Abraham Galvan
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Arts & Entertainment Reporter @MiamiTodayNews email: agalvan@miamitodaynews.com
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Articles by Abraham Galvan
Coral Gables Art Cinema’s lease extended, expansion nears
Written by Abraham Galvan on October 28, 2026 After conducting a procurement bid process for the construction and expansion of the Coral Gables Art Cinema, the Coral Gables City Commission directed city staff to seek out the second-lowest bidder, West Construction Inc., for the project.
Underline looks at sculptures that tell the American story
Written by Abraham Galvan on October 28, 2026 To mark and celebrate America250, Friends of The Underline has narrowed its selection to three artists for its Sculpting the American Story public art installation and is asking for residents’ input.
Howard Lipman: Leads Jewish Museum of Florida’s shift to independent role
Written by Abraham Galvan on October 28, 2026 As the newly appointed CEO of the Jewish Museum of Florida, Howard Lipman is leading the museum as it begins a new era of independent nonprofit leadership after being overseen since 2012 by Florida International University, with a clear focus on building it into a leading center for Jewish culture, education and civic engagement.
Lucia Penrod: Spearheads Nikki Beach Hospitality Group’s global growth
Written by Abraham Galvan on October 21, 2026 As CEO, owner and co-founder of Nikki Beach Hospitality Group, Lucia Penrod leads the company with a strategic focus on expanding and maintaining its beach clubs and hotels and resorts around the globe. With Nikki Beach in Miami Beach set to close its doors in August 2027, Ms. Penrod is setting her sights on taking the Nikki Beach brand into its next chapter.
Wynwood Walls partners with Grand Theft Auto VI
Written by Abraham Galvan on October 14, 2026 The Wynwood Walls Museum has launched an initiative granting free admission to all Miami-Dade County residents, along with the unveiling of 10 new murals. Running through 2028 and in partnership with Rockstar Games, the program offers complimentary entry to the museum’s 62,000-square-foot campus for any resident with a valid photo ID showing a Miami-Dade address.
Miami Dade College Fashion Institute cuts a degree deal
Written by Abraham Galvan on October 14, 2026 Miami Dade College’s (MDC) Miami Fashion Institute (MFI) and Istituto Marangoni Miami (IMM) have created a bachelor’s degree pathway for MDC fashion graduates. Under the agreement, qualified MFI graduates who earn an associate of science in fashion design may transfer into IMM’s Bachelor of Fine Arts programs in Fashion Design or Fashion Styling, subject to IMM’s admissions, prerequisite and degree requirements.
Coral Gables OKs bond agreement to restore historic city hall
Written by Abraham Galvan on October 7, 2026 With construction scheduled to begin this month, Coral Gables officials have approved an estimated $40 million bond agreement with Thornton Construction to advance the restoration of City Hall. The city conducted an extensive review of project costs and potential savings before moving forward with the financing plan, Peter Iglesias, Coral Gables city manager, said during last week’s city commission meeting.
Miami’ home prices keep rising despite soaring mortgage rates
Written by Abraham Galvan on October 6, 2026 The South Florida housing market remains resilient, driven by luxury sales, migration and limited inventory, with home prices continuing to rise despite elevated mortgage rates, according to local real estate experts. Miami Realtors projects the 30-year mortgage rate will remain near 7% through the fourth quarter of 2026 before easing to 6.5% by the end of 2027 as inflation slows amid tighter monetary policy and declining oil prices.
University of Miami agreement with Gables will reshape campus, add hospital
Written by Abraham Galvan on September 30, 2026 The Coral Gables City Commission is moving forward with the University of Miami’s long-term development agreement, a sweeping proposal that would reshape the university’s campus footprint and support its future growth.
Restored Olympia Theater is one year away from education role
Written by Abraham Galvan on September 30, 2026 Anticipated to be fully restored within the next few years, the historic Olympia Theater is moving closer to a new chapter as Miami Dade College advances plans to expand educational and cultural opportunities at the landmark downtown Miami venue. In partnership with Sports Leadership Arts Management (SLAM), Miami Dade College plans to create dual-enrollment opportunities and academic pathways in the arts, digital media, design and technology.
