Miami landscape architect Jonathan Seymour dies at 94

Its safe to say South Florida would have a very different look if Jonathan Seymour had never worked his magic on it.

The landscape architect created buildings and outdoor spaces that became some of the areas most iconic and beautiful images: The Country Club of Miami, Coral Gables Miracle Mile, the University of Miami Student Union, the Dade County Jail and Criminal Courts building and a large portion of the Julia Tuttle Causeway are just a few highlights of his portfolio.

Seymour died at his home in Jacksonville Tuesday morning, just 10 days after celebrating his 94th birthday. He had congestive heart failure and was receiving hospice care.

He lived in Miami from 1948 until 1992 with his wife, Elizabeth, who is an artist and also worked as his office manager for more than 40 years.

The couple, who were married for 67 years, met as undergraduates at the University of Georgia, where Jonathan majored in landscape architecture. They were introduced through one of his Sigma Nu fraternity brothers.

Before graduating from UGA, Jonathan served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was stationed in India. He was able to utilize his artistic personality even then, designing decoys out of balsa wood and fabric.

As Coral Gables landscape architect, he helped to transform the city from 1950 to 1956. At that time, he designed the Alhambra Circle entrance, and other entrances and street plantings in the city. He introduced wide sidewalks and ground covers to Miracle Mile.

He moved in on Miracle Mile when it really needed help, and he really gussied it up, said Paul George, a Miami historian and professor at Miami Dade College. Its become a very noteworthy street, with many upscale businesses. ... I would hold him partially responsible for the renaissance of that street.

Seymour opened his professional office in Miami in 1956. Although he designed well-known commercial properties, he was best known for residential projects, often for high-profile clients, including the DuPont and Wackenhut families. In particular, he was recognized for designing unusually-shaped swimming pools that incorporated elements of nature in the 1960s, when many designers were sticking to rectangular shapes.

He often designed in the style of the English garden, but had a diverse portfolio. Most of all, he loved elements of surprise and valued the individual experience of moving through an environment.

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Miami landscape architect Jonathan Seymour dies at 94