Every day, thousands of tourists and Miami natives drive downtown to pose in front of Wynwood’s eye-catching murals, instagramming the contemporary style of Miami’s art neighborhood as they meander through its streets.
But it’s not only the art that drives people to Wynwood.
The one-of-a-kind neighborhood is also known for its overall ambiance. Wynwood offers live music, restaurants featuring international cuisine, and various other unconventional venues where individuals can congregate at—a mixture that makes Wynwood a tight-knit community that represents the vibrant culture of Miami.
One of these particular venues that Wynwood is known for is its famous yard, “The Wynwood Yard.”
Opened in 2015 by Della Heiman, The Wynwood Yard was once an empty, rocky lot—a lot that did not fit in into the colorful picture of Wynwood.
But Heiman changed that when she established a community garden, opened food trucks, and set a wooden stage across the lot—“The Wynwood Yard” was then born, and a completely new concept to Miami’s cultural landscape emerged.
For three years, The Wynwood Yard served as a space for community development and connections; it became the heart of Miami’s art district. Culinary concepts, live music (Shakira even performed at The Yard once), and the arts intertwined in The Yard, enriching local residents and visitors through the merge of cultures.
Yet after three years, this much-loved Yard that has become intrinsic to Wynwood is closing.
“We’ve always known it was coming to an end.[The Wynwood Yard] was supposed to be here for nine months but it turned into three years, so we are pretty happy about it,” said Lyndon Forte, the former bar manager of The Yard’s bar, as he explained how Della Heiman was initially going to use the lot for only nine months.
“The Yard has always been about community involvement,” he continued. “It’s for young people to come and learn, for cultures to merge.”
The Wynwood Yard will be replaced by an 11-story complex called “Wynwood Green,” and a similar project to The Yard will be moving to Doral—“The Doral Yard.”
“It is unfortunate because [The Wynwood Yard] is the perfect place for the community to gather, to have fun, to come with their family and friends. It is a family-friend environment so I think it is unfortunate that they are going to tear it down to build apartments, which you know, they are doing to the rest of Miami,” said Laura Callava, a college student who used to frequently visit The Wynwood Yard.
“There needs to be an effort to build more outdoor spaces for young people to go with friends, family,” she continued. “This is something that the community, local, and city government need to work on.”
The Yard was officially closed on May 5, after a long weekend of partying at the famous cultural hub— a hub where music from all over the world was once performed and where food from various countries was once served.
“I think it’s going to kill the community,” said Forte, “because Wynwood is not condos, Wynwood is this.”