Kobi Karp: Directs his architectural firm in its international creativity
Written by Abraham Galvan on September 30, 2026 For more than three decades, Kobi Karp has helped redefine the global design landscape through adaptive, forward-thinking, and highly personalized architectural solutions. As founder and principal of Kobi Karp Architecture & Interior Design (KKAID), he has built an internationally recognized practice known for creating innovative, sustainable, and contextually responsive environments that enrich the human experience.
Photos of old and new to wrap Coral Gables City Hall construction site
Written by Abraham Galvan on September 23, 2026 As restoration and renovations are underway at Coral Gables City Hall, the city is planning to place a construction project fence around the entire property. A fence will be placed around City Hall during construction that shows what the historic building will look like and helps get people invested in the project the city is working on, Mayor Vince Lago said during the latest city commission meeting.
Ashlee Thomas: Directing the Miami-Dade Department of Cultural Affairs
Written by Abraham Galvan on September 23, 2026 With deep local roots shaped by cultural institutions and more than 25 years of arts experience, Ashlee Thomas has been running the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs as director since July. Her appointment marks a full-circle moment for a leader whose personal story is intertwined with the very arts ecosystem she now oversees.
Grammy winner named dean of UM’s Frost Music
Written by Abraham Galvan on September 16, 2026 The University of Miami has selected Matt Serletic as the new dean of the Frost School of Music. Officially taking on the role on Oct. 19, Mr. Serletic will have the opportunity to shape the future of music performance, scholarship and professions by fostering creative and scholarly excellence in the context of a world-class research university, said Joel Samuels, UM’s executive vice president for academic affairs and provost.
Dan McGowan: Leading 100-person JLL commercial realty brokerage team
Written by Abraham Galvan on September 16, 2026 With more than 25 years of experience in commercial real estate, Dan McGowan today leads JLL’s office, retail and industrial brokerage operations across South Florida as the executive managing director and South Florida broker lead. Over the course of his career, he has worked in multiple major US markets, giving him a broad perspective on regional trends, client needs and the evolving demands of corporate real estate users.
Theater season to offer a broad array of plays in Miami
Written by Abraham Galvan on September 9, 2026 The new season of theatrical plays and adaptations has finally arrived. Local performing arts theaters have assembled a roster of productions, adaptations and premieres that audiences won’t want to miss. The Arsht Center presents “Historia de un jabalí (O algo de Ricardo III)” on Sept. 11. Following its premiere in Chile, one of the most emblematic pieces of the 2026 International Teatro a Mil Festival arrives in Miami.
Sounds of music will ring out in array of productions
Written by Abraham Galvan on September 9, 2026 As the fall season of new musical productions arrives on local stages, these presentations promise to do more than impress. From classical music and Caribbean flair to tributes honoring musical legends, there will be performances to satisfy all genres and music lovers of all ages. Buena Vista Social Club will take over the Ziff Ballet Opera House at the Arsht Center at 1300 Biscayne Blvd. from Sept. 29 through Oct. 4.
Canada’s Skilled Trades College plans to open in downtown Miami
Written by Abraham Galvan on September 2, 2026 Canada’s Skilled Trades College is in the final stages of opening its first US flagship campus in Miami. With nine locations in Ontario and throughout the Toronto area in Canada, the first US location will occupy about 30,000 square feet in downtown Miami’s Omni building at 1501 Biscayne Blvd., with a goal of enrolling about 800 new apprentices annually, said Ralph Cerasuolo, Skilled Trades College’s founder and CEO.
Urban Film Festival opening 11th season in downtown, Overtown
Written by Abraham Galvan on September 1, 2026 Marking its 11th year, the Urban Film Festival (UFF) returns to historic Overtown and downtown Miami. Starting Sept. 4 and presented by Florida Film House International, the three-day film festival brings together independent filmmakers, industry professionals and audiences for a free weekend of film, education and connection.
