Related Group & Macklowe Properties Unveil Landmark Residential Project for North Bay Village

A bold new chapter in North Bay Village’s transformation is underway as Related Group and Macklowe Properties submit plans for a striking two-tower residential development at 8000 East Drive. Designed by the acclaimed Arquitectonica, the project encompasses four parcels—7946, 8000, 8010, and 8020 East Drive—and calls for the construction of dual 43-story towers rising over 500 feet in height. Set for review by the North Bay Village Planning and Zoning Board on July 2, 2025, the project is being evaluated through the Special Area Plan (SAP) process, offering zoning flexibility in exchange for substantial community enhancements.

Spanning 4.12 acres, the development will introduce 364 luxury apartments in a mix of one- to four-bedroom layouts, with an average unit size of 2,138 square feet. The North Tower will include 201 residences while the East Tower will feature 163. With just three one-bedroom units, the focus is on spacious multi-bedroom homes, including 161 two-bedrooms, 76 three-bedrooms, and 124 four-bedrooms. Residents will also have access to 798 parking spaces, a ratio of 2.19 spaces per unit, reflecting comparable standards seen in similar high-end projects.

The towers’ contemporary design showcases Arquitectonica’s signature architectural language—curved floorplates, continuous balconies, and a refined façade featuring curtainwalls of reflective glass, white stucco accents, wood-grain steel soffits, and frameless railings. Ground-level elements are activated by tropical landscaping, concrete pavers, and integrated seating areas. The base structure, or podium, houses shared parking, amenities, and serves as the architectural foundation for the towers’ soaring heights. Each building will reach 498 feet to the top floor, with rooftop structures extending the height to 523 feet, as supported by FAA filings.

Together, the towers will encompass more than 1.5 million gross square feet. The North Tower accounts for 677,767 square feet, the East Tower spans 504,433 square feet, and the podium and parking structure adds another 356,716 square feet. Residential floorplates average 27,754 square feet, and levels 1–5 are dedicated to a mix of lobby, amenities, and structured parking, with additional amenity decks throughout.

Public benefit is a cornerstone of the proposal. The developers plan to deliver a new 9,000-square-foot waterfront park and over 1,200 linear feet of Island Walk along Biscayne Bay, far surpassing the SAP’s minimum requirement for public open space. Public art installations are also expected throughout the landscaped areas, further enhancing the community experience.

A robust infrastructure investment accompanies the plan, including a $5 million commitment to seawall repairs and full coverage of water and sewer system upgrades. A traffic study determined that the project would result in only a modest increase in vehicle trips during peak hours, adding minimal delays to East Drive. Meanwhile, sun studies showed that shadows cast by the towers would primarily fall over the bay rather than neighboring properties.

Amenities will span over 100,000 square feet and include indoor and outdoor spaces across the towers’ ground floors, podium deck, and fifth-floor terraces. A 42-slip private marina with a dedicated dockmaster facility will complement the project’s waterfront lifestyle.

The economic impact on North Bay Village is projected to be substantial. Developers have already paid $10 million in Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) fees, which funded the new Village Hall. An additional $2 million will be paid as a height-related fee, and the project will generate $6.2 million in combined impact and building permit fees. Altogether, the $18.2 million in municipal contributions will double the city’s net assets. Long-term property tax revenues are expected to reach $110.6 million over 20 years, amounting to an annual revenue increase of 11% for the city.

City staff have recommended approval of the development, contingent on minor design and planning adjustments. If approved by the Planning and Zoning Board and subsequently by the Village Commission, the development team will be required to secure a master building permit within two years, with the option for two one-year extensions.

As North Bay Village undergoes a remarkable transformation, 8000 East Drive is poised to become a landmark residential address—offering elevated coastal living while delivering meaningful civic and economic value to the community.