Boutique Hotel Pitched for Historic Miami-Dade Courthouse

Miami-Dade County's historic courthouse could find new life as a boutique hotel with restaurants and high-end residential space, according to a prominent construction industry executive evaluating the building's redevelopment potential.

Zion Mass, founder and CEO of MASS Construction, believes hospitality represents the optimal use for the downtown Miami property, which the county is selling through auction. While office conversion remains possible, the building's architectural characteristics align particularly well with hotel development.

"What I believe would be the best use would potentially be a boutique hotel and maybe a high-end condo in the penthouse mixed with restaurants in the lobby," Mass said. The courthouse's floor plates, height, and floor-to-floor dimensions match typical hotel specifications better than office requirements, which would necessitate additional mechanical ductwork that could compromise ceiling heights.

The property, located at 73 West Flagler Street, was constructed between 1925 and 1928. Standing 361 feet tall, it held the distinction of being South Florida's tallest structure upon completion. The building showcases Neoclassical and Mediterranean Revival architectural elements, crowned by a distinctive ziggurat-style roof.

Mass emphasized that preserving historic features would be central to any successful redevelopment. Exterior facades and original courtrooms should remain intact, he noted. One former courtroom could be converted into a hotel lobby or restaurant while retaining its character, simply by removing existing seating and adapting the space for new purposes.

The challenge lies in finding a developer capable of balancing renovation costs with historic preservation requirements. Mass pointed out that historic buildings offer competitive advantages in a city dominated by modern construction, where distinctive architectural details can make properties stand out against newer developments that blend together.

He referenced the Surf Club, Soho Beach House, and Boca Resorts as examples of historic properties that connect visitors to Miami's past while commanding premium market positions.

The building received local historic landmark designation in 1985 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. Miami-Dade County expanded protections in 2020 to include significant interior spaces such as the lobby, atrium, and six courtrooms.

The county is conducting the sale through GovDeals with a minimum bid of $35.41 million and a $100,000 bid deposit. The auction is scheduled to close August 28, though bidding may extend if offers arrive near the deadline. County approval is required for any sale.

This auction follows a previous attempt to sell the courthouse to GFO Acquisitions LLC, led by Russell Galbut, which submitted a bid valued at approximately $53 million that included cash and a proposed property transfer.