Miami Dade College-owned tower housing the Museum of Art and Design and a Cuban exile exhibit.
The Freedom Tower stands at 600 Biscayne Blvd in downtown Miami and is one of the city's most recognizable historic buildings. Completed in 1925 to designs by the New York firm Schultze & Weaver, it was built for the Miami News and Metropolis newspaper and is modeled on the Giralda bell tower of the Seville Cathedral in Spain. The Spanish-Mediterranean Revival building features a decorated tower, arched windows and ornamental terra-cotta details. After the newspaper moved out in the 1950s the building changed uses, but its most significant role began in 1962 when the federal government turned it into the Cuban Refugee Emergency Center. For about twelve years it processed roughly half a million Cubans who left the island after the 1959 revolution, offering documentation, health screenings, food and assistance. This role earned it the nickname the Ellis Island of the South. The building fell into disrepair after the center closed in 1974, and was later purchased by the Jorge Mas Canosa Freedom Tower Foundation in 1997, which carried out a major restoration. Miami Dade College acquired the property in 2005 and reopened it as a cultural and educational site that houses the Museum of Art and Design and exhibits on Cuban exile history. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2008. The interior retains its lobby and restored architectural details, and the exhibits present the refugee story through photographs, documents and artifacts. The tower is best viewed from Biscayne Boulevard and from nearby Museum Park, and it is close to the Adrienne Arsht Center, Pérez Art Museum Miami and the Metromover. Visitors interested in the immigration history of Miami will find the building a concentrated introduction to how Cuban arrivals shaped the city's culture, politics and economy from the 1960s onward. Visitors are advised to confirm current opening hours, admission prices and any guided-tour schedules directly with the venue before traveling, since these details change seasonally and with special events in Miami, Florida.
| Admission | Free (Museum of Art and Design); confirm gallery hours |
|---|---|
| Hours | Gallery typically Tue-Sun about 11:00 AM-5:00 PM; confirm on mdcmoad.org |
| Address | 600 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132 |
Why it matters
1925 landmark that served as the Cuban Refugee Center, where about 500,000 Cubans were processed after the 1959 revolution; National Historic Landmark.
Location
600 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132
25.7814, -80.1893 View on map
Highlights
- 1925 Schultze & Weaver tower modeled on Seville's Giralda
- Cuban Refugee Center, 1962-1974, processing about 500,000 people
- National Historic Landmark restored after 1997
- Museum of Art and Design and exile exhibit inside
Tips for visiting
- Check the Miami Dade College museum website for current gallery hours; the building is not open every day.
- Combine with Pérez Art Museum Miami and the Arsht Center, which are within walking distance.
- Photograph the tower from Biscayne Boulevard in late afternoon light.
- Read the exile exhibit labels; they give context for Miami's Cuban communities.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
Is the Freedom Tower free to visit?
Gallery admission is listed as free, but hours and policies change, so confirm on the Miami Dade College museum website.
How long does a visit take?
About 45-60 minutes is enough for the galleries and exhibits.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes, though the exile history exhibits are most meaningful for older children and adults.