Collins dredged sand from the bay and built land on the swamp. He sold the newly created properties and the resort he developed became one of the world's most popular. The long strip of ocean front hotels remains unsurpassed in their deco luxuriance. In the 1920's the land boom was in full swing, mammoth hotels sprung up along the island. Gigantic hotels, sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay offer a degree of opulence that long has been a standard for luxury hotel accommodations.
Hotels line nine miles of sand palm fringed beach.
The Art Deco District contains 16 city blocks and is part of trendy South Beach area of clubs and restaurants. The principal attractions are the art deco district, which preserve the elegant architectural style that predominated in the area from the 1920s to the 1940s. In 1984 the city furthered its accommodating reputation by building a boardwalk between 21st and 46th street allowing for comfortable strolls along the oceanfront. Miami Beach has a vibrant nightlife that offers a little something for everyone. The Miami Design Preservation League offers a 90-minute tour of the area.