Miami-Dade County and Miami Heat Cuts Naming Rights Ties with Cryptocurrency Exchange FTX for Miami Arena
Miami-Dade County and the NBA’s Miami Heat have ended their partnership with the insolvent cryptocurrency exchange FTX and are now looking for a new naming rights partner for their downtown Miami arena.
The statement followed the FTX group’s CEO resignation and bankruptcy filing in the US earlier on Friday, which marked the shocking demise of one of the biggest and most influential figures in the cryptocurrency business.
Miami-Dade County and Miami Heat stated in a joint statement on Friday night that they will cooperate to find a new naming rights partner for the stadium, which was only rebranded as FTX Arena last year, and that they find the reports concerning FTX to be “very upsetting.”
Like other cryptocurrency businesses, FTX has spent a lot of money sponsoring athletes. For the renaming of the Miami arena in June 2021, FTX reportedly signed a $135 million, 19-year contract. This deal would have also included $2 million annually to the Miami Heat.
A five-year agreement was also reached in 2021 for Major League Baseball to designate FTX as its official cryptocurrency exchange. FTX is also the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team’s authorized
With the University of California, Berkeley negotiating a $17.5 million, 10-year naming rights arrangement for the school’s football stadium in 2021, even college sports have connections to FTX.
Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner Lists Bay Point Miami Mansion for $17 Million
The Miami mansion of pop sensation Joe Jonas and his spouse, actress Sophie Turner, is on the market for $16.995 million.
According to the listing, the waterfront home in the exclusive gated neighborhood of Bay Point is on 0.5 acres.
The gorgeous waterfront property features 94 feet of frontage on Biscayne Bay. The nearly 10,500-square-foot home was constructed in 1980 and has six bedrooms. The home boasts wooden beam ceilings, coral-rock walls, and meandering glass staircases. To give the area a tropical flavor, the indoor water features, moats, and koi ponds were converted into vertical gardens during the renovation.
The formal living area boasts windows on all sides and 30-foot ceilings. It has an antique Murano Venetian glass chandelier and a two-sided travertine fireplace. The dining area features hand-painted de Gournay wallpaper and another Murano glass chandelier.
The home contains a wine room, a sauna, a gym, and a pool room with a two-story library space above it.
The home was purchased by the couple in 2021 for $11 million, according to public documents. Sarah Ivory was interior designed for the home with their renovation being completed in August of 2022.
Ivory stated that the exterior of the house had been freshly painted, the landscaping had been updated, and lighting had been installed on the trees. Two swimming pools—one for adults and one for kids—are located in the backyard. The property also has a hot tub, an outdoor kitchen area, and a dock.
Among the famous people who have moved to Bay Point are pop artist Enrique Iglesias and his partner, former tennis champion Anna Kournikova.
3 Tower Development Proposed at 3333 Biscayne Boulevard
According to a filing with the city planners, plans for a 3-tower mixed-use complex at 3333 Biscayne Boulevard in Edgewater have been made public.
The three towers themselves will be labeled as East, West, and North towers. The East tower is proposed to be a residential tower that will rise 41 stories tall with the North tower, also residential rising 40 stories tall. The West tower will be mainly a commercial tower with available office rental space rising 12 stories.
The development will also include 635 residential units spreading over the East and North towers which will also include 9 townhomes. There will also be 1,210 parking spaces throughout the 8-level garage. The office space will include 156,989 square feet and 19,180 square feet will be dedicated to the ground floor commercial spaces.
In a statement from the Developer, the three towers and a podium were developed by the project architect without overcrowding the space. An office tower on Biscayne Boulevard has a staggered design to wisely avoid reaching its full authorized height. To optimize separation and prevent crowding, the two residential buildings are set apart from one another at a diagonal angle. Nine ground-floor townhome units and a courtyard are positioned along the north and east facades of the project’s podium level, where they are intended to keep public spaces active.
The Applicant is happy to have generated an amazing design without the requirement for Waivers, Warrants, or Exceptions due to the Property’s enormous acreage and a private agreement among the owners of the united parcels to divide development rights among their sites.
A covenant in lieu of unity of title is being used in the proposal to use development rights from nearby properties that Aimco owns.
The architect is credited as Stantec. The developer had previously been identified as Beitel Group.
On November 16, there will be a hearing before the Urban Development Review Board.
MM Club Miami Now Accepting Reservations
MM CLUB, a private club accessible only to MM members and guests, is officially open for reservations. Located on the second floor beneath MILA Restaurant, the MM Club was curated by Michelin Star Chefs Michael Collantes and Michael Michaelidis with a concise menu and customized mixology inspired by the Mediterranean as well as Japan.
MM is intended to be the first lifestyle membership club to create a network of luxury restaurants, lounges, and other entertaining venues within the members-only access to the private area.
