Broward County

Miami didn’t always look like this. See 10 landmarks — then and now

By Miami Herald Archives

South Florida is a place of change.

What was here a decade ago may not be there anymore.

Yes, the Miami area has held onto some of its most cherished landmarks, including the Freedom Tower and the Art Deco district. But other places are gone, in a cloud of dust, and in their place are gleaming new things.

Looking for the Americana Hotel, a MiMo gem? You won’t find it anymore.

Other buildings have been reinvented such as the Amsterdam Palace and the Lincoln Theatre.

Here are 10 landmark sites in South Florida, the way they once looked — and they way they look now:

1. Dupont Plaza

Before

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


After

Kimpton Epic Miami Hotel
Kimpton Epic Miami Hotel Instagram @EpicHotel


2. Amsterdam Palace / Versace Mansion

Before

Seen in 1958, the Amsterdam Palace Apartments at 116 Ocean Dr. in South Beach, which later became fashion designer Gianni Versace’s residence. The 23-unit apartment house was built in the 1920s by John D. Rockefeller’s secretary and modeled after Christopher Columbus’ Alcazar house.
Seen in 1958, the Amsterdam Palace Apartments at 116 Ocean Dr. in South Beach, which later became fashion designer Gianni Versace’s residence. The 23-unit apartment house was built in the 1920s by John D. Rockefeller’s secretary and modeled after Christopher Columbus’ Alcazar house. Miami Herald File


After

Spectators look on as parade participants march and drive past The Villa Casa Casuarina at the former Versace Mansion during the 16th Annual Veterans Day Parade off Ocean Drive on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Miami Beach, Fla.
Spectators look on as parade participants march and drive past The Villa Casa Casuarina at the former Versace Mansion during the 16th Annual Veterans Day Parade off Ocean Drive on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Miami Beach, Fla. D.A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com

3. Firestone Estate / Fontainebleau

Before

The old Firestone estate was used as a construction office by the Fontainebleau before it was demolished to make way for the pool and gardens
The old Firestone estate was used as a construction office by the Fontainebleau before it was demolished to make way for the pool and gardens Bob East Miami Herald File

After

This is the pool view at the Foutainbleau in 2014.
This is the pool view at the Foutainbleau in 2014. Peter Andrew Bosch Miami Herald File

4. Great Southern Hotel / 1818 Park

Before

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

After

The rebuild of the facade of the Great Southern Hotel can be seen at the back of the photo of this new residential development.
The rebuild of the facade of the Great Southern Hotel can be seen at the back of the photo of this new residential development. Jeff Kleinman jkleinman@miamiherald.com

5. Sears / Arsht Center

Before

The 1929 Sears building in downtown Miami in the early years.
The 1929 Sears building in downtown Miami in the early years. Miami Herald File


After

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, designed by Cesar Pelli, lights up the 1300 block of Biscayne Boulevard in this file photo.
The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, designed by Cesar Pelli, lights up the 1300 block of Biscayne Boulevard in this file photo. El Nuevo Herald File

6. Warsaw Ballroom / Señor Frog’s

Before

A file photo from 1981 of an earlier version of the Warsaw Ballroom on Collins Avenue in South Beach.
A file photo from 1981 of an earlier version of the Warsaw Ballroom on Collins Avenue in South Beach. Miami Herald file

After

Now it’s a Señor Frog’s restaurant.
Now it’s a Señor Frog’s restaurant.

7. Americana Hotel

Before

Americana hotel in Bal Harbour. I was demolished in 2007, and a St. Regis resort is now on the site.
Americana hotel in Bal Harbour. I was demolished in 2007, and a St. Regis resort is now on the site. Miami Herald File

After

An exterior shot from Collins Avenue of people walking past the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, in Bal Harbour, Florida, Tuesday, November 21, 2020.
An exterior shot from Collins Avenue of people walking past the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, in Bal Harbour, Florida, Tuesday, November 21, 2020. Daniel A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com

8. One Herald Plaza

Before

The Miami Herald newspaper building at One Herald Plaza in 1971.
The Miami Herald newspaper building at One Herald Plaza in 1971. Miami Herald File

After

The vacant former site of the Miami Herald building as seen in 2019.
The vacant former site of the Miami Herald building as seen in 2019. Emily Michot Miami Herald

9. St. Francis Hospital / Aqua

Before

St. Francis Hospital in Miami Beach in 1967. The campus has been redeveloped into luxury housing.
St. Francis Hospital in Miami Beach in 1967. The campus has been redeveloped into luxury housing. Bill Kuenzel Miami Herald File

After

Aqua at Allison Island, Miami Beach
Aqua at Allison Island, Miami Beach Aqua

10. Lincoln Theatre / H&M

Before

Miami Beach’s Lincoln Theater in 1936.
Miami Beach’s Lincoln Theater in 1936. Miami Herald File

After

Crowds line up around the building at the opening of the H&M Store on Lincoln Road on Thursday Nov. 8, 2012. This is where the old Lincoln Theater used to sit on the mall.
Crowds line up around the building at the opening of the H&M Store on Lincoln Road on Thursday Nov. 8, 2012. This is where the old Lincoln Theater used to sit on the mall. PATRICK FARRELL MIAMI HERALD FILE

This story was originally published April 7, 2025 at 12:10 PM.

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