Historic Bacardi building gets make over

MIAMI (WSVN) -- A historic building in South Florida will now be used for an arts program.

Bacardi turned over their famed Biscayne Boulevard campus to it's new owner, the National Young Arts Foundation. "For the last 31 years we have identified and supported more than 16,000 young artists in scholarships," said Executive Director of the National Young Arts Foundation Paul Lehr.

Founded in 1981, the organization has hosted student artists for special programs at the Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian and other prominent locations, but will now call Miami it's permanent home.

What once housed offices for the liquor-giant's executives, will now house student-artists.

World-renowned architect Frank Gehry tasked with carving-out new spaces into the historic site.

The campus served as a sign of promise and permanence when Bacardi moved from Cuba to the United States following the Castro revolution. "These buildings hold a special place...and art world," said Chairman of Bacardi Limite, Facundo Bacardi.

The most recognized building built by Cuban architect Enrique Gutierrez, with it's eye-catching mosaic by Brazilian artist Francisco Brennand was built in 1963.

In 1975, the jewelbox with stained-glass windows depicting how rum is made was added.

Bacardi eventually outgrew its campus and moved to Coral Gables in 2009.

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