The Historic Alfred Dupont Building

Posted: 02.26.2025 | Updated: 03.12.2025

There’s a curious building that seems to be unlike any other haunted place in America. For one, it’s located in sunny Florida. When most people hear about ghost stories in this state, they think of ones coming out of Disney World’s Haunted Mansion. 

But, no, the Alfred Dupont Building has quite the haunted story behind it. To distinguish it even further from the usual ghostly tales we cover, this one isn’t a ramshackle old theater house or a spooky graveyard – it’s a modern-looking skyscraper. 

If that catches your interest, then be sure to keep reading about the story of the Alfred Dupont Building, what it represents, and its famous residents (both alive and dead).  We’re sure you’ll find it worth your while.

If you do and want to find out even more about haunted Miami, then be sure and sign up for our in-person ghost tour at Miami Haunts. Our guides there can offer up more information about haunted buildings in Magic City.

Is the Alfred Dupont Building Haunted? 

Given how many strange sightings and reported phenomena have popped up here over the years, signs point to yes. However, the identity of these ghosts is more up for debate, with one possibility being an extremely influential figure in 20th century American history, with ties to the Kennedy assassination! 

Alfred Dupont Building History

The story of the Alfred Dupont Building is very much the story of America. 

To start with, it was the first skyscraper built in Miami after the Great Depression. The Great Depression, spurred on by bank failures and the Dust Bowl, was one of America’s lowest points. Joblessness rates soared, homes were foreclosed on, and the nation felt the effects of the depression for years to come.

Consequently, skyscrapers very much represented the pinnacle of American achievement. Businessmen used to have races of sorts with their skyscrapers – who could build the tallest one or who could open theirs up first. While clearly a battle of egos, these towering buildings still served as signs of economic growth and prosperity. And for Miami, this went double for the Dupont building. 

But it wasn’t just Miami that this skyscraper represented – it was also a proud symbol of Florida’s culture with Seminole Indian – the local Native American tribe – motifs and floral designs covering it. 

The man it was named after, Alfred Dupont, was also the principal tenant of the building. Dupont was the owner of the Florida National Bank and, quite understandably, wanted his eponymous building to be a shining beacon for all others to admire. Not only would its Art Deco walls and towering height in the Miami skyline be a way to show off his bank but also his beloved state of Florida. 

By all accounts, it did just that. However, its most enduring legacy has not been its tenants or the vision of its owner but the ghosts that live within it.

Notable Hauntings 

And there’s certainly been no shortage of ghost sightings in the Alfred Dupont Building. Even the nonbelievers out there find themselves hard-pressed to admit that nothing is going on in this Miami skyscraper. 

These strange phenomena have been experienced by various people, from workers in the office building to guests to paranormal investigators. One common experience is the feeling of “cold spots” at various odd places in the building – where the temperature seems to suddenly drop without warning. These cold spots are a common occurrence in buildings said to be haunted and exist independent of the weather that day. 

The cleaning staff has their own ghostly apparition that they see all the time on the fifth floor—called the Lady in White due to her bright wardrobe. Whether she was the ghost of another cleaning lady, someone who died during the construction of the building or someone else entirely is anyone’s guess. 

However, the Lady in White is a relatively benign presence – just aimlessly walking around the fifth floor.  And, by most accounts, she’s a beautiful woman, making for an almost welcome sight for the cleaning staff. The Burned Face Man, in contrast, is a far creepier sight. 

He was first spotted by a technician in the building. When the tech looked up while doing his rounds, he stepped back in horror and screamed when he saw a man’s face – a badly burned one – staring at him through the air duct. Like the Lady in White, his identity is also unknown, but folks are warned to keep clear of the air ducts. 

If it wasn’t for the burning, a good case for the burned man’s identity would be Grant Stockdale. 

Grant Stockdale

There’s one other ghost that haunts the Dupont building, and his tale is fascinating. 

And unless you’re a history professor or worked for the Kennedy administration, you’re most likely unaware of the man’s name; Grant Stockdale.

Yet, he was a pivotal figure in American government and history, and some say his presence can still be felt in the Alfred Dupont Building today. 

Stockdale was born in 1915 in Greenville, Mississippi – a time and place where opportunities were extremely limited. Knowing this, he applied himself in school to escape where he came from and ended up earning a business degree from the University of Miami. 

From there, he achieved a role as a blinds salesman. But he didn’t stay there for long; after demonstrating his competence, he was swiftly promoted to manager. 

This promotion would serve as a fitting metaphor for the rest of Stockdale’s life, as he was quite the social climber. From serving in the Marines during World War II to becoming the US Ambassador to Ireland, Stockdale rose through the public service ranks. He did this to such a degree that he became friends with John F. Kennedy himself. 

In fact, he was such a good friend of Kennedy’s that the President’s assassination affected Stockdale immensely. Just a month after JFK had been shot, Stockdale would die too, falling from a 13th floor window of the Alfred Dupont building. 

Although officially ruled a suicide, some felt there may have been a connection between his death and the Kennedy assassination or organized crime. In any case, many people who have stayed in his room since have reported feeling a presence watching them. 

Haunted Miami 

You may see Grant Stockdale’s specter if you visit the Alfred Dupont Building. If you do, maybe you can ask him what the Lady in White is doing or just what vexes the burned man in the vents. But, it’s probably best if you keep a respectful distance from all three!

If you liked this story and want to learn similar tales, check out our Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. They spotlight other offbeat ghost stories all over the United States. Checking our Miami blog is another good way to stay up-to-date with all the latest ghost stories and haunted spots in Florida. 

If you want to explore Miami ghosts specifically, a ghost tour with Miami Haunts is the best way to do that. Our guides are knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and can provide even more information on the area. 

Sources:

• https://thedupontbuilding.com/
• https://manacommon.com/the-spooky-side-of-the-magic-city/
• https://www.miamiandbeaches.com/l/business-resources/the-historic-alfred-i-dupont-building/1047
• https://spartacus-educational.com/JFKstockdale.htm