Miami-Dade County

This Miami building changed from a plane terminal to a city hall. Take a look

By Miami Herald Archives

What is now Miami City Hall was built in the 1930s by Pan American Airlines for its worldwide flying-boat terminal. The air terminal was sold to the city of Miami in 1946 and after a brief stint as Jackie Heller’s Dinner Key Terrace restaurant, the city converted the building into its City Hall in 1954.

The city removed the huge globe of the world that sat in the middle of the terminal and gave it to the old Museum of Science in Coconut Grove, and it has since been moved to Miami Worldcenter. The ceiling and wall murals disappeared under glued-on acoustical tile and multiple coats of paint and elaborate Art Deco entrance doors replaced with bland modern glass doors.

The 1931 building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

MORE: Miami moving City Hall to soccer stadium site. Pan Am building future uncertain

Substantial renovations to restore the interior of the building to its original glory took place in 2003.

Miami will be vacating City Hall for a new site at Freedom Park, near the new Inter Miami soccer stadium in 2028.

What will come next for the buidling?

For now, let’s look back at the site through the archives of the Miami Herald.

The old Pan American Airways seaplane base on Dinner Key, which is now Miami City Hall.
The old Pan American Airways seaplane base on Dinner Key, which is now Miami City Hall. Miami Herlad File
The Pan American's Dinner Key terminal. Th where people watched a plane's arrival from the observation deck.
The Pan American's Dinner Key terminal. Th where people watched a plane's arrival from the observation deck. Miami Herald File
Miami City manager Melvin Reese speaking to Miami Commission on the $39.8-million park bond issue, which was passed March 14, 1972. A golf course was named after the manager, Melreese, which is now Freedom Park where the new city hall is being built.
Miami City manager Melvin Reese speaking to Miami Commission on the $39.8-million park bond issue, which was passed March 14, 1972. A golf course was named after the manager, Melreese, which is now Freedom Park where the new city hall is being built. Jim Birmingham Miami Herald File
City Manager Howard Gary leaves work at City Hall at Dinner Key.
City Manager Howard Gary leaves work at City Hall at Dinner Key. Marice Cohn Band Miami Herald File
Waterview at City Hall at Dinner Key in COconut Grove.
Waterview at City Hall at Dinner Key in COconut Grove. Doug Kennedy Miami Herald File
Debris at Dinner Key.
Debris at Dinner Key. Albert Coya Miami Herald File
Several women drove by Miami City Hall in 2000 and dropped these bananas to make a statement about a "Banana Republic."
Several women drove by Miami City Hall in 2000 and dropped these bananas to make a statement about a "Banana Republic." Marice Cohn Band Miami Herald File
In 2008, supporters of the film industry in Miami and the show “Burn Notice” head back to the Coconut Grove Convention Center at DInner Key from City Hall.
In 2008, supporters of the film industry in Miami and the show “Burn Notice” head back to the Coconut Grove Convention Center at DInner Key from City Hall. Miami Herald File
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