Downtown Miami

Miami hotels used to look like that? See the old photos of these downtown landmarks

Construction site in 1970 between Flagler and First streets with McAllister hotel in background.
Construction site in 1970 between Flagler and First streets with McAllister hotel in background. Miami Herald File

Four Miami hotels stood for much of the 20th century. They were built during Miami’s boom era of the 1920s.

Only one remains, but won’t be around much longer.

The Columbus. The Everglades. The McAllister. The Colonial.

The last one on the list, now operating as the YVE, will soon meet the same fate of its downtown sisters along Biscayne Boulevard: bulldozer.

READ MORE: Last 1920s hotel on Biscayne Boulevard getting replaced by 104-story tower

But before it’s gone to make way for a modern skyscraper, and in homage to the ones that have already disappeared, let’s take look at how these four 1920s-era hotels once looked in photos from the Miami Herald archive:

EVERGLADES

Everglades Hotel in downtown Miami in 1952.
Everglades Hotel in downtown Miami in 1952. Bob East Miami Herald File


Everglades Hotel room in 1960.
Everglades Hotel room in 1960. Bob East Miami Herald File
The Everglades in 1990.
The Everglades in 1990. Candace Barbot Miami Herald File
The Everglades, overlooking Bayfront Park, is shown above in the process of having its entire exterior refinished in preparation for it re-opening in an undated photo. The new exterior color was pale green.
The Everglades, overlooking Bayfront Park, is shown above in the process of having its entire exterior refinished in preparation for it re-opening in an undated photo. The new exterior color was pale green. Miami Herald File
Twins contest and an underwater egg hunt at the Everglades pool in 1960.
Twins contest and an underwater egg hunt at the Everglades pool in 1960. John Pineda Miami Herald File
The WTVJ television tower on top of the Everglades Hotel in downtown Miami in 1999.
The WTVJ television tower on top of the Everglades Hotel in downtown Miami in 1999. Miami Herald File
In 2002, the modern glass facade of the Everglades.
In 2002, the modern glass facade of the Everglades. Miami Herald File
The Everglades comes down in a implosion.
The Everglades comes down in a implosion. Miami Herald File

COLUMBUS

In 1988, Columbus Hotel from Biscayne Boulevard facing west.
In 1988, Columbus Hotel from Biscayne Boulevard facing west. Miami Herald File
The Vizcaya Room at the Columbus Hotel in 1960.
The Vizcaya Room at the Columbus Hotel in 1960. Miami Herald File
In 1960, the Columbus Hotel’s Vizcaya Room.
In 1960, the Columbus Hotel’s Vizcaya Room. Miami Herald File
Junior League luncheon at the Columbus Hotel in 1954.
Junior League luncheon at the Columbus Hotel in 1954. Miami Herald File
Rubble of the McAllister next to the Columbus in downtown Miami in 1988, when both buildings were demolished.
Rubble of the McAllister next to the Columbus in downtown Miami in 1988, when both buildings were demolished. Tim Chapman Miami Herald File

COLONIAL

High-wire walked Heinrich Krause balances between Colonial and Everglades hotels in 1954.
High-wire walked Heinrich Krause balances between Colonial and Everglades hotels in 1954. Miami Herald File


In 1948, the Colonial Hotel before a face-lift.
In 1948, the Colonial Hotel before a face-lift. Miami Herald File
Miami Colonial Hotel in 1989.
Miami Colonial Hotel in 1989. Albert Coya Miami Herald File
The hotel formerly known as the Colonial and now operating as the YVE.
The hotel formerly known as the Colonial and now operating as the YVE. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com

McALLISTER

McAllister Hotel in 1952.
McAllister Hotel in 1952. Bob East Miami Herald File
McAllister and Columbus Hotels, with Metromover in the foreground in 1987.
McAllister and Columbus Hotels, with Metromover in the foreground in 1987. John Kral Miami Herald File
McAllister Hotel entrance in 1926 after a hurricane.
McAllister Hotel entrance in 1926 after a hurricane. Miami Herald File
McAllister Hotel from the air in 1973.
McAllister Hotel from the air in 1973. Bill Kuenzel Miami Herald File
Profile Image of Jeff Kleinman
Jeff Kleinman
Miami Herald
305-376-3561
Consumer Team Editor Jeff Kleinman oversees coverage for health, shopping, real estate, tourism and recalls/scams/fraud.
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