Miami may ask proposals to run historic Olympia Theater

The historic Olympia Theater and Tower’s uncertain future might finally be heading towards a positive resolution.

The Miami City Commission is set to discuss today (7/28) whether to request proposals to continue the theater’s restoration and move forward with appointing a permanent operator.

Also known as the Maurice Gusman Theater for the Performing Arts, the city-owned theater at 174 E Flagler St. has gone through numerous repairs, with more restoration plans to continue, according to a city Department of Real Estate and Asset Management agenda item memo.

The city has hired R.J. Heisenbottle Architects to prepare a conditions assessment report and to assist in the preparation of a scope of service for a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the renovation and lease of Olympia consistent with its rich history, the memo said. The city staff has prepared a draft RFP to search for a responsive and responsible operator.

Olympia Theater has been temporarily managed by commercial real estate brokerage firm NAI Miami after the city terminated its partnership with previous operators Olympia Center Inc. back in December 2020.

In an August 2020 letter written to Sergio Rok, director of Olympia Center Inc., Miami City Manager Arthur Noriega said both the City of Miami and the Olympia Center Inc. have benefitted from a partnership spanning many productive years. “However, in these trying times amid the pandemic and other multiple hardships, the challenges of running a historic theater complex have become a daunting task.”

NAI Miami only managed the maintenance of the 88,180-square-foot building on a month-to-month agreement. The firm keeps up the property’s 79 apartments, four retail stores and the theater with 10 former apartments serving as dressing rooms, but is not involved in its operations.

Back in September 2019, Miami Dade College pulled out of negotiations with the city for the management of the theater. “After careful consideration and due diligence, Miami Dade College has decided not to pursue the Olympia Theater endeavor with the City of Miami,” the college had said in a press release. “The financial figures did not work for the college for the management of the theater and apartments.” The college’s withdrawal was one of several close calls for the theater.

In 2018, the city commission turned down an unsolicited proposal from New Urban International for a public-private partnership that included plans to convert the residential units above the theater into a boutique hotel and renovate the theater, among other things.

In 2017, Related Urban Development Group LLC submitted an unsolicited proposal to form a public-private partnership to redevelop residential units above the theater as well as make capital improvements to the theater. However, they then walked it back.

The Olympia Theater opened in 1926. It was designed by Architect John Eberson and boasts a Venetian interior design. The building served as a movie palace and showcased Vaudeville acts, and has featured world-class performers including Luciano Pavarotti, Etta James and B.B. King.

In 1976, South Florida philanthropist Maurice Gusman saved the theater from demolition. The Olympia Theater building was then placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 and is considered a major landmark.