Voters in Miami will decide Tuesday on the fate of the Miami Marine Stadium, a Brutalist architectural masterpiece that opened in 1963 and has been closed since suffering damage from Hurricane Andrew in 1992.
The stadium, designed by Cuban refugee Hilario Candela, was once a prominent symbol of South Florida, hosting powerboat races and concerts by artists such as Gloria Estefan and Jimmy Buffett. It was also featured in Elvis Presley's 1967 film "Clambake."
Despite being listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, the 6,500-seat venue has fallen into disrepair, fenced off and covered in graffiti for over three decades.
The referendum seeks to allow the city to enter into a management agreement with a private company to restore the stadium, located on Virginia Key across from downtown Miami. The city would retain full ownership, while the private partner would develop the adjacent parking area into a flex park with recreational facilities and an events space. Revenue generated from events would fund repairs and upgrades, with the city paying the management company a fee.
City officials, including Miami Commissioner Damian Pardo, argue that the city government lacks the capacity to manage a major event space and that a partnership is the best way to revitalize the landmark. Pardo stated that the project's cost will not be borne by taxpayers. "It’s the right time to finally do this," Pardo said.
Supporters highlight the stadium's unique architecture, historical significance, and cultural connections. Miami Commissioner Damian Pardo described it as a place that "encapsulated a time period in Miami that’s incredibly unique with an incredible story that touches all Miamians."
Jimmy Buffett, who performed at the stadium in 1985, wrote a letter urging officials to save the "little cathedral of musical fun" before his passing in 2023. His daughter, Savannah, continues to advocate for its preservation. Donald Worth, co-founder of Restore Miami Marine Stadium, began efforts to save the stadium in 2008 when the city initially proposed demolition.
"The architecture gives it the wow, the history gives it its soul," Worth said. "It’s just a special, magical place, and so many people in Miami have had such memorable experiences there."
Project architect Richard Heisenbottle noted that studies indicate the stadium remains structurally sound, with its original construction materials helping to protect it from serious deterioration. Renovations would incorporate modern amenities and accessibility requirements, and completed construction documents have already been permitted by the city.
However, some residents express concerns. Ernesto Cuesta, head of the Brickell Homeowners Association, voiced worries about potential noise and traffic impacts on nearby residents and wildlife, preferring a park with more green space. He emphasized support for preservation but cautioned against a large-scale event space.
Emi Guerra, co-founder of Breakwater Hospitality Group, which is part of the selected management company, believes the stadium's location and views could rival major entertainment destinations. He addressed skepticism by assuring that the plan does not involve a land grab for development but focuses on restoring a historic asset. "When it’s something that’s historic, you have two options: restore it or let it rot," Guerra said.
When added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2018, then-Secretary of State Ken Detzner called the stadium "one of the state of Florida’s most unique architectural and historic resources" and an "ambitious example of mid-century Modernist architecture" reflecting Miami's evolving multicultural influences.