Art Basel returns to Miami Beach with its first ever in-person show in the United States since 2019. With robust sales and exceptional presentations, this show paves the way for years to come. Art Basel’s first show took place on December 2nd, closing on December 4th with reports of brisk sales across all market areas and throughout the course of the exhibition.
The event drew over 60,000 people in total throughout the course of its VIP and regular days with well-known art collectors from 72 countries throughout the United States, Europe, Africa, and Latin America as well as 253 international galleries from 36 countries. In 2019, the art exhibit drew in 81,000 but with the new digital programs, Art Basel could be experienced from the comfort of home.
Through a digital program that includes Online Viewing Rooms, virtual walkthroughs, livestreamed chats, and social media broadcasts that bring the energy and excitement of the show floor to the widest global audience possible. This digital program first tested at the Hong Kong and Basel show with a successful implementation.
According to an Art Basel press release, 44 galleries joined the event for the first time ever, which included Wilding Cran Gallery from Los Angeles, Curro from Guadalajara, Daniel Faria Gallery from Toronto and many more. There were also 4 additional galleries from Africa.
According the Global Director of Art Basel, Marc Spiegler, “This show marks the first truly international art fair to take place in the United States since the beginning of the pandemic. It has been incredible to witness again the energy in the halls and the enormous pent-up demand for seeing, buying, and selling art in person. We featured a much more diverse range of voices than ever before, making this show particularly vibrant and rich in new discoveries.”
Art Basel will be coming back to Miami Beach on December 1st-4th, 2022.
Related Group Announces Casa Bella Tower with Sales Beginning Soon
The Related Group is on the verge of launching sales for their newest tower in downtown Miami; Casa Bella. This residential tower will be built at 1400 Biscayne Blvd in the Miami Arts and Entertainment District and is on the same site where Auberge Residences was originally planned.
According to the renderings, it appears Related is continuing with the same design and specifications that were planned for Auberge. Those designs include full glass exteriors in a wave-like pattern, as well as the unit floor plans. According to The Real Deal, the Related Group is likely reusing them since they have already been approved and to fast-track construction.
Casa Bella will feature 3 towers and 2 will rise 60 stories while 1 will rise 50. The first tower will feature 300 luxury units although 1,430 residential units have been approved for the site. The towers will have 1,629 parking spaces and will be connected by a podium.
The newest tower will feature 1 to 5 bedroom floor plans with only 6 units per floor. Interiors will be designed by Pierro Lissoni with landscape architecture by Enzo Ena. The double-height lobby will also be designed by Lissoni and will feature a mixture of sophistication and modern designs with a permanent collection of museum-quality art located throughout.
The location of this tower places residences near the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts and the Miami Internation University of Art and Design. The Omni Station Bus Loop is also 1 block away.
With the reopening of borders and the lifting of the pandemic restrictions as of November 8, 2021, we will likely see an increase in international buyers, especially for the new construction towers. Currently, international buyers are representing around 50% of new construction developments when earlier in the year, they were only representing 20%.
Construction for the development is estimated for spring of 2022 with an anticipated completion date of 2024. If you or someone you know have an interest in purchasing at Casa Bella, please contact Lucas Lechuga via email at lucas@miamicondoinvestments.com or by phone at (786)247-6332.
Canvas Condos – A First Look with Pricing, Photos, and Floor Plans
Last week, I had the pleasure of touring the soon-to-be-opened Canvas Condos located in the Arts + Entertainment District at 1600 Northeast 1st Avenue. Closings for units at Canvas are expected to begin on January 7th. As you will see from the photos below, I was given a full tour of the building, including its amenities and common area spaces, rooftop restaurant space, and four of Canvas’s five floor plans (a 2 bedroom unit, a 1 bedroom unit, a 1 bedroom plus den unit, and studio). Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw. In my opinion, the building turned out much better than expected, especially when compared to the preconstruction renderings and video.
Canvas – The Building
Canvas was developed by NR Investments and designed by CFE Architects with interior spaces designed by Urban Robot Associates. The 38-story tower includes 513 condo residences comprised of studios, one-bedroom, one-bedroom-plus-den, and two-bedroom floor plans. Because Canvas is surrounded by low-rising buildings and vacant lots, the views from it are surprisingly good, especially from high floors. To the east, residents will enjoy direct views of the water. On a clear day, one can see the air traffic control tower at the Miami International Airport to the west and Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens to the north.
