Orlando Capote has been in a battle for over two decades to safeguard his family home in Coral Gables, South Florida, from developers and city plans. This home, purchased by his parents more than 35 years ago, stands as a symbol of resilience amidst rapid urban development. The image capturing this struggle comes courtesy of Saul Martinez for NPR.
In the heart of Coral Gables, a city known for its upscale developments, lies an anomaly—a small house encircled by a massive real estate project. This development spans a million square feet and includes parking garages, office buildings, and a towering 14-story hotel. Capote’s residence, a Mediterranean-style stucco house characterized by its one-story structure, two bedrooms, and a distinctive barrel-tile roof, remains the last of its kind in the neighborhood.
Capote likens his living situation to being in the center of Manhattan, surrounded by skyscrapers. His home, once part of a community of similar houses, now stands alone, engulfed by shadows for most of the year. This has led to the decline of his garden, with several plants dying and a once-fruitful mango tree ceasing to bear fruit.
Accessing Capote’s home has become a challenge, requiring navigation through one-way streets within the mixed-use complex to an inconspicuous alley that leads to his backyard. In front of his house, the constant presence of idling cars and buses outside a new hotel adds to the incongruity of his living situation. Efforts to obscure his home from hotel guests with large planters have been made, further highlighting the stark contrast between his residence and its surroundings.
Capote’s struggle extends beyond the physical encroachment of development. He has faced a series of code violations from the city, ranging from overgrown grass to issues with feral cats, leading to fines that once neared $30,000. However, Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago has stated that the city has ceased pursuing these citations and liens related to code enforcement.
The core of Capote’s resistance lies in his refusal to sell his home during a real estate boom in 2004, a decision influenced by his father’s illness and the need to care for him. Despite offers from developers, including a house swap deal sweetened with a car and $500,000, Capote has remained steadfast, driven by a distrust of developers’ intentions.
Capote’s ordeal has been marked by challenges, including construction that compromised the safety of his home and violated fire code regulations. An incident where emergency responders struggled to access his home due to street closures underscored the risks posed by the development.
Despite these struggles, Capote’s situation is a testament to the clash between individual rights and urban development. Coral Gables, known for its careful planning and preservation of community character, now sees one of its own caught in a paradox of progress. Mayor Lago acknowledges the unique predicament, suggesting that Capote and the surrounding development must find a way to coexist. This ongoing saga raises questions about the balance between development and preserving the essence of community heritage.