The historic 17-story Alfred I. DuPont Building has the kind of grandeur you can bank on for your South Florida wedding -- literally. The only Art Deco era skyscraper in the Miami skyline was formerly headquarters for a bank that dates back to 1939. While the building is a representation of Depression Moderne Architecture, its opening symbolized the city's emergence from the Great Depression.
Today, The DuPont Building's teller windows and two vaults remain intact. Small wedding receptions and cocktails are even entertained within the North Ballroom's 1,500 square-foot safe deposit vault known for its massive round metal security door. Inside the vault, a traditional seated dinner can host up to 40 guests. Deposits and transactions at the five original teller booths located on its east wall have been replaced with an exchange of manhattans, wine and beer. It's the most captivating and ornate bar around.
Photo credit: The Historic Alfred I. DuPont Building
However, weddings with larger parties have two conventional ballrooms to choose from. The North Ballroom can accommodate 100 to 250 guests for a customary dinner reception or can host a cocktail party from 75 to 400 people. If you are intrigued by décor, The North Ballroom reflects art deco style with its brass-lined historical escalator, marble and limestone clad columns and intricate hand-painted wood ceilings.
Photo credit: NeoArt
In contrast, the 6,500 square-foot South Ballroom is a flexible space with 30 foot ceilings that serves as a blank canvass. This feature of the South Ballroom allows you to customize various details of your wedding. The South Ballroom may hold seated dinners from 100 to 570 guests depending on the table layout. Of course, both ballrooms can be combined to allow for up to 1,400 guests.
Photo credit: NeoArt
It's easy to see why the Historic Alfred I. DuPont Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. The building's elegant interior includes wall-to-wall Tennessee marble flooring, hand-painted cyprus wood ceilings, detailed scroll work and intricately detailed brass gates and grates.
In addition, its close proximity to the Metrorail and public transit may make finding transportation easy for your guests.