The Miami Marine Stadium is located on the west end of Virginia Key. The 6,566 stadium was designed by 27-year-old, Cuban-born architect Hilario Candela and built by the Millman Construction Company of Miami Beach at a cost of around 2 million dollars. Land for the stadium was once owned by the Matheson family who deeded it over to the City of Miami for the creation of a stadium that would be used as the world's first power boat racing stadium. When the stadium was poured in 1963, its 326-foot, fold-plate roof was the longest span of cantilevered concrete on earth. Sadly, on the stadiums opening day, December 27,1963, speedboat racer James Tapp was killed. The Miami Marine Stadium would go on to see more fatalities when Hank Bowman was killed on January 8, 1966 and Skip Walther died on June 2, 1974. The Miami Marine Stadium is considered a masterwork of civic architecture and modern construction. Miami Marine Stadium has been the setting for countless boat races, concerts, and even religious services, In 1967 it was used as the backdrop of the Elvis Presley movie Clambake during Elvis's speedboat race. Memorable concert performances held here include Queen, The Beach Boys, Steppenwolf, Dave Brubeck. Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops, Miami Philharmonic, Ray Charles and many more. Phil Donahue once did a show here. After Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the Miami Marine Stadium was deemed unsafe. Today it sits fenced off and covered in graffiti. Plans to demolish the stadium in 2008 sparked the creation of the Friends of Miami Marine Stadium (FMMS) who formed on February 20, 2008,to develop a feasible plan for the restoration of the property. FMMS was able to secure a historic designation by Miami's Historic Preservation and Environmental Board. in 2009 the stadium was added to the National Trust for Historic Preservations 11 Most Endangered List. The National Trust of Historic Preservation has listed more than 300 sites and has been very successful in galvanizing preservation efforts to save all but a handful of them In 2018 the stadium was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. One year ago Cuban-American architect Hilario Candela, who designed the iconic stadium, died at age 87 from complications with COVID-19. Urgency to save the stadium in his memory continues. Last year Miami had plans to hire to a contractor to see where the stadium needs restoration. Bond money is expected to be used to fund the project. Local celebrities like Gloria Estefan and Jimmy Buffet have been vocal in their support for restoration. Right now the area in front of the stadium is being used for the Magic Mike show. In the past the city has staged Covid testing here. I have been keeping an eye on this Miami landmark for years without seeing much going on. Hopefully 2023 will be the year real work begins. read more

Miami Marine Stadium - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Key Biscayne, Florida

At the first glance, Miami Marine Stadium looks like a relic of an ancient time. Something that the Romans built after they completed colosseum. Hard to believe not too long ago, in the 60s, this stadium, and the body of water it faces (we call it basin) was the center of attraction in Miami. As Miami hosted speed boat races featuring the likes of Ms. Budweiser, the stadium was filled with spectators, and later on in the evening, the was a giant raft, which was still around a couple of years ago, which they used to equip with a bar and a DJ, and dozens of people would dance the night away, floating in the basin. As those days faded away, the stadium was left to rot away, and now it has become what it is. Marked as a Miami historic site, it cannot be demolished, and no company is willing to take the responsibility of fixing it up, as the damage to its core is pretty significant. The stadium is closed to public, but you can get a good view of it from the basin. If you paddle a small boat, you can go under the stadium and see that it is covered with graffiti. I see the stadium several times a week, and every time I look at it, it makes me sad, thinking about how beautiful it once was, and now it is left to rot read more

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I went to the Miami Marine stadium for the South Florida boat show with a friend. The way that they handled this event was simply amazing! We enjoyed our stay here inside and outside. The inside part of it was really nice and we never felt hot. We had a great AC. And of course the alto was beautiful with the view of the water. read more

Miami Marine Stadium - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Key Biscayne, Florida

Miami Car Meet. It has nice Exotic cars. Old & New. Even tho we had to pay $30 each for the 4 of us. It came up to $125. Which is a rip off. It should've been FREE!! The service is alright even tho it's hot as HELL HERE. Miami Heat IS KILLIN ME NOW!! I'm just waiting for a RACE!! read more

Do you remember the old MTV show "Fear"? An early reality show about people checking out haunted spots, I blame / thank it for growing my interest in urban exploration. The ghosts coming out of the Marine Stadium, though, would have a synth heavy 80s soundtrack, mixed in with Jimmy Buffett and Catholic massses. Damaged during Hurricane Andrew, it's sat abandoned since the 90s. As part of an effort to remodel it, I had the chance to visit this historical site with a group of photographers to document the current graffiti and views. The graffiti here is in par with that in the Wynwood Walls, rich in color, detail and message. The bay views - Brickell to the north and the bay to the south - are the definition of breathtaking. The exposed concrete - with proper engineering restoration - can be on par with a certain famous exposed concrete garage. (I will say, the exposed rebar and current condition does have a mad max, apocalyptic vibe for explorers.) The marine stadium is certainly a historical gem of or city, and I hope it it's properly repaired and maintained. read more

Miami Marine Stadium - Entrance to the currently abandoned Marine Stadium - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Key Biscayne, Florida

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I love it here as it's more quiet. The bay is perfect for when we come wakeboard or just chill or have fun. It's best when it's a windy day and you want to escape that. On a really hot day it might be not the best spot as there's no breeze here. Great is the view on the stadium! Always people doing photo shoots or painting on the stadium:) read more

