Miami Beach Unveils William Lane-Designed Lifeguard Stands

Miami Beach today unveiled four new lifeguard stands to go along with the 31 towers that dot the beach from 87th Street to South Point. The new stations, two of which are pictured above and below, are the designs of architect William Lane, who began working on them more than...

By Chuck Strouse

February 22, 2016

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Miami Beach today unveiled four lifeguard stands to go along with the 31 towers that dot the beach from 87th Street to South Pointe.

The new stations, two of which are pictured above and below, are the designs of architect William Lane, who began working on them more than 20 years ago. "Hurricane Andrew had pretty much wiped out much of the towers," he said. "I was interested in creating some folly. I saw some opportunity to replace the stands and... make them more playful.”

The new towers include impact windows and aluminum hardware. Lane designed five other towers soon after Andrew struck in 1992. Future lifeguard towers will be based on one of his designs.

Miami Beach City Manager Jimmy L. Morales welcomed the towers. “We are recognized all over the world for the unique and iconic nature of our architecture," he said. "Our lifeguard towers tell a much larger story than just public safety.”

Chuck Strouse is the former editor in chief of Miami New Times. He has shared two Pulitzer Prizes and won dozens of other awards. He is an honors graduate of Brown University and has worked at newspapers including the Miami Herald and Los Angeles Times.

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