Paul Lehr, Kenyon Adams, Lin Arison, Kelly Kessell, Ernest Baker
Facundo Bacardi, Paul Lehr, Frank Gehery, Lin Arison
Kelly Kessell, Kenyon Adams
Lin Arison
Lin Arison, Frank Gehry
Facundo Bacardi
Paul Lehr, Frank Gehry, Michael Kaiser, Alberto Ibarguen, Lin Arison
Annex Building courtesy of Bacardi Archive
2100 Biscayne Building courtesy of Bacardi Archive
On October 3, 2012, Facundo L. Bacardi, chairman of the board of Bacardi Limited, handed over the iconic landmark Bacardi Tower and Museum building complex to National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) co-founder Lin Arison and executive director Paul T. Lehr. In an act of civic and cultural philanthropy, Bacardi has conveyed the property to YoungArts at a significant reduction of its market value, ensuring that an important part of Miami’s architecture, social and cultural fabric will be preserved and honored. YoungArts will convert the buildings into the organization’s first national headquarters, creating a permanent home that will allow YoungArts to carry forward an expansion of activities unprecedented in its history. World-renowned architect and YoungArts’ artistic advisor Frank Gehry has been commissioned to design the master plan for the historic Bacardi campus, preserving the beloved features of the iconic blue and white tiled Tower and stained glass “Jewel Box” buildings, while creating a multi-disciplinary arts complex and park.
