Historic Courthouse Exterior Restoration

Following years of neglect, the Dade County Courthouse began a restoration program implemented in phases over a 20-year timeline. The award-winning revitalization of Miami’s most prominent historic structure was made possible through the efforts of MC Harry Associates and their commitment to sustainable design and historic restoration. The initial challenge was to make the building weather tight. Focus was placed on restoration of the tower’s cracked and spalled terra cotta façade and leaking fenestration. The renovation and restoration process required the introduction of more than 500 new, historically accurate, windows and the replacement of more than 6000 individual ‘stones’.  Armed with original blueprints and a collection of old photographs, MC Harry Associates gathered a team of technical consultants, historians and exceptional craftsmen to create innovative design solutions which included modernization of Courtroom 6-1 without compromising its underlying historic fabric, the restoration of the original ceiling mosaic artwork which was uncovered & restored, and the re-roofing the iconic metal pyramid. Other strategies to rejuvenate this historic gem include reroofing of the iconic metal pyramid, new and improved mechanical and electrical, and air-conditioning systems, life safety improvements and achieving full handicap access to the building.