Editing Miami Lakes, Florida (section)

==History==
The development was constructed by Sengra (now the Graham Companies) beginning in 1962 on land formerly owned by [[Florida Senate|Florida state senator]] [[Ernest R. Graham (politician)|Ernest "Cap" Graham]]. The Grahams stated for many years that it would be a 30-year development, but they are still developing to this day.

The original Miami Lakes development, east of the [[Palmetto Expressway]], was master-planned by [[Lester Collins (landscape architect)|Lester Collins]] with curving tree-shaded roadways and numerous curving lakes, which are unusual compared to most surrounding areas with their treeless streets on a square grid and rectangular lakes. This original development, which is on the east side of the more recently designated Town of Miami Lakes, has neighborhood shopping centers, tot-lot parks, and a town center named Main Street. A significant portion of Miami Lakes is still owned by the Grahams, mostly apartment buildings, shopping centers, office buildings, and undeveloped land. The town is an early model of the [[New Urbanism]] movement, with shopping and services located within walking distance of residences as well as narrow, walkable streets and plenty of neighborhood parks.

When it was incorporated in December 2000, the Town of Miami Lakes became the 31st municipality in Miami-Dade County. Miami Lakes is home to more than 1,100 businesses.

The Master Plan began over 50 years ago when the Graham family began the development of what was their dairy farm. Unlike many cities and towns created during the early 1960s, the Grahams decided to create a master plan for the city that would allow decades of growth, construction, and changing market conditions. Lester Collins, former dean of the [[Harvard School of Design]], was enlisted to create a master plan for the area that would become the center of Miami Lakes. Collins laid the foundation for an integrated community, including residential, commercial, industrial, and mixed uses.

Former U.S. Senator [[Bob Graham]], the younger half-brother of family patriarch William "Bill" Graham, is one of the owners, and [[Katharine Graham]], the late publisher of the ''Washington Post'', had a share by marriage. On December 5, 2000, Miami Lakes voted to become an incorporated town.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 September 2024 |title=Miami Lakes used to look like that? See the Shula home, cows and early shopping centers |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article292723344.html |access-date=6 May 2025 |website=Miami Herald}}</ref>