Miami Beach

What was Miami Beach like in the 1980s? Take a look at the place and the people

By Miami Herald Archives
In 1983, Lincoln Road Mall with Jefferson Avenue in the foreground.
In 1983, Lincoln Road Mall with Jefferson Avenue in the foreground. Miami Herald File

The seeds of change were planted in Miami Beach in the late 1970s and into the ‘80s.

The first two renovated Art Deco hotels, the Cardozo and the Carlyle, reopened in 1978. Vacant storefronts and restaurants began to find new life as clubs in the ‘80s and early ‘90s. Younger people moved in and visited.

Some of us remember the old South Beach, with its neighborhood bakeries, languid pace, shabby but genuine character, and the retired people who took over the place. They gathered each day on hotel porches, made their way to the beach across the street for some sunshine, then returned to their small rooms to cook dinner on a hot plate.

MORE: How South Beach changed from slum to slick

By late 1970s and early ‘80s, Miami Beach, after its first heyday from the 1930s through the ‘60s, was a place in transition.

Let’s see what it looked like from the Miami Herald Archives.

SOUTH BEACH

The Biscaya Hote in South Beach in 1981.
The Biscaya Hote in South Beach in 1981. Michel duCille Miami Herald File
The east end of Lincoln Road Mall stands nearly deserted in 1987.
The east end of Lincoln Road Mall stands nearly deserted in 1987. Miami Herald File
South Beach in 1981.
South Beach in 1981. Miami Herald File
Club 1235 on Washington Ave. in 1988.
Club 1235 on Washington Ave. in 1988. Miami Herald File
In 1988, Barbara Capitman is escorted off the terrace of the Senator Hotel after trying to place a plaque on the front door of the hotel before it was scheduled to be demolished.
In 1988, Barbara Capitman is escorted off the terrace of the Senator Hotel after trying to place a plaque on the front door of the hotel before it was scheduled to be demolished.
Washington Avenue.
Washington Avenue. Florida State Archives
Cavalier Hotel on Ocean Drive in the 1980s.
Cavalier Hotel on Ocean Drive in the 1980s. Miami Herald File
Israel Resnicovitz, 77, a retired bakery truck driver, in 1989.
Israel Resnicovitz, 77, a retired bakery truck driver, in 1989. Miami Herald File
Belle Isle condominium off Venetian Causeway in 1980.
Belle Isle condominium off Venetian Causeway in 1980. Bob East Miami Herald File

THE WATER

Miami Beach Marina in the 1980s.
Miami Beach Marina in the 1980s. Miami Herald File
In 1982, the view north from Government Cut showing Miami Beach hotels.
In 1982, the view north from Government Cut showing Miami Beach hotels. Miami Herald File
Large Motor and sailing yachts are being hauled across the MacArthur Causeway to the Miami Beach Convention Center in 1983.
Large Motor and sailing yachts are being hauled across the MacArthur Causeway to the Miami Beach Convention Center in 1983. Marice Cohn Band Miami Herald File

RESTAURANTS

Florida Gov. Bob Graham autographs a poster of himself as Jeanne England and granddaughter Melissa look on as he visits tables at Wolfie’s restaurant in Miami Beach in 1986.
Florida Gov. Bob Graham autographs a poster of himself as Jeanne England and granddaughter Melissa look on as he visits tables at Wolfie’s restaurant in Miami Beach in 1986. Miami Herald File
Embers Restaurant in Miami Beach.
Embers Restaurant in Miami Beach. Battle Vaughan Miami Herald File
Louis Kovacs plays at Budapest restaurant in Miami Beach.
Louis Kovacs plays at Budapest restaurant in Miami Beach. Brian Smith Miami Herald File
In 1979 at the Concord Cafeteria in South Beach, the Ring Boxing 31 Club discusses the sport.
In 1979 at the Concord Cafeteria in South Beach, the Ring Boxing 31 Club discusses the sport. Bob East Miami Herald File

HIGH SCHOOL

Miami Beach Senior High before demotion and a rebuild. The Prairie Avenue campus opened in the early 1960s.
Miami Beach Senior High before demotion and a rebuild. The Prairie Avenue campus opened in the early 1960s. Miami Herald File
Driver ed teacher Elston Davis directs a student into a reverse turn in 1983.
Driver ed teacher Elston Davis directs a student into a reverse turn in 1983. Randy Bazemore Miami Herald File
Members of the Miami Beach High football team in 1979: Larry Baker, left.
Members of the Miami Beach High football team in 1979: Larry Baker, left. Miami Herald File

MID BEACH

Mount Sinai Hospital, at he foot of the Julia Tuttle Causeway, in 1980s.
Mount Sinai Hospital, at he foot of the Julia Tuttle Causeway, in 1980s. Miami Herald File
Collins Avenue’s “concrete canyon,” looking north from the 5300 block. Collins Avenue in 1984.
Collins Avenue’s “concrete canyon,” looking north from the 5300 block. Collins Avenue in 1984. Battle Vaughan Miami Herald File

NORTH BEACH

Parkview Point apartment building in North Beach in 1980.
Parkview Point apartment building in North Beach in 1980. Bob East Miami Herald File

This story was originally published February 21, 2024 at 12:34 PM.

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