Avra Estiatorio Opens Second South Florida Location at Lofty Brickell

Lofty Brickell from the Miami River
Lofty Brickell from the Miami River

Avra Estiatorio, a Greek eatery with a Manhattan origin, will open a second location in South Florida at the newest residential tower, Lofty Brickell.

Restaurateurs Nick Tsoulos, Nick Pashalis, and Marc Packer, the partners behind the upscale brand, have secured a lease for the bottom level of Brickell’s Lofty condo complex by Newgard Development Group.

The 15,000 square foot, 15-year contract, which has the possibility to be extended, can seat up to 300 patrons and a 3,000 square foot outdoor seating space with views of the Miami River. The triple net asking rent was $150 per square foot.

Once Lofty Brickell is complete, Ava Estiatorio will open. Only 1,500 square feet of retail space remain at the Lofty property after the Avra lease.

The first Avra Estiatorio restaurant debuted in New York’s East 48th Street in 2000. Now, the restaurant has three locations: two in Manhattan and one each in Beverly Hills.

The second South Florida location for Ava includes The Estates at Acqualina in Sunny Isles Beach which opened in November 2022.

Onda Residences in Bay Harbor Islands Tops Off Construction

In Miami’s Bay Harbor Islands neighborhood, the 8-story Onda Residences has topped off on construction by Ugo Colombo’s CMC Group and Valerio Morabito’s Morabito Properties.

The building, called Onda meaning ‘Wave’ was created by Bernardo Fort-Brescia of Arquitectonica. Carlo and Paolo Colombo of A++ Human Sustainable Architecture built the interiors, and award-winning landscape architect Enzo Enea of Enea Garden Design created the rich landscaping. The development’s general contractor is Coastal Construction.

Onda Residences is located 1135 103rd Street, and are made up of 41 immaculately finished units with floorplans that range from two to four bedrooms including den ranging from 1,809 to 3,535 square feet. Up to 5,073 square feet are devoted to four penthouse houses, two of which have rooftop swimming pools. Pricing for the luxury units start at $5 million.

Residence Features

  • Office/den
  • Private and semi-private high-speed elevators
  • Floor-to-ceiling impact-resistant sliding glass doors and windows
  • Roomy tiled terraces with private gardens
  • Open floor plans with up to 9-foot grand ceiling heights
  • Fully equipped Snaidero kitchens with top-of-the-line Miele appliances
  • Bathrooms with Italian marble and wood cabinetry
  • Exquisite Italian flooring throughout
  • Energy-efficient air conditioning and heating

With more than 300 linear feet of bay frontage and panoramic views of Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, Onda’s premium Bay Harbor Islands location is unrivaled. One of Onda’s most well-liked attractions is its private marina, which has 15 boat docks and is only accessible to homeowners. Together with immediate ocean access via Miami’s Haulover inlet, the property will also feature a water sports launch station with kayaks, paddle boards, and inflatables accessible for use.

Development Amenities

  • Rooftop pool deck and lounge area
  • State-of-the-art fitness facility with Technogym equipment
  • Yoga studio
  • Spa with massage treatment rooms
  • Changing areas
  • Steam bath and sauna rooms
  • Covered valet drop-off area
  • Personal parking spots
  • Electric vehicle charging stations
  • Bicycle storage
  • Home storage space
  • Cutting-edge security, and technology

Onda is estimated to be completed in Q4 of 2023 and 85% of its units have already been sold. If you or someone you know have an interest in purchasing at Onda Residences Bay Harbor Islands, please contact Lucas Lechuga via email at [email protected] or by phone at (786)247-6332.

Approval Pending for Construction on 10 Story Residential Tower in Miami Beach

An application has been submitted for design review approval to build a new 10-story mixed-use building at 6940 Abbott Avenue, the location of a former BellSouth office and parking lot that is no longer in use in the North Beach neighborhood of Miami Beach. The application was filed by 6940 North Beach LLC, a joint venture between entities controlled by Rainer Viete, Jose Boschetti, and Eduardo Otaola.

The 130-foot-tall structure will feature 134,573 square feet of space, including 96 multi-family units, 21 of which would be co-living units, 2,192 square feet of ground floor retail, and 90 parking spaces. It was designed by Arquitectonica with Biscayne Engineering serving as the land surveyor and civil engineer.

