Mediterranean Revival is the design language Coral Gables was built around in 1925. Today, BAR enforces a contemporary version of that language for projects in designated districts. If your roof is being reviewed, here's what the city actually wants to see.
Tile profile
The default is Spanish barrel tile (S-tile) or mission tile (two-piece pan and cover). Eagle Capistrano, Hanson Tampa, and Boral Saxony all carry profiles that BAR has approved repeatedly. For non-contributing structures and newer homes, tile-look metal in a matching profile is often acceptable. Standing seam in subdued colors can work on contemporary infill homes outside the strictest districts.
Color range
BAR favors warm earth tones — terra-cotta reds, weathered orange-browns, warm grays, and muted oranges. Bright reds, pure whites, and cool grays are usually rejected. The reasoning is streetscape coherence: a Coral Gables block reads as one continuous palette, not as a collection of individual choices. Pull sample boards before estimating colors with the homeowner.
Ridge and hip detail
Ridge caps should match the field tile color and profile. Hip-to-ridge transitions should be mortared in the original Mediterranean style (or sealed in the modern equivalent that mimics the look). Exposed metal ridge in a contrasting color is almost always rejected.
What's changed since 1925
Modern HVHZ code requires mechanical tile fastening and modern underlayments that didn't exist in 1925. The visible result (the “read” from the street) is what BAR cares about; the engineering underneath is up to current code regardless. We document both layers in the BAR submittal so reviewers understand the construction.
Sample-board approval
For higher-stakes projects (full re-roofs, contributing historic structures, prominent properties), we prepare a physical sample board with three to five candidate tile-and-color combinations. The board lets BAR and the homeowner see the actual materials in actual light before installation. This step has saved more than one project from a costly post-install change order.