Before the cranes moved in, the slice of land between the MacArthur and Venetian causeways was a working waterfront. Some fuel tanks, a marina, a couple of businesses.
That changed in the 1950s, when a couple of brothers named Knight secretly bought separately owned parcels for their dream: a place to build a new headquarters for their growing newspaper. The construction started in 1960.
In 1963 and for the next 50 years, the building and land were known as One Herald Plaza, and home to the newsroom, businesses offices and printing plant for the Miami Herald. The company that owned the Miami Herald sold the land in 2011 for $236 million, and the buyer, Malaysian firm Genting, had plans to build a casino resort between the causeways, on the northern edge of downtown Miami.
Those plans were shelved and the Herald building was demolished. For the past several years, the site has been host to boat shows and art fairs.
Let’s take a look at what went on at the property through the years:
A future casino resort that didn’t happen
An artist’s rendering shows what a resort built on Miami Herald property in downtown Miami might have looked like. Genting Group
In this artist’s rendering, the Genting company’s proposed resort-casino rises above the MacArthur Causeway bridge that spans Biscayne Bay. The Genting Group Handout
Exhibition space for boats and art
Miami, Florida, November 29, 2021 - workers take a break in the outdoor area at the Art Miami tent, One Herald Plaza. Jose A Iglesias jiglesias@elnuevoherald.com
The Miami Yacht Show in 2019 at its new location at One Herald Plaza between the Venetian and MacArthur causeways. AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Inside the newsroom
In 2008, actor Will Smith visited a Miami Herald news meeting in a conference room with views overlooking Biscayne Bay. Hector Gabino El Nuevo Herald File
The final newsroom meeting at One Herald Plaza in May 2013, with editors gathered around the news desk to update each other on the day’s stories. CARL JUSTE cjuste@miamiherald.com
An editor inside the Miami Herald newsroom in the 1960s. Florida Archives
Videos of the longtime building on the property
Vintage photos
John S. Knight and James L. Knight outside in front of the new Miami Herald building in 1963. Miami Herald File
Newspaper owners John S. Knight and James L. Knight in the press room at One Herald Plaza in 1963. Miami Herald File
The Miami Herald building in the 1960s. Florida Archives
Aerial photo of One Herald Plaza in 2000. Jon Kral Miami Herald File
Demolition on the site
As demolition of the former Miami Herald building at One Herald Plaza continued Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014 in Miami, the section of the building that housed the printing presses resembles an open-air boat storage facility. The demolition firm, BG Group of Boca Raton, is razing the building using a “top down” method. The Genting Group bought the prime bayfront site; it may eventually house a resort and casino. MARSHA HALPER Miami Herald File
Demolition of the former Miami Herald building at One Herald Plaza in downtown Miami continued Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014. The site is viewed from the MacArthur Causeway, looking north. The demolition firm, BG Group of Boca Raton, is razing the building using a “top down” method. The Genting Group bought the prime bayfront site; it may eventually house a resort and/or casino. MARSHA HALPER Miami Herald File
About 1,000 current and former Herald employees join together during the Miami Herald reunion party for a toast to the future at the 1 Herald Plaza balcony overlooking the Miami Bay on Wednesday, March 20, 2013. Max Reed Miami Herald File
This story was originally published April 27, 2023 at 2:49 PM.
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