Coral Gables taps deputy to become city manager
Written by Abraham Galvan on August 26, 2026 Coral Gables city officials are moving forward with appointing José “Joe” Gómez as the next city manager. Currently serving as Coral Gables’ deputy city manager, Mr. Gómez will assume the city manager role Jan. 8, 2027, when current City Manager Peter Iglesias is scheduled to step down after announcing his resignation in May. “I think he’s demonstrated that he’s ready to take on this challenge.
Luciano Macagno: Directs Delta in South Florida, Latin America, Caribbean
Written by Abraham Galvan on August 26, 2026 Since July 2017, Luciano Macagno has served as managing director for Latin America, the Caribbean and South Florida at Delta Air Lines, with responsibility for more than $2 billion in sales and oversight of complex cross-divisional teams, commercial operations and matrix activities across the region.
Miami-Dade office market on the upswing
Written by Abraham Galvan on August 25, 2026 Miami-Dade County’s office market is showing positive net absorption, lower vacancy and higher rents than in prior periods, according to local real estate experts. In the year’s second quarter, net absorption measured 344,000 square feet, surpassing the prior quarter by 264,000 square feet on a quarter-over-quarter basis.
Fred Voccola: His Simpro Group built AI operating platform for trades
Written by Abraham Galvan on August 19, 2026 Since October 2025, Fred Voccola has been leading the Simpro Group as chairman and CEO and helping create the first AI-driven operating platform created especially for the trades. The multi-billion-dollar global AI-powered operating platform is designed for commercial and residential trade companies, serving over 24,000 businesses and 500,000 people worldwide.
21,000 at Miami Dade College also enrolled in high school
Written by Abraham Galvan on August 18, 2026 Miami Dade College (MDC) continues to see strong enrollment momentum, with total credit enrollment now 26% higher than it was in 2022. Several campuses are already outperforming last year’s numbers at this point in the cycle, and the college is continuing to build on that momentum in the lead-up to the start of classes, said Madeline Pumariega, MDC’s president.
Museum of Miami to relive the 1926 Miami hurricane
Written by Abraham Galvan on August 12, 2026 The Museum of Miami is gearing up to present “Caught in the Eye: Remembering the 1926 Hurricane.” Starting Sept. 18, the new exhibition at 101 W Flagler St. will open exactly 100 years after a powerful hurricane tore through the young, rapidly growing city and forced Miami to rebuild from the ground up.
Coral Gables unveiling a new, colorful Giralda Sky
Written by Abraham Galvan on August 12, 2026 Coral Gables is bringing residents and visitors “Giralda in Bloom,” the second installation of its Giralda Sky Series. It will be unveiled Aug. 14 and run through October. The new installation will transform Giralda Plaza into a colorful outdoor destination featuring hundreds of flower-inspired umbrellas suspended overhead. The installation will provide welcome shade while creating a backdrop for dining, shopping and exploring downtown Coral Gables.
Brickell is at epicenter of luxury condo market, experts say
Written by Abraham Galvan on August 11, 2026 As Miami continues to grow, Brickell has become the epicenter of Miami’s luxury condo market, according to local real estate experts. Brickell has become this epicenter for the city, and it has become a super-walkable section of the city for the first time. People are able to work, play, and live in just a few blocks, said Harvey Hernandez, founder and CEO of Newgard Development Group, a Miami-based multidisciplinary real estate development firm.
Bank America ‘scaminars’ battling fraud
Written by Abraham Galvan on August 5, 2026 Bank of America has launched 1,000 in-person scam and fraud prevention seminars, also known as “Scaminars,” throughout the remainder of 2026. In Miami, four Scaminars are scheduled through year’s end. These interactive events will explore scam patterns, highlight common red flags to watch for, and share practical steps people can take to help protect themselves and the people they care about. The sessions are open to everyone.
Ernie Diaz: Oversees pivotal operations of BankUnited in three states
Written by Abraham Galvan on August 5, 2026 Since March of 2024, Ernie Diaz has been leading BankUnited’s consumer, small business and commercial banking teams as senior executive vice president, consumer & commercial/small business executive.
