Bacardi USA has sold its iconic Bacardi Tower and Museum buildings in Miami to an arts foundation.The sale by the Bermuda-based beverage giant will see the two buildings encompassing 3.3 acres on Biscayne Boulevard, handed over to the National YoungArts Foundation, an organisation that identifies emerging artists from 15 years and older and assists them at critical junctures in their educational and professional development. Nicki Minaj, Viola Davis and Kerry Washington are counted among the Foundation’s alumni.The eight-storey, blue-and-white tiled tower, by architect Enrique Gutiérrez, was completed in 1963, the mosaic square known as the “jewel box,” designed by Ignacio Carrera-Justiz, was added in 1975. The colourful glass mosaic walls are based on designs by German artist Johannes Dietz to illustrate his inspiration of steps in the rum-making process.YoungArts will convert the buildings, located at 2100 Biscayne Boulevard, into the organisation’s first national headquarters.“These buildings served Bacardi well for more than 40 years and we’re extremely pleased to have found a committed, locally-based steward who loves these iconic buildings, understands their importance, and will continue to share them with the community,” said Facundo L Bacardi, a fifth generation family member and Bacardi chairman. “If we ever had to let go of these buildings, all of us at Bacardi knew we wanted to ensure they would continue to be shared with the South Florida community. The heritage and significance of these buildings will be with Bacardi forever.”While the company has not disclosed the terms of the deal, The Miami Herald reports the sale was set at $10 million, though the market value of the site was more than $20 million.The privately held company moved its Americas headquarters to Coral Gables in 2009 and used the campus only rarely.“We were looking for somebody to extend the legacy of the property and how much it means to us,” he told the Florida newspaper. “I don’t think we could’ve come up with a better partner.”The YoungArts’ Artistic Advisor Frank Gehry has been commissioned to design the master plan for the landmark Bacardi campus, preserving the features of the iconic blue and white tiled Tower and stained glass “jewel box” buildings, while creating a multidisciplinary arts complex that will include a park with state-of-the-art video projection capabilities and arts programming for the benefit of the community.“As much as our remarkable young artists need space to work, to learn and to present their achievements, they also need surroundings that inspire them,” said YoungArts founder Lin Arison. “This campus is a place that can make their spirits soar and their ambitions a reality.”