[9] The city is a Mediterranean-themed planned community[10][11] known for its historic and affluent character reinforced by its strict zoning, popular landmarks, and tourist sights.

It was and remains a planned community based on the popular early twentieth century City Beautiful Movement and is known for its strict zoning regulations.

The city's architecture is almost entirely Mediterranean Revival style, mandated in the original plan,[18] with an emphasis on Spanish influence in particular, such as the Coral Gables Congregational Church, donated by Merrick.

The domed Catholic Church of the Little Flower was built somewhat later, in a similar Spanish Renaissance style.

[19] Merrick's success in executing this vision for the city would catch the attention of Spain's King, Alfonso XIII, who awarded Merrick the Order of Isabella the Catholic for his support of Spanish culture in Coral Gables.

For example, he designed the Downtown commercial district to be only four blocks wide and more than 2 miles (3.2 km) long.

Another distinctive and character-defining feature of the city planned by Merrick are the themed Coral Gables Villages that date to the 1920s and were designed to expand the city's architecture beyond Spanish influence to include Italian, French, and Dutch South African among others.

[24] During World War II, many Navy pilots and mechanics were trained and housed in Coral Gables.

The city passed its first preservation ordinance in 1973 as many of its founding structures from the 1920s began to reach their 50th anniversaries.

The department also reviews modifications to locally designated landmarks and initiates grant proposals.

Among Coral Gables landmarks are the Venetian Pool, Douglas Entrance, and Miami Biltmore hotel.

Numerous movies have been filmed fully or partially in Coral Gables, including Nude on the Moon (1961), Goldilocks and the Three Bares (1963), Jimmy, the Boy Wonder (1966), I Eat Your Skin (1971), Shock Waves (1977), Absence of Malice (1981), The Mean Season (1985), Miami Rhapsody (1995), Bad Boys (1995), The Perez Family (1995), Fair Game (1995), Two Much (1995), Blood and Wine (1996), Curdled (1996), Wild Things (1998), The Hours (2002), My Sexiest Year (2007), Dostna (2008), Posthumous (2012), and others.

Several countries operate consulates in Coral Gables, including Barbados, Colombia,[82] El Salvador,[83] Italy,[84] Peru, Spain,[85] Monaco, St. Lucia, and Uruguay.

[86] Several countries have honorary consulates located in Coral Gables, including Australia, Belize, Hungary, Senegal, St. Kitts & Nevis, Togo, and Thailand.

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office maintains Taiwan's diplomatic mission at 2333 Ponce De Leon Boulevard in Coral Gables.