Unit floor plans include studio, one, and two bedrooms. The regular size units would be between 550 and 1,250 square feet, while studio units (co-living) will be between 403 and 437 square feet. A cafe, fitness facility, pickle-ball court, and a lap pool will all be on the rooftop.

The traffic engineer is David Plummer & Associates, while the landscape architect is Christopher Cawley Landscape Architecture.  The interior of the building will be thoroughly illuminated by natural light thanks to the use of grey glass windows and a glass railing. Mixing these materials will produce a striking, modern appearance that blends nicely with the nearby North Beach neighborhood. A stunning concrete frame with spherical motifs grouped in a bond-like pattern wraps around all elevations of the residential component of the building, emphasizing its distinctive form.

The development organization has also offered hurricane-proof impact windows, passive cooling systems, resilient planting, a study of the elevation of the property and the elevation of neighboring properties, and a recycling or salvage strategy for partial or complete deconstruction. To integrate the loading and parking driveways, they also ask for a waiver. The granting of this waiver will enable the project to be better designed while still adhering to the TC-C district’s development restrictions and without the requirement for variances. The project’s anticipated construction cost is approximately $14,692,224.

New Renderings Released for Shoma Bay in North Bay Village

Shoma Bay in North Bay Village

New images of Shoma Bay, a 24-story mixed-use development proposed for 1850 79th Street Causeway in the waterfront neighborhood of North Bay Village, have been released by Miami-based developer Shoma Group.

The tower will feature 333 residential units, a 35,037-square-foot Publix, and 6,325 square feet of retail space, which includes a rooftop lounge and Shoma Bazaar food hall. It was designed by MSA Architects with interiors by Adriana Hoyos. The pedestrian-friendly location is close to all main freeways, stores, and food options at 79th Street Causeway and East Treasure Drive.

Each floor plan in the 2.8-acre mixed-use development’s furnished studios to three-bedroom units, with sizes ranging from 344 square feet to 2,700 square feet, was created to enhance functionality and comfort.

With only a few changes that improve the building’s appearance, the new tower design, which combines traditional art-deco and modern architecture, indicates a modest departure from the original design. The building now has a more contemporary appearance.

Amenities:

  • Resident lounge and bar
  • Spa
  • Hammam
  • Golf Simulators
  • Fitness center with Technogym equipment
  • Pet spa
  • Kid’s club
  • 6,030 square foot pool deck
  • Panoramic views of Biscayne Bay
  • Pool
  • Cabanas
  • Summer kitchen
  • Library
  • 2,600 square foot cowering business room
  • Lounge with coffee bar
  • Gaming area
  • Movie area
  • Gated parking
  • Electric vehicle charging stations
  • Specialized bike room
  • Storage areas

The construction of Shoma Bay is anticipated to begin in the summer of 2023 with a completion date in 2025.

 

Grand Opening Scheduled for Lululemon at Miami Worldcenter

Lululemon Set to Open at Miami Worldcenter

Lululemon Set to Open at Miami Worldcenter

In December 2022, Miami Worldcenter completed construction on 255,00 square feet of retail space waiting patiently for tenants to open their doors. Today it was announced that Lululemon will have its official grand opening this Friday at 11am. This new store is located at 652 NE Second Avenue, Unit 152.

Lululemon is just one of the many brands that will open this year at Miami Worldcenter. Sephora, Savage x Fenty, Ray-Ban, Posman Books, and Lucid Motors are among the impressive list of recently opened and upcoming tenants at Miami Worldcenter. Other dining and entertainment options include Bowlero, Sports & Social, Michelin-starred Chef Michael Beltran’s Brasserie Laurel, El Vecino, and Chicago’s Maple & Ash and Etta restaurants

The 300,000 square feet of retail, restaurant, and entertainment space at Miami Worldcenter, one of the largest private urban real estate developments in Florida, will be complemented by a variety of residential, business, and hospitality applications.

Miami Worldcenter Associates, directed by Principal Art Falcone and Managing Partner Nitin Motwani, and CIM Group are the project’s master developers.

