Miami Worldcenter Blooms with 600 Native and Caribbean Orchids in Partnership with Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

MIAMI, FL (October 15, 2026) – Miami Worldcenter has welcomed approximately 600 native and Caribbean orchids to the trees of The Paseo through the Million Orchid Project, in partnership with Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. The installation is now complete, and the orchids are on view for residents, visitors and shoppers.

The Paseo at Miami Worldcenter, next to the Historic Pan Am Globe at 850 NE Second Ave., is part of the destination’s 27-acre, 10-block district in the heart of Downtown Miami. Fairchild’s horticulture team installed the orchids on existing palms and hardwood trees, securing them 6 to 9 feet above ground to keep them out of public reach and support their long-term survival. The placement mimics how orchids grow in a healthy native ecosystem, with no disruption to the existing landscape.

“Miami Worldcenter was designed to be a place where people connect with the best of Miami, and that now includes its native flora,” said Matthew Falcone, managing artner at Miami Worldcenter. “We are proud to partner with Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden on the Million Orchid Project, bringing a living, blooming element to The Paseo while supporting meaningful conservation work right here in Downtown Miami.”

The collection features eight varieties chosen for their beauty and resilience in an urban setting, including fragrant night bloomers such as Epidendrum nocturnum, a Florida native, and Brassavola nodosa, known as the “Lady of the Night.” Also featured are Oncidium Sharry Baby, with burgundy-red blooms and a chocolate-like scent; Epicattleya Lime Sherbert, prized for its yellow-green flowers; heat-loving semi-terete Vandas; showy, Caribbean-native Myrmecophila; the compact Dendrobium Ueang Pheung; and a mix of Caribbean hybrids. QR-coded signs at the site give visitors more information about the orchids and the project.

Nearly every native orchid species in South Florida is threatened with extinction, and the Million Orchid Project is working to reverse that decline. It is one of the largest orchid conservation programs in the world and the only conservation program of its kind operating in such an urban environment, returning rare orchids to the city streets, campuses and public spaces where people encounter them every day. Through the project, Fairchild researchers propagate native species in the Garden’s laboratory and reintroduce them into the community, with orchids placed at schools, parks and public spaces across Miami-Dade County.

“Every orchid we put on these trees is a species South Florida once had in abundance,” said Ana Luna, City in a Garden and Million Orchid project manager at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. “Seeing them bloom along a walkway where thousands of people pass every day brings us closer to the heart of our goal, which is returning native orchids to the landscapes where they belong and connecting people with the work it takes to bring these species back from the edge of extinction.”

The orchids add a new living layer to Miami Worldcenter’s landscape, complementing the district’s existing greenery, including The Square near the Apple Store, which features 33 varieties of trees. The district is also known for its public art, with a permanent collection that includes large-scale murals by Nina Chanel Abney, Viktor El-Saieh, Hernan Bas, Serge Toussaint and Franz Ackermann, alongside sculptural installations by Nick Cave, Trenton Doyle Hancock, Woody De Othello and Zadok Ben-David.

The partnership is part of Miami Worldcenter’s continued efforts to develop its year-round calendar of events, tenant activations, community partnerships, fitness programming, holiday experiences and cultural programming throughout the property. Miami Worldcenter is connected to Brightline, Metrorail, Metromover, PortMiami, Museum Park and Kaseya Center.

About Miami Worldcenter

As the second-largest urban mixed-use development in the U.S., Miami Worldcenter is redefining Downtown Miami with a dynamic blend of world-class retail, dining, entertainment, and public spaces. Spanning 27 acres across 10 city blocks, the $6 billion destination is a walkable hub where people can live, shop, play, and stay – all connected to major transit options, cultural landmarks, and Miami’s vibrant energy.

Miami Worldcenter Associates — led by Founding Partner Art Falcone — served as the master developer of the overall mixed-use development. As of April 2026, Miami Worldcenter’s Retail and Entertainment District was acquired by a venture comprised of affiliates of the Falcone Group, ROK Acquisitions, Andrew Mirmelli, The Davis Companies, and Jamestown. FA Retail leads the ongoing Retail Operations, Leasing, and Activations. Learn more at www.miamiworldcenter.com.

About Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is an 83-acre tropical paradise located in the heart of Miami. Founded and named after Dr. David Fairchild, one of the most famous plant explorers in history, the Garden’s outstanding botanical collection has been a fundamental part of the institution’s existence since 1938. Fairchild is home to a significant collection of palms, cycads, and rare tropical plants. It is also home to the only tropical rainforest in the continental U.S. and Wings of the Tropics, an exotic butterfly exhibit featuring butterfly specimens from all over the world. Fairchild has the largest education program of any metropolitan area, reaching more than 300,000 schoolchildren each year with programs like The Fairchild Challenge, The Million Orchid Project, Growing Beyond Earth, and its BioTECH High School. The Garden is a not-for-profit organization committed to harnessing the power of plants for humankind and sharing the joy of tropical gardening with everyone. Fairchild Garden is known for its outstanding signature events. From Chocolate, Mango, and Orchid Festivals, to concerts, classes, art exhibitions, and plant shows, Fairchild has something for everyone. Additionally, Fairchild is a premier location for outdoor weddings and private events. With gorgeous vistas and spectacular event spaces, the Garden is the perfect location to celebrate all of life’s important moments. Information at www.fairchildgarden.org and follow at Facebook, X, and Instagram.

Media Contact For Fairchild:  [email protected]