Miami-Dade’s Construction Boom Reaches Record Heights, Transforming the Region’s Economy
Miami-Dade’s construction sector is surging, driving the local economy and setting new records. For five consecutive months, construction employment has hit all-time highs. In June, the county reported 63,400 construction jobs—an 8.2% year-over-year increase, according to Miami Today. That growth far exceeds both state and national trends.
Over the past decade, Miami-Dade’s construction workforce has expanded by more than 57%, growing from around 40,200 jobs in 2015 to over 63,000 today. With cranes filling the skyline, construction isn’t just supporting the local economy—it’s leading it.
This momentum is fueled by a wave of major developments, from supertall skyscrapers to transformative infrastructure projects.
Supertalls and Skyline-Changing Projects
Leading the charge is the Waldorf Astoria Hotel & Residences at 300 Biscayne Boulevard, Florida’s first supertall tower. Rising to 1,049 feet across 100 stories, the building is currently over one-third of the way to its final height, with crews completing a new floor approximately every ten days. The tower will feature 387 residences and 205 hotel rooms, with prices starting at $3.2 million and a $50 million penthouse. Completion is expected by 2027–28.
Also rising is Okan Tower, a 70-story, 902-foot mixed-use skyscraper projected to open by 2027. The development will include a Hilton-branded hotel, residential units, offices, and high-end amenities.
Looking ahead, One Bayfront Plaza is set to begin construction in 2025. At 93 stories and 1,005 feet, it’s poised to become the tallest tower in Miami and the state by around 2030. The project will feature office space, a hotel, retail, condos, and possibly an observation deck.
Stadiums, Mixed-Use Campuses & Transit-Oriented Growth
Miami Freedom Park, the $1 billion future home of Inter Miami CF, broke ground in August 2023. When completed in 2026, it will include a 25,000-seat stadium, entertainment venues, hotels, retail, office buildings, parkland, and youth soccer fields. The project is expected to create over 15,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Meanwhile, Upland Park, a $1 billion transit-oriented development near the Dolphin Transit Terminal, is underway. Once complete, it will include over 2,000 apartments, 282,000 square feet of retail, and 414,000 square feet of commercial space. The first phase, delivering 578 apartments, is scheduled for 2026.
Infrastructure Overhaul in Full Swing
Beyond vertical growth, Miami’s infrastructure is also undergoing major changes.
One of the most ambitious efforts is the I-395 Signature Bridge, known as The Fountain. The structure features six dramatic arches stretching 1,025 feet, with the tallest arch reaching 325 feet. Part of the broader Connecting Miami initiative—led by FDOT and the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority—the project aims to improve mobility and reconnect neighborhoods like Overtown and Downtown via a new under-deck public space, Heritage Walk. Originally set to finish by 2027, the timeline has now shifted to late 2029, with the budget climbing to approximately $866 million.
Miami International Airport is also in the midst of a sweeping transformation. All terminals are set to be expanded or rebuilt by 2031. Highlights include the full reconstruction of the Central Terminal (design to finish by 2027, construction by 2031), expansions of Concourse K and Concourse D60, and the Flamingo Garage extension—slated for completion in December 2025. Additionally, a 500-room Westin hotel is planned to open on-site in 2027, and new architectural art installations will enhance the airport’s visual identity.
Outlook
Fueled by mega-projects and long-term infrastructure investment, Miami-Dade’s construction boom shows no signs of slowing. With record-breaking job growth and a skyline in transformation, the sector is not only shaping the county’s physical landscape—it’s redefining its economic future.
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