This Miami area has been a place for protest, porn and shopping. Take a look
By Miami Herald Archives
South Florida has its share of high-profile intersections. These are the places where thousands of cars drive by every day on the way to somewhere. And places where people need to be as well.
One of those big intersections is the corridor at 79th Street and Biscayne Boulevard in Miami.
Through the years, the busy area has been a pipeline to and from Interstate 95, a shopping and dining destination, a place to see an adult movie and a nude stage show, shop at a discount store, to protest or get business done at the federal immigration building.
The area has changed some through the years. The immigration building is gone and so are some of the notable restaurants and businesses. But the corridor remains the gateway to the MiMo district to the south and Miami Shores to the north.
Let’s take a look at the 79th and Biscayne area through the years in photos from the Miami Herald archive. Do you recognize anything?
STREET LIFE
Biscayne Boulevard looking north from 79th Street and to a Harry Rich carpet store in 1983. Mary Lou Foy Miami Herald File
After a storm in 1965, the corner of 79th and Biscayne. Bob East Miami Herald File
Miami police patrol the Biscayne and 79th corridor. Miami Herald File
In 1970, a Miami police officer on patrol at Biscayne and 79th. Miami Herald File
A DOT worker in 1985 replaces the grating on the bridge on Biscayne Boulevard just south of 79th Street. Robin Shields Miami Herald File
The road along Northeast 79th Street east of the railroad tracks and looking toward Biscayne Boulevard. Miami Herald File
SHOPPING
In 2006, the Biscayne Plaza shops at 79th Street and Biscayne Boulevard in Miami. In the 1960s and ’70s, the shopping center as home to Junior’s restaurant and grant and J.C. Penney department stores. Walter Michot Miami Herald File
In 1979, Biscayne Boulevard, just north of 79th Street in Miami.
THE ADULT THEATER
In 1977, pedestrians on Biscayne and 78th in Miami. John Pineda Miami Herald File
In 1997, Club Madonna at Biscayne Boulevard and 78th Street. Chuck Fadely Miami Herald File
The adult theater at 78th and Biscayne in Miami in 2004. Miami Herald File
THE INS BUILDING
In 1962, a rendering of the future 11-story Gulf American office building on the southwest corner of Biscayne Boulevard and Northeast 79th Street. The national headquarters for the land company was faced with a gold anodized aluminum screen. It later became the administration building in Miami for the federal immigration agency, then known as INS. Miami Herald File
In 1964, the Gulf American Land Corp. building was formally dedicated. Miami Herald File
In 2008, a “for sale” sign stands on the southeast corner of Biscayne Boulevard and 79th Street as government offices moved out of the old INS building and into several buildings throughout Miami-Dade County. John VanBeekum Miami Herald File
In 2008, government offices moved out of the old INS building. John VanBeekum Miami Herald File
In 1995, Immigrants line up outside the INS building at 79th and Biscayne to get a number to come back for processing. C.W. GRIFFIN Miami Herald File
In 2003, the line outside INS headquarters. Nuri Vallbona Miami Herald File
In 2002, protesters gather outside the INS building in Miami. Miami Herald File
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