Miami-Dade County has pushed the online auction deadline for the historic Dade County Courthouse at 73 W. Flagler Street in downtown Miami to October 2, 2026, after four prospective buyers submitted required deposits but none placed a formal bid by the September 18, 2026 cutoff.

Why did the Dade County Courthouse auction fail to draw bids?

Despite drawing nearly 50,000 views on the GovDeals platform and inquiries from development buyers around the world, the $35.41 million minimum asking price — combined with the building's landmark preservation requirements and the complexity of adapting a 28-story, nearly century-old structure — has been enough to keep formal offers off the table. Miami-Dade County responded by extending the auction window rather than pulling the listing.

  • Four separate bidders submitted the required $100,000 refundable deposit, clearing the entry threshold.
  • No bidder followed through with a formal offer at or above the $35.41 million minimum.
  • The GovDeals listing has attracted inquiries from international development buyers.
  • Preservation obligations tied to the building's historic status add cost and design constraints for any prospective buyer.

What is the history of the Dade County Courthouse?

The Dade County Courthouse, completed in 1928, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and stands as one of downtown Miami's most recognizable landmarks. Miami-Dade County vacated the building after its court operations relocated to the new Osvaldo N. Soto Justice Center, leaving the 28-story tower without a primary tenant and in need of a viable adaptive-reuse plan.

  • Constructed in 1928, the building has stood for nearly a century at 73 W. Flagler Street.
  • National Register of Historic Places designation limits the scope of alterations a buyer may make.
  • Courts moved to the Osvaldo N. Soto Justice Center, ending the building's original government function.

What happens next for the courthouse auction?

Miami-Dade County's extension sets October 2, 2026 as the new auction deadline, giving the four depositors — and any new entrants who submit a $100,000 deposit — additional time to convert interest into a binding bid. If the extended window again closes without offers, county officials will face fresh decisions about the property's future, including whether to lower the minimum price, seek a formal request-for-proposals process, or explore alternative disposition strategies.

Original reporting on this story was published by Miami Today.