Downtown Miami

Remember when downtown Miami looked like this? See the proof. Recognize anything?

By Miami Herald Archives

Who hasn’t looked around downtown Miami and wondered, “Where did that building come from?”

Miami is a city of change.

So if you’re heading to Brickell for shopping or dinner, the arena for a Heat game, Bayfront Park for a concert, look around and see what’s new.

Now, look below, and see if you recognize anything. Through the Miami Herald photo archives, let’s look back at the early days of Flagler Street and Brickell Avenue.

Recognize any of the buildings or landmarks?

FLAGLER STREET

Flagler Street in 1947.
Flagler Street in 1947. Miami Herald File
Jay walkers on Flagler Street in 1954.
Jay walkers on Flagler Street in 1954. Doug Kennedy Miami Herald File
Pedestrians near a county bus on Flagler Street in 1954.
Pedestrians near a county bus on Flagler Street in 1954. Doug Kennedy Miami Herald File
Traffic on Flagler at Southeast First Avenue, with the gridlock from a fashion show in 1961.
Traffic on Flagler at Southeast First Avenue, with the gridlock from a fashion show in 1961. Doug Kennedy Miami Herald File
In 1970, parking officers hold a red ribbon as parking chairman Col. Mitchell Wolfson and Mayor Steve Clark break it with a blades to open a new parking lot under I-95 at West Flagler Street.
In 1970, parking officers hold a red ribbon as parking chairman Col. Mitchell Wolfson and Mayor Steve Clark break it with a blades to open a new parking lot under I-95 at West Flagler Street. Bob East Miami Herald File
In 1969, a scene on Flagler.
In 1969, a scene on Flagler. Jeff Joffe Miami Herald File
In 1990, Flagler Street looking east from Miami Avenue.
In 1990, Flagler Street looking east from Miami Avenue.
In 1957, the street scene on Flagler.
In 1957, the street scene on Flagler. John Walther Miami Herald File
A parade in 1963 on Flagler.
A parade in 1963 on Flagler. Miami Herald File
Flagler Street in 1945.
Flagler Street in 1945. Bill Kuenzel Miami Herald File

BRICKELL AVENUE

Construction on the Brickell bridge was halted in 1994 because of fears about damage to the nearby Dupont Plaza Hotel.
Construction on the Brickell bridge was halted in 1994 because of fears about damage to the nearby Dupont Plaza Hotel. Chuck Fadley Miami Herald File


A car on the bridge on Southeast Eighth Street and Brickell Avenue in 1991.
A car on the bridge on Southeast Eighth Street and Brickell Avenue in 1991. Miami Herald File


Brickell Avenue in 1961, when mansions lined the road and before the construction of skyscrapers.
Brickell Avenue in 1961, when mansions lined the road and before the construction of skyscrapers. John Pineda Miami Herald File
Shooting skward are the first two of four hotel-apartment towers that make up the Four Ambassadors. The first two buildings, 20 stories each, were photographed in 1966.
Shooting skward are the first two of four hotel-apartment towers that make up the Four Ambassadors. The first two buildings, 20 stories each, were photographed in 1966. Miami Herald File
Brickell Avenue in 1969.
Brickell Avenue in 1969. Doug Kennedy Miami Herald File
A Brickell Avenue in 1967.
A Brickell Avenue in 1967. Bill Kuenzel Miami Herald

This story was originally published March 22, 2024 at 3:14 PM.

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