Timeline: Biscayne Engineering Company's History

1871

The Brickell family came to Miami buying a large number of acres south of the Miami River.

1891

Julia Tuttle bought 640 acres of real estate on north bank of Miami River and vowed to turn the jungle into a city.

1896

Miami is incorporated.

Flagler's railroad, renamed the Florida East Coast Railway in 1895, reached Biscayne Bay by 1896. Flagler railroad completed three months before the city is incorporated.

1897

In 1897, Henry Flagler opened the exclusive Royal Palm Hotel there. He became known as the Father of Miami, Florida.

1898-1908

Biscayne Engineering begins when J.S. Fredrick and W.E. Brown form a partnership.

In 1905 J.S. Frederick makes the first official Miami Map.

In 1908, the company is first named Frederick Brown Engineering Company.

1910

Construction begins on Villa Vizcaya - a villa built in a North Italian sixteenth-century style for James Deering.

The company's responsibilities include the building and road design, paving and drainage layouts as well as the conservation and preservation
of the area's natural foliage.

1911

The present name of Biscayne Engineering Co. was adopted. The company is named after the building they occupied in the former Bank of Bay Biscayne.

J.S. Fredrick and W.E. Brown and L.D. Llewellyn are the partners. J.S. Frederick dies in 1910.

1912-1913

J.J Bennett is hired as Rodman and eventually becomes a leading engineer in the area.

1913

W.E Brown, President
John A. Moore,Vice President
Earl E. Harvey, Secretary - Treasurer

1914

Biscayne Engineering Co. receives its corporate charter.

1916

Carl Fisher selects Brown for the development of Miami Beach.

1918

The U.S. Corps of Engineers gives Mr. Deering authorization to dig a channel to Vizcaya and he retains Biscayne Engineering Company’s services for the design and construction supervision of the foundation for the Cape Florida Lighthouse

Deering contracts Biscayne Engineering to maintain checks on the foundation

1923

JJ Bennett is elected as secretary – treasurer. He is later appointed as president in 1952 and serves in this position until 1973.

The company early work includes surveying and engineering of Miami streets, later extending to Dade County Streets.

The firm is also retained during the construction of Star Island- the first man-made island on Biscayne Bay. Work was also done on Bell Meade Island.

1920
Miami experiences a building boom.

Biscayne Engineering begins working on the Dade Drainage Canal and Biscayne Drainage Canal. These projects made Dade County's massive land development possible.

1926

A devastating category 4 hurricane strikes Miami September 17-18, killing more than 100 people and causing millions of dollars in damage.

Biscayne Engineering provided the original survey of the University of Miami to present day.

1942

During World War II, Biscayne Engineering was granted security clearance to provide reproduction materials for the war effort – including blueprints and photo stats.

1950

Biscayne Engineering is involved in the construction of the Florida International University campus,
which is developed on a portion of the land known as the Graves Tract.

Biscayne is asked to retrace a 30,000 acre survey by Mr. Jackson done in 1843, for Daywal Farms in South Dade.

Biscayne is commissioned to perform engineering and surveying services for the development and dredge fill operation at San Sousi Estates.

1956

Biscayne Engineering is involved in the development of Bayfront Park.

1960

Biscayne Engineering is involved in projects including:
• Punta Gorda Isles
• Port Charlotte
• Marco Island

1970

The 15,000 acres of land now comprising the City of Weston was first amassed in the 1950’s by a gentleman named Arthur Vining Davis, the original owner of Weston’s primary developer, ARVIDA.

In 1970, Biscayne is elected to perform professional services for the development of Bonaventure Subdivision in Broward County.

Biscayne is selected to survey 6,000 acres for the Arthur V. Davis (Arvida) firm in Broward County.

1976

Biscayne Engineering established a Latin American Division and appoints Ignacio San Pedro as Vice President of this division.

Biscayne is selected to perform surveying to plat the "Park of Commerce" for Arvida.

Biscayne receives a commendation from City of Miami Mayor Maurice Ferrer for its long record of service to the City of Miami.

1979

Biscayne EngineeringCompany begins its involvement with the renovations and updates of the historic Art Deco Hotels in Miami Beach.

1980

Biscayne is selected to perform professional services for plat of the Welleby Subdivision.

Biscayne performs engineering and surveying for the extension of Nob Hill and Hiatus Road in Broward County.

1986 - 1991

Biscayne Engineering works with Dade County Transit on full surveying and layout work for the MetroMover.

Biscayne Engineering later works on the extension of the People Mover for the south extension.

1991

Named a Cornerstone Company by The Beacon Council

1996

Recognized as a Pioneer Company by by the Miami Centennial ’96 Committee

2006

Biscayne Engineering Company responsible for the construction layout of the Carnival Center for the Performing Arts.

Other development during this period include

Other Notable Client's & Projects Include

• Howard Hughes
• Senator Claude Pepper's home in the Keys
• Congressman Dante Fascell
• President Nixon - Helicopter Pad and Compound on Key Biscayne
• The Burdines Family - stores in downtown Miami and Dadeland and their personnel homes
• Dade County School Board
• Broward County School Board
• Appointed by courts to settle survey disputes