Honestly, if you drive down Collins Avenue today, you’ll see a massive gap in the skyline that feels like a missing tooth. That empty lot at 6701 Collins Avenue used to be the Hotel Deauville Resort Miami Beach, a place so legendary that people still get misty-eyed talking about it.
It wasn't just a hotel. It was the heartbeat of North Beach.
Then, in November 2022, the whole thing came down in a cloud of dust. One morning it was there—a crumbling, white MiMo (Miami Modern) ghost—and nine seconds later, it was a pile of rubble. People watched from the beach and cried. You don't see that often for a building. But the Deauville wasn't just concrete; it was where the Beatles basically conquered America for the second time.
The Night the Beatles Took Over the Napoleon Ballroom
Most people know the Beatles played The Ed Sullivan Show in New York. But their second appearance? That happened right here at the Hotel Deauville Resort Miami Beach on February 16, 1964.
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The band didn't just play a set and leave. They moved in. For eight days, John, Paul, George, and Ringo turned the Deauville into their private playground. John Lennon even wrote "You Can't Do That" while lounging around the resort.
Imagine 70 million people tuning in to watch these four kids from Liverpool perform in the Napoleon Ballroom. It put North Beach on the map. Before that, it was the "quiet" part of town compared to South Beach, but the Deauville changed the gravity of the whole city. Frank Sinatra stayed there. JFK gave speeches there. It was the kind of place where you’d see Joan Rivers in the lobby or catch a show by Mitzi Gaynor.
How It All Fell Apart (The "Demolition by Neglect" Scandal)
So, how does a palace turn into a ruin? It’s a messy story, and frankly, a lot of locals are still furious about it.
The decline started around 2017. An electrical fire broke out, forcing the hotel to shut its doors. Everyone thought it was a temporary thing. "It'll be back in six months," people said.
It never reopened.
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The owners, the Meruelo family, got hit with millions of dollars in fines. The city sued them. Preservationists begged them to fix the roof. Instead, the building just sat there, rotting in the salt air. By 2022, structural engineers said the building was a "total loss." It was officially declared unsafe, a terrifying label in a post-Surfside world.
The Current State of the Hotel Deauville Resort Miami Beach Site
As we move through 2026, the site is finally seeing some real movement. After a few false starts—including a failed bid by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross to build a massive Frank Gehry-designed tower—a new plan is actually happening.
David Martin and his firm, Terra, are the ones leading the charge now.
They aren't just building another glass box. The new project is a mix of "reimagining" and "restoring." Here is the deal:
- The Hotel: They are planning a 150-room hotel that is supposed to look like the original Deauville. They’re even bringing back the iconic arched entrance canopy.
- The Condos: Two slender luxury towers, designed by Foster + Partners, will house about 120 high-end units.
- Public Perks: Unlike the old resort, which was kinda closed off, the new design includes public beach access points and a "garden square" where the old pool used to be.
Construction is slated to kick off properly this year. It’s a weird feeling for North Beach residents—half-excitement for the revitalization and half-mourning for the "real" history that's gone forever.
Why the Deauville Still Matters for Your Next Visit
You can't book a room at the Hotel Deauville Resort Miami Beach right now, obviously. But the neighborhood around it, North Beach, is undergoing a massive shift because of this redevelopment.
If you're visiting Miami Beach today, you should still swing by 67th and Collins. There’s a certain weight to the air there. You can walk the beach path behind the lot and realize that this was where the 60s happened.
North Beach is way more "chill" than the neon chaos of Ocean Drive. You’ve got the North Beach Bandshell just a few blocks away, which is one of the best outdoor music venues in the country. You've got authentic Argentinian steakhouses and Italian cafes that haven't changed in thirty years.
What You Need to Know if You’re Planning a Trip
If you were hoping to see the historic MiMo architecture, you missed the boat on the original building, but the spirit is still there in the surrounding blocks.
- Stay Nearby: Look at places like the Carillon Miami Wellness Resort or the Monte Carlo. They give you that same oceanfront vibe without the construction noise of the Deauville site.
- The Beachwalk: It’s fully open. You can bike or walk from 87th Street all the way down to South Beach. Passing the Deauville site is a trip—it’s the largest undeveloped oceanfront plot in the city.
- The Timeline: Don't expect to stay at the "New Deauville" until at least 2028 or 2029. Large-scale Miami Beach projects take time, especially with the strict environmental and hurricane codes we have now.
Final Word on a Miami Legend
The Hotel Deauville Resort Miami Beach represents the best and worst of Florida history. It was a beacon of glamour and a victim of neglect. While we’ll never get the Napoleon Ballroom back in its original form, the fact that the site is finally being reborn is a win for the neighborhood.
It’s been a long, quiet decade for North Beach. The cranes are finally coming back.
Actionable Insights for Travelers and History Buffs
- Check the Progress: Follow local news outlets like The Real Deal Miami or the Miami Herald for the latest construction milestones at 6701 Collins.
- Explore MiMo: If you love the style of the old Deauville, take a walking tour of the North Beach Resort Historic District. There are plenty of smaller, preserved gems that will give you that "Beatles-era" feeling.
- Support Local: Visit the businesses on 71st Street. They’ve survived the Deauville’s closure and the demolition; they are the true heart of the community while we wait for the new resort to rise.