John Ruiz Plans to Build a University of Miami Stadium at Tropical Park in Miami-Dade
The University of Miami Hurricanes have been without a stadium since 2008 and have been traveling to the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens in Coral Gables for all of their home games. It’s been such a struggle for fans and students alike that a University of Miami alumni has taken it upon himself to remedy the situation.
John H. Ruiz, billionaire attorney and founder of MSP Recovery recently announced the plans to build a new stadium located at the Coral Gables High School. According to local officials, Ruiz did not consult with Miami-Dade County Public Schools or the City of Coral Gables on the plan.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools still owns the property where the proposed stadium would be built. Once his plans were denied, Ruiz then announced a new spot of the Miami Hurricane’s stadium, Tropical Park in Westchester. According to Ruiz, “It’s gonna be at 4 Tropical Park — there are about 270 acres there. The design is over the top, it’s gorgeous, I’ve seen it already a couple of times.”
The design for the stadium includes 65,000 seats with space for graduate-level classrooms and extreme water fixtures throughout the property. The architect behind the plans includes HKS Architects.
Tropical Park is publicly owned land by Miami-Dade County. Ruiz doesn’t appear concerned about speaking with Miami-Dade County, “We’re gonna present the plans to the county, but the county is less important in my opinion because it has to go out to a vote to the constituents as a referendum. Obviously, we’re going to talk to the commissioners and the mayor, but ultimately it goes out to a vote to the general public.”
This isn’t the first sports venture that Ruiz has been a part of. In 2011, he leased a 90-acre baseball development at the City of Homestead. The city later filed a lawsuit to evict him from the development 2 years later after he didn’t pay the utilities, insurance, and taxes on the property.
A private-sector attorney, Jose Sanchez-Gronlier stated that he didn’t want one of the last green areas in Miami-Dade County to be demolished for a stadium. It is unclear how residents and local representatives will respond to the new development. Ruiz will meet with the county to present the Tropical Park stadium idea to the county next week.
Miami Heat Player PJ Tucker Rents $22,000 Waterfront Home in Coral Gables
Anthony Leon “P. J.” Tucker Jr., NBA Star Forward for the Miami Heat recently rented a waterfront property located in Coral Gables.
The rental located at 25 Arvida Parkway, was last listed for $22,000 monthly. The waterfront home is located in the gated community of Gables Estates that sides to Biscayne Bay.
The property was built in 1968 and sits on 0.68 acres with 100 feet of Biscayne Bay water frontage. The open concept mid-century home features 7,343 square feet of living space with 5 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms. Marble floors span throughout opening to floor-to-ceiling windows.
What makes this home so spectacular is the 2 grand living rooms, a formal dining room, and the spacious chef’s kitchen. The home also features a 3 car garage, a deck, pool, dock with a boat lift. The seawall has also been recently replaced. According to the listing, there is an application fee of $35,000 as well as acceptance by the community club.
The estimated worth of the home is listed at $30 million.
Tucker began playing ball in college for the Texas Longhorns. Some major accomplishments include his 2008 Israeli Basketball Premier League MVP and his Israeli Super League. This year, Tucker also won an NBA Championship with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Other notables that reside in the community include rapper and songwriter, Pharrell, healthcare billionaire, Mike Fernandez, and another Miami Heat Player, Alonzo Mourning.
New 18-Story Residential Tower Proposed in Coral Gables
The brains behind the development, Armando Codina, said the concept behind this newly proposed tower came to him because he has been wanting to downsize while continuing to live in a high-end luxury apartment without a homeowner’s association.
Codina, Chairman for Codina Partners states that this new development will provide all of the comforts and high-end amenities as the big house he grew up in with his family.
He now seeks approval for this new development concept for the tower Regency Residences. Once complete, he plans on living in the penthouse.
The proposed site for Regency Residences is a 1.75-acre site located at 2601 Salzedo Street in Coral Gables. The property was involved in a land swap with an automotive dealership in April. According to the records, the property was acquired by an affiliate of Codina Partners in Coral Gables, C/LeJeune LLC.
