The Miami Marine Stadium is one of South Florida’s hidden gems that got too close to the wrecking ball for the comfort of an historically-minded group of people now formed into the Friends of Miami Marine Stadium.
Unused since the devastating Hurricane Andrew in 1992. The unique structure is still sound and the “Friends” hard work recently was successful in acquiring designation status as an architectural masterpiece by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and World Monuments Fund. There is still along way to go on the project, but May 2nd will host a dinner to announce the winner of the Floating Stage Competition design.
In the heyday there was stage bobbing in Biscayne Bay at the foot of this Stadium which buoyed performances by the likes of Jimmy Buffet and Mitch Miller presentation for the awards dinner will be by Frank E. Sanchis III, Director of United States Programs for the World Monuments Fund.
Originally designed for powerboat races, Miami Marine Stadium was built in 1963by a young Cuban Architect, Hidalgo Candela. The 6500 seat façade is completely poured concrete with a massive cantilevered folded-plate roof. In the shape of Circus Maximus, its hyperbolic paraboloid roof hovers over the gorgeous Biscayne Bay framing views of downtown Miami awaiting its new life as one of Miami’s premiere sports and entertainment venues.
Over the years it has become a palette for aerosole artists, morphing its derelict flanks into still another explosion of creativity.
Irene Sperber