Canvas – The Artwork & Common Areas
As one may guess from the condo development’s name, Canvas is an art-centric building. It has on display 225 original pieces of commissioned artwork from 22 different artists. The hallways are filled with 150-foot long wall murals. The one shown six and seven photos down below was completed by local Miami artist Didi Contreras (also known as Didirok).
By the way, it’s worth mentioning, the carpet in the hallways will be replaced after the final residents have moved into the building.
Canvas – The Amenities
I think a lot of people are going to be very pleased with the quality of amenities at Canvas. The building has a total of three pools (a rooftop plunge pool, a south-facing pool with shaded overhang, and a north-facing pool without shaded overhang). The north-facing pool deck has a hot tub. From the rooftop pool deck, the views of Downtown Miami are killer!
Canvas also includes a racquetball court, a state-of-the-art fitness center equipped with two Treadwall rock climbing walls, a yoga room, sauna, spa treatment room, screening room, lounge and entertainment area, business center, social room, and children’s playroom. The only amenity that was not finished at the time of my tour and, therefore, not pictured below was the children’s playroom.
Canvas – Floor Plans & Pricing for Remaining Units
Canvas has 19 units per floor comprised of five different floor plans. During my tour last week, I was able to visit four of the five; they are pictured below. Of Canvas’s 513 total units, the developer has 50 units that remain unsold.
The monthly maintenance dues for units at Canvas are 65 cents per square foot. The dues include high-speed Internet, cable TV, water, hot water, and valet parking. The units at Canvas include 2 parking spaces comprised of 1 parking space plus one valet-only space. It’s worth mentioning that the parking at Canvas is unassigned. The residences feature tiled flooring throughout, kitchens with stainless appliances, quartz countertops, backsplash, and modern cabinets; tiled flooring throughout; and 9-foot high ceilings with floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom corner unit (the B2 floor plan)
The B2 floor plan, located on each of the four corners of the building, is a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom residence with 1,110 interior square feet, a 95-square-foot balcony, tons of natural light, and a window in the master bathroom. It’s also the only floor plan to have a foyer, which means that you don’t walk immediately into your kitchen upon entering. Pricing for remaining developer units of this floor plan type starts at $548,000.
1 Bedroom + Den, 1.5 Bathroom unfurnished unit (the A2 floor plan)
Below, I’ve included photos for two separate 1 Bedroom + Den units. The first one shown is unfurnished while the second one is furnished. They both face west but this particular floor plan option has two units per floor that face east. It has 910 interior square feet plus a 150-square-foot balcony. Pricing for the A2 floor plan starts at $440,000.
1 Bedroom + Den, 1.5 Bathroom furnished unit (the A2 floor plan)
Below is the furnished 1 Bedroom + Den unit. It’s the exact same floor plan like the one shown above.
The A1 floor plan is a 1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom condo with 800 interior square feet plus 135-square-foot balcony. Per floor, there are three instances of this floor plan and they all face north. Pricing for this floor plan starts at $426,000.
The studio floor plan will definitely be a very popular option for people looking to get into the building on a budget. Not only does it have amazing views because it faces east towards the water, but it is also very spacious with 620 interior square feet, which is the size of a small 1 bedroom unit in some buildings. Pricing for the studio condos starts at $396,000.
Canvas – The Rooftop Restaurant
Last but not least, I was able to get a quick tour of the rooftop restaurant space at Canvas. Rumor has it that a top restaurant from South Beach is very close to inking a deal for it. Whatever opens there, there’s no doubt in my mind that it will be one of the hottest restaurants in Miami…just check out the views!!!
New Renderings Released for Canvas Miami
With completion just months away, new renderings were released earlier this week for Canvas Miami, the 37-story condo tower developed by NR Investments and located in the emerging Arts + Entertainment District of Miami at 1630 Northeast 1st Avenue. I must say, these newest renderings look much more exciting than their earlier ones. Besides showcasing their amenities, these renderings seem to emphasize the streetscape and pedestrian-friendly roads immediately surrounding Canvas, something which will be a welcome addition to that neighborhood.
On the 9th floor, Canvas will include 30,000 square feet of amenities:
Sunrise Pool
Sunset Pool
3,000-square-foot Fitness Center
Zen spa/sauna and treatment rooms
Indoor/Outdoor Yoga Garden
Racquetball Court
Social Room
Children’s Playroom
The rooftop level will include the following additional amenities:
Rooftop Lounge
Sky Plunge Pool
Signature Dining
Business Center
Theater
Canvas Miami is scheduled to be completed in summer of this year. The developer still has inventory remaining with prices starting in the mid-$300Ks.