Three finished residential towers—the PARAMOUNT Miami Worldcenter, Caoba, and Bezel Miami—can now be found in Miami Worldcenter. The 351-room CitizenM hotel is now finished with construction and is scheduled to debut at Miami Worldcenter in the first quarter of 2023.

In addition, work is being done on phase one of the 52-story Miami World Towers, which will include 550 apartment units, Legacy Hotel & Residences, a mixed-use building with 310 branded residences atop a hotel and 50,000 square feet of medical office space, and Caoba’s second phase, which will include a nearby 40-story tower with 420 apartments.

There are several planned projects, including The Crosby, a 450-unit turn-key condominium by Related Group and Merrimac Ventures, and 600 Miami Worldcenter, a 579-unit fully furnished condominium by Aria Development Group and Merrimac Ventures, a mixed-use residential and commercial development by Abbhi Capital, a residential development by the New York-based Naftali Group, and a three-tower mixed-use project by The Witkoff Group.

World Square, a 20,000-square-foot outdoor public plaza and park, will complement Miami Worldcenter’s shopping streets. With its abundance of open space, shade trees, and spacious, pedestrian-friendly sidewalks lined with food, entertainment, and retail concepts, World Square is intended to act as the hub of the development.

A $5 million public art project at Miami Worldcenter, organized by the Miami-based curatorial collective PRIMARY and renowned art dealer Jeffrey Deitch, would turn the 27-acre “city within a citystreets “‘s and buildings into a permanent outdoor art museum. Large-scale murals, paintings, and sculptures produced by internationally renowned artists such as Nina Chanel Abney, Woody De Othello, Viktor El-Saieh, Nick Cave, Trenton Doyle Hancock, Hernan Bas, Serge Toussaint, Zadok Ben-David, and Franz Ackermann will be included in the program once it is finished.

Ten city blocks make up Miami Worldcenter, which is next to Museum Park, which is home to the Frost Museum of Science and Pérez Art Museum Miami, as well as the FTX Arena, Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, and Wolfson Campus of Miami Dade College. Miami Worldcenter is the largest and best-connected transit-oriented development in Florida thanks to its proximity to Brightline’s MiamiCentral station, which provides direct train service to Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Orlando and access to Tri-Rail, the Metromover, and the Metrorail.

 

Exclusive: Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen’s Indian Creek Waterfront Mansion Construction Update

Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen

Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen

 

After 13 years of marriage, Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen announced on Oct. 28 2022 that they officially divorced putting a pause on construction of their 5,000+ square foot teardown located on Indian Creek.

 
 
 
 
 
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The Billionaire Bunker residence on Indian Creek Island was originally purchased by the couple in 2020, but their divorce was only finalized in late 2022. The estate, which sits atop a plot of land in the “world’s most exclusive municipality,” is arguably the most noteworthy of Tom Brady’s residences. It is one of just 34 properties with waterfront views of Biscayne Bay that are offered across 300 acres in South Florida’s Atlantic region.

The house was one of the nicest in the world, and Tom and Gisele were planning to live there forever with their kids, Benjamin Rein and Vivian Lake Brady. Although they are no longer together, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback has reportedly continued to develop and refurbish the property, according to The Daily Mail(opens in new tab).

Aerial images recently obtained by the British publication reveal that “production has advanced dramatically” since its initial inspection of the house in September 2022. To begin with, Tom and Gisele demolished a 5,772-square-foot house with the intention of building a contemporary, eco-friendly mansion on the property.

Gisele, a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environmental Program since 2009, knew she had to build an eco-friendly home.

Together with solar panels, an organic garden, a yoga deck, a cabana, and a sizable outdoor kitchen, the new estate will also contain these features.

Gisele Bündchen bought a lavish Florida home that is situated directly across the water from Tom’s mansion as he continues to develop. She also covertly paid $1.3 million for a cottage in Florida, which she began to remodel last year. Billionaires Bunker is close to her new residence (likely convenient for co-parenting with her former husband).

Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, and billionaire businessman Carl Icahn are some of the other noteworthy residents. Whenever building is finished, Tom Brady will live next to Icahn.

South Beach Wine and Food Festival is Back and Will be Bigger Than Ever

Some Wine and Food Festival 2023
Some Wine and Food Festival 2023

Thousands of people will visit Miami Beach from February 23 to 26 to eat, drink, and celebrate the South Beach Wine and Food Festival’s 22nd anniversary. All proceeds from the event will go to the Florida International University Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. More than $34 million has already been raised, ensuring the hospitality sector’s future through educating the next generation.

The festival is well-known for its signature activities like the Grand Tasting Village, the Burger Bash hosted this year by Emeril Lagasse, and a gala tribute dinner with this year’s honorees, chef Alex Guarnaschelli and Pernod Ricard’s Alexandre Ricard, with Bobby Flay serving as master of ceremonies. However, every year also brings new activities and a few surprises.

According to Lee Brian Schrager, the secret to success is that blend of the old and new. According to the founder of SOBEWFF, he’s constantly searching for fresh brands and activations.

A Sunday afternoon tea dance and drag show with a special appearance by disco queen Thelma Houston are new attractions this year. Schrager is also looking forward to Sunday afternoon’s Overtown EatUp, which will be hosted by Marcus Samuelsson. The celebration, which draws inspiration from Harlem EatUp, will celebrate Overtown’s vibrant culture. The participating eateries and musical acts will be chosen by Samuelsson. Also, Overtown EatUp revenue will be used to finance scholarships for Overtown students enrolling in FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management.

The festival will, according to the founder of SOBEWFF, this year more than ever showcase diversity in the hospitality sector with activities like a cookout with JJ Johnson and Dwyane Wade and a Sunday brunch with James Beard Award winner Mashama Bailey. For one delectable day, Bailey will bring the Grey, a restaurant she owns in Savannah, to Miami Beach.

The SOBEWFF, according to Schrager, is primarily intended for people to eat, drink, and enjoy themselves. And it appears that the formula works.

The 2023 South Beach Wine and Food Festival will take place from Thursday, February 23, to Sunday, February 26. The price of tickets are $35 with pre-sale tickets available for Capital One Cardholders. For more information on the schedule of events, click here.

New Renderings Released for The Wellness Club at The Village of Coral Cables

The Village of Coral Gables Lounge
The Village of Coral Gables

Recently released renderings of The Wellness Club at The Village at Coral Gables, will feature over 4,000 square feet of stunning amenities and features.

The Village at Coral Gables is situated at 535 Santander Avenue and spread across 17 lots, bounded by Malaga Avenue, Santander Avenue, Segovia Street, and Hernando Street.

The new images offer a sneak peek at a few of the excellent features that will honor the city’s legacy while providing for contemporary opulent conveniences. The large wellness clubhouse exudes a modern and tropical environment. It was created in the manner of the Mediterranean revival, and its color palette combines natural tones with lush green flora and subtle gold décor accents.

The exquisitely designed amenity spaces raise the bar for contemporary living in historic Coral Gables and were curated by MG Development in association with renowned architect De La Guardia Victoria Architects & Urbanists. Some amenities include like high-speed wi-fi and a large monitor screen to host virtual meetings and more. They also include a fitness wing, a luxurious plunge pool, a library, and a conference center.

The carefully chosen interiors draw inspiration from Seville, Spain’s visual appeal and way of life, MG Developer sought to carry on George Merrick’s legacy. The boutique 48-home private enclave will honor Merrick’s tradition and history in a timeless yet contemporary manner.

A full block of courtyards will be incorporated into The Village at Coral Gables, which will be surrounded by gardens with alcoves modeled after those in the Plaza de Espaa. Fifty percent of the site is anticipated to be covered with lush vegetation and hidden parking garages with decorative elements that go well with the Coral Gables neighborhood.

Townhomes, Lofts, Villas, and Flats are the four main groupings offered at The Village at Coral Gables. The style and size of the residences will vary, ranging from elegant flats with two bedrooms, a study, and a balcony to attractive townhomes with four bedrooms that are between 1,750 and 3,100 square feet in size.

Construction is expected to be completed by 2024.

The Village of Coral Gables Work Space
The Village of Coral Gables Lounge
The Village of Coral Gables Fitness Center

Michelin Names 8 New Miami Restaurants to The Florida Michelin Guide

Michelin Starred Restaurants in Miami
Michelin Starred Restaurants in Miami

Eight new Miami additions to the Florida Michelin Guide were unveiled by Michelin. The Michelin Guide classified the businesses as “New,” encouraging diners to try new and exciting restaurants in Miami.

