Miami’s landmark Dade County Courthouse is getting another shot at a new life, with the historic tower headed back to the auction block this summer. The 28‑story, 1928 tower at 73 W. Flagler Street is set to be sold through an online bid process running July 1–31, 2026, and county staff have scheduled an Industry Day for prospective buyers on June 30. Officials say they are banking on an adaptive reuse that preserves the building’s historic character while pulling fresh private investment into downtown.
Auction details and how to participate
According to a press release via GovDeals, Miami‑Dade will run the online sale on GovDeals.com from July 1 through July 31 and plans to brief would‑be buyers at an Industry Day on June 30. The release names a county contact for additional information and pitches the offering as a rare chance to carry out an adaptive redevelopment of a true downtown landmark.
Who tried before and why it fell apart
Miami‑Dade has been marketing the courthouse for more than a year, and the first time around the response was hardly a bidding war. The Miami Herald reported that GFO Investments, led by Russell Galbut, emerged as the sole bidder last year, but negotiations unraveled after the developer sought roughly $10 million a year in maintenance payments. The Real Deal detailed GFO’s earlier vision to pair the courthouse with a new high‑rise neighbor next door to the historic structure.
Historic protections and the building’s condition
The courthouse is listed as a designated historic site, with an interior designation that protects key courtrooms and public spaces, according to Miami‑Dade County preservation documents. The 1928 tower has long needed serious work, and portions of the building were cleared after 2021 inspections flagged corrosion and other defects, a situation highlighted in post‑Surfside safety reviews covered by WSVN/AP.
What bidders will face
Any buyer will have to juggle preservation rules, zoning constraints and substantial restoration costs, which adds up to a tough calculus even for deep‑pocketed developers. When Miami‑Dade first marketed the property it floated a benchmark of about $52.3 million, a number developers must weigh against repair estimates and the limitations that come with a protected historic site, according to reporting. County leaders have argued that selling the old tower will keep the county from effectively paying to operate two courthouses, a point Mayor Daniella Levine‑Cava underscored to the Miami Herald.
Miami‑Dade is inviting developers, preservation advocates and other interested parties to the June 30 Industry Day and will accept online bids from July 1 through July 31. The county’s announcement includes a contact for questions. For full details and contact information, see the county’s announcement via GovDeals/GlobeNewswire.
