History of the Brazilian Court Hotel

trated in 1955. The film The Happiest Millionaire star- ring Fred Mac- Murray in 1967 was based on his life. Mulford had be- friended Palm Beach developer Stanly Paschal in the 1920s, mostly because Paschal was a dynamic bridge player. Pas- chal was part own- er of the newly constructed Brazil-

lost the case, but Joseph D'Esterre was left $100,000 in the will and this is likely the money that he used to get started in the real estate business. A future owner of the BC was meanwhile enjoying the social crown of Palm Beach as evidenced by the February 6, 1925, page 10 article in the Palm Beach Post :

COCONUT GROVE - Visitors to Palm Beach, even if here for only a day, feel as if they had no really seen Palm Beach until they have gone to the Coconut Grove for tea and a dance under the palms. Everyone reserves the hour from 5:30 to 6:30 on his dai- ly calendar for the Grove, just as the morning is a standing Beach engage- ment. And everyone is sure of a right royal welcome for the genial Col. Jack Hobby presides over both these places and livens them up with his clever quips. Mr. and Mrs. George Sloane, Mr. and Mrs. Alexandre and Mr. Robert C. Winmill were in one party, and Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Mencham, Mr. Vincent Mulford and Mr. Maurice Fatio in another.

ian Court Apartments. With the depression in full swing Mulford took a substantial mortgage and later a second mortgage on the endangered property.

1925

The original owner of the Brazilian Court was Jo- seph D'Esterre. He and investor Stanley Pascal (Paschal) purchased the lots which at the time was the site of a few small homes. They hired architect Rosario Candela to design the Mediterranean - style two story building with a large central courtyard. Candela had specialized in designing luxury apart- ment buildings in New York City on Park and Fifth Avenues. Even 90 years later these designs appear to be modern. Joseph, born December 3, 1887, was the son of Wil- liam D'Esterre of Brooklyn, New York. In the 1910 Census Joseph is shown living with his 52 year old brother William in Brooklyn. Joseph was listed as a "Clerk" at the "Theatre" while William was a "Colector" of "Real Es- tate".

Maurice Fatio was a Swiss - born American who moved to the Palm Beaches in 1925 after making a name for him- self in

New York City

as

an

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A 1914 lawsuit in Brook- lyn, New York, found the D'Esterre brothers in a legal battle over a $7 mil- lion will dispute. The D'Esterre's were grand- children of Otto and Emi- lie Huber who made their fortune in the brewing industry. The D'Esterres

Rosario Candela, architect.

Vincent Strong Mulford

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