By giving its member’s priority access when visiting all locations, including out-of-state venues, MM reimagines how individuals navigate through dining experiences. Adding a whole new level of value to what member benefits stand for, MM is a symbol of class, refinement, and good taste. The annual cost for the membership is $5,000.
Gregory and Marine Daly, the restaurant’s creators who are French, own and run it on behalf of Rivera Dining Group. Mila “overnight became one of the top-grossing restaurants in South Florida,” according to Gregory Daly, despite having to close shortly after its opening in 2020 because of the COVID-19 epidemic. Since the restaurant’s opening, he calculates that more than 220,000 patrons have come through the door annually.
Supermodel Gisele Bündchen Purchases Surfside Home for $1.25 Million
On February 28, supermodel Gisele Bündchen paid $1.25 million for a modest three-bedroom, three-bathroom home in Surfside, a community between Bal Harbour and Miami Beach.
Although Bündchen formally filed for divorce from her famous quarterback husband Tom Brady on October 28, she may have been preparing for the separation.
This residence appears to be smaller among those Bündchen formerly occupied with her soon-to-be ex-husband, at only 1,540 square feet. It is still unclear whether she plans to remodel the interior of the home.
The Art Deco-style cottage, which is only a few blocks from the beach, has white walls and hardwood flooring in all of its common areas. Stainless steel appliances, white cabinets, and a marble waterfall island are all featured in an open-concept kitchen that flows into the living room with ample space for entertainment and comfort.
Two large windows line the modest primary bedroom. The main bathroom has white brick walls and farmhouse-style hardware in a rich gold color, as well as a glass-enclosed stand-alone shower. The little backyard is home to a grassy lawn and a small tiered patio.
The Brazilian beauty and 23-year NFL veteran had been married for 13 years and had two kids together. Tom Brady also has a son from his past relationship with actress Bridget Moynahan.
The former power couple has owned several properties together, including a 14,000-square-foot Brentwood home and their latest mansion still in construction on the ultra-exclusive Indian Creek Island in Miami, which counts Enrique Iglesias and Jared and Ivanka Kushner as residents.
Take a Look Inside the Design District’s Newest Italian Restaurant with a Pink Flair – Sofia
With the opening of Sofia in Miami’s Design District, the team behind Miami favorites Byblos and Amal has continued to grow throughout South Florida. The chic, predominantly pink restaurant is a Toronto import that offers fine Italian cuisine.
In close proximity to the recently Michelin-recognized Itamae, Sofia debuts a menu of both contemporary and classic Italian meals that are produced with a refined technique and seasonal ingredients to honor the true flavors of Italy. A variety of antipasti will be available, including Crudo, grilled octopus, citrus salads, and ricotta-stuffed zucchini.
For entrées, Sofia serves traditional handmade pasta dishes like rigatoni alla vodka and cacio e pepe al tartufo. Among the standouts from the carne mains are wagyu filets, breaded veal, and prime striploin, among others. The pesce area also includes branzino, aragosta (butter-poached crab), and gamberetti (wild king prawn).
Sofia’s Italy-inspired cocktails stress execution and graceful presentation, and its wine list includes a variety of vintages and difficult-to-find Italian wines, which are garnished with locally grown herbs. The restaurant’s flamingo-pink, Italian-glam indoor-outdoor settings was created by award-winning group Studio Munge, and they will be brought to life every night with DJs and live performances.
Sofia hopes to become Palm Court’s newest signature restaurant, according to INK founder and CEO Charles Khabouth, despite the fact that the Design District is already home to a number of upscale eateries, including well-known Italian restaurants like MC Kitchen and Palat and Pharrell’s ultra-trendy pastel wonderland Swan.
The Sofia restaurant will be open every day of the week starting at 5 p.m. breakfast and lunch service will start soon following the supper service, which will start now.
Developer for Lofty Brickell File Construction Permit
Miami’s Building Department is currently processing a construction permit to allow work to start on the 43-story Lofty Brickell tower.
Since the entire tower designs don’t yet appear to have been submitted, they aren’t currently being examined. However, it appears that on October 27th, the projected $420,000 in permit fees were paid in full.
A total of 362 residential units are being developed, per the permit application.
Designed by internationally acclaimed, Arquitectonica, interiors will be designed by a New York-based interior design company INC New York. Developer Harvey Hernandez is also responsible for Brickell House and Centro towers. Hernandez purchased the Lofty lot for $50 million.
The contractor is named as Americaribe-Moriarty JV. According to a late October FAA approval, Lofty will soar to a height of 574 feet.
Lofty will feature a number of wonderful amenities including a butler service, rooftop pool, car service, and a 5-star restaurant that hasn’t been disclosed. This tower will also include a private marina with available docks for boating.
