To some degree, Miami developed the style through the work of younger architects immediately after the war; they were more closely aligned with media promotions and sensationalism than older architects of the era. The region successfully transposed its extravagant resort styling to a national audience easily captivated by the area’s relative exoticism.

MiMo is characterized by “pylons, marine imagery, sweeping curves, catwalks, open courts, porte-cochères, brise-soleil and delta wings.” More natural and traditional imagery often found on a MiMo building includes “contrasting textures of stone, brick, tile and patterned stucco, layered brick, stone and exposed brick (a Frank Lloyd Wrightinfluence), ornamental ironwork and decorative railings rendered in modern geometric designs.”

MiMo style buildings generally made extensive use of plate glass, poured concrete and special materials such as glass mosaic tile , architectural screen block, crab orchard stone, as well as expansive use of high-grade marble, and rare hardwoods on the public interiors. Two or more textured surfaces often were used together (i.e. stucco with stone, brick, or tile, as well as contra-sting smooth and patterned stucco surfaces) Elements such as accordion-like folded plane roofs and walls, acute angles or subtle angles, dynamic parabolas, delta wing shapes, sweeping curved walls, and soaring pylons introduced drama wherever they were employed.

It’s a seemingly dichotomous style that was nonetheless successful for its “glamorous, dramatic, fun and exuberant” architectural themes, bringing “innovative forms that incorporating greater functionality” to the North Beach aesthetic.