Area home insurance rates keep rising, but far more slowly
Written by Abraham Galvan on August 4, 2026 While South Florida homeowners are still paying significantly more for home insurance coverage compared to five years ago, home insurance experts are observing a notable slowdown in rate growth.
North Miami Beach adds transit vehicles
Written by Abraham Galvan on July 29, 2026 The City of North Miami Beach and ProKel Mobility have unveiled modernized transit to transform how residents move throughout the city.
Doral’s coming of age: city historical archive planned
Written by Abraham Galvan on July 21, 2026 With their city now incorporated for more than two decades, Doral’s city councilmembers agreed to establish the City of Doral Historical Archive. The archive would serve as a dedicated institutional home for the collection, preservation, and public exhibition of the city’s art pieces, significant events, and biographical records of the pioneering residents and families who shaped Doral’s identity.
New residential building to house Crystal Academy
Written by Abraham Galvan on July 15, 2026 A new development that would permanently house Crystal Academy in Coral Gables is moving forward with the city commission’s approval. The proposed Crystal Residences development at 110 Phoenetia Ave. would be a nine-story, 1.47-acre mixed-use project incorporating 16 ground-floor live-work units, 184 upper-level residential units, and a 5,000-square-foot dedicated educational space for Crystal Academy.
Coral Gables office portfolio due a massive makeover
Written by Abraham Galvan on July 15, 2026 The Ponce, a 365,000-square-foot office portfolio in the heart of Coral Gables, was acquired by a partnership among Intalex, Itero and Greenwall. The partnership says it plans to invest more than $30 million to upgrade and renovate the property, currently valued at $97.8 million, with completion expected sometime in 2027. The acquisition of The Ponce includes 2525 Ponce de Leon, 2555 Ponce de Leon, and 152 Valencia Ave.
Breakthrough Miami gets $2 million gift from Kenneth Griffin
Written by Abraham Galvan on July 8, 2026 With a $2 million donation from business executive Kenneth C. Griffin, Breakthrough Miami is set to expand its Students-Teaching-Students leadership model. The support will better position Breakthrough Miami to create more opportunities for high school and college students to serve in apprenticeships as volunteer teachers, teaching assistants, and teaching fellows.
Public celebrations abound for nation’s 250th anniversary
Written by Abraham Galvan on July 1, 2026 There are plenty of ways to join in public celebrations of our nation’s 250th anniversary. The Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department returns for its annual Fourth of July Celebration at Tropical Park. In partnership with TelevisaUnivision, the event, free and open to the community, will take place from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 4.
Tallest mural in the nation to grace Excel Miami building
Written by Abraham Galvan on July 1, 2026 Excel Miami residential tower is serving as the canvas for what is expected to be the tallest mural in the US. A four-mural installation by German artist MadC is taking up 245 feet of vertical space on the south side of the 24-story tower at 1550 NE Miami Place, and is expected to surpass the 230-foot mural by artist Leila Parnian on the LiveSaiya building in downtown Phoenix, making it the tallest mural in the US.
Cathy Leff: Leads Bakehouse Art Complex to add affordable housing
Written by Abraham Galvan on June 24, 2026 Since 2018, Cathy Leff has been helping lead the Bakehouse Art Complex as its executive director and prioritizing the renovation and expansion of the organization.
Fan Festival makes Bayfront Park a World Cup gathering space
Written by Abraham Galvan on June 24, 2026 During the FIFA World Cup 2026, the FIFA Fan Festival Miami has transformed more than 436,000 square feet of Bayfront Park into a global gathering place. Described as a second stadium experience, up to 30,000 fans per day are expected to watch matches on giant digital screens, while a 10,000-capacity amphitheater stage will host live performances, cultural showcases, and unique programming between games.