The proposed tower is projected to rise 18 stories tall with 329,197 interior square feet. Included in the square feet is a 4,050 square foot restaurant, 389 parking spaces, and `176 residential units. According to Codina, the residential units may be more or less, depending on demand and floor plans. These units will be referred to as “sky homes.”
Codina originally planned for three condos on the four floors under his penthouse. His most recent statement included Codina possibly leasing each of the floors separately, which equates to 10,000 to 12,000 square feet.
Smaller units will feature 1,500 to 3,000 square feet with 2 to 4 bedroom options. Smaller apartments will be available for building staff.
According to Condina, there will be no short-term leases. Larger apartments will be leased annually or on a multi-annual basis. Long-term tenants who secure a unit early will have input in the design of the units.
Coral Gables Development Review Committee will meet on October 5th to review and consider plans for Regency Tower. Once approved, the start date for the project is expected to begin in early 2022.
President of a Wealth Management Firm Buys Waterfront Mansion in Coral Gables for $14.6 Million
Miguel Duenas, President and Chief Investment Officer for Dimension Capital Management (Coral Gables based wealth management firm), just purchased a waterfront mansion in the Old Cutler Bay community for $14.6 million.
Miguel and his wife purchased the home located at 9385 Balada Street, Coral Gables from Jose I. and Elizabeth J. Garcia. The Garcias originally purchased the estate in 2018 for $7 million.
The home was built in 2007, featuring 6 bedrooms, 7.5 bathrooms with 8,245 square feet of living space. The lovely estate sits on 0.7 acres with 364 feet of water frontage. The home is equipped with everything you could possibly need and want in a luxury home; full-gym, elevator, infinity pool and boat dock.
The gorgeous home is completely refined with custom cabinetry, granite countertops, and high-end stainless steel appliances. Multiple covered terraces grace the exterior overlooking the unobstructed bay. One of the best features of this property is that there are no bridges to hinder direct access to Biscayne Bay.
This subdivision located in Coral Gables is known for its privacy and architecturally designed waterfront estates. Upon entering the gated-community, you are greeting with gorgeous tree-lined streets leading to the immaculate and custom estates. You will truly have a neighborhood feel in the middle of a big city.
Neighborhood Amenities:
5+ miles of walking and biking trails
24 hour guard gate with security
24 hour roving patrol security
Direct access to the Atlantic Ocean
Wide canals for boating
Old Cutler Bay is located one block south of Kendal Drive and just a few minutes from Matheson Hammock Park & Marina and Fairchild Tropical Gardens. This neighborhood also places you 30 minutes away from Miami International Airport as well as downtown Miami.
Recent sales in Old Cutler Bay include the founder of TechCrunch, who purchased a waterfront mansion for $16 million in May.
Latin Singer and Songwriter-Marc Anthony Sells Coral Gables Mansion for $22.4 Million
Three-time Grammy Award Winner and Jennifer Lopez’s ex-husband, Marc Anthony has sold his Coral Gables, Florida mansion! The expansive 12 bedroom estate sold for $22.4 million on May 18, 2021. The ‘Barcadi-developed’ mansion is located at 300 Costanera Road in Cocoplum with 21,000 square feet of expansive living space.
The estate is set on a 1.3-acre corner parcel with 480 feet of water frontage. It was originally designed by Rafael Portuondo. The great, great grandaughter of Barcadi Founder, Hilda Maria Bacardi, sold the estate to Anthony in 2018. The original construction took eight years to complete and Bacardi oversaw the entire process.
The three-story mansion was originally listed in 2014 before construction was even completed. The original price was $18 million. The sellers increased the price to $27 million in 2016, which was the year the construction was completed.
The gorgeous estate features an expansive wine cellar, swimming pool, staff quarters, 3 kitchens, and direct access to Biscayne Bay. The new buyer has not yet been listed in the tax records.
