The Miami-Dade Cultural Center in downtown Miami is expected to be demolished to make way for a much larger development, according to the Herald.
The complex was completed in 1983, and designed by architect Philip Johnson, who was one of America’s top architects at the time.
However, there were few people who loved the cultural center when it was completed, and even fewer now, the report said.
In addition to being described as prison-like and not pedestrian friendly, the center is also regarded as having subpar detail and finishes, Herald reporter Andres Viglucci wrote.
Commissioner Eileen Higgins told the paper that the plan is to build a better library and museum than currently exists at the cultural center. The land will also have much more intense use – up to 4.2 million square feet can be built – which will revitalize the area and generate additional tax revenue.
The county is also opening up additional nearby properties for redevelopment as part of a plan called Metrocenter. Up to 23.7 million square foot could be developed on the Metrocenter properties, the county says.
Conceptual renderings of Metrocenter:
