Significant Archaeological Find In Miami From A 7,000-Year-Old Settlement at New Construction Site
For the last 18 months, archaeologists have been excavating at a new development site on the Miami River, where developer Related Group plans to build three residential towers.
Researchers claim to have discovered a significant archaeological discovery at the location, including 7,000-year-old relics and other proof that the area was once occupied by prehistoric people.
One of the towers will include Baccarat Residences Miami. Ancient artifacts and fossils found at the site are giving researchers a glimpse into a civilization that once thrived along the river. One of the earliest populations in the region is thought to have been the Tequesta people.
Will Pestle, a bioarchaeologist and University of Miami Professor stated “There is a very important ceramic phase of this site so there is pottery, broken pieces of pottery, there are stone tools, arrowheads, projectile points, abundant animal remains, deer and fish, but there are also remains of sharks. There are remains of giant sea turtles, remains of whales, remains of an extinct kind of seal, the West Indian monk seal.”
The Miami Professor also stated that the site could date back to as early as 7,000 years which he states is older than the pyramids in Egypt and Colosseum in Rome.
The site is significant and they believe it to be “potentially eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places based on criterion D, that it contains well-preserved cultural deposits that could contribute to our knowledge of prehistoric subsistence and settlement patterns,” according to a 2021 report submitted to the city by Archaeological and Historical Conservancy, Inc. Additionally, the location has human remains that fall under Chapter 872.05 of the Florida Statutes.
According to the group, archaeologists have “collected cultural material” that includes “tools and jewelry made of stone, shell, and bone. Ecofacts contain animal teeth and bones as well as shells that indicate food waste.
According to the paper, “Other elements of importance include wood, seeds, and charcoal. Historical artifacts include some items connected to European interaction, most likely Spanish artifacts from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The objects connected to Miami’s American settlers from the nineteenth century are among the additional historical items.
Pestle also stated, “Let’s design the buildings in such a way that what is there can be preserved and seen by the public visiting, so when you walk into that Baccarat hotel, which is going to be on the parcel that is currently being excavated, you can see through a glass floor and you can see the ancient remnants of this city.”
On April 4th the Historic and Environmental Preservation Board is meeting to discuss the importance of the findings as well as the procedures that were followed in the excavation.
Full Plans Released for the Two Tower Development One Brickell Riverfront that includes Lofty Brickell
One Brickell Riverfront, a 1,160,588-square-foot mixed-use building at 99 Southwest 7th Street south of the Miami River in Brickell, has officially released all of its construction plans.
The plan calls for two skyscrapers, one of which is the 44-story Lofty Brickell, which recently broke ground, and another that will rise 43 floors. The project, which was created by Arquitectonica and Newgard Development Group, would include 919 parking places, 13,170 square feet of office space, ground floor retail space, and 784 residential units.
The developer has asked for various waivers to build One Brickell Riverfront as planned, according to a letter of intent that was filed with the application. These include a reduction in parking, approval for vehicular access with a gap of less than 60 feet, and a decrease in the distance between the two buildings from 60 to 54 feet.
Additionally, the developer is requesting approval to lower the secondary frontage setbacks above the eighth level to ten feet and to permit parking to continue into the second layer, above the first story, along the main frontage. The developer contends that these waivers encourage energy efficiency and environmentally friendly construction and that they are required because it is difficult to achieve the norms of the transect zone.
Also stated in the letter of intent The Miami 21 guiding principles, which support infill and redevelopment, mixed-use buildings, compact, pedestrian-friendly urban centers, interconnected networks of thoroughfares, a variety of open space, and appropriate building densities and land uses near transit stops, serve as the foundation for One Brickell Riverfront.
The second tower will be 530 feet tall and lofty Brickell will be 540 feet tall. The façade of the project will use a variety of materials, including cast-in-place concrete, engineered wood, perforated metal paneling, clear storefront glass, white concrete slabs, dark stucco walls, and metal window walls with grey-tinted glass.
The concept respects the spatial shape of public space while attempting to provide a range of uses, energize the pedestrian realm, and reduce interactions between automobiles and walkers. The local temperature, topography, history, and building customs will be taken into consideration when designing the architecture and landscape. follows the Miami 21 guiding principles, which support infill and redevelopment, mixed-use buildings, compact, pedestrian-friendly urban centers, interconnected networks of thoroughfares, a variety of open space, appropriate building densities, and land uses that are accessible by foot from transit stops.
The concept respects the spatial shape of public space while attempting to provide a range of uses, energize the pedestrian realm, and reduce interactions between automobiles and walkers. The local temperature, topography, history, and building customs will be taken into consideration when designing the architecture and landscape.
