History of Opa-locka Architecture

Opa-locka has the largest collection of Moorish architecture in the Western hemisphere. The city was incorporated in 1926 as an "Arabian Fantasy'' based on the book 1001 Arabian Tales. Developer Glen Curtiss built 105 buildings with an array of domes, minarets and outside staircases between 1925-28 during Florida's land boom, which came to an end after the 1926 hurricane destroyed much of the city. Before he quit, Curtiss had built a self-contained city with a hotel, zoo park, golf course, archery club and swimming pool, airport and train station in the place the Tequesta Indians called Opatishawockalocka. (Curtiss shortened the name.) Much of the property Curtiss built was later deeded to the County.

Twenty of Opa-locka's buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1990, the OLCDC renovated one of the buildings, the Historical Hurt Building, maintaining its Moorish architecture, renaming it the Logan Executive Center, and subsequently leasing space to area small businesses. 

In June 2003, the OLCDC completed extensive renovation of another of the Historic Places, the old train station.  The OLCDC now leases the station as an office and retail facility. 

In addition to OLCDC preservations, the State built an office complex next to City Hall in 1999.