Aria on the Bay Lowers Deposit Requirement After Sales Benchmark
To celebrate a new sales benchmark, Melo Group has once again reduced the required deposit amount at Edgewater’s Aria on the Bay. The project, which topped off in April, has now sold over 85% of their condos. New buyers are now required to put down only 20% of the final purchase price.
We were treated to a hard-hat tour back in June and were very impressed to see that nearly all of the buildings units have at least a partial bay view, but most have expansive views from spacious scalloped terraces. Melo Group and Arquitectonica really did an amazing job on the building’s design. It offers maximized views for the residents and also a beautiful design for passers by.
During the tour, we were also lucky to be able to tour the penthouse that Miami Marlins superstar Giancarlo Stanton had recently purchased. We were not allowed to know which penthouse was his, but since we went through all of them, it is a pretty good bet that we saw it. I have my own theory of which one he chose…
Back to the remaining sales opportunities, the remaining apartments range in price from the mid $400,000’s up to $1.9 million. There are options remaining from the lines with semi-private elevators as well as private elevators. Closings are expected to begin early next year.
Below, you can see some new renderings that show how the apartments will look once they are furnished, and you can click here to see our review of the project after the construction tour. We were able to see real views from several different levels of the building, along with the actual finishes. If you would like an in-person presentation, just reach out. We are happy to show off this project.
Filling Station Lofts Offers 2 Months Free On A 2 Year Lease
The Arts & Entertainment District’s Filling Station Lofts is pulling out the big guns in order to lure long-term tenants. As their Summer Special, they are offering two months’ of free rent to those who sign a two year lease in the building.
To be clear, this does not mean that new residents will simply pay their security deposit and receive keys with no additional money due for 60 days. When buildings offer free rent, the cost of the month’s rent is broken down by however many months are in the lease contract. That broken-down amount is offered as a discount on each monthly rental payment.
So, let’s say you sign a two year lease for $3,500/month. Your discount is $7,000, divided by 24 months. That works out to $292/month, so your monthly rental payment is $3,208.
The Filling Station is a very unique building, offering true industrial New York-style loft units. They can be used as live/work spaces or purely residential. The lofts have 18 foot ceilings and views of the Downtown Miami skyline, or views of Midtown/Wynwood. Pets welcome up to 60 pounds.
Available inventory and prices change frequently, so let us know if you are interested.
Filling Station Lofts Cancels Sales
After only 6 months of marketing, Filling Station Lofts has cancelled the sales of their loft units and will instead operate as a rental building.
With its true industrial-style lofts, Filling Station is a unique building to the area. There is only one true alternative for those who are interested in owning an industrial loft in the Art & Entertainment District, the Filling Station’s sister building, Parc Lofts. Other loft buildings offer what I call Miami-style lofts. Those have the open living area and duplex-style bedroom area, but are more finished. They do not have exposed ducts, or concrete walls and floors. Instead, they typically have white porcelain tile floors and contemporary finishes.
Parc Loft was built in 2005 and opened as a success, which spurred the beginning of Filling Station. Unfortunately, the market changed in the midst of Filling Station’s construction and the original developer went bankrupt, leaving the building in a shell from 2008-2014 when it was completed by a different developer and opened as a successful rental building with a waiting list for availability. This summer, the developer decided to try his hand at the sales market again, offering the units first to existing tenants of the building and then to the open market. They applied for Fannie Mae approval but it seems were just too late to the party. As for now, the building is more successful as a rental than as a condo.
For those who would like to live at Filling Station, have no fear. The building does have select inventory available now. Contact us in order to set up a tour and get the most updated pricing.
Checking in on Melo Group’s Aria on the Bay
Things are really coming along for Melo Group’s Aria on the Bay, according to construction photos shared by The Next Miami this afternoon. The tower went vertical in December of 2015 and is scheduled for completion in late 2017.
According to our sales representative for the project, they are currently 70% sold with opportunities remaining for around $400,000-$1,800,000.
The 53 story tower is really starting to take shape!
Aria on the Bay Construction Progress
Week in Review: Brickell Backyard Section of The Underline Receives Large Donation, Auberge Reserves 50 Units in 5 Days and Other News
Brickell Backyard Section of The Underline Park
This week brought great news for supporters of The Underline, a new park that is being developed beneath the Metrorail lines from the Miami River down to Dadeland. Each station is individually funded and the Brickell Backyard section received a $75,000 donation this week from local developers.