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The Miami Marine Stadium was once a popular structural landmark in Miami that has since been closed to the public after hurricane Andrew due to structural safety concerns. Engineers have since deemed it safe and efforts are now being made (slowly) to raise funds to renovate and preserve the stadium. You can learn more about it here: http://www.marinestadium.org/photo?type=88 read more

Miami Marine Stadium - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Key Biscayne, Florida

Save the Miami Marine Stadium! I have such fond memories of the Marine Stadium from when I was a kid in Miami...Boat Races, Concerts, and even taking our boat into the water and kneeboarding and water skiing in there! Now, well, it's a whole 'nother ball of wax. It's been left by the city to decay, yet it's only become more beautiful, covered in the decades of spray paint, falling apart, becoming its own gigantic piece of Public Art. Except that it's NOT public! It's usually guarded by police, and it's sitting there... Alone. This is an historic landmark! Preserve it! Save it! Bring her home! read more

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I cannot believe such a nice building, with such a nice view, location, access and everything is left in such a neglected state. This could be a prime property to come to with kids on a weekend. Now it's a dimly a graffiti heaven. I would not let me kid 100 yards close to this building. Not sure why it's even called a stadium... waste of a time read more

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Did the Swim Miami 10K race here on Saturday and could not have hoped for a more lovely venue. Water was clear, light turquoise, and warm. We did 4 loops of the 1.5 mile course, at first facing the downtown Miami skyline, then looking over to the stadium itself. The structure is sadly in need of repair, but I have read it has been landmarked and will be renovated sometime in the future, so once that happens, that will be even better. read more

Something that let me down about this place was not finding out about it earlier. For Miami artists this place is gold. Think you seen all of Miami art when you go to Wynwood you will find out how much more of Miami there is out there as soon as you walk into here. When we came there was a crew there doing work about were speaking about that someone bought the place is going to renovate it. A lot of art will be destroyed but if they bring in a team of great photographers and get most of it on film and are able to open the Miami Marine Stadium again and have pictures of the art in a small section so people won't forget about the art that will be incredible. If they choose to preserve the art or open the stadium either way is great, but do something because the place doesn't look like it can hold up much longer without some kind of work done to it and pronto! read more

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This place is unique, don't miss the opportunity to go. From a year ago or so, the police its controlling the access, but the might let you in just to watch and take some pictures. Not a place to go several times but to see at least once. read more

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Miami's iconic Marine Stadium, admired by architecture enthusiasts around the world, cleared a significant hurdle on the path toward landmark status by the City of Miami's Historic and Environmental Preservation Board as its nomination as a landmark structure was approved recently. The project was designed and built in 1964 by architect Hilario Candela. The 6,566 seat stadium's cantilevered roof is one of the largest spans of unsupported concrete in the world. Its origami-like patterns of waves and sails jut out like alligator jaws from a water basin designed as a race course in Virginia Key. Originally built for power boat racing, the stadium's floating stage hosted legendary performers like Jimmy Buffett , Bonnie Raitt, Mitch Miller, and Jose Luis Rodriguez (El Puma), Sunrise Easter Services, Virgen De La Caridad Flotillas, classical music concerts from the Miami Pops and the Boston Pops, and even television shows. Since Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the stadium has been shuttered. Friends of Marine Stadium, working closely with the nonprofit Dade Heritage Trust (DHT), Miami-Dade County's pre-eminent historic preservation organization, have led the initiative to designate and renovate the stadium. DHT President Becky Roper Matkov notes that "The Marine Stadium is mid-century Miami architecture at its best, embracing the water without obscuring the waterfront." The National Trust for Historic Preservation's President Richard Moe notes that the Marine Stadium is of "particular interest" to the Trust and that its design "is considered the finest example of a mid-century sporting venue in the region." The stadium's original architect, Hilario Candela, then a 28-year-old Cuban immigrant in 1962, went on to become principal of the firm Spillis Candela. Today, Candela is involved in the movement to revive the stadium. According to the designation report prepared by architect, University of Miami faculty member and Dade Heritage Trust board member Jorge Hernandez, the Stadium is the first example of the significant contributions made by generations of Cuban professionals who fled Castro's revolution and came to Miami starting a new chapter in the city's history. read more

Miami Marine Stadium - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Key Biscayne, Florida

Great location. Lots of food and drink choices. Parking is not great. We ended up valet parking instead of parking so far and having to wait for the water taxies. Valet was $125 to park on the dirt. All the cars where filthy. read more

Saw unlimited hydroplane races and the Allman Brothers on a floating stage here in the 70's. It was an amazing venue, with a great view of the water and downtown. It would be a great asset to have restored and reused. read more

Echos of Miami's old-school glory resonate in the Marina. The grandiose architecture and polished wooden chairs make you want to hide under the brim of an oversized sunhat and pair of impossibly dark shades while the fastest, most expensive boats skim the water. That is, if you aren't distracted by the day-glow artwork and scrawling graffiti that covers every inch of the marina's floors and walls. The artistic scope of this colorful eye candy (and breathtaking view of Downtown across the water) give Wynwood Walls a run for its money, even if the marina's structure is arguably unsound and probably on the brink of being condemned. This graffiti paradise pays homage to both luxury and urban decay, and worth taking a moment to learn more about. If there is something to preserve in this city - this is it: http://www.theatlanticcities.com/arts-and-lifestyle/2012/03/miami-marine-stadium/1432/ read more