Discover the adventurous years of Addison Mizner that shaped him to be the extraordinary architect who transformed the landscape of Palm Beach into the queen of resorts it is today, including his time in CA, and travels to Central America, Hawaii, Australia, China and New York.

The Many Mizners is the autobiography of Addison Mizner, the esteemed and celebrated architect of Palm Beach. Born into an extraordinary family clan, Addison enjoyed the exploits of his early years before distinguishing himself as a remarkable figure of his time. This memoir reveals his early life in affluent late-nineteenth-century California, his experiences in Central America, and his more adventurous times as a gold prospector in the Yukon. After further travels in Hawaii, Addison visited Australia and China before arriving in New York and reentering the life he was born to. Throughout his life, wherever he found himself, Mizner showed his eye for detail and flair for design and architecture. The touching final chapter details the hilarious last months of Mizner’s mother’s life when he realized what it means to be a Mizner.

 

Addison Cairns Mizner (December 12, 1872–February 5, 1933) was an American architect who played a pivotal role in shaping the architectural landscape of South Florida. His signature Mediterranean Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival styles are evident in the region’s design to this day. Mizner was born in Benicia, California, and his early years were influenced by his travels with his father, a lawyer and diplomat.
Mizner’s architecture career flourished in the 1920s when he became Florida’s premier architect, designing more than fifty Palm Beach villas and Florida mansions for wealthy socialites. His notable works include the Everglades Club and The Boca Raton resort and club. His designs were not just buildings but comprehensive environments, incorporating interior and garden design, which he facilitated through his firm, Mizner Industries.
Despite his lack of formal university training, Mizner’s innovative and exacting approach left a lasting imprint on South Florida’s aesthetic, transforming its ambience and becoming the region’s architectural hallmark.