Getting into South Beach is about to look very different: the much talked-about colorful Fifth Street Pedestrian Bridge is officially under construction, with a projected completion date in the summer of 2026.
Eventually overlooking the MacArthur Causeway, the walkway will allow folks to cross the Baywalk while looking down at the city below, basically connecting the beach path and marina.
The project, scheduled to take about 18 months to be completed, will also add a touch of artistic glamour to the neighborhood as part of the Five Park Miami Beach development, also behind last year's 48-story Arquitectonica-designed condo tower and Canopy Park, the three-acre green space that opened back in 2022.
The kaleidoscopic bridge comes courtesy of conceptual artist Daniel Buren, whose work has appeared at the Guggenheim in New York and the Venice Biennale, among other iconic exhibit spaces.
“My work has to do with a place and where it’s going to be seen,” said Buren in an official statement. “Whether it’s a one-man show in a museum or a public work, my first basic approach to what I do is to connect to the space.”
Phase one involves the relocation of utilities along the street to underground areas. Workers will then set up a temporary fence and start excavating for the bridge's foundation pedestals.
Once completed, the bridge will be accessible by all, featuring steps and elevators alike.
“In today’s market, walkability and connectivity are as valuable as views,” said David Martin, CEO of Terra, the private developer behind the project. “The Buren-designed Fifth Street Bridge marks a pivotal milestone for Miami Beach, enhancing the neighborhood’s DNA and redefining how South Beach is experienced on a global scale. Locally, it will serve a vital function—improving walkability for residents and visitors alike, seamlessly linking Lincoln Road to South Pointe Park upon completion.”
If the finished bridge is anywhere near as cool-looking as the renderings, South Beach is in for a vibrant new landmark.