Downtown Miami used to look like that? See old photos of streets, buildings and cars

Jeff Kleinman
6

Look around downtown Miami today and you’ll see skyscrapers, trendy restaurants, a basketball arena.

But what did downtown look like 40, 50, 60 years ago?

Let’s dig into the Miami Herald archives to see:

FROM THE AIR

Circa 1990, the view from the roof of the newly opened Park West Apartments looks south over the Miami Arena and Arena Towers and on to downtown.
Circa 1990, the view from the roof of the newly opened Park West Apartments looks south over the Miami Arena and Arena Towers and on to downtown.
The Goodwill Industries building.
The Goodwill Industries building.
A helicopter sprays for mosquitoes over downtown Miami in 1984.
A helicopter sprays for mosquitoes over downtown Miami in 1984.
In 1977, construction nears completion of the new downtown regional U.S. Customs office between Southeast Fifth Street and the Miami River behind Rivergate Plaza.
In 1977, construction nears completion of the new downtown regional U.S. Customs office between Southeast Fifth Street and the Miami River behind Rivergate Plaza.

THE SKYSCRAPERS

Downtown Miami in 1966.
Downtown Miami in 1966.
View of the downtown Miami skyline seen from Claughton Island, now known as Brickell Key, shows the construction of a new bank building, the tallest at the time in 1983.
View of the downtown Miami skyline seen from Claughton Island, now known as Brickell Key, shows the construction of a new bank building, the tallest at the time in 1983.
The Lindsey Hopkins education center in downtown Miami on Northeast Second Avenue at 14th Street. It was built in 1942 and became part of a bigger complex in 1970.
The Lindsey Hopkins education center in downtown Miami on Northeast Second Avenue at 14th Street. It was built in 1942 and became part of a bigger complex in 1970.
Sparking the growth in downtown Miami’s convention market: the new $93 million James L. Knight Center, which opened in 1982.
Sparking the growth in downtown Miami’s convention market: the new $93 million James L. Knight Center, which opened in 1982.
The downtown Miami skyline in the 1980s.
The downtown Miami skyline in the 1980s.

INSIDE THE BUILDINGS

Inside Southeast Bank’s Downtown Miami Banking Center. Shown here is the Commercial Lending area, located on the mezzanine of the Banking Hall. Southeast’s new banking center occupies two floors of the Southeast Financial Center’s 15-story annex.
Inside Southeast Bank’s Downtown Miami Banking Center. Shown here is the Commercial Lending area, located on the mezzanine of the Banking Hall. Southeast’s new banking center occupies two floors of the Southeast Financial Center’s 15-story annex.

CARS AND TRAFFIC

On the road to downtown Miami in 1956, cars travel on a new extension of 12th Avenue.
On the road to downtown Miami in 1956, cars travel on a new extension of 12th Avenue.
In 1948, the view looking north along Southeast Second Avenue toward downtown Miami.
In 1948, the view looking north along Southeast Second Avenue toward downtown Miami.
Downtown Miami traffic in 1957.
Downtown Miami traffic in 1957.
Flagler Street in downtown Miami.
Flagler Street in downtown Miami.
A downtown Miami parking lot.
A downtown Miami parking lot.

MASS TRANSIT

In 1988, downtown advocate Carlos Batista spray paints stick figure sculptures that will be part of the Light up Miami. The art, on top of downtown buildings, is for the benefit of Metromover riders.
In 1988, downtown advocate Carlos Batista spray paints stick figure sculptures that will be part of the Light up Miami. The art, on top of downtown buildings, is for the benefit of Metromover riders.
Jitneys line up around the corner of Borth Miami Avenue in downtown Miami at the end of a workday in 1986.
Jitneys line up around the corner of Borth Miami Avenue in downtown Miami at the end of a workday in 1986.
Twenty new buses get an escort through downtown Miami in 1986.
Twenty new buses get an escort through downtown Miami in 1986.

ON THE STREET

Christmastime on Flagler Street in 1963.
Christmastime on Flagler Street in 1963.
Christmas shoppers in downtown Miami in 1976.
Christmas shoppers in downtown Miami in 1976.
Downtown Miami street scene.
Downtown Miami street scene.
Old buildings planned for demolition, making way for parking lots for the new downtown Miami Herald building in the 1960s.
Old buildings planned for demolition, making way for parking lots for the new downtown Miami Herald building in the 1960s.
In 1944, the San Carlos Hotel on Northeast Second Avenue and First Street in downtown Miami.
In 1944, the San Carlos Hotel on Northeast Second Avenue and First Street in downtown Miami.
A Coast Guard band plays at Miami Dade College in downtown Miami in 1976.
A Coast Guard band plays at Miami Dade College in downtown Miami in 1976.
Bill Murphy, a disc jockey at 97GTR, struggles to lift his stations 30-foot inflatable gorilla mascot into position at the international food bazaar on Flagler Street in downtown Miami in 1987.
Bill Murphy, a disc jockey at 97GTR, struggles to lift his stations 30-foot inflatable gorilla mascot into position at the international food bazaar on Flagler Street in downtown Miami in 1987.
The Fort Lauderdale High School band marches in the Orange Bowl Parade in downtown Miami on New Year’s Eve 1959.
The Fort Lauderdale High School band marches in the Orange Bowl Parade in downtown Miami on New Year’s Eve 1959.

LANDMARKS

In 1994, landmark buidings: Central Baptist Church and the post office in downtown Miami.
In 1994, landmark buidings: Central Baptist Church and the post office in downtown Miami.
Thousands of people pack Bayfront Park amphitheater to enjoy free public concerts.
Thousands of people pack Bayfront Park amphitheater to enjoy free public concerts.
Boat parade on Brickell Point, with downtown Miami in the background.
Boat parade on Brickell Point, with downtown Miami in the background.