The neighborhood is under the legal jurisdiction of Santurce in the municipality of San Juan, Puerto Rico. It first appears in the 16th century as a spring that fed water to the Spanish outpost of Old San Juan. In the 17th century a wide public street, the Central Highway, was built that ran through the spring. Commerce flourished since goods that arrived at the port of San Juan had to pass Miramar on their way to the rest of the island. Today two set of bridges known as San Antonio and Dos Hermanos connects the adjoining areas of Old San Juan and Condado. Its land area measures 0.24 sq. miles, and has a resident population of 5,440 according to the 2000 United States Census. Miramar, since its beginnings had large wooden plantation-style homes with expansive land lots. In the 1950s well known architects from the time period built extravagant homes in Miramar that are still preserved. Miramar is home to several structures registered at the National Register of Historic Places, such as Casa Aboy-Lompré, a cultural center that was declared a historic building in the year 1989, focusing on the preservation and creation of photographic art. Another example is the Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel, declared a historic building in the year 1984.''
In 2000, Miramar had a population of 5,540. In 2010, Miramar had a population of 4,412 and a population density of 18,383.3 persons per square mile.
Neighborhood
Miramar is an exclusive residential neighbourhood where primarily middle to upper-class families reside, characterized by quiet streets lined with large, mature shade trees. There are still a handful of historical residences with the charm and atmosphere from the bygone era including several Prairie School architectural style buildings by internationally renowned architect Antonin Nechodoma. Miramar's rich architectural legacy is now protected by law as it was designated an historical district of Puerto Rico. The government of Puerto Rico has passed a law declaring Miramar a Historic Town. Miramar's Residents Association has had two legal triumphs in the court system that have helped define zoning laws and development sustainability. The Justice Department of Puerto Rico, the highway would not meet noise emission levels in regular traffic hours, and various condos and houses would become isolated from the rest of the town. In an unexpected move, in 2010 Mayor Jorge Santini proposed that instead of building the highway, a green concept should be pursued and a light rail program called SaTour was to be built. The plan is part of the San Juan Walkable City proposed plan, which is intended to connect Miramar to the Train system already in place called Tren Urbano. When completed, Miramar will have a direct access through train with Hato Rey, Guaynabo, and Bayamón. Miramar is home to the coeducational Catholic parochial school Academia del Perpetuo Socorro, the Puerto Rico Convention Center, the Isla Grande Airport, the Cruise ship Pan-American Cruise Pier, the luxurious yacht harbor of Club Nautico, and the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music. Miramar is located two miles from Old San Juan, three miles from shopping mecca Condado, and four miles from the international airport Luis Muñoz Marín.
