Over the decades, it would come to be regarded as Miami’s Carnegie Hall — a cherished venue for live performances by legendary stars such as the Marx Brothers and Elvis Presley, who gave 15 sold-out concerts there in 1956. But it’s been in disrepair for years and rarely used.
Under a proposed transfer, the city would give the Olympia’s 10-story building, which needs some $30 to $40 million in repairs, to Sports Leadership Arts Management public charter school in exchange for a renovation commitment. The proposal could finally produce progress in reviving the theater but many details remain murky. City commissioners on Thursday deferred discussion until July 24.
Here’s a look at the theater over the decades:
A view of the historic Olympia Theater in downtown Miami.
Interior view of the historic Olympia Theater in downtown Miami, showcasing its ornate architecture and timeless charm. C.A. Fishaugh
Al Weiss, Manager of the Olympia Theater. Battle Vaughan Miami Herald
Harry Gabriel at the organ inside Miami’s historic Olympia Theater. Battle Vaughan Miami Herald
Photo by: Charles L. Trainor. Elvis Presley in 1956. Performing at the Olympia Theater, now called Gusman Center. Charles L. Trainor The Miami News
January 8, 1997 — Nat Chediak, founder of the Miami Film Festival, at the historic Olympia Theater at the Gusman Center. jeffery A. Salter Herald
October 22, 2002 – Olympia Theater at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts during Tuesday’s Grand Reopening Celebration, 67-year-old Darrell E. Stucky, who has played the organ at the Gusman for 40 years, performed for the crowd. MARICE COHN BAND MIAMI HERALD STAFF
July 31, 2002 – Jarrett Ellis of Evergreen Studios carefully applies layers of paint by hand as part of the meticulous restoration of the Gusman Theater’s original color scheme and intricate details. Looking on are Sherry Thomas, also with Evergreen, and Richard Heisenbottle, the lead restoration architect. C.W. GRIFFIN HERALD STAFF
January 26, 1999 – Exterior view of Miami’s historic Gusman Theater. MARICE COHN BAND MIAMI HERALD STAFF
October 22, 2002 – Olympia Theater at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts celebrated its Grand Re-Opening on Tuesday with special performances by the Gold Diggers and the Maximum Dance Company. MARICE COHN BAND MIAMI HERALD STAFF
October 22, 2002 — Olympia Theater at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts celebrates its Grand Re-Opening. A taxidermy peacock adds a touch of vintage glamour to the theater’s elaborate renovation. MARICE COHN BAND MIAMI HERALD STAFF PEACOK23 LAST
October 22, 2002 – Grand Re-Opening Celebration of the Olympia Theater at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts, Tuesday. The event highlighted the theater’s newly restored elaborate architectural details as part of its renovation. MARICE COHN BAND MIAMI HERALD STAFF
October 22, 2002 – Grand Reopening Celebration of the Olympia Theater at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts, Tuesday. The ornate and intricate detail painting of the reliefs was a key feature of the renovation. MARICE COHN BAND MIAMI HERALD STAFF
July 7, 2007 – Workers begin removing approximately 878 seats from the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts at 174 E. Flagler Street. Here, worker Julio Elias carts seat cushions to the fire escape, where they are tossed into a dumpster in the alley below. Donna E. Natale Planas
A view outside the Gusman Theater shows festivalgoers crowding Flagler Street during the opening night of the 32nd Miami International Film Festival in Miami, Friday, March 6, 2015. PEDRO PORTAL
May 18, 2021 – The deteriorating facade of the historic Olympia Theater raises safety concerns for contractors working on the Flagler Street beautification project in downtown Miami, Florida. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
May 18, 2021 – The deteriorating facade of the historic Olympia Theater raises safety concerns for contractors working on the Flagler Street beautification project in downtown Miami, Florida. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
May 18, 2021 – The deteriorating facade of the historic Olympia Theater raises safety concerns for contractors working on the Flagler Street beautification project in downtown Miami, Florida. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
May 18, 2021 – The deteriorating facade of the historic Olympia Theater raises safety concerns for contractors working on the Flagler Street beautification project in downtown Miami, Florida. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
March 5, 2010 – Media and filmgoers gather outside the historic Gusman Theater for the screening of Looking for Eric by director Ken Loach, marking the opening night of the 27th Miami International Film Festival, presented by Miami Dade College. Pedro Portal El Nuevo Herald
An inside view of the Olympia Theater in downtown Miami on Monday, July 8, 2019. Recent proposals to restore the theater have been presented at the City of Miami, which owns the property. MATIAS J. OCNER mocner@miamiherald.com
An inside view of the Olympia Theater in downtown Miami on Monday, July 8, 2019. Recent proposals to restore the theater have been presented at the City of Miami, which owns the property. MATIAS J. OCNER mocner@miamiherald.com
An inside view of the Olympia Theater in downtown Miami on Monday, July 8, 2019. Recent proposals to restore the theater have been presented at the City of Miami, which owns the property. MATIAS J. OCNER mocner@miamiherald.com
An inside view of the Olympia Theater in downtown Miami on Monday, July 8, 2019. Recent proposals to restore the theater have been presented at the City of Miami, which owns the property. MATIAS J. OCNER mocner@miamiherald.com
An inside view of the Olympia Theater in downtown Miami on Monday, July 8, 2019. Recent proposals to restore the theater have been presented at the City of Miami, which owns the property. MATIAS J. OCNER mocner@miamiherald.com
An inside view of the Olympia Theater in downtown Miami on Monday, July 8, 2019. Recent proposals to restore the theater have been presented at the City of Miami, which owns the property. MATIAS J. OCNER mocner@miamiherald.com
An outdoor view of the Olympia Theater in downtown Miami on Monday, July 8, 2019. Recent proposals to restore the theater have been presented at the City of Miami, which owns the property. MATIAS J. OCNER mocner@miamiherald.com
This story was originally published June 26, 2025 at 4:18 PM.
Follow More of Our Reporting on An inside look at Miami
