Commodore Ralph Middleton Munroe Miami Marine Stadium was the first purpose-built venue for powerboat racing in the United States. Designed by Cuban-American architect Hilario Candela, this 1960s concrete Modernist icon is a sentimental favorite for many in the Miami community.
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Commodore Ralph Middleton Munroe Miami Marine Stadium was the first purpose-built venue for powerboat racing in the United States. Designed by Cuban-American architect Hilario Candela, this 1960s concrete Modernist icon is a sentimental favorite for many in the Miami community.
The 6,566 seat stadium, completed in 1964, was built on land donated by a local family specifically for water sports. The stadium, notable for its floating stage and stunning profile, hosted many world-class powerboat events and numerous nationally televised concerts. The last major race in the stadium took place in 1987 and concerts continued through the late 1980s as well.
In 1992, Hurricane Andrew damaged the stadium, prompting city engineers to condemn the structure. Since then, the stadium has sat vacant, without maintenance, subject to vandalism and prolific graffiti.
