Dade Heritage Trust recognized Shenandoah residents and Fall 2018 Key Keeper Award winners, Charles Loredo and Tyler Hull, during its “Party for Preservation” on Nov. 5 at Little Havana’s Ball & Chain Bar & Lounge.
Shenandoah, which was established in 1919, was one of the first neighborhoods in the city of Miami. It is now home to a significant number of historic and beautiful homes, including Loredo’s which was built in 1923.
But when he first saw the property in 2014, it was far from its glory days.
“The house had been abandoned since 1995,” Loredo said, adding that the home had not only been declared an unsafe structure by the city but that it had over $400,000 in violations as well as a pending demolition permit. “The original restoration from ‘unsafe’ to certificate of occupancy took approximately 11 months. Every year we continue to improve the property adding items like the pool and garden patio.”
He added that throughout the restoration, they kept wherever possible any salvageable original trim and floors.
It is the continuing efforts to restore and learn more about their home’s history, that lead to Loredo and Hull receiving the Fall 2018 Key Keeper Award.
In the early 1930s the property was purchased by Frank and Mable Couture who had moved to Shenandoah from Detroit. Mr. Couture started the Couture Motor Company which after the war years and under the control of his Grandson Robert Smalley became the third largest car rental company in the country. It was purchased by Hertz and Smalley eventually became the chair of Hertz for many years before returning to Miami. After Mr. Couture’s death, Mrs. Couture divided her time between her home in the Carolinas and this house, until it was sold in 1992.
“It’s a thrill to be able to honor both Charles and Tyler, as well as recognize their efforts to preserve a part of Miami history in Shenandoah,” said Christine Rupp, Dade Heritage Trust executive director.
She added that it’ is fitting for the Shenandoah residents to be acknowledged for their preservation efforts, because Dade Heritage Trust recently was awarded a $50,000 grant by the State of Florida to do a survey of the neighborhood and its historic buildings.
To learn more about Dade Heritage Trust call 305-358-9572 or visit dadeheritagetrust.org.
