Calling all Detectives: Group effort

[CarolineUK]

RE: CC6; I came across this behind the scenes picture that is somewhat helpful. It would be a big help if it were greater resolution but it does at least show the next several buildings to the south are low rise.http://www.southfloridafilminglocations.com/wpimages/wpf5b5b168.jpg' alt='Eingefügtes Bild' class='bbc_img' />I have spotted a possibility in Sunny Isles Beach. The address would be approximately 18911 A1A. Ocean III now stands on the site but here is a sat. pic. from 12/25/1999.http://www.southfloridafilminglocations.com/wpimages/wp2b49def1.png' alt='Eingefügtes Bild' class='bbc_img' /> I will be trying to locate pictures of the structure that was there in the 80's and 90's.[/SIZE">

I have been looking online & I found a list of former properties in Sunny Isles. Giving the above address' date=' I got: "18900, 18901, BEACHHARBOR MOTEL". I have googled this name & as yet found nothing so I'll go back to my old Miami sites showing motels. For your info, C Glide, here is the site I got it from: [url']http://streets.metrobot.com/US/FL/12086/NORTH-MIAMI-BEACH-Map-Collins-Ave-12086004555101M108.html

[C Glide]

Cool! I will see if I can locate anything on it.

[CarolineUK]

http://streets.metrobot.com/US/FL/12086/NORTH-MIAMI-BEACH-Map-Collins-Ave-12086004555101M108.html

I have just found this newspaper item as I missed out one of the "h"'s in my spelling when searching. This says in 1979 there was a fire at the motel and had recently changed its name from the Beachcomber. The neighbouring motel was Whispering Palms. I'll let you know if I get pics on either of these properties.[ATTACH=CONFIG]5173[/ATTACH]

[C Glide]

Great job!

[CarolineUK]

Beachcomber - continuedHiI have found the following picture & on the back of the postcard from the 60s it gives the address being looked for:http://pieshops.blogspot.com/2011/05/wish-you-were-hear-my-dad-no.htmlA Picture of it from the front:http://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/160179[ATTACH=CONFIG]5174[/ATTACH]And finally, another newspaper article, this time about the motel's opening in Nov 1957:[ATTACH=CONFIG]5175[/ATTACH]

[CarolineUK]

Beachcomber's neighbouring propertyHere is a postcard of the Whispering Palms, mentioned in the newspaper article on the fire:http://motelpostcards.blogspot.com/2011/05/whispering-palms-motel-miami-beach.htmlThis motel had a kidney shaped pool:http://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/212536http://www.cardcow.com/256612/whispering-palms-resort-motel-miami-beach-florida/Sorry I've just put in the links rather than cut & paste but it's getting very late here & I'm up early tomorrow for the office. Hope these links help to the pilot's beachside location

[CarolineUK]

Motel row Sunny IslesJust logging off & caught sight of this postcard which may show the beach area we're looking for:[ATTACH=CONFIG]5176[/ATTACH]Here's the link in case you want to enlarge it for yourself:http://www.cardcow.com/256711/strip-collins-avenue-miami-beach-florida/

[C Glide]

http://motelpostcards.blogspot.com/2011/05/whispering-palms-motel-miami-beach.htmlThis motel had a kidney shaped pool:http://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/212536http://www.cardcow.com/256612/whispering-palms-resort-motel-miami-beach-florida/Sorry I've just put in the links rather than cut & paste but it's getting very late here & I'm up early tomorrow for the office. Hope these links help to the pilot's beachside location

Well the good news is since we can rule out the Whispering Palms, we can focus elsewhere. Good work.

[C Glide]

5175[/ATTACH]

I would say that we can rule out the beachcomber.

[CarolineUK]

I would say that we can rule out the beachcomber.

I had hoped we might find something. Have we ruled out Key Biscayne? (as Giller designed motels down there too which might have looked like the Thunderbird). I don't know that area so not sure if there are similar looking beaches to that in the ep

[CarolineUK]

CC6 - something we missedI watched the scene again last night & noticed that there are steps down to the beach from the hotel's beach bar and pool area. There are no steps down to the beach in the area of Sunny Isles where the Thunderbird is located. Will this help us to nail the area used for filming?

[C Glide]

I watched the scene again last night & noticed that there are steps down to the beach from the hotel's beach bar and pool area. There are no steps down to the beach in the area of Sunny Isles where the Thunderbird is located. Will this help us to nail the area used for filming?

I think the stairs are note worthy but at the same time not a huge deal since there has been significant dredging and beach reclamation since Vice filmed. I have not ruled out anything completely but my focus is currently on Sunny Isles. I may do a screen capture of google earth and try to rule out locations 1 by 1 to narrow it down.

