MIAMI, FL – After a meticulous two-year, $25 million restoration, Miami’s iconic Freedom Tower is set to reopen its doors to the public on September 16, 2025. The landmark, a National Historic Landmark and a potent symbol of Miami’s rich history and enduring spirit, will celebrate its centennial year with a renewed purpose as a vibrant cultural and educational hub. The extensive renovation project has preserved the tower’s architectural grandeur while modernizing its facilities to welcome a new era of visitors.
A Century of Significance: From Newspaper Hub to Beacon of Hope
The Freedom Tower, originally constructed in 1925 as the opulent headquarters and printing facility for The Miami News, stood as Miami’s first skyscraper and a testament to the city’s burgeoning ambition. Designed by the renowned architectural firm Schultze and Weaver, its Mediterranean Revival style, inspired by Spain’s Giralda Tower, made it an immediate icon on the city’s skyline. For nearly two decades, it served as the nerve center for the local newspaper, symbolizing freedom of the press and the city’s growth.
However, the building’s most profound historical chapter began in the 1960s. Following the Cuban Revolution, the tower was transformed into the Cuban Refugee Center. For over a decade, from 1962 to 1974, it served as the “Ellis Island of the South,” a vital gateway for hundreds of thousands of Cuban exiles seeking refuge and a new life in the United States. This pivotal role cemented the tower’s status as a powerful emblem of hope, freedom, and opportunity, deeply embedding it in the identity of Miami and its Cuban-American community.
Over the ensuing decades, the building experienced periods of neglect and ownership changes, raising concerns about its future. However, in 2005, Miami Dade College (MDC) acquired the tower, embarking on a mission to preserve its legacy. This stewardship led to its designation as a National Historic Landmark in 2008, recognizing its critical role in American history.
The Comprehensive Restoration: Preserving Heritage, Embracing the Future
The recent two-year restoration, initiated in late 2023, represents a monumental effort to safeguard the Freedom Tower’s architectural integrity and adapt it for contemporary use. The project, which commenced in May 2023, involved an investment of approximately $25 million, with some sources estimating the total facelift exceeding $30 million. Funding for this ambitious undertaking was a collaborative effort, drawing significant support from the State of Florida, including a $25 million pledge, alongside grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the State of Florida’s Cultural Facilities Program, and a generous $5 million donation from the Knight Foundation.
The restoration, overseen by architectural firm MC Harry Associates in collaboration with preservation architect Richard Heisenbottle, addressed a wide array of needs. This included extensive structural repairs to ensure long-term stability, critical updates to mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, and enhancements to elevator and lighting infrastructure. The exterior received a thorough facelift, with façade restoration, stucco work, and meticulous hand-replication of decorative details and murals, even sourcing period-accurate tiles from Spain to restore the lobby’s original charm.
Inside, the focus was on modernizing facilities while respecting the building’s historic character. ADA compliance was a key consideration, alongside refurbishing exhibition spaces and redesigning rooms for community gatherings. Efforts were also made to address issues such as basement flooding and to repair structural columns, all while preserving the building’s iconic Mediterranean Revival architecture.
A New Chapter of Culture and Education Unveiled
Upon its grand reopening, the Freedom Tower will inaugurate its centennial year by unveiling several new, immersive exhibitions designed to engage visitors with its storied past and Miami’s dynamic present. These exhibits are curated to tell the multifaceted story of the tower and its impact on the city.
Headlining the new offerings is “Libertad,” a permanent exhibition spanning the first and second floors. This expansive exhibit will utilize cutting-edge digital installations, personal testimonials, and historic artifacts to capture the spirit of Miami and explore the journeys of immigrants and refugees who found refuge and built new lives there. Complementing “Libertad” is “Languages of Migration,” housed within the historic Kislak Center. Drawing from the Kislak Collection, this exhibition delves into the evolution of communication, migration, and identity through rare maps, interactive storytelling, and contemporary art.
A temporary exhibition, “We Carry Our Homes With Us,” on view through January 11, 2026, will explore universal themes of migration, exile, and home through thought-provoking contemporary artworks, inspired by Marisella Veiga’s memoir about her own journey through the Freedom Tower as a Cuban exile.
Additionally, in anticipation of Miami hosting major international events, the tower will feature “Unidad: The World’s Game,” the first U.S. exhibition created in partnership with the FIFA Museum, celebrating soccer’s universal appeal. The tower will continue to house MDC’s Museum of Art and Design (MOAD) and the Kislak Center, offering a platform for art, culture, and the preservation of rare historical collections.
Community and Leadership Embrace the Revitalized Landmark
Miami Dade College President Madeline Pumariega expressed her enthusiasm for the tower’s rebirth. “The Freedom Tower is more than a historic building — it’s a living symbol of Miami’s spirit,” Pumariega stated. “As we celebrate its centennial, we honor its past and embrace its future as a center for education, culture, and civic life. Miami Dade College is proud to preserve and elevate this landmark for the community it has served and to welcome visitors from around the world.”
Maria Carla Chichuen, executive director of cultural affairs at Miami Dade College and a leader in the restoration project, highlighted the collaborative effort. “We are thrilled to present exhibits that tell the full history of the building, from its beginnings as Miami’s first skyscraper to its vital role as a sanctuary,” she said.
The reopening of the Freedom Tower signifies not just the preservation of a beloved architectural gem, but also a recommitment to celebrating Miami’s diverse heritage, its history of welcoming immigrants, and its ongoing evolution as a global city. As the tower marks its 100th anniversary, its revitalized presence promises to inspire generations to come, serving as a timeless beacon of hope, courage, and opportunity in the heart of Miami.