The One Brickell Riverfront designs will be examined by Miami’s Urban Development Review Board on February 15.
Our Pick for Miami’s Most Romantic Valentine’s Restaurants 2023
Valentine’s Day is next week and if you haven’t made plans yet, now’s the time. Whether you want to impress a romantic interest for the first time or finally confess your feelings, Miami has a restaurant — and special Valentine’s Day menu — to match your intentions on the most romantic holiday of the year.
Here are our top restaurants to visit in Miami on Valentine’s Day, ranging from lounge-like restaurants to waterfront dining establishments. Reservations are highly advised.
Carbone
Carbone’s retro glam and universally acclaimed Italian-American cuisine have made their way to Miami. If you get a table, you can expect one of the best veal parmesans in the world, dapper servers who can practically read minds, and tons of vibe in a legendary Ken Fulk-designed space. To make reservations, click here.
The Queen Miami Beach
Tucked inside the meticulously restored Paris Theater on Washington Avenue in South Beach, Queen breathes new life into the storied Art Deco landmark, embodying a wildly lavish and extravagant 21st-century Japanese-style grill that pays homage to its history of opulence and theatricality. Click here for reservations.
Contessa Ristorante Miami
Contessa, a glamorous dining destination by Major Food Group that transports guests to Lake Como, is inspired by the old-world sophistication of Northern Italy’s iconic resorts and estates. Antipasti include a Carpaccio of Chianina Beef and the most coveted Italian prosciutto; signature pizzas and perfectly crafted pastas such as Tortellini en Brodo and Garganelli Verdi Bolognese; and celebratory secondi that highlight the world’s best meat, poultry, and fish. For reservations, click here.
COTE Miami
COTE is Simon Kim’s vision for the Michelin-starred and James Beard Award-nominated KOREAN STEAKHOUSETM. The restaurant is known for combining the excitement and fervor of Korean barbeque with the hallmarks of a classic, regal American steakhouse. The end result is a one-of-a-kind and convivial environment that infuses a fine dining experience with world-class ingredients and service, complemented by a show-stopping beverage program. Click here to reserve a table.
Klaw
Klaw provides a beef and king crab selection that focuses on raw product preservation, sustainability, and environmental concerns. Executive Chef Michael Paley and his team carefully select the best suppliers and believe that treating the product with respect and cooking it properly can greatly enhance the flavor. Martin Brudnizki Design Studio created our main dining room, which honors its Spanish Renaissance roots with a large dining room decorated in deep colors and dark woods, massive colonial arched windows, a private dining room, and a theater kitchen. The roof top bar has an amazing view and a great selection of cocktails created by beverage manager James Macinnes. We are close to the Opera Tower, Margaret Pace Park, and the DoubleTree by Hilton.
Avra Estiatorio
You’d almost think you were in the Greek islands, with the salt stone sculptures and bougainvillea-filled pergola, not to mention the sound of crashing waves in the background. This New York mainstay is large, opulent, and glam, with a menu full of seafood specialties that transport you to the Mediterranean with every bite. For more information or reservations, click here.]
Komodo Miami
Komodo is a three-story indoor/outdoor eatery and lounge in Miami’s booming Brickell neighborhood that combines contemporary Southeast Asian cuisine with a South Florida vibe to elevate the dining and nightlife experience. Signature dishes on the menu include Peking Duck, Tuna & Toro Roll, and Lobster Dynamite. The 300-seat restaurant and lounge features several unique multi-level dining options, including three bars with handcrafted cocktail menus and the signature outdoor floating “birds nests” seating, which creates a playful treehouse feel perfect for any occasion day or night. Komodo serves dinner seven days a week. Reservations can be made here.
Hip Hop Legend Lil Wayne Sells Waterfront Miami Mansion on Allison Island
Five-time Grammy award-winner and hip-hop legend, Lil Wayne, recently sold his Miami mansion after listing the property last year for $29.5 million. Weezy sold the waterfront property on Allison Island for a price pending after a recent $1.5 million price reduction to $28 million.
The 23,760-square-foot house, which was created by the architecture company Choeff Levy Fischman, has 110 feet of water frontage, a private dock, a pool, and an outdoor kitchen. It is located on the border of Biscayne Bay. Despite being a brand-new construction, Wayne upgraded the seven-bedroom, nine-bathroom mansion.
