InterContinental Miami

InterContinental Miami is a luxury hotel in downtown Miami, Florida, situated near Bayfront Park and the city's waterfront business and cultural district. The property opened in 1983 as the Pavilion Hotel, a component of developer Theodore Gould's Miami Centre waterfront project. Its building was designed in 1982 by architect Pietro Belluschi, whose design contributed to the hotel's prominent position in Miami's downtown skyline. The property's early history was shaped by financial difficulties. It entered foreclosure in 1985, after which InterContinental was selected to manage the hotel. A long-term management contract followed in 1986, and the property was renamed InterContinental Miami. The hotel subsequently became part of the InterContinental portfolio while remaining associated with Strategic Hotels & Resorts as its owner and IHG Hotels & Resorts as its operator. Between 2009 and 2012, the hotel underwent a reported $30 million renovation intended to strengthen its position against competing downtown Miami hotels. The work updated guest rooms with redesigned interiors and additional technology, added presidential and executive suites designed by Venus Williams's V Starr agency, and introduced Toro Toro, a restaurant created in association with chef Richard Sandoval. The renovation also changed the building's visual identity through a redesigned entrance, customizable multicolor lighting, and a 19-story LED installation on the sides of the building. The installation, described as a digital canvas, can display animations and was introduced with an image of a dancing woman. In addition to accommodation, InterContinental Miami serves business travelers, leisure visitors, conference and event groups, and guests attending major downtown celebrations. Its hospitality offer includes rooms and suites, restaurants and bars, meeting and event facilities, and spa-related amenities. The hotel has also developed a strong connection with Miami's public New Year's Eve celebrations. Since the 1980s, it has been the location from which the illuminated Big Orange is raised as midnight approaches during festivities centered on Bayfront Park. The orange wearing sunglasses was created by local signmaker Steve “Mr. Neon” Carpenter and has become a recognizable seasonal feature of Miami's civic celebrations. The Big Orange tradition was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 celebration was canceled in full. For the 2021–22 and 2022–23 celebrations, organizers used a digital or projected version after Carpenter and members of his crew became ill with COVID-19 and Carpenter later chose not to participate as a precaution. The physical installation returned for the following New Year's celebration after organizers and Carpenter reached an agreement that allowed preparations to begin earlier than usual. The hotel therefore combines the InterContinental brand's upscale international positioning with a distinctly local role in Miami's waterfront events calendar.

InterContinental Miami was designed in 1982 by architect Pietro Belluschi and opened in 1983 as the Pavilion Hotel. It formed part of Theodore Gould's Miami Centre waterfront development in downtown Miami, close to Bayfront Park. The property was conceived as a prominent hotel serving the city's expanding business, tourism, and convention economy. The hotel encountered financial problems soon after opening and became subject to foreclosure in 1985. InterContinental was then selected to manage the property. In 1986, the company received a long-term management contract, and the hotel was renamed InterContinental Miami. This established the property's continuing connection with the InterContinental hotel system and, later, with IHG Hotels & Resorts as operator. A major physical and commercial renewal began in 2009. The reported $30 million project was completed in 2012 and was intended to help the property compete more effectively with other hotels in downtown Miami. Guest rooms were redecorated and equipped with additional technological features. Presidential and executive suites were redesigned by V Starr, the design agency associated with Venus Williams. The project also added Toro Toro, a restaurant associated with chef Richard Sandoval. The renovation extended beyond interiors. A new entrance incorporated customizable multicolor lamps, while LED light bars installed along the sides of the 19-story building created what the hotel described as a digital canvas. The system could display animations and was launched with an animation showing the silhouette of a dancing woman. These changes made the building more visible at night and linked the property to Miami's highly visual urban environment. The hotel has also played a recurring role in local New Year's Eve celebrations since the 1980s. During the Bayfront Park festivities, a large illuminated orange wearing sunglasses, known as the Big Orange, is raised up the side of the hotel as midnight approaches. Local signmaker Steve “Mr. Neon” Carpenter designed the object. The tradition made the hotel an important backdrop and operational base for one of Miami's best-known annual public celebrations. The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted that tradition. The 2020 event was canceled entirely. A modified format was used for the 2021–22 celebration, when a digital or projected Big Orange replaced the physical installation after Carpenter and members of his crew became ill with COVID-19. The digital format continued for the 2022–23 event, with Carpenter declining to participate as a precaution. The physical Big Orange returned the next year after organizers and Carpenter agreed that preparations could start earlier than usual. Across its history, the property has therefore combined an internationally branded luxury-hotel operation with a specifically local identity rooted in downtown Miami, Bayfront Park, waterfront events, and the city's nighttime visual culture.

• 2023

  Physical Big Orange returns

  [1]InterContinental Miamien.wikipedia.org

  The traditional physical installation returned after organizers arranged an earlier preparation schedule with its creator.

• 2021

  Digital Big Orange introduced

  [1]InterContinental Miamien.wikipedia.org

  A digital or projected version of the Big Orange was used for the 2021–22 celebration.

• 2020

  Big Orange celebration canceled

  [1]InterContinental Miamien.wikipedia.org

  The associated Bayfront Park New Year's Eve event was canceled in full during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• 2012

  Renovation completed

  [1]InterContinental Miamien.wikipedia.org

  The renovation was completed with updated rooms, redesigned suites, Toro Toro, a new entrance, and a large exterior LED installation.

