The Finker-Frenkel Wish House’s Grand Opening in Downtown Miami: A Haven of Hope for Critically Ill Children
The Finker-Frenkel Family Foundation marked a monumental achievement with the grand opening of the Finker-Frenkel Wish House, a five-story, 30,000-square-foot facility offering critically ill children a magical space designed to ignite creativity and help them discover their deepest wishes.
“This house is not just an evolution; it’s a revolution of what Make-A-Wish does and what we’re going to be able to accomplish inside these walls,” said Eugene Frenkel, newly appointed Chairman of Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, speaking at the grand opening celebration. “We’re part of the treatment. We’re part of the process and just as important as the doctors.”
Located in Downtown Miami, the Finker-Frenkel Wish House was designed by the award-winning global architecture firm Arquitectoinca, in collaboration with the next-generation studio Animal Repair Shop, led by former Disney Imagineer Susan Bonds.
The ground floor of the Wish House, known as WishWorks, offers an interactive, state-of-the-art experience that guides kids through the “Hall of Possibilities and Imagination.” Here, they’re invited to play the “Wishing Game,” sparking their creativity and dreams. As many as 50 children each month will have the chance to discover their wishes in the magical space of WishWorks.
In addition to serving as a playground and creative space for children and their families, the Finker-Frenkel Wish House also serves as the corporate headquarters for Make-A-Wish Southern Florida. It features office space for approximately 35 employees, accommodating numerous interns and volunteers, along with event and ballroom space.
Built in a parallelogram shape, the modern glass building appears to loom out over Highway I-95 at 343 NW 6th Street. By night, the façade of the Wish House comes alive, illuminating a shooting star that streaks through the building each time a child’s wish is granted.
Speaking at the grand opening ceremony, Make-A-Wish Southern Florida Chairman Emeritus Shareef M. Malnik emphasized the profound impact of the Finker-Frenkel Wish House in inspiring hope for children and their families.
“Our mission is to transport our children to another universe through cutting-edge technology and immersive, experiential architecture,” he said. “To restore hope, spark joy, and create moments that will carry them through their toughest challenges.”