There is also an elevator, a movie theater, a wine cellar, two family rooms, staff quarters, a chef’s kitchen, and a butler’s kitchen inside the 10,300-square-foot, two-level residence. Almost every room has floor-to-ceiling sliding doors that let in the beautiful Miami weather. The chef’s kitchen and one of the family rooms also lead to a lush, green indoor courtyard.
The expansive main suite is stunning at 2,500 square feet. There is a huge sitting area, a walk-in closet in the form of a boutique, two bathrooms, and a huge terrace that views the backyard.
Weezy originally purchased the property in 2018 for $16.8 million.
The stunning Allison island is situated in the Indian Creek canal in the La Gorce neighborhood and is regarded as a component of North Beach, a larger area of Miami. 63rd Road divides the 8.5-acre island into a North Island and a South Island.
Condos and townhomes can be found on the southern Island, also called Aqua, while only waterfront mansions with several enormous lots and ultra-modern architecture can be found on the northern Island. This neighborhood’s great demand is in part due to the fact that every single home on the Island has immediate water access to Biscayne Bay.
Tom Brady Revealed as the Keynote Speaker at the eMerge Americas 2023 Conference in Miami Beach
The keynote speaker for eMerge Americas 2023 will be the recently retired football legend, Tom Brady.
On the opening day of the conference, the seven-time Super Bowl winner and businessman will offer his business views during a moderated chat. On April 20 and 21, the technology summit will be held at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
Brady is the founder of the NFT firm Autograph and the owner of the health and wellness brand TB12. Autograph earned $170 million in a series B transaction that was completed in January 2022. In 2024, he is scheduled to begin working as a pundit for Fox Sports.
After 23 seasons in the NFL, Brady announced last week that he is quitting the game. The announcement was made a year after he made his initial retirement announcement, which he then reversed six weeks later.
With the aim of making Miami the innovation hub of the Americas, eMerge Americas was established in 2014. It brings together investors, venture capital firms, and entrepreneurs in the technology sector. More than 20,000 people from 4,000 enterprises and 50 nations attended the event in 2022.
A platform with venture capital backing called eMerge Americas is working to make Miami the innovation capital of the Americas. The eMerge flagship event, which debuted in 2014, is an annual international tech conference that draws over 20,000 participants from 50 countries and over 4,000 distinct participating organizations.
It is held in the Miami Beach Convention Center. Along with the annual conference, eMerge also plans and hosts executive summits, innovation challenges, startup pitch competitions, masterclasses, webinars, and publishes venture activity and investment insights reports throughout the year. For the past ten years, eMerge has worked to create the South Florida entrepreneurial and technological ecosystem by acting as a catalyst for investment and innovation across the Americas. For additional information, go to www.emergeamericas.com.
A number of events related to the technology sector will take place in the spring, including the React Miami 2023 summit and the Bitcoin 2023 conference for cryptocurrency aficionados.
New Renderings Revealed for The Perigon Miami Beach
Mast Capital and Starwood Capital Group recently revealed new renderings for the highly awaited Perigon Miami Beach project that is expected to top off next year.
In June 2021, Mast filed the development plans for the property and the official approval came in December 2021. Rem Koolhaas is named as the architect for the project while Tara Bernerd is listed as the interior designer. The design resembles a series of towers merged together allowing the residents optimal views of Biscayne Bay, the Miami skyline, and the Atlantic Ocean
The development will rise 17 stories and feature 83 total units, with 10 of those units labeled as ‘guest suites,’ which will only be available to purchase by unit owners.
Units will range from 2 to 4-bedroom floor plans with 2,100 to 6,700 square foot options. Units will start at $3 million and will feature a number of luxury amenities and residence features.
Services
Residential butler
Dedicated lifestyle concierge
24-hour security and valet service
House car
On-site general manager
In-residence dining and catering from a signature on-site restaurant
Home management services from cleaning and maintenance to floral and pantry stocking (available for additional costs)
Tower Amenities
Signature oceanfront restaurant by a celebrated chef exclusive to residents
Beachside swimming pool and outdoor spa with sunbeds and cabanas
Pool and beachside food and beverage service
Direct entry to the dedicated beach, equipped with lounge chairs, umbrellas, and service
Sprawling conservatory offering daily breakfast bar
Stylish cocktail lounge and speakeasy
Dramatic double-height lobby with an open lounge area
Luxury guest suites for friends and family
Sunrise lounge with catering kitchen for entertaining and events
Private spa with sauna and treatment rooms
A state-of-the-art fitness center with a high-impact training room overlooking the Atlantic Ocean
Bespoke wine room
Private salon for personalized beauty services
Screening room
Imaginative children’s playroom
Intimate garden and meditation lounge areas overlooking the Atlantic
Bicycle storage
Residence Features
Direct, private elevator entry to each residence
Gracious 10-foot ceilings with floor-to-ceiling windows
Private 10- to 12-foot-deep terraces designed to provide direct views of the Atlantic from every residence
Expansive living, dining, and entertaining area accented with linear cove lighting
Custom Italian kitchens designed by Tara Bernerd & Partners featuring honed marble countertops, backsplash, and island
Sub-Zero Wolf Appliance Suite
Primary bathrooms feature natural stone flooring and walls, custom bathtub, bespoke mirrors, and light fixtures
Walk-in wardrobes in each bedroom
The building is expected to be delivered in 2025. If you or someone you know have an interest in purchasing at The Perigon Miami Beach, please contact Lucas Lechuga via email at [email protected] or by phone at (786)247-6332.