The yearly Michelin announcement of Bib Gourmands and stars has yet to be released and Michelin occasionally “teases” its annual guides by presenting brief lists in prominent cities.

The announcement was explained in a statement by Gwendal Poullennec, the international director of the Michelin Guides, “We improve our digital tools to further strengthen the bonds that unite us to food lovers. By revealing some of the new additions made by our inspectors throughout the year.”

According to the press release, any of the 8 restaurants on the list may be awarded a Bib Gourmand or star during the annual star ceremony.

It mostly indicates that the Michelin team of inspectors is actively looking for restaurants in Miami to include in the 2023 Florida Michelin Guide. A restaurant also needs to merit its inclusion in the annual guide. Ten restaurants in Miami received one star when the Florida Guide was published in June 2022, giving them a total of 65 spots. The only establishment to be awarded two stars was L’Atelier de Jol Robuchon. The coveted three-star rating only goes to a select few great restaurants like the French Laundry, Alinea, and Eleven Madison Park. No Miami eateries have ever received this honor.

No location or date for the 2023 Michelin Florida Star Reveal Ceremony has been determined. The ceremony was previously Orlando in June 2022.

Michelin Guide Florida: New Miami Additions, February 2023

  • Brasserie Laurel- French-inspired cuisine inside downtown Miami’s new Miami Worldcenter.
  • Rosie’s- Brunch garden in Little River with Akino West as Chef.Fiola Miami- Coral Gables Italian restaurant by Michelin-starred, Fiola D.C.
  • Walrus Rodeo- Wood-fire cooking by the Boia De team.Lido- Surf Club with a champagne bar and delectable Italian food.
  • Lion & the Rambler- Chef Michael Bolen makes a classic spin on American cuisine.
  • Tambourine Room by Tristan Brandt- Modern/classic French and Asian inspired dishes.
  • The Gibson Room- American fare with modern inspired cocktails.

National Developer PMG Announces West Eleventh Residences in Miami

West Eleventh Residences Miami Lobby
West Eleventh Residences

In Miami’s Park West neighborhood, Property Markets Group unveiled plans for a condominium tower with short-term rental options.

West Eleventh Residences Miami Lobby

West Eleventh Residences will offer short-term rental flexibility and a first-time opportunity for owners to enjoy fully centralized management with the ability to host guests 365 days a year on Airbnb.

West Eleventh Residences Miami Dining

At 18 N.W. 11th St., which is currently owned by Miami-based Block 17 Land Trust, West Eleventh Residences would rise 44 floors. For the project, PMG has joined forces with the Marc Roberts Cos. and the Miami-based Lion Development Group, directed by Michael Simkins. On the bottom floor, there would be a 30,000-square-foot entertainment facility and food hall in addition to 659 completely equipped condos.

West Eleventh Residences Miami Family Room

Although Miami’s short-term condo rentals were just introduced a few years ago, they are now a significant part of the city’s most recent condo development boom. They give condo owners the option to occupy them themselves or rent them out for however many days are necessary, allowing them to potentially profit from higher daily rental rates.

The E11even Hotel & Residences, another condominium for short-term rentals, and the E11even Residences Beyond are being constructed by PMG, Simkins, and Roberts directly west of the West Eleventh Residences.

“The demand for short-term rental properties with on-site support for seamless hosting is high in South Florida, especially in downtown Miami,” said Ryan Shear, managing partner at PMG. “Not only will West Eleventh Residences offer flexible living options and luxury condo ownership for buyers, but it will also provide impeccable residences and superb amenities for Airbnb guests and owners to enjoy.”

Condos at West Eleventh Residences will range in size from 334 square feet for studios. The units would contain smart home technology for lighting, audio, video, and other features. Costs start at roughly $300,000. The real sales push will begin on February 20.

The project was designed by Sieger Suarez Architects.The structure would have a restaurant, a lounge, a fitness center, and a pool.

Simkins asserted that “our collaboration with PMG and Marc Roberts Cos. on West Eleventh Residences will once again underscore the area’s potential, solidifying Downtown Miami’s District 11 into a true live-work-play community for all.”

West Eleventh Residences Miami