Coral Gables was planned in the 1920s by visionary developer George Merrick. Situated a few miles southwest of Downtown Miami, the area is filled with wide, tree-lined avenues named after Spanish and Italian towns. It features stunning Mediterranean Revival architecture complemented by plazas, parks and fountains. Coral Gables enjoys the beautiful outdoor mall the Shops at Merrick Park and is home to the historic Biltmore Hotel. In addition it is famous for its shops and cafes along Miracle Mile as well as outdoor wonders such as the Venetian Pool, a coral rock quarry and natural aquifer for swimming, and Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, an 83-acre wonderland of tropical plants and trees near Biscayne Bay.