Magic City

Miami architecture

Miami is the only major American city that was founded by a woman, local businesswoman Julia Tuttle, who convinced railway moguls to expand to the region. It is a subtropical paradise where the Art Deco architecture of South Beach meets a skyline that serves as a financial bridge to Latin America.

12Landmarks
1916Oldest · Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
215 mTallest · One Thousand Museum
9Architects

Freedom Tower
One Thousand Museum
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

Before you go

Fly intoMiami International (MIA)
Miami International serves as the primary 'Gateway to the Americas,' handling more cargo and international flights to Latin America than any other airport in the United States. Its terminals are a melting pot of cultures, featuring vibrant Caribbean-inspired food and live music during the holiday seasons.
CurrencyUS Dollar ($)
LanguageEnglish & Spanish
The local dialect is deeply influenced by Cuban and Caribbean Spanish, leading to a unique 'Miami English' accent and vocabulary. It is very common for residents to switch fluidly between languages, creating a rhythmic and energetic social atmosphere.
Getting aroundMetromover & Metrorail
Metromover is a driverless, elevated system that is entirely free for all riders in the downtown area. Metrorail provides the heavy-rail backbone connecting the airport to the southern suburbs and Coral Gables. Brightline offers a high-speed private rail alternative for travel to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando.

12 landmarks in Miami

Photo: Phillip Pessar from Miami, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Freedom Tower

600 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132

Often called the 'Ellis Island of the South,' this Spanish Renaissance-style tower originally housed the Miami News. In the 1960s, it served as a vital processing center for Cuban refugees seeking a new life. Its design was inspired by the famous Giralda tower in Seville, Spain. Today, it stands as a monumental tribute to the Cuban-American journey and houses a premier contemporary art museum. It remains one of the most significant historical landmarks in the downtown skyline.

Built
1925
Architect
Schultze & Weaver
Style
Mediterranean Revival
Height
78 m (256 ft)
Stories
17
Today
Museum / Landmark
Photo: Godsfriendchuck, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

One Thousand Museum

1000 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132

This structure is one of the most complex skyscrapers ever built, featuring a curved glass-fiber-reinforced concrete exoskeleton. This innovative external structure allows the interior floors to remain almost entirely column-free. It was the final residential project designed by the legendary Zaha Hadid before her passing. The building is famous for its futuristic 'scorpion' aesthetic and its exclusive private rooftop helipad. It stands as a pinnacle of Neo-Futurist design in the heart of Miami.

Built
2019
Architect
Zaha Hadid
Style
Neo-Futurism
Height
215 m (705 ft)
Stories
62
Today
Luxury Residential
The Carlyle

1250 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139

The Carlyle is a quintessential example of Ocean Drive's iconic Art Deco architecture. With its vertical neon signage and rounded corners, it is among the most photographed buildings in Florida. The pastel color palette perfectly captures the vibrant energy of the South Beach district. It has served as a filming location for famous movies like 'The Birdcage' and 'Scarface.' The building continues to embody the glamorous 'Sun and Fun' era of the 1930s.

Built
1939
Architect
Kiehnel & Elliott
Style
Art Deco
Height
15 m (49 ft)
Stories
4
Today
Residential / Hotel
Photo: Averette, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

3251 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33129

This Italian Renaissance-style villa was built as a lavish winter estate for industrialist James Deering. The main house features an extensive collection of European antiquities gathered from across the globe. Ten acres of formal gardens surround the home, blending European design with Florida's subtropical landscape. It was intentionally designed to look like a centuries-old Italian estate inhabited for generations. A unique stone barge 'breakwater' sits in the bay to protect the stunning waterfront property.

Built
1916
Architect
F. Burrall Hoffman
Style
Mediterranean Revival / Italianate
Height
18 m (59 ft)
Stories
3
Today
Museum / Public Gardens
Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)

1103 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132

Designed as a masterclass in tropical modernism, this building is built to coexist with Miami’s intense climate. It features massive shaded verandas and a spectacular hanging garden system of tropical plants. These lush gardens are irrigated efficiently by recycled rainwater collected on-site. The entire building is elevated on a platform to provide protection against Atlantic storm surges. It offers visitors sweeping views of Biscayne Bay from its open-air gallery spaces.