Plans for 78-Story Tower in Brickell Goes to FAA for Height Permit
The 78-story mixed-use tower 18, also known as 18 At 8th, which was launched back in 2017, has big intentions that Karam Group and Claro Development have revived. This building would stand tall at 954 feet above mean sea level and replace an existing single-story strip mall at the southwest corner of South Miami Avenue and Southwest 8th Street in Brickell.
Recent filings of building permits with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirm the development toward making this lofty ambition a reality. The skyscraper will provide a total of 923,000 square feet of space, including 392 residential units, 66,618 square feet of retail space, and 464 parking spaces, thanks to Miami’s Urban Development Review Board’s prior approval. This tower is expected to be a landmark in Miami’s skyline thanks to the skilled architects of Nichols Architects, formerly NBWW Architects.
The property is owned by City Center Prop LLC, a company connected to Simon and Antoine Karam and their real estate investment group, the Karam Group. They have had possession of the property since January 2006.
The tower’s architectural renderings, which show a highly curved and constantly shifting framework, first surfaced towards the end of 2016 or the beginning of 2017. Standing only 30 feet short of meeting the supertall requirements, the skyscraper appears to be a stunning and exciting addition to the skyline.
The tower has a distinctive structure that begins with a firm foundation and spreads as it grows taller. The apartments get bigger and provide more magnificent views as the building gets taller. The balconies are positioned to emphasize the tower’s growth, create the appearance of a continuously expanding structure, and provide access to the surrounding landscape. As a result, the tower has a genuinely organic shape that seems to open and embrace the scenery as it soars to the sky.
The base of the tower has a slope snaking around the outside of it, giving the impression that the podium is collapsing beneath the weight of the tall building. Vertical fins create dramatic shadows on the glass facade of the base, which houses parking spaces and four floors of retail space, highlighting this alluring design aspect.
Miami Concours Car Show Returns February 17th to the Miami Design District
The Miami Concours, returns to the Miami Design District in 2023 with a highly curated, distinctly modern celebration of automotive history. Displays begin on Friday, February 17th, and conclude on Sunday, February 19th, with three red-carpeted streets featuring distinct Concours activations.
The annual event, now in its sixth year, exhibits the most significant automobiles ever produced in the heart of Miami, at the epicenter of art and design. The acclaimed event, led by Co-Founders John Temerian Jr. of CURATED and Ronnie Vogel, as well as Partner Brett David of Prestige Imports, has carved an inimitable niche at the intersection of automotive excellence, car-culture camaraderie, and luxury lifestyle.
The prestigious event showcases the world’s most sought-after exotic post-war automobiles as well as celebrated, iconic models from the world’s most recognizable luxury motoring brands. The event kicks off on Friday, February 17th, with a special showcase of cars dotted among the neighborhood’s artistic installations as static works of art themselves.
As collectors and enthusiasts witness real-time, official judging; discover an unrivaled, historical display of Lamborghinis on 39th Street – a nod to the Italian manufacturer’s 60th Anniversary; and discover an unforgettable display of Hypercars from Pagani Automobili as they celebrate their 25th Anniversary alongside Czinger Vehicles, as they present the 3D printed 21C.
Miami Concours features superlative examples from Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Pagani, Maserati, Jaguar, Ford, BMW, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Porsche, and Mercedes-Benz, with judging led by Mark Moskowitz MD who is the Board of Directors of Carolina Motorsports Park.
