Gothic Revival Architecture
Gothic Revival Architecture (also referred to as Victorian Gothic or Neo-Gothic), is an architectural movement which began in the 1740’s in England that is inspired by the Gothic architecture of Medieval Europe — it consists of the imitation and reinterpretation of elements in gothic design. Its popularity grew rapidly in the early nineteenth century, when increasingly serious and learned admirers of neo-Gothic styles sought to revive medieval forms in contrast to the classical (neo-classical) styles prevalent at the time, and continued into the early 20th century, where its use can be seen in some of the majestic skyscrapers of New York City. Gothic Revival Architecture has been particularly applied to churches and collegiate buildings, but has also been used in castellated mansions, skyscrapers, houses, and public buildings.
Gothic Revival buildings are usually characterized by ashlar masonry, polychromed brickwork, or wood walls, often extending into the gables without interruption; Gothic motifs such as battlements, decorative brackets, finials, foils, foliated ornaments, hood moldings, label moldings, pinnacles, pointed arches, towers, turrets; often, a porch with flattened Gothic or Tudor arches; a symmetrical façade; steeply pitched gables often decorated with ornate gingerbread bargeboards; projecting eaves; decorative slate or shingle patterns on the roof; occasionally, a flat roof with crenelated and castellated parapets; ornamental chimney stacks and chimney pots; a cast-iron decorative strip at the ridge of the roof; windows extending into the gables; often, an elaborately paneled front door set into a lancet arch; the entry door sometimes within a recessed porch or under a door hood, occasionally bordered with sidelights.
Churches of Overtown
Overtown near Downtown Miami is known for many things, but one of those things it’s not known for is it’s architecture. Overtown nevertheless has a fabulous collection of traditional Miami buildings and architecture still preserved today.
