Albert Friedman came to Miami in the 1940s, and quickly made a name for himself. Known as "Mr. Miracle Mile," Freidman was instrumental in raising funds for a number of Coral Gables projects. He was a founding member of the Miracle Mile Merchants Association and was heavily involved with the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club. After arriving in the Gables, Friedman and his wife, Rose, opened Ro’al apparel store on Miracle Mile. During its time, the store was a favorite among University of Miami students. As a way of honoring their clientele and giving something back to the community, the couple extended their philanthropic efforts to the University.
The Friedmans supported the University of Miami as faithfully as they volunteered for Coral Gables civic organizations. Avid art lovers and collectors, they wanted to help UM to protect and expand its own collection and were among the very first supporters of the Lowe Art Museum. The Friedmans committed their first gift to the Lowe in 1950 in the form of a charitable gift annuity established to help the Lowe build a new facility. In 1994, the lobby of the Lowe was dedicated as the Rose and Albert Friedman Lobby in honor of the Friedmans’ remarkable generosity. The couple also made provisions in their wills to support arthritis research, general scholarships, and the Lowe.
Mr. Friedman was a founding member of UM’s Citizens Board, serving since the Board’s inception in 1950, and he was awarded the Diploma and Gold Cross Medallion of the Order of Merit—the University’s highest honor at the time. Mrs. Friedman studied humanities at the U.
In 1980, the City of Coral Gables and the Rotary club officially recognized Albert Friedman as "Mr. Miracle Mile" and installed a plaque at the southwest corner entrance of Miracle Mile. The plaque stands today as a testament to his positive impact on the South Florida community. The Friedmans’ generosity will benefit the University and the "City Beautiful" for generations to come.
