History of the Brazilian Court Hotel

chitect. In 1936 Mulford would hire him to design the south wing and courtyard of the Brazilian Court. Vincent's wife Madeleine Emma Day Mulford died September 22, 1925. She had given birth to four children; three sons, Vincent II (1905 - 1907), Doug- las Leonard (1907,1907) Vincent Jr. (1911 - 1960), and two daughters Madeleine (1903 - 1987) and Car- ol (1910,?). Vincent married second Edith Catherine Loughbor- ough (1895 - 1978). They had one son Donald Lewis (1918 - 1990). The main entrance to the BC was on Brazilian Ave- nue from which the hotel received its name. Origi- nally the building was touted as a "residential and transient hotel" with a plain wood sign “ HOTEL ” on the corner of the structure with an arrow to the entrance. There were 50 small one - room efficiency apartments each equipped with a kitchenette. Occu- pants ranged from those who worked on the island to prostitutes who serviced the rich. A "kitchenette apartment" rented for $100 a month with amenities that included an in - a - door bed, bath and large living room. Ads promised hotel services "conducted to meet the needs of an exacting clien- tele and still retain a very reasonable tariff."

Maurice Fatio, 1897 - 1943

The first advertising appeared in the Palm Beach Post on December 27, 1925.

1929

An article in the December 10, 1929 Palm Beach Post announced the deluxe apartment hotel the Brazilian Court opening for its fourth season and was already reporting an influx of winter visitors. The new man- ager W. M. Stevenson reported that the 100 - room structure had been completely renovated. Gabrielle, who also had an establishment at Via Parigi on Worth Avenue, operated a restaurant in the hotel. There was also tea service available in the palm tree landscaped patio.

Meanwhile, just 60 miles to the south, Miami and Miami Beach was undergoing a bust after several years of unfortold boom. Land values plummeted, fortunes were lost and development came to a screeching halt. Revenuers were finally getting a hold on the rampant bootlegging from the nearby islands and moonshining in the Everglades. It was not the best time to open a hotel.

An ad in the Palm Beach Post on December 27, 1925:

ANNOUNCEMENT Brazilian Court Hotel Apartments, Brazilian and Hi- biscus Avenue, Palm Beach, Are now taking reservations. Housekeeping apartments and rooms for transients with full hotel service. All beautiful large outside rooms. Telephone 2094 - J

1930

1930 Census: Essex Co NJ, Montclair, District 528, 130 South Mountain Avenue, hh 136/209, Vincent S. MULFORD, Head, Owns home, Value $500,000, Has radio, m, w, 56, Widow, NY, NY, NY, Financier, Corporations, Employer; Vincent S. Jr, Son, 19; Donald L., Son, 11; seven servants/

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