Building Amenities
Exotic resort pool with pool-side cabanas
Bar and grill on pool deck 24/7
Co-working lounge Private meeting rooms
Event room with exclusive terrace
A fully-equipped, state-of-the-art fitness center with HD TVs and wireless audio Private Peloton studios Yoga lounge and terrace
LOFTY Rooftop Experience
Residence Features
Urban luxury residences with modern open layouts from 485SF—930SF Studio, one and two-bedroom units
All residences are delivered fully finished and furnished specially curated by INC
Panoramic Miami River, and Miami skyline views
Private balconies for every residence
Corner units offer wrap-around balconies
High ceilings ranging from 9’ to 11’
Owner closets in every residence
Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors and sound-attenuating impact-resistant laminated glass throughout
Advanced technology Smart Building wiring for HD TV,
Multiple telephone /data lines and ultra-high-speed internet access
Individually controlled energy-efficient central air conditioning and heating system
Kitchen
Imported European cabinets with premium hardware and drawer pull
Top-of-the-line appliance package including stainless steel refrigerator, oven, cook-top, microwave, dishwasher, and sink disposal
Elegant imported stone countertops and backsplashes
Contemporary stainless steel under-mounted sink
High-arc gourmet faucet with integral sprayer
Master Bathroom
Imported European cabinets with premium hardware and drawer pulls
Elegant imported stone countertops and backsplashes
Beyond the initial Lofty tower, there are plans for additional expansion. In September, utilities for 782 residential apartments, 11,364 square feet of restaurant space, and 13,928 square feet of commercial space were secured.
If you or someone you know have an interest in purchasing at Lofty Brickell, please contact Lucas Lechuga via email at [email protected] or by phone at 786-247-6332.
Life is Good for Rapper Future Who Recently Purchased a Waterfront Miami Beach Mansion for $“16.3 Million
Award-winning rapper, Future just purchased a stunning waterfront property on Allison Island for $16.3 million.
The singer-songwriter, whose real name is Nayvadius DeMun Wilburn, purchased the 7,250-square-foot, seven-bedroom residence at 6493 Allison Road in Miami Beach. The property was sold by Pascale and Laurent Ouazana. Laurent Ouazana was the CEO of Entoria, one of the biggest insurance brokers in France, and is currently a board member.
According to the listing, the Allison Island estate was originally listed at a $19.9 million asking price. The 2020-built property has a three-car garage, 75 feet of water frontage, staff quarters, a detached guest house, a pool, and cabanas.
This large house includes an elevator, a rooftop terrace, Ornare kitchen cabinetry, stunning dual closets, and a private courtyard entrance.
With more than 8,500 square feet, it includes a detached guest suite, media room, 3 car garage, and 6 bedrooms in addition to staff quarters. You can experience magnificent sunrises, ocean breezes, and close proximity to schools, country clubs, and in-demand Sunset Harbour & Bal Harbour businesses if you are located deep within this exclusive enclave of only 49 waterfront houses.
The property, which was a portion of a double lot, was purchased by the Ouazanas for $12.5 million in 2020. The pair paid $7.9 million for the other site at 6505 Allison Road, which was sold to developer Todd Michael Glaser and his associates Scott Robins and Jonathan Fryd. On the property, they intend to construct a 10,000-square-foot mid-century modern home.
Booba, a French rapper, paid $6.1 million to Komodo and Gekko investor Nick Smith in October for the mansion he owned in Miami Beach. Lil Wayne has recently listed his Allison Island home for $29.5 million.
Lettuce Entertain You Launches Aba at Bal Harbour Shops
Photo Credit: Lettuce Entertain You
Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, a Chicago-based restaurant chain, has officially opened its first Bal Harbour Shops location with Aba, a well-known Mediterranean eatery.
Aba’s cuisine, which was developed by Top Chef alum CJ Jacobson, and Marc Jacobs, an executive partner, features tastes from all across the Mediterranean with inspirations from Israel, Lebanon, Turkey, and Greece.
The everything Jerusalem bagel with smoked salmon spread, hamachi, and charred avocado, as well as the shawarma spiced skirt steak, are some of the standout dishes on the menu. In addition to a full bar program, a “reserve” cocktail list with higher-end portions, and a large selection of zero-proof alternatives, the wine list and bar program offer options from all around the Mediterranean and Southern California.
Aba was initially launched by the group in Chicago in 2018 to great acclaim, winning restaurant of the year from Eater Chicago readers. The popular group will open two restaurants in South Florida; the RPM Italian concept is expected to open in Palm Beach in 2023. Since 1971, Lettuce Entertain You has opened more than 130 eateries, including Beatrix, Shaw’s Crab House, Mon Ami Gabi, and RPM Italian.
With climbing ivy, olive trees, and vintage lighting, including authentic Parisian street lamps and gilded Moroccan fixtures, the 250-seat restaurant maintains its Mediterranean theme. The room is divided into two halves by an arched passageway with textured walls and leather, wicker, and teak furnishings. Both floors of the two-story building have outside dining areas, while the second-floor mezzanine has a bar and additional seats.
The Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Avenue, Unit 101, is where you can find Aba. Every day from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., the restaurant is open for dinner; later this month, lunch and brunch will be added.