John H Levi was a founder and mastermind of the City of Miami Beach. In 1912, he convinced his friend Carl Fisher to divert his planned trip to Jacksonville and come instead to Miami, which he referred to as a "pretty little town." It was this fortuitous trip that led to Fisher's investments in the City of Miami Beach. John Levi, a marine engineer, worked with Fisher to develop the man-made islands, hotels, polo fields, golf courses, streets and subdivisions of much of Miami Beach. Levi went on to become Mayor of Miami Beach, and to date is the only Miami Beach Mayor featured on the cover of Time Magazine. The creator of Star Island, John H Levi is remembered today in the co-naming of Fifth Street on Miami Beach.

The home at 44 Star Island was built by Levi in 1935, after his Star Island was created. This home is in great peril of demolition by its current owner, Shay Kostiner, who has applied to bulldoze the home and build a brand new replacement home. The Design Review Board will hear the application at its March 3rd meeting (8:30AM at the Commission Chambers, 3rd Floor, 1700 Convention Center Drive)

Miami Beach is celebrating its Centennial year, and we should use this time to honor the people and buildings that helped establish Miami Beach as the great City admired around the world.

Please STOP the demolition of this home, and protect it so that future generations may learn about and appreciate one of our City's founding fathers.

From the book  "Forty Years of Miami Beach" by Ruby Leach Carson:

"This Indianapolis millionaire [Carl Fisher] of Prest-o-Lite fame and fortune had come to Miami to make contact with his yacht, brought here by his marine engineer friend, John H. Levi. The original plan had been for the two men to meet in Jacksonville. In January of 1912, Levi wired Fisher: 'Arrived safely. Miami pretty little town. Why not meet me here instead of Jacksonville. John.'

Fisher came, was captivated by the climate and tropical beauty everywhere, and bought a home on Brickell Avenue. He was so impressed with the wooden bridge which had been built half way across the bay by a gentleman in his 74th year, that he made Collins' acquaintance and advanced $50,000 on the project. The total cost of the bridge was about $100,000."