CULTURE ON WASHINGTON AVENUE
ART - MURAL - CREATIVE
Troy E. Wright, Executive Director
Washington Avenue Business Improvement District
Welcome to Washington Avenue! This mural represents more than just honoring the incredible individuals who shaped and established their vision along the streets of Washington Avenue. It is a tribute to those who sparked positive change, bringing laughter, smiles, happiness, inspiration and hope to countless lives. We must always remember the diversity of backgrounds that contributed to what makes America so remarkable—the unwavering belief in oneself, faith in God, and the courage to pursue their dreams and callings.
If this mural can inspire you to create a plan and follow your own calling, then the legacy of these trailblazers lives on. Through you, their spirit will continue to bring positivity into the world. As the Executive Director of the Washington Avenue Business Improvement District, it is an honor to welcome you to Washington Avenue and Miami Beach. Let’s keep spreading joy and love, together.
This mural celebrates the lasting legacies of Muhammad Ali, Jackie Gleason, Prince, Gianni Versace, and Jayne Mansfield—each a beacon of strength, creativity, and vision. Their contributions continue to inspire and uplift us all. - Troy E. Wright, Executive Director.
JACKIE GLEASON
The Jackie Gleason Theater, now known as The Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater, has a history that includes hosting the Jackie Gleason TV show, hosting big-name artists, and being renovated multiple times.
With the television boom in the 1960s, shows such as The Dick Clark Show, The Ed Sullivan Show and the Miss USA and Miss Universe Pageants were often filmed in the auditorium. In 1964, the city of Miami Beach offered Jackie Gleason the opportunity to film his show here. Mr. Gleason agreed to move his show to sunny Miami Beach, where he declared: “Miami Beach audiences are the greatest in the world!
History
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Opened in 1951 as the Miami Beach Municipal Auditorium
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Hosted the Jackie Gleason TV show, which led to the theater being renamed after him
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Renovated in the late 1980s with an Art Deco facade
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Renovated again in 2006 and reopened in 2007 as The Fillmore Miami Beach
Notable performances
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Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, and Jack Benny have performed at the venue
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Madonna, Janet Jackson, Ricky Martin, and more have performed at the venue
Location
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The venue is located next to the Miami Beach Convention Center on 17th & Washington Avenue.
17TH & WASHINGTON
PRINCE
Prince opened the Glam Slam nightclub in Miami Beach on June 7, 1994, his birthday. The club was located at 1235 Washington Avenue in South Beach.
Details
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Prince played seven shows at the club.
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The club's grand opening was a two-hour set to celebrate his first birthday as a love symbol.
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The building was originally an Art Deco casino built in 1934, and then a cinema from 1937.
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In 1984, it was converted into a nightclub called Club Z.
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Prince hosted the party closing the Purple Rain Tour at Club Z in 1985.
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The Miami Beach Police shut down the club in 1996 after a drug raid.
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The club never fully recovered.
Other venues Prince performed at in Miami
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Prince performed at the Miami Arena before heading to Glam Slam after his “Jam of the Year Tour” performance.
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Prince also performed at the then-Mansion Nightclub in 2006.
12TH & WASHINGTON
JAYNE MANSFIELD
Jayne Mansfield frequently visited Miami Beach in the late 1950s and early 1960s, often making appearances at glamorous hotels, nightclubs, and events. During this time, she was married to Mickey Hargitay, a former Mr. Universe, whom she wed in 1958.
The couple was spotted in Miami Beach on several occasions, enjoying the vibrant nightlife and high-profile social scene. Mansfield was known for making publicized appearances at venues like the Fontainebleau and Eden Roc hotels and Washington Avenue, which were popular celebrity destinations at the time.
WASHINGTON AVENUE
VERSACE
The story is that Gianni Versace came to Miami Beach because he fell in love with the vibrant energy, art deco architecture, and tropical atmosphere of South Beach, which he saw as a perfect reflection of his design aesthetic, ultimately deciding to purchase a historic mansion on Ocean Drive.
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However, Gianni Versace first visited Miami Beach in 1991 and was immediately captivated by its vibrant Art Deco architecture and glamorous atmosphere. His visit coincided with the era of Miami Vice, which had helped shape the city’s image throughout the 1980s. The show's neon-lit aesthetic, bold fashion, and luxurious South Beach setting aligned perfectly with Versace’s own design sensibilities.
Shortly after his visit, Versace purchased and renovated the historic Villa Casa Casuarina on Ocean Drive, which became his iconic residence. His influence helped redefine Miami Beach as a global fashion and luxury hotspot in the 1990s, further building on the Miami Vice legacy of style and extravagance.
Key points about Versace's connection to Miami Beach:
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Love at first sight:
While visiting Miami, Versace was immediately captivated by South Beach's unique character, especially the art deco architecture.
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Casa Casuarina:
He bought a dilapidated mansion on Ocean Drive, known as "Casa Casuarina," which he extensively renovated into a luxurious private residence.
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"South Beach Stories":
Versace's fascination with Miami was documented in a photo book titled "South Beach Stories," featuring his iconic models in Miami settings.
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Impact on Miami:
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Versace's presence significantly contributed to the revitalization of South Beach, attracting celebrities and further elevating the area's glamorous image
8TH & WASHINGTON FORMER STORE
11TH & OCEAN DRIVE - VERSACE MANSION
Photo: Express Newspapers via AP Images
MUHAMMAD ALI
MUHAMMAD & THE BEATLE AT THE 5TH STREET GYM 1964
Why Washington Avenue?
Washington Avenue holds a unique place in the history of Muhammad Ali's illustrious career. Home to the renowned 5th Street Gym where Ali honed his skills, it was also the location where he secured his first heavyweight title at 17th and Washington.
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Muhammad Ali had a strong connection to Miami Beach, particularly to Washington Avenue, during the early years of his boxing career. In the 1960s, Ali—then known as Cassius Clay—trained at the famous 5th Street Gym, located near Washington Avenue. This gym, run by Angelo Dundee, became a legendary boxing hub where Ali prepared for some of his most historic fights.
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One of Ali’s most iconic moments in Miami Beach was on February 25, 1964, when he defeated Sonny Liston at the Miami Beach Convention Center, just a short distance from Washington Avenue, to become the heavyweight champion of the world for the first time. After the fight, he famously declared, "I shook up the world!"
Ali was often seen in the Washington Avenue area, frequenting local businesses, restaurants, and hotels. His presence contributed to Miami Beach’s status as a major sports and entertainment destination during the 1960s and beyond.
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5th & Washington is where he trained
17th & Washington is where he won his first heavyweight title.
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Speakers at the unveiling from left to right: Mayor Dan Gelber, Commissioner Steven Meiner, Commissioner Mark Samuelian, Brandi Reddick, Cultural Affairs Manager of CMB, Troy E. Wright, Executive Director of BID, Otniel Rodriguez of CMB, Daniel Ciraldo, Executive Director of MDPL and mural artist Ignacio Marino Larrique.
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