Miami Tower
| Company type | Office skyscraper |
|---|---|
| Industry | Commercial real estate |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Headquarters | Miami , United States |
Area served | Downtown Miami |
| Products | Office space, parking garage |
| Owner | DRA Advisors and CP Group (since 2022) |
| Website | www |
The Miami Tower is a prominent 47-story office skyscraper situated in the heart of Downtown Miami, Florida. Previously known as the Bank of America Tower and CenTrust Tower, it stands as the 21st tallest structure in both Miami and the state of Florida. In 2012, the AIA Florida Chapter recognized the building under its former designation, listing it among Florida Architecture: 100 Years. 100 Places. In 2022, ownership transferred to DRA Advisors and CP Group, who are the leading office property managers in Downtown Miami and throughout Florida.
History
Originally built for CenTrust Bank in 1987, this 625-foot (190-meter) skyscraper ranks among Miami’s tallest and is distinguished by its unique three-tiered glass facade and vibrant nighttime lighting. The design was crafted by Pei Cobb Freed & Partners and comprises a city-owned 10-story parking garage, upon which the 47-story office tower was constructed utilizing air rights. Planning commenced in February 1980, with the garage construction beginning that November and finishing by February 1983; tower construction started a year later. During construction, a significant fire broke out on the ninth floor in August 1984, causing project delays. The tower’s lighting system was first illuminated on December 15, 1985, showcasing aqua hues inspired by the Miami Dolphins along with snowflake motifs.
By mid-1986, the building’s exterior was complete; however, foundation settling led to elevator misalignment issues that postponed the official opening until February 1987. Unique to this complex is the inclusion of the world’s only elevated metro station housed within a skyscraper (Knight Center station). The interior boasts upscale features such as an 11th-floor marble-and-gold skylobby, a spacious 10,000-square-foot outdoor terrace, and an indoor fitness center adorned with mahogany cabinetry. A pedestrian walkway connects the tower to the adjacent James L. Knight Center, while the first floor includes a retail corridor accented with green marble. The entire facility encompasses roughly 1.16 million square feet, including approximately 503,000 square feet dedicated to office space and a parking garage spanning about 535,000 square feet with capacity for 1,500 vehicles.
The building made appearances in popular media including the "Streetwise" episode of Miami Vice (aired December 5, 1986) as well as in that show’s third season opening credits. It can also be seen during the closing credits of the 1986 film Flight Of The Navigator while still under construction.
Its rooftop served as a filming location for Gloria Estefan's 1994 music video "Turn The Beat Around" and has been featured as part of the background scenery on The Tonight Show.
On January 1, 2010, the building was officially renamed Miami Tower.
Many colors of the tower
Thanks to its three-tiered structure, the tower can display a variety of color schemes to celebrate holidays and seasonal events. In 2012, an upgrade costing $1.5 million installed an advanced LED lighting system that enables more complex light shows with quicker transitions. Examples include:
In popular culture
The Miami Tower has been prominently featured across various media platforms. During its sale period in the 1980s TV series Miami Vice, it earned the nickname "'Miami Vice' Tower". It also appears in video games such as Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Driver (video game), where it is renamed "The Tower At International Place". The tower is visible in both the Miami Vice movie and television series and makes a brief appearance in the 2006 film Casino Royale.
In the FOX television series Fringe, it is depicted as the "Boston Federal Building".
See also
References