The Underline will begin construction in the Brickell phase and continue down 10 miles of the rail tracks. They have also secured $5 million in grants and funding from developer impact fees, Miami Dade County and Florida Department of Transportation. Friends of the Underline CEO & founder, Meg Daly hopes to begin construction by the end of 2016.
Residents of Brickell have been increasingly vocal over recent years regarding their desire for more park space but have lost out due to the laws of economics. The Underline is a solution that meets the needs of everyone involved, as the area underneath the rail tracks is not able to be sold and developed, but is available for public use. Think: the opposite of New York’s High Line… Underline will be a welcome addition indeed. [The Real Deal]
Speaking of the laws of economics, The Next Miami is reporting that the location of Brickell’s Burger King could face the wrecking ball in favor of a 960 foot tower. It appears that plans have been submitted to the FAA requesting permission to build up to 960 feet above sea level on the site.
Before you cancel your reservations on your north-facing apartments at Brickell Heights and hoard a box of Whoppers, let’s take a look at all of the evidence. Yes, a tower could be built on the land and this will likely happen one day. No, the Burger King strip center is not the highest and best use of the lot (particularly after Brickell’s recent growth spurt). We do believe that a tower will be built on the corner, but the likelihood of it happening anytime soon is very low.
The parcel of land at 10 SW 8th Street includes the Burger King on the east side all the way over to La Sandwicherie on the west side. The shopping center was last sold back in 2006 and no developer has been named for this proposed tower. Since shopkeepers in the strip center have been open about the fact that the building is being prepared for a sale, we sense that the proposal is simply a plan to increase the value of the lot in preparation for going to market. Whether or not the sale would happen quickly is another conversation altogether. For the foreseeable future, we will continue to enjoy our late-night La Sandwicherie subs in peace. [The Next Miami]
A little further north, Auberge Residences and Spa certainly had a large week. They released their first inventory on February 10 and successfully reserved 50 apartments in their first 5 days on the market! Given the feedback we have received, we hope that the lucky buyers who were able to secure a reservation hold onto their position when contracts are issued. Many people were disappointed to learn that certain floor plans have already been spoken for. Contracts are expected in late March. [The Next Miami]
While buyers were scurrying for opportunities in the Arts District, buyers of Miami Worldcenter have been scavenging for information regarding the revamped plans of their shopping center. This week finally brought additional details with renderings of the new open-air shopping concept that will replace the enclosed mall that was originally planned.
Some have praised Miami Worldcenter for their revised plans and some have begun to question the development. Have a look at the new renderings and let us know what you think… [Curbed Miami]
Introducing Auberge Residences & Spa Miami; Reservations Begin February 10th
Get your checkbooks ready! Related Group is set to launch their latest preconstruction condo development – a luxurious, 60-story tower called Auberge Residences & Spa Miami, which will be located at 1400 Biscayne Boulevard in the newly coined Arts + Entertainment District. The tower will include 410 total units, comprised of 340 residences – with 1, 2, 3, and 4 bedroom floor plans – and 70 condo-hotel units. Designed by world-renowned architectural firm Arquitectonica,the all-glass tower will face east-southeast towards Museum Park and offer breathtaking views of the bay, city, and ocean. Interiors will be designed by famed interior designer Piero Lissoni and landscaping by the award-winning landscape architect Enzo Enea. The grounds and common areas at Auberge Residences & Spa will feature museum-quality artwork by celebrated artists such as Jaume Plensa, Fernando Botero, and Julio Le Parc.
Amenities at Auberge Residences & Spa Miami will include a 60th floor pool deck with food and beverage service, a world-class spa, full-service concierge, and more. Located at the corner of 14th Street and Biscayne Boulevard – directly across the street from the Adrienne Arscht Center for the Performing Arts – Auberge Residences Miami will be within walking distance to Museum Park and the upcoming Miami Worldcenter and within 15 minutes of Brickell, Wynwood, Downtown Miami, and Miami Beach.
Reservations are set to begin on February 10th. Units will be released in batches with the first batch averaging $575 per square foot. A 10% deposit will be required to reserve a residence and contracts are expected to go out in late-March, at which point an additional 10% deposit will be due.
Auberge Residences & Spa Miami is expected to be completed in early 2019.
