How Miami reinvented itself from the 1950s to 2025

Miami has changed in many ways since the 1950s. Iconic spots like the Fontainebleau hotel have evolved, with new towers and event spaces added over time, while still preserving famous MiMo designs. Neighborhoods such as Little Havana transformed as new communities moved in.

Popular districts like Mid-Beach and the 79th Street corridor shifted from old-fashioned stores and theaters to modern boutiques and business centers. Even legendary nightlife locations and historic landmarks, from the Latin Quarter club to the Lincoln Theatre, have been reinvented or replaced, reflecting South Florida's ongoing transformation.

Take a look at the photos.

The Fontainebleau Hotel rises at the former Firestone Estate, Miami Beach. In 1954 photo, the old Harvey Firestone home is still standing in the shadow of the new $14 million building. The magnate’s estate eventually gave way to a swimming pool and landscaped gardens patterned after Versailles.

NO. 1: MIAMI BEACH’S FONTAINEBLEAU LOOKED LIKE THAT? SEE HOW THE LANDMARK HOTEL HAS CHANGED

The lobby. The pool area. The curves. Wow. | Published July 5, 2024 | Read Full Story by Miami Herald Archive

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NO. 2: MIAMI CLUBS USED TO LOOK LIKE THAT? SEE FOR YOURSELF HOW WE PARTIED THE NIGHT AWAY

Take a look at the hottest places in South Florida. | Published September 13, 2024 | Read Full Story by Miami Herald Archives

The Great Southern Hotel in the 1920s, near Young Circle in Hollywood.

NO. 3: WHAT DID HOLLYWOOD AND FORT LAUDERDALE LOOK LIKE DECADES AGO? SEE FOR YOURSELF

Do you recognize anything? | Published January 31, 2025 | Read Full Story by Miami Herald Archives

Arthur Godfrey Road in 1983. By C.W. Griffin

NO. 4: MIAMI BEACH’S MID-SECTION USED TO LOOK LIKE THAT? SEE THE SCENE FROM 1950S THROUGH ’90S

Here’s what 41st Street, also known as Arthur Godrey Road, was like through the years. | Published February 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Miami Herald Archives

A welcome to the neighborhood sign in 1998. By Pedro Portal

NO. 5: WESTCHESTER USED TO LOOK LIKE THAT? SEE THE SHOPPING, HORSE TRACK AND RESTAURANTS

Several of the attractions are still open. | Published February 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Miami Herald Archives

The Little Havana business district in the 1960s.

NO. 6: LITTLE HAVANA USED TO LOOK LIKE THAT? SEE THE OLD PICTURES FROM THE 1960S, ’70S AND ’80S

The president had lunch there. | Published February 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Miami Herald Archive

The Dupont stood where the Royal Palm hotel was located in the Henry Flagler years.

NO. 7: MIAMI DIDN’T ALWAYS LOOK LIKE THIS. SEE 10 LANDMARKS — THEN AND NOW

Remember these sites in South Florida? | Published April 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Miami Herald Archives

President Harry Truman drives his own car in Key West in 1946.

NO. 8: IS THAT THE PRESIDENT AT A DUVAL STREET DINER? SEE KEY WEST THROUGH THE YEARS

Let’s take a step back in time. | Published April 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Miami Herald Archives

The road along Northeast 79th Street east of the railroad tracks and looking toward Biscayne Boulevard.

NO. 9: THIS MIAMI AREA HAS BEEN A PLACE FOR PROTEST, PORN AND SHOPPING. TAKE A LOOK

Let’s take a step back in time as we head to the intersection. | Published May 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Miami Herald Archives

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.