the pool included a Venetian style bridge and classic mooring posts.
The Venetian Pool has gone through several phases. A large additional island was created to allow Venetian style gondolas to dock alongside though the gondolas were later removed. A high diving platform was constructed above the grand waterfall and was also later torn down. Early in its history, the pool was regularly drained completely to permit the Miami Symphony to perform in it, taking advantage of the quarry's natural acoustic qualities. In 2001, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Coral Gables, the pool was once again drained for an orchestral performance. A 1989 renovation restored many of the pool's original features.
In 1981, Venetian Pool was added to the National Register of Historic Places, and is the only pool listed on the register.
The pool occupies a shallow quarry displacing some 820,000 US gallons (3,100 m3) of fresh water daily from artesian wells, making it the largest freshwater pool in the United States.
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