EVENT INFO
FRIDAY & SATURDAY: 11AM – 8PM
CONCOURS PREVIEW – SELECTION OF CARS
ON DISPLAY THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT
SUNDAY, 19TH: 11AM – 5PM
MAIN RED CARPET EVENT
CONCOURS & JUDGING
Rooftop Restaurant Giselle to Open Friday February 3rd
On Friday, February 3, the glitzy new restaurant Giselle will open on the rooftop of the illustrious nightclub E11EVEN Miami. Giselle is brought to you by E11EVEN and hospitality group The Restaurant People, where executive chef Gustavo Zuluaga will weave together global flavors in dishes like whole crispy snapper with aji amarillo aioli and Peruvian salsa criolla.
Giselle’s menu is extravagant, with items such as bluefin tuna truffle cones topped with 24-karat gold leaf. Truffle toast, flaming lobster thermidor, Peking chicken, Japanese A5 snow-aged wagyu, a flaming Australian wagyu tomahawk, caviar, seafood towers, oysters with Champagne mignonette granita, and other extravagant offerings are available.
Truffle toast, pork ribs, Chilean sea bass, filet mignon, and a flaming lobster thermidor are among the dishes on the menu. For those who can’t decide, a six-course tasting menu is available.
The cuisine incorporates French, Asian, South American, and Mediterranean flavors. This makes sense given his background, which includes stops at L’Atelier de Jol Robuchon in Miami, Zuma, Komodo, and Juvia before becoming executive chef at Laurent Tourondel’s Dune in Fort Lauderdale.
Guests enter the restaurant by taking a private elevator up to the rooftop restaurant, where they will walk through the mosaic-lined tunnel into the space, which features a retractable roof that spans the entire indoor-outdoor restaurant.
Giselle’s marble-adorned 14-seat bar features digital art display cases showcasing the work of Miami-based filmmaker and producer Frank Kelly, who was commissioned to create a custom short film series for the space. The adjacent lounge and terrace area features black marble dining tables with views of the Miami skyline, while a neon sign that reads “I’ll be here, if by chance, you’ll be here too” rules the space.
Giselle is located at 15 NE 11th St, Miami, FL 33132 with hours at Wednesday through Sunday 6pm to 3am.
Sales Launch for Twenty Nine Indian Creek in the Faena District Miami Beach
JMH Development has officially launched sales for Twenty-Nine Indian Creek Condos, a boutique collection of only 11 private residences will rise at the nexus of Indian Creek Drive and Collins Avenue in the heart of the thriving Faena District in Miami Beach.
Twenty-Nine Indian Creek will reflect timeless sophistication and serve as an emblem for historic preservation, with architecture, interiors, and landscaping designed by renowned firm Urban Robot. The seven-story modern structure will house eight three-bedroom residences and one sprawling full-floor penthouse with an expansive wraparound terrace and panoramic views.
The development site is home to a 1930s Art Deco structure that has been hidden from public view for nearly 60 years. JMH Development will restore and relocate the structure to harmoniously integrate the past and present, resulting in two sprawling townhomes that will pay homage to the inherent design qualities of its former era.
Each elegantly appointed residence, ranging in size from 1,750 to 4,800 square feet, is designed to maximize space and seamlessly connect to the outdoors, with sweeping floor-to-ceiling windows and doors allowing in an abundance of natural light. Spacious terraces with iconic, undulated railings showcase exquisite craftsmanship that continues indoors – with meticulous attention to detail.
Gourmet chefs’ kitchens feature bone white lacquered custom cabinetry, Miele appliances with wine storage, and marble countertops and islands. Freestanding soaking tubs, dual vanities, honed flooring, and premium Hansgrohe fixtures are among the indulgent features found in spa-inspired bathrooms. Townhomes have double-height great rooms that are 18 feet tall, as well as private terraces with landscaped gardens and a summer kitchen.
Residents will enjoy a palm-tree shaded pool deck with daybed lounge chairs and tanning areas, a summer kitchen with barbeque and dining area, an outdoor shower, and direct access to a dedicated beach club. The Art Deco-inspired geometrical design of the building is complemented by lush landscaping with terraced walls and cascading greenery, water features, and a natural color palette, creating an immediate sense of serenity.
Twenty-Nine Indian Creek will be located in the city’s most vibrant neighborhood, allowing residents to easily explore world-class dining, hospitality, and cultural institutions such as the Faena Hotel and Faena Forum, The Miami Beach Edition, the upcoming Aman Miami Beach, and Bvlgari Hotel.
Prices range from $2.5 million to $10 million, with construction set to begin in Spring 2023 and completion expected in Q1 2025.
If you or someone you know have an interest in purchasing at Twenty-Nine Indian Creek, please contact Lucas Lechuga via email at [email protected] or by phone at 786-247-6332.
