Thalatta Estate Park

Thalatta Estate Park; A Park with A History

Do you know where the name "Thalatta" comes from and why the Village of Palmetto Bay chose that name for the park.?  Scroll down to learn a little bit more about this gem in our Village.

Vintage Residence

The site houses a beautiful two story vintage residence designed and built by the Connett family, who named it "Thalatta," a Latin variation on the Greek word "thalassa" meaning "the sea." On June 11, 2007, the Village Council honored the original name by naming the property "Thalatta Park."

Architectural Style

The structure represents a modest interpretation of the Mediterranean-Revival style, similar to that of the historic Charles Deering Estate located immediately to the north. This style was prevalent at the conclusion of the boom era and typical of the area's construction style. A tower located on the third story adds an element of uniqueness for this type of style and period.

Significance

Contributing to the architectural significance of the residence are such features as a red clay-tiled roof, stuccoed walls, symmetrical facade, round-arched openings, varied window sizes with broad expanses of wall between them, doorways emphasized with pilasters, random examples of carved and cast ornament and wrought iron elements, decorative original Cuban tile floors and insets, ornamental mantle, carved wood entry doors and moldings, wood ceiling beams, and decorative cast plaster brackets.

Acquisition of Property

The property was acquired by the Village in 2005 in an unprecedented effort to preserve an important landmark in South Miami-Dade County. At the time, the Village dedicated a third of its entire municipal budget to purchase the property for fear that a private developer would demolish the 1926 residence and carriage house to make way for a mini-mansion on the bay.   Most of the funding was recuperated through grant funds awarded by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection through its Florida Communities Trust Program, the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program, the Land and Water Conservation program, and local county programs such as the General Obligation Bond and the Safe Neighborhood Program.  Out of the $3.6 million price tag, Palmetto Bay successfully garnered $3.2 million in grant funds to purchase the property.