Les Beilinson

Beilinson died June 14, 2013 at Mount Sinai Medical Center from complications of abdominal surgery. Beilinson lived throughout his life in his hometown. His family's wish was that his legacy be preserved through contributions to the Miami Design Preservation League.

In reference to the buildings Beilinson worked to preserve, he observed: “The majority are shoe boxes with wood frame construction on the inside and front facades and small public lobby spaces, many were severely deteriorated with a lot of sagging,’’ he said. “The concrete had a high salt content that deteriorated the steel bars and beams reinforcing it — I looked at some of these buildings and I didn’t know what kept them standing,” Beilinson told the American Institute of Architects in 2010, when the group’s Miami chapter named him Historic Architect of the Year.

It was the relationship with Barbara Baer Capitman that first saw Beilinson develop his interest in historic preservation into action in the 1970s. Beilinson said “Barbara was very driven, knew what she wanted and she persevered to get it. She was the first one to see these old 1930s buildings as a resource for Miami Beach – and she was convincing.”

Les Dennis Beilinson (7 November 1946 – 14 June 2013) was an American architect and preservationist. He was known for his work in Miami's Art Deco district, both preserving existing architecture and ensuring its ongoing viability through modernization and upgrade for commercial purposes. As a founding member of the City of Miami Historic Preservation board, Beilinson was a defender of the glory days of 1940s and 1950s Miami against threats from unmoderated development. Beilinson was the founding partner of Beilinson Gomez Architects, PA, in partnership with Jose Gomez, AIA.

Beilinson grew up in Miami Beach during the 1940s and 1950s, years associated with the development of the city's unique Art Deco district. Beilinson attended the Miami Beach Senior High School and subsequently, the University of Miami where he graduated in Architecture.