MIAMI – The brightly painted VITAS building in downtown Miami has become the center of a heated debate: Opinions are sharply divided on whether it’s a masterpiece of art or an eyesore tarnishing the city’s skyline .
District 3 Commissioner Joe Carollo held a press conference on Tuesday at Bayfront Park’s Challenger Memorial, voicing his demand for the building to be repainted immediately. He claims the colorful exterior, which has remained unchanged for over a year, detracts from Miami’s iconic downtown view.
“My understanding is that the owners of the building had issues with the city over code violations, and as a result, they painted it like this to make a point,” Carollo alleged. “They’re not thinking about our residents and it’s ruining the skyline.”
The VITAS building’s vibrant design has drawn mixed reactions from residents and visitors.
Mike Tocco, a tourist, praised the building’s artistic flair. “We’re tourists, and we were walking by. It’s pretty incredible. We sat and took a few photos. It seems artistic and cultural. Honestly, I think it looks good. Fun and festive.”