[Matt5]

I think the stairs are note worthy but at the same time not a huge deal since there has been significant dredging and beach reclamation since Vice filmed. I have not ruled out anything completely but my focus is currently on Sunny Isles. I may do a screen capture of google earth and try to rule out locations 1 by 1 to narrow it down.

The only walkway I know like that with stairs down is the beach walkway up to 45th st / Collins Ave:D

[CarolineUK]

I watched the scene again last night & noticed that there are steps down to the beach from the hotel's beach bar and pool area. There are no steps down to the beach in the area of Sunny Isles where the Thunderbird is located. Will this help us to nail the area used for filming?

I have now found pictures of the old motel Chateau in Sunny Isles. I've read that the premises were extensively refurbished in 1979: sadly I don't know how old all the pictures below are so I don't know if a bar was added. The pool has the shape we're looking for' date=' plus there were - what seems to be - steps going down to the beach. The building was also designed by Giller, the same architect as the Thunderbird:[ATTACH=CONFIG']5180[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5181[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5182[/ATTACH]

[C Glide]

Very strong. I like the odds on this one. More needed but I bet that you have found it.

[Beach_Vice]

There's the notched corners, that's a promising one for sure. I'd bet on it too. The door in the notch looks like the door in the background on the most recent posted screen caps. Looking deeper...

[C Glide]

There's the notched corners' date=' that's a promising one for sure. I'd bet on it too. The door in the notch looks like the door in the background on the most recent posted screen caps. Looking deeper...[/quote']Agreed. I am looking at that also.

[C Glide]

However; was it one door or two? Could have changed.

[Beach_Vice]

I can't find that hotel on Google Earth. Havin' problems here.

[Matt5]

However; was it one door or two? Could have changed.

wow - I look forward to your confirmation on this SoflaJeremy:D:D

[CarolineUK]

I can't find that hotel on Google Earth. Havin' problems here.

This motel was demolished by Dezer in 1999 but the address was 19115' date=' the site of the Ocean 11 condominium.For info, I've just found someone's old photos of 1980s Sunny Isles on Miami 411 which cover the Chateau, Blue Mist and the Suez (he hasn't titled them but they're good to look at)http://forums.miamibeach411.com/general-discussion/9269-old-photos-80-s-around-sunny-isles.html

[Matt5]

http://forums.miamibeach411.com/general-discussion/9269-old-photos-80-s-around-sunny-isles.html

Very interesting - shame property gone but not suprising

[CarolineUK]

Very interesting - shame property gone but not suprising

I agree especially with the monsters they've put up now. Instead of Sunny Isles' date=' people are calling it Shady Isles as the huge buildings block out the afternoon sun along the beach there!Anyways, back to our quest. I misposted the name of the building - the condo is called Ocean 2 (or II in roman numerals) not 11 as I wrote.I have found it on the map and then I have looked to see what its neighbour is/was. The neighbouring property, built in 1951 and still standing is the Miami Beach Club. I have tried to use Google Earth as there are no streeviews from the beach (obvious, I know!) but only managed to get a shot of the beach from regular Google maps. The red arrow points to the corner of the possbile building in the background of the scene (Miami Beach Club)and the cross marks the location of the Chateau Resort motel:[ATTACH=CONFIG']5191[/ATTACH]However I have found a site which tells you about local properties and on it, there's a rather unflattering picture of the Miami Beach Club from the back - I know it's not the correct angle for our scene but it does look more like a strip mall building than a motel (which MiamiJim mentioned some posts back). [ATTACH=CONFIG]5192[/ATTACH]The site is here for anyone who wants to look at it in full:http://www.condoreports.com/real-estate-reports/miami-beach-club-a-motel-condo_sunny-isles_condo_597

[Matt5]

5191[/ATTACH]However I have found a site which tells you about local properties and on it, there's a rather unflattering picture of the Miami Beach Club from the back - I know it's not the correct angle for our scene but it does look more like a strip mall building than a motel (which MiamiJim mentioned some posts back). [ATTACH=CONFIG]5192[/ATTACH]The site is here for anyone who wants to look at it in full:http://www.condoreports.com/real-estate-reports/miami-beach-club-a-motel-condo_sunny-isles_condo_597

I say looks promising - we will wait from SoflaJeremy for confirmation

[Beach_Vice]

That's great info, and exactly where I was looking. The Miami Beach club didn't fit the appearance and I didn't the Chateau to be demolished because several hotel sites list the Miami Beach club as the address for the Chateau by the Sea. That's a bit of bad info that threw me off.