Since its founding in the 1920s by developer George Merrick, Coral Gables has become one of Florida’s most beautiful, historic, cultural, and well-heeled cities—yet it wasn’t until a bit over a decade ago that local leaders finally created a city museum. The result occupies 24,000 square feet in downtown’s original fire and police HQ, a creamy coral-stone Mediterranean-Revival affair adorned with carved heads of long-ago firemen. At the core of the nine light, airy galleries lies the story of how the Gables was carved out of orange groves and wilderness, including plenty of period documents, artifacts, and fascinating photos and artwork. Beyond that, rotating exhibitions architecture, Latin American art, urban design, and sustainable development.