Future of deteriorating Jackie Gleason Theater a tossup
The future of a dark and deteriorating Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theater remains in doubt many months after the operator called on the city to tear it down and build anew.
The venue has a deep-rooted and pivotal history for the city, but its condition has brought forth the possibility of renovating or replacing it.
“We need the Jackie Gleason,” said Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez. “We love the programming and the concerts that come to the Gleason, so whether we open it renovated or we just open it the way that it is or we build a new theater, we do need solutions.
“And honestly, when I look at this theater … I would probably vote to build a new theater, because it is in terrible condition. There’s windows that have aluminum foil over them. I mean, it’s just in terrible shape. I don’t know what we’re going to do to fix it, but we definitely need solutions.”
As Miami Today reported in May 2023, Live Nation Entertainment presented a new Fillmore Miami Beach Theater concept to the city’s finance committee. The concept would raze the theater and introduce a new one closer to Washington Avenue. The finance committee voted for the city commission to examine the proposal and potential funding opportunities.
“I think that there’s definitely some sort of movement to build a new facility,” said Commissioner Rosen Gonzalez. “When you look at the entire complex, we have the new convention center, this massive hotel that’s being built, and I think there’s a desire to somehow weave in a new theater.
That said, there has been no official direction to do anything.”
According to Miami Beach’s official website, the theater was built in 1950 and has welcomed world-renowned musical guests such as Frank Sinatra and the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. In the 1970s, it was renovated by the architect Morris Lapidus.
Many people love the Jackie Gleason theater, said Commissioner Rosen Gonzalez.
“Anything that we’re going to do I’m sure will include a lot of community input,” she said. “From what I know right now, Live Nation is opening back up … but we do miss Live Nation. It’s causing a big problem for the businesses on Lincoln Road. When we don’t have the Jackie Gleason working, the businesses don’t have customers. It’s in our interest to keep it open. That said, I’m going to try to be open minded with any projects that they present to us because the theater really is falling apart.”
“If we aren’t going to build a new theater,” she said, “then we really have to consider a serious renovation of this one.”
BeachResident
March 7, 2024 at 4:30 pm
Typical Miami, wanting to destroy history to build some modern monstrosity. I was there recently with my mother, and she told me the stories of all the artists she had gone to see there in her younger years, with her sister, who is no longer on this earth. It would be sad to just raze her memories, as well as those of so many who like her, frequented this establishment and saw many legends who are no longer on this earth. We already lost the Deauville. Don’t destroy their memories.
RonS
March 10, 2024 at 12:22 am
I grew up in miami beach. Cannot believe how much history has been torn down magnificent historical homes all along N Bay Rd, Pinetree dr, Alton rd..now just cement boxes no character no charm
All it is now is a playground for billionaires. And crime is rampant , like back to the 80s. Truly Sad, Shame on you so called city leaders…
Randysinger
March 10, 2024 at 5:23 pm
The Jackie Gleason theater is a vital part of our community. Do not under any circumstances allow this to be destroyed.
Ronnie Heit
March 11, 2024 at 2:36 pm
It would be ludicrous to allow another important piece of greater Miami area history to be torn down.
South Beach government would be spitting on it’s past to let developers replace history with another “modern” monstrosity.
Hundreds of old historical buildings around America have been saved by professional restoration experts.
There’s no sane reason Jackie Glesson theater can’t be as well.
Stuart Weintraub
March 11, 2024 at 9:26 pm
My family and I have always been in Miami Beach and our history is part of The City’s history. That location must be maintained.
Gary Brown
March 12, 2024 at 5:41 pm
Hey Stuart do i go to UM with you year 1976-1978.you guys owned the Amsterdam?
Veronica Deleo
March 15, 2024 at 8:59 pm
There’s windows that have aluminum foil over them.
This comment stated by Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, is just not even true!
Michael Steffens
March 25, 2024 at 12:47 pm
Expanding on Ronnie Heits comment. There is no reason that Jackie Gleason theater and the Coconut Grove Playhouse can’t be restored as well.
Javanka
April 5, 2024 at 11:41 pm
Demolish it! It sux and it’s phony Art Deco—look at the photos of it when it was built!
Leonor Alvarez
April 18, 2024 at 9:07 am
I went to such great productions at the Jackie Gleason, including Ida Lupino in Evita, Chuck Mangione, and one of the last performances of Rudolf Nureyev. I grew up on the Beach and it saddens me how the politicians are all in the pockets of developers and the mantra is Demolish all links to the past and rebuild soulless, indistinct structures. In their greed they fail to realize that if they destroy all of the built environment that is iconic of Miami Beach, the Beach loses its allure.