• 2009

  Major renovation begins

  [1]InterContinental Miamien.wikipedia.org

  The hotel began a reported $30 million renovation to update its accommodation, dining, guest technology, and exterior presentation.

• 1986

  InterContinental assumes management

  [1]InterContinental Miamien.wikipedia.org

  InterContinental received a long-term management contract and the property was renamed InterContinental Miami.

• 1985

  Property enters foreclosure

  [1]InterContinental Miamien.wikipedia.org

  The hotel became subject to foreclosure, prompting a change in management arrangements.

• 1983

  Hotel opens as the Pavilion Hotel

  [1]InterContinental Miamien.wikipedia.org

  The property opened near Bayfront Park as the Pavilion Hotel, part of Theodore Gould's Miami Centre development.

• 1982

  Building designed by Pietro Belluschi

  [1]InterContinental Miamien.wikipedia.org

  Architect Pietro Belluschi designed the hotel building for the Miami Centre waterfront project.

Upscale business, leisure, meetings, and waterfront event hotel

• Hotel accommodation · 1983

  Guest rooms

  The hotel provides upscale rooms for business and leisure travelers in downtown Miami. The 2009–2012 renovation redecorated the rooms and added more technology-oriented features.

• Hotel accommodation · 2012

  Presidential and executive suites

  The property's higher-tier suites were redesigned as part of the major renovation completed in 2012. The presidential and executive suites were designed by V Starr, the agency associated with Venus Williams.

• Restaurant · 2012

  Toro Toro

  Toro Toro is the hotel's Richard Sandoval-associated restaurant introduced during the 2009–2012 renovation. It expanded the property's dining offer and supported its positioning as a full-service luxury hotel for both visitors and local clientele.

• Hospitality services · 1983

  Meetings and events

  InterContinental Miami offers meeting, conference, banquet, and event services suited to corporate groups, social functions, and large public celebrations. Its downtown location near Bayfront Park supports both business and destination-event demand.

• Seasonal event · 1980

  Big Orange New Year's Eve experience

  The hotel is the traditional location from which Miami's illuminated Big Orange is raised during Bayfront Park New Year's Eve festivities. The attraction has been part of the city's celebration since the 1980s, with digital substitutes used during the COVID-19 period.

• 1980Big Orange New Year's Eve celebration

  Miami · United States

  InterContinental Miami became the focal point for Bayfront Park's annual New Year's Eve festivities, with a large illuminated orange raised up the building at midnight.

  Outcome. The tradition became a recurring local landmark event and a distinctive part of the hotel's public identity.

  Source

• 2020

  Suspend the physical Big Orange celebrationOther

  Background

  The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted public New Year's Eve celebrations in Florida.

  Action taken

  The 2020 Bayfront Park celebration was canceled in full; later events used a digital or projected Big Orange.

  Aftermath

  The digital format continued through the 2022–23 celebration, and the physical installation returned the following year.

  Source

• 2009

  Undertake comprehensive hotel renovationStrategy

  Background

  The hotel sought to compete more effectively with other downtown Miami properties.

  Action taken

  A reported $30 million renovation was launched, covering rooms, suites, dining, guest technology, entrances, and exterior lighting.

  Aftermath

  The project was completed in 2012 and refreshed the property's accommodation, food-and-beverage, and visual identity.

  Renovation investment. $30 million (2009–2012)

  Source

• 1986

  Adopt InterContinental management and brandingStrategy

  Background

  After the property entered foreclosure in 1985, InterContinental was selected to manage the hotel.

  Action taken

  InterContinental secured a long-term management contract and the hotel was renamed InterContinental Miami.

  Aftermath

  The property became part of the InterContinental portfolio while operating under a management arrangement rather than being identified as an independently branded Pavilion Hotel.

  Source

• 2023

  Physical Big Orange returns to the InterContinental Miami celebration[1]InterContinental Miamien.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The physical Big Orange returned for the New Year's celebration after organizers and signmaker Steve Carpenter agreed on an earlier preparation schedule.

• 2021

  Digital Big Orange used for pandemic-era New Year's celebrations[1]InterContinental Miamien.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The 2021–22 celebration used a projected or digital version of the Big Orange after the traditional signmaker and crew were affected by COVID-19.

• 2020

  Miami New Year's Eve Big Orange celebration canceled during the pandemic[1]InterContinental Miamien.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The public New Year's Eve event associated with the hotel and Bayfront Park was canceled in full because of the COVID-19 pandemic in Florida.

• 2012

  InterContinental Miami completes major renovation[1]InterContinental Miamien.wikipedia.org

  Other · Product generation

  A renovation begun in 2009 was completed, updating guest rooms and suites, adding Toro Toro, and introducing a redesigned entrance and large-scale exterior LED lighting.

• 1986

  InterContinental Miami opens after conversion from the Pavilion Hotel[1]InterContinental Miamien.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Following the property's foreclosure, InterContinental assumed management under a long-term contract and the hotel adopted the InterContinental Miami name.

1. 1InterContinental Miamien.wikipedia.org