The Olympia Theater, a downtown Miami landmark that has hosted main reveals and occasions for almost a century, is about for a brand new chapter. On Thursday, the Miami Metropolis Fee voted 5-0 to approve the sale of the historic venue and an adjoining constructing to SLAM — Sports activities Management Arts Administration — a public constitution faculty based by worldwide rap star and Miami native Pitbull.
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“As a lot as I don’t prefer to half with town property, that is a kind of circumstances that the deal on the desk is nice for town,” stated Commissioner Joe Carollo, who famous the necessity for extra faculties within the quickly rising downtown space. Commissioner Rafael Rosado added that the varsity will “activate the constructing through the day,” bringing life to a venue that usually sat empty throughout weekdays.
Beneath the deal, SLAM will make investments thousands and thousands of {dollars} into the property for schooling, arts, and leisure. Metropolis leaders emphasised that the theater will stay a group area after faculty hours, making certain residents can proceed to take pleasure in its cultural choices. “It’s accountable, company individuals which can be going to run this,” stated Commissioner Miguel Gabela. “I believe it’s a win-win.”
Designed in 1926 by architect John Eberson in his signature atmospheric model, the Olympia Theater has served as a film home, live performance corridor, and performing arts middle. It was added to the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations in 1984. The town assumed management of the property greater than a decade in the past however struggled to take care of the getting old venue, notably after the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered operations and left the theater in want of main repairs.
Earlier than Thursday’s vote, it stood alongside the Florida Theatre in Jacksonville and the Tampa Theatre as the one surviving examples of this ornate architectural model within the state.
Whereas vital restoration lies forward, the sale guarantees a future the place the Olympia continues to honor its wealthy historical past whereas assembly the academic wants of a rising downtown Miami group.