Built
2013
Architect
Herzog & de Meuron
Style
Contemporary / Tropical Modernism
Height
16 m (52 ft)
Stories
3
Today
Art Museum
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Averette assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Bacardi Building

2100 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33137

The Bacardi complex consists of two distinct buildings famous for their mid-century modern flair. The main tower features a massive blue-and-white hand-painted tile mural known as Azulejos. Nearby, the smaller 'Jewel Box' annex is cantilevered off a central core for a striking effect. This annex is covered in colorful stained glass that glows beautifully after sunset. Together, they represent a landmark achievement of the Miami Modern movement.

Built
1963
Architect
Enrique Gutierrez
Style
MiMo (Miami Modern)
Height
35 m (115 ft)
Stories
8
Today
National YoungArts Foundation
Photo: Averette, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Espirito Santo Plaza

1395 Brickell Ave, Miami, FL 33131

This glass-clad skyscraper in Brickell features a massive concave arch carved into its front facade. The arch serves as a symbolic representation of a gateway connecting Miami to Latin America. Its sleek, reflective surface is designed to mirror the shifting colors of the sky and the bay. This aesthetic choice makes it one of the most elegant silhouettes in the financial district. It continues to be a focal point for international business and luxury hospitality.

Built
2004
Architect
Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF)
Style
Postmodern
Height
148 m (486 ft)
Stories
36
Today
Hotel / Office
Biltmore Hotel

1200 Anastasia Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134

This Coral Gables icon features a 315-foot tower modeled after the Giralda in Spain. During World War II, the grand hotel was converted into a military hospital for wounded soldiers. It is famous for housing one of the largest swimming pools in the United States. The opulent Mediterranean interior features hand-painted ceilings and world-class craftsmanship. It remains a premier destination for luxury travelers and history enthusiasts alike.

Built
1926
Architect
Schultze & Weaver
Style
Mediterranean Revival
Height
96 m (315 ft)
Stories
15
Today
Luxury Hotel
Photo: Alexf, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Miami Beach Convention Center

1901 Convention Center Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Following a massive renovation, the center now features a 'rolling wave' facade made of 500 aluminum fins. These fins are angled to provide shade while creating a sense of fluid movement. The design mimics the nearby ocean to integrate the building into its coastal environment. It is surrounded by lush green spaces and interactive public art installations. This transformation moves away from the 'big box' look toward a climate-responsive design.

Built
2018
Architect
Fentress Architects
Style
Contemporary / Parametric
Height
25 m (82 ft)
Stories
3
Today
Convention Center
Jade Signature

16901 Collins Ave, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160

Jade Signature is a residential 'glass ribbon' tower located on the shores of Sunny Isles. The architects moved the structural columns to the edges to create perfectly rectangular, flow-through units. The building’s unique shape is literally carved by the path of the sun. Large balconies are angled to provide maximum shade during the hot summer months. This design also allows sunlight to reach the pool area during the winter season.

Built
2018
Architect
Herzog & de Meuron
Style
Contemporary Modernism
Height
198 m (650 ft)
Stories
57
Today
Residential
Photo: Jonathan Schilling, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

1111 Lincoln Road

1111 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139

This radical 'sculptural' parking garage functions primarily as an open public space. The structure features varying ceiling heights that range from eight to thirty-four feet. It lacks exterior walls and is held up by a series of jagged concrete piers. The space is frequently used for yoga classes, weddings, and high-fashion parties. It proves that even a functional parking lot can be treated as a work of art.

Built
2010
Architect
Herzog & de Meuron
Style
Radical Modernism
Height
30 m (98 ft)
Stories
7
Today
Parking / Retail / Event Space
Apple Aventura

19501 Biscayne Blvd, Aventura, FL 33180

This store features a unique vaulted roof made of white precast concrete panels. The undulating ceiling mimics the waves of the nearby ocean while providing excellent natural acoustics. It includes an outdoor 'Genius Grove' filled with local tropical trees for a relaxed atmosphere. The design was heavily inspired by Miami's rich mid-century modern architectural heritage. A twenty-foot tall mirrored slide is located nearby to add a playful element to the site.

Built
2019
Architect
Foster + Partners
Style
Tropical MiMo / Contemporary
Height
12 m (39 ft)
Stories
2
Today
Retail / Community Space