The lobby entrance had to be reconstructed entirely inside and out as it had disappeared from the facade.  The lobby itself was used as retail space.   

Project has been featured in architecture/restoration articles, including the Miami Herald,  the Urban Land Institute, and as shown above, Miami magazine.

Once called the greatest movie palace this side of New York, the Olympia survived years of disrepair and countless brutal architectural assaults - often under the guise of  "renovations".

The City of Miami called for creative proposals that would restore the building to it's original charm and presence and provide an opportunity for moderate housing downtown.   

After months of negotiations and funding applications the arduous task of restoration began.  this "mother of restorations" project was completed in one year and all 72 apartments rented within 2 weeks.

OLYMPIA BUILDING/GUSMAN THEATER                                                                                  ADAPTIVE REUSE AND HISTORIC RESTORATION

Miami, Florida. Downtown
Restoration of 1926 Olympia building included storefronts, facade, and adaptive reuse of office tower to 72 residential apartments. Funding was provided by Federal, State and local governments.
Victor Morales, Architect (Cityscapes Group) and Alfredo Pou, Joint Venture Architects,   Miami.  Completed 1996

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