When you think of Miami, there are certain buildings that come to mind
From the Art Deco styled buildings down Washington Ave to national landmarks that tell the the story of our history.
For locals and visitors alike, we share 8 buildings in Miami with iconic architecture. Each building is filled with character that makes it unique from others. Learn more about their style, history, purpose and the architect who envisioned it.
1. Biltmore Hotel
Built in: 1926
Location: 1200 Anastasia Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134
Architect: George Merrick
Purpose: Resort
Style: Lush Landscapes, with Italian,Moorish and Spanish architectural influences.
History: The Biltmore hotel has a lot of history. Originally built in the 1920’s as a destination for the rich and famous, this city gem has also served as a hospital during the war and a University of Miami campus.
Fun fact: Unlike most buildings, the Biltmore Hotel has a 13th floor – which is the location of their famous Everglades/Al Capone suite.
2. Freedom Tower
Built in: 1925
Location: 600 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132
Architect: Schultze and Weaver.
Purpose: HQ and printing facility for the The Miami News
Style: Mediterranean Revival
History: In the 1960’s, this building was used to process documents and provide medical care to refugees from Cuba. The sight of the building was a beacon of freedom, which is how it earned its name Freedom Tower.
Fun fact: The Freedom Tower has housed the works of Dalí and Da Vinci.
3. Fontainebleau Hotel
Built in: 1954
Location: 4441 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140
Architect: Morris Lapidus
Purpose: Luxurious hotel
Style: Miami Modern Architecture (MiMo)
History: The Fontainebleau Hotel was built to be the epitome of luxury hotels in Miami. The design was so iconic, it was featured in movies like Goldfinger, The Bellboy, Scarface, The Specialist and The Bodyguard.
Fun fact: The owner of the hotel built a new addition called the Chateau to purposely spite former partner and owner of the next door hotel, Eden Roc, and is nicknamed “The Spite Wall.”
4. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Built in: 1914-1923
Location: 3251 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33129
Architect: Paul Chalfin, F. Burrall Hoffman, and Diego Suarez
Purpose: Private estate
Style: Italian Renaissance
History: Vizcaya was built to be the summer home of James Deering, a wealthy businessman.
The home was built in an European style with many surrounding gardens and fixtures imported directly from Europe. It also infused many of Miami’s distinct features like limestone and palm trees to create a stunning mix of styles. Today, the estate is owned by the government as has been converted to a museum filled with antiques and history.
Fun fact: In 2008 the National Trust for Historic Preservation listed Vizcaya as one of america’s eleven most endangered historic places
5. Raleigh hotel
Built in: 1940
Location: 1775 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Architect: L. Murray Dixon
Purpose: Luxurious hotel
Style: Art Deco
History: The hotel was originally built during the “Boom over Miami” period, where countless hotels were built on Miami Beach. During WWII, it became an administrative office and also housed troops. After the war, it was renovated a few times into a luxury hotel – though keeping the key details that made it unique like their “most beautiful pool in America”.
Fun fact: After WWII, The Raleigh briefly became a kosher hotel and the ballroom was used as a synagogue.
6. Miami Tower
Built in: 1987
Location: 100 SE 2nd St, Miami, FL 33131
Architect: Pei Cobb Freed & Partners
Purpose: Signature office Tower and Landmark
Style: Modern
History: The Miami Tower is best known for lighting up the skyline in changing colors. From Patriotic holidays to our local sports teams, the Miami tower stand out against other building with its 3-tiered multi-colored building. It’s made up of a 10 story city-owned parking garage and a 47-story office building on top and the only building in Miami to house a metro station (Knight Center Station).
Fun fact: The Miami Tower has been featured in many films including Miami Vice and Fringe.
7. Olympia Theater
Built in: 1926
Location: 174 E. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33131
Architect: John Eberson
Purpose: Silent movie theatre
Style: Spanish garden
History: The history of the Olympia theater changed and adapted as the way people enjoy the theatre has changed. Once a silent movie theatre, it has been renovated to serve as a live performance stage, rock concert venue, and finally to the performing arts center it remains today.
Fun fact: This was the first air-conditioned building in the South.
8. Venetian Pool
Built in: 1924
Location: 2701 De Soto Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 33134
Architect: Phineas Paist
Purpose: Public lagoon and Mediterranean Revival project
Style: Mediterranean Revival
History: Originally an abandoned coral rock quarry, George Merrick developed the area along with the Coral Gables neighborhood. Although mostly used as a pool, in the past, it was drained and used by the Miami Symphony for performances.
Fun fact: The Venetian Pool is the largest freshwater pool in the United States.