Art and Design Move into Allapattah…
In 1896, when the original borders for the City of Miami were decided, Allapattah was nothing more than agricultural land on the outskirts of the city. Since then, the area has undergone numerous changes, incorporating itself into the heart of Miami’s ever-growing urban landscape and maintaining a rich history that can be seen with just a quick drive along NW 17th Ave. Included in the numerous small businesses along this route, you can find our headquarters, office space, and custom fabrication workshop. The diversity of the neighborhood, from an influx of Dominican immigrants in the late 20th century to the further diversification as Miami sustains continued growth, has created a need for the preservation of this culturally rich area. With trends of revitalization usually favoring demolition over preservation, McKenzie chose to utilize the space in a way that preserved the existing structure and didn’t detract from the historicity of this industrial area.
McKenzie HQ
Once an industrial plumbing warehouse, we adapted the space in 2014 to suit our needs, while simultaneously preserving the historic integrity of the space in every way we could. We believe it is important to carry this same mindset into the surrounding area. While Allapattah is set to be the next gentrified neighborhood in Miami, we believe innovation and revitalization cannot come at the expense of the erasure of history and culture.
In 2018, the South Florida Community Development Coalition launched the 17th Avenue Equitable Development Action Plan, with help from the National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders, which would later evolve into the Allapattah Collaborative Community Development Corporation. This place-based entity helps to preserve the cultural validity of the area through processes involving wealth-building, advocacy, and establishing a system that allows the “Right of First Refusal” which gives business owners the first choice in the process of purchasing their property. In addition to this, movement has been made in obtaining the necessary funds to rehabilitate properties in the area.
So where does McKenzie fit in all of this? After the preservation and reuse of our current property and headquarters, we have also stamped our mark on the exciting trend of art galleries and museums moving into the neighborhood. In spearheading the design-build of the new Rubell Museum in 2019, to the more recent construction of Marquez Art Projects, we have enjoyed playing a role in the creation of these art galleries’ new home in the neighborhood. These spaces not only provide exceptional viewing opportunities for culturally rich artistic artifacts but connect to the Miami community in a way unattainable by stereotypical developers, looking to maximize return on any available space.
Rubell Museum
Long-time collector, John Marquez, always kept his Miami community in mind when planning and building his new gallery space in the heart of Allapattah. His goal was to make his collection available to everybody, and the gallery has dedicated space to display work by local Miami artists. Giving a platform for these young artists to show their work to a larger, more established audience not only supports the artists themselves but gives the community the opportunity to realize first-hand the diversity and creativity found right in their backyard, elements that make Miami’s dynamic cultural landscape so unique. Working with Miami-based Studio Roda and KoDA, McKenzie helped to create this space, reusing a previously unused warehouse that will enrich the community by supporting young artists and feature future educational opportunities.
Marquez Art Projects
The Rubell family and Marquez join other galleries already in the area. Fabian Martinez, owner of Esquina de Abuela which functions as an art space and event venue, opened his doors in 2016. Martinez has brought several dynamic artists to enrich the community. Esquina de Abuela is housed in a property once owned by his Cuban grandmother, and he has kept the history and presence of his grandmother in the self-funded establishment every step of the way. He is also welcoming to anyone who seeks to establish themselves in the Allapattah neighborhood. After all, as one of Miami’s most diverse areas, it seems quite hypocritical to not allow such a trend to continue. However, Martinez, along with other Allapattah natives are eager to see the history and cultural identity of the neighborhood stay intact. It is imperative that progress not erase the authenticity that has been established and grown through numerous families and business owners. At McKenzie, we are grateful to be a small part of that preservation.
Sources:
“History of the Allapattah Neighborhood.” Miami History Blog, miami-history.com/podcasts/history-of-the-allapattah-neighborhood/. Accessed 22 Sept. 2023.
Markowitz, Douglas. “Will Allapattah Fall Victim to the Gentrification That Claimed Wynwood?” Miami New Times, 3 Dec. 2019, www.miaminewtimes.com/arts/rubell-museum-opening-could-bring-changes-to-miamis-allapattah-neighborhood-11322834o-miamis-allapattah-neighborhood-11322834. Accessed 22 Sept. 2023.
McLaughin, Megan. “Allapattah Overview - City of Miami’s 125th Anniversary.” Mia 125, mia125.org/neighborhood/allapattah/. Accessed 22 Sept. 2023.
Tracy, Liz. “Marquez Art Projects, a New Contemporary Art Space, Opens in Allapattah.” Miami New Times, 5 Sept. 2023, www.miaminewtimes.com/arts/marquez-art-projects-opens-in-miamis-allapattah-neighborhood-17741338. Accessed 22 Sept. 2023.
“Working Class Residents of Allapattah Preserve One of Miami’s Oldest Communities.” NALCAB, nalcab.org/impact_stories/working-class-residents-of-allapattah-preserve-one-of-miamis-oldest-communities/#:~:text=The%20Allapattah%20District%2C%20nicknamed%20Little. Accessed 22 Sept. 2023.
