MIAMI—Miami-Dade County has officially opened the doors to its long-awaited Osvaldo N. Soto Miami-Dade Justice Center, an eye-catching 23‑story courthouse that now anchors downtown Miami’s civic skyline. The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held Monday afternoon, marked the culmination of years of planning, construction, and anticipation for a facility designed to meet the needs of a growing justice system.
The $262.8 million project replaces the historic 1928 Miami-Dade County Courthouse on Flagler Street, a beloved landmark that had become outdated and structurally limited. The new Justice Center, located at 20 NW 1st Avenue, offers 46 jury courtrooms and four additional shelled courtrooms for future expansion. At 620,000 square feet, it is one of the tallest government-use buildings in Miami.
Designed by HOK, an international architecture firm, the courthouse emphasizes transparency, security, and dignity. Circulation systems separate judges, staff, and the public, while modern technology and safety features ensure efficient operations. Construction was led by Tutor Perini Corporation under a Public-Private Partnership (P3) with Plenary Justice Miami, marking Florida’s first major social infrastructure project delivered through this model.
The opening was delayed from its original late‑2024 target due to technical issues with fire alarm programming, but officials say the wait was worth it.
The courthouse is named after Osvaldo N. Soto, a prominent civic leader remembered for his contributions to Miami’s cultural and civic life. His legacy now lives on in a building that symbolizes both heritage and progress.
Meanwhile, developers are eyeing redevelopment opportunities for the old Flagler Street courthouse, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and once hosted high-profile trials, including one involving Al Capone. Proposals include potential high-rise towers that could reshape downtown’s skyline.
For now, the spotlight is firmly on the Soto Justice Center, a modern hub of law and order that reflects Miami’s growth and ambition.