World Cup watch parties become favorite spectator sport
Written by Abraham Galvan on June 24, 2026 As the FIFA World Cup host city, Miami hotspots, lounges and restaurants are organizing special watch parties and offerings only South Florida can manifest. From rooftop viewing experiences and waterfront watch parties to soccer-themed food and beverage offerings, here’s where to watch the World Cup. This World Cup season, Fooq’s in Miami’s Little River neighborhood is welcoming soccer fans looking for a more elevated way to enjoy the tournament.
Miami International Mall to add three buildings for housing
Written by Abraham Galvan on June 17, 2026 Doral officials got the chance to see what a revitalized Miami International Mall would look like, consisting of three-phase, six-story residential components. At last week’s city council meeting, Greystar Development got the green light to move forward with a “mall mixed-use district” designation for residential infrastructure to be developed at the Miami International Mall at 1455 NW 107th Ave.
Doral pilot program targets homeowner association frauds
Written by Abraham Galvan on June 17, 2026 The City of Doral has initiated a new one-year fraud detection pilot program for homeowners’ and condo owners’ associations for its residents.
Tri-Rail ridership kicks into high gear as World Cup crowds near
Written by Abraham Galvan on June 10, 2026 The first preferential berthing agreement in seven years with a new cruise line powered toward an inaugural sailing in January as a county committee hailed the coming of the Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber to a PortMiami homeport. The cruise line, founded in 2022 with a single vessel, will offer short to mid-length Caribbean cruises in the newly acquired and refurbished vessel as the fleet grows to three ships.
FIU breaks ground on medical center in Baptist partnership
Written by Abraham Galvan on June 3, 2026 The Helen and Jacob Shaham Academic Medical Center has officially broken ground at Florida International University’s Modesto A. Maidique campus. In partnership with Baptist Health South Florida, the $158 million 163,000-square-foot facility is slated to open in 2028 and feature academic learning spaces and outpatient multi-specialty services, including same-day surgery and diagnostic imaging.
Coral Gables looks to buy medical building near city hall
Written by Abraham Galvan on June 3, 2026 The Coral Gables city commission has given the city manager the go-ahead to negotiate purchase terms for a medical building at 475 Biltmore Way. City staff have been looking at this property for some time and would like to proceed with a purchase sale agreement as soon as possible, said Peter Iglesias, the city’s manager, during Tuesday’s city commission meeting.
Zack Simkins: Vaster’s managing director is capitalizing high-end assets
Written by Abraham Galvan on June 3, 2026 As Miami’s development pipeline continues to evolve, much of the conversation has centered on what is being built. Less visible, but just as critical, is how those projects are being financed. One of the lenders increasingly shaping that equation is Zack Simkins, managing director at Vaster, a Miami-based private credit firm focused on high-end residential and transitional assets.
Frost Science exhibit ties innovation to nation’s 250th birthday
Written by Abraham Galvan on May 27, 2026 As the nation prepares to mark its 250th birthday, the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science (Frost Science) is seizing the historic moment with a multi-platform programming initiative titled America250: Celebrating American Innovation.
Coral Gables balks at long-term Underline cost jump
Written by Abraham Galvan on May 20, 2026 Coral Gables officials have agreed to look into the shifted Underline fee agreement with Miami-Dade County that see the city’s costs for the project’s maintenance rising to about $1 million a year. At Tuesday’s meeting, the city commission discussed the initial annual agreement fee of $358,882 for the maintenance of the Underline that was recently changed by the county.
Swim Week brings more than 20 events at 10 venues
Written by Abraham Galvan on May 20, 2026 The Miami Swim Week – The Shows 2026, a global destination for swim and resort fashion, returns to Mondrian South Beach Miami. Starting May 25, the swim week festival is entering a new chapter. It brings together over 50 global swim designers from the US, UK, Colombia, Bulgaria, Italy, Brazil and Australia. The event will also have expanded programming and production under new CEO Sean Rashid and Fashion Event Director Elizabeth Claros.
Jackson Health, Miami Dade College to run charter school
Written by Abraham Galvan on May 20, 2026 Miami Dade College (MDC) and Jackson Health System are uniting to open the Health Science Charter High School.
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