Union Credit Bank

The Wilford H. Burkhart House and Office was built in 1937 to provide space for Wilford H. Burkhart, Inc., a building supply company, on hte first floor and the Burkharts' residence on the second floor.

Designed by the architectural firm of Paist and Steward, the structure provided a showcase for many of the owner's building products, the most noteworthy being the decorative multicolored glazed tile which graced the entrances and arched bays of the front facade.

The building displayed characteristics of the Mediterranean Revival architectrual style that was popular in southern Florida during the 1920s and 1930's. This elegance and craftsmanship was typical of buildings lining South Miami during this era. The two story masonry structure featured a concrete block structural system and walls laid in stucco. The hipped roof was sheathed in Mission tiles.

The architects Phineas Paist and Harold Steward collaborated on other notable buildings such as the U.S. Post Office and Courthouse in Miami and the Coral Gables Methodist Church. Mr. Paist moved to Miami in 1924, and was named supervising architect for Coral Gables the following year.

The information presented here was obtained from the Report of Miami Planning Department to the Heritage Conservation Board on the Potential Designation of Wilford H. Burkhart House and Office as a Heritage Conservation Zoning District.