Freedom Tower

Rising above Biscayne Boulevard in downtown Miami, the Freedom Tower is one of South Florida’s most significant historic landmarks and an enduring symbol of immigration, resilience, and cultural identity. Completed in 1925 as the headquarters of *The Miami News*, the building was designed by the renowned architectural firm Schultze & Weaver in the Spanish Renaissance Revival style, drawing inspiration from the Giralda bell tower in Seville, Spain. Its ornate detailing, decorative stonework, and illuminated cupola quickly established the tower as a defining feature of Miami’s skyline, rising approximately 255–289 feet above downtown Miami.

The building gained national significance during the 1960s and early 1970s when it served as the Cuban Refugee Emergency Center, earning the landmark the nickname “Ellis Island of the South.” Following decades of changing ownership and periods of vacancy, the Freedom Tower was donated to Miami Dade College in 2005, which assumed stewardship of the National Historic Landmark and transformed it into a cultural and educational center. As part of its mission, the College has continued to preserve the building while expanding public access to its history through exhibitions, programs, and community engagement. In 2008, it was designated a National Historic Landmark, recognizing its national significance in the story of Cuban immigration and American democracy.

In advance of the tower’s centennial, Miami Dade College launched a comprehensive restoration and modernization project to address deferred maintenance, preserve the historic fabric, and prepare the building for its next century of public use. The multi-year, $25 million campaign included exterior masonry conservation, structural repairs, restoration of historic windows and doors, conservation of significant interior features, decorative painting, stone restoration, museum upgrades, and accessibility improvements. Preservation efforts also included treatment of the landmark’s historic murals and decorative finishes throughout the building.

EverGreene contributed specialized conservation and restoration services as part of the multidisciplinary preservation team. The scope included conservation treatment of historic murals, restoration of architectural stone elements, and repair and replication of decorative finishes throughout interior spaces. EverGreene’s artisans helped preserve the craftsmanship and artistic character that define the Freedom Tower’s historic interiors while ensuring these features remain protected for future generations.