Coral Gables was carefully and thoughtfully designed to be a beautiful city. Many of the early buildings, both public and private, set a standard of elegance that still defines the tone and ambience of the city we know today. Many of these treasures have been designated as historic landmarks. Merrick's grand city entrances and regional thematic villages remain a testament to this penchant for celebrating international styles of architecture. His talent for creating unique amenities set Coral Gables apart from other communities decades ago, and the foundation he literally laid within his 10,000 acres of "back country" have continued to blossom. Celebrated and embraced by sequent generations, these jewels of stone, bricks and mortar have been maintained and embellished faithfully within the parameters of Merrick's original intentions. Many of these well known locations offer the visitor a glimpse of the past, even as they continue to reflect the style and grace that defines Coral Gables.