Marc Anthony also referred to as Marco Antonio Muñiz, is a singer, songwriter, actor-producer, and philanthropist. He is also the top-selling salsa artist of all time and holds a Guinness World Record for best-selling tropical/salsa artist. He has also received 6 Latin Grammy Awards and is also the recipient of the 2009 Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Lifetime Achievement Award.
Did Derek Jeter Purchase a $16.6 Million Lot in Coral Gables?
Baseball Hall of Famer and Miami Marlins CEO, Derek Jeter may have purchased a waterfront lot in Coral Gables, Florida.
According to a recent article published by the Florida Business Journal, a Detroit P.O. Box that Jeter has used in the past, was listed on the deed that purchased a 1.91 acre vacant lot at 625 Leucadendra Drive for $16.6 million.
The lot features 325 feet of waterfront with a dock and was last purchased at $13.95 million. According to the MLS, the property has the ability to build a 20,000 square foot residential home.
The P.O. Box that was used in the purchase was the same as the one that was listed when Jeter sold his mansion in Tampa in 2020. Jeter sold the 1.2 acre property at 59 Bahama Circle for a cool $29 million; which featured 22,000 square feet of living space, 7 bedrooms, 16 bathrooms, 6 car garage, and pool with spa.
Jeter moved to South Florida after purchasing the Marlins in 2017 for $1.2 billion. Jeter currently resides at the Ritz Carlton Residences in Miami Beach.
Who Is Going To Buy Alan Potamkin’s Coral Gables Estate For $47.5 Million?
It’s the house that has everything for the person who has everything. Yes, Car King Alan Potamkin has relisted his sprawling Gables Estates waterfront mansion for a whopping $47.5 million.
Before you drop your jaw on the price tag, let it be known that this is actually a $20 million reduction from the $67 million they were seeking last year. After nobody raised their hand and said, “Me!” the price was slashed to $49 million for the house and half of the land.
The lot is actually two separate lots that are combined to make up a 3.6 acre estate with 937 feet of ocean frontage. Talk about a compound! They ended up at $39 million before regrouping and coming back to the market this week. Today’s asking price of $47.5 million includes the house and all of the land.
The house has over 20,000 square feet of interior living space with 9 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms and 5 powder rooms. There is also an 8 car garage, with enough driveway space for everyone except Gil Dezer. There are several kitchens as well, in case you want to switch things up from time to time. There’s enough space that you could essentially move your family to another area of the house and it would feel like an entirely new home, except you never left your house.
Some of the bells and whistles that come along with the estate are 2 built-in saltwater aquariums, an aviary, his and hers libraries, a billiard room, boxing room, gym, massage room, nanny’s quarters, nursery/play room, guest house and a property tax bill of almost $400,000.
Last year, Forbes made a slideshow of the estate’s pictures, seeming very impressed by the decorative ceilings. They forgot to mention the ceiling in the billiard room, which is hideous. A drop ceiling with florescent lighting has no place in a $47 million estate. Not even in the garage. Just, no. Take it down and make it stop. The drop ceiling looks like a suburban McMansion that is aspiring to be a notable piece of Miami real estate. In my opinion, the animal murals need to go too, but I guess we all have our own taste.
Outside, the lot has a resort-like feel with a pool and Jacuzzi overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, a private beach, fire pit, tennis court, a lagoon, and a boat dock. There are several patios and terraces on the house, perfect for luxurious soirees or a quiet evening with a candlelit dinner and a view.
I’m wondering who could be the next owner of the property. It is rumored that Lebron was considering it when he took his talents to South Beach, but he’s gone now. Wade is gone too and Bosh is hurt, so I doubt a Miami Heat player will step in. We already said that there’s not enough parking for Gil Dezer, so he’s out. It has been reported that Lil Wayne is looking to take his talents off of South Beach after being repeatedly swatted (when someone calls 911 on you and sends the entire police force to your house, only to find out you’re still in bed). Maybe a Miami season of the Bachelor? There are certainly enough bedrooms for the suitors & scene locations on the estate. Or maybe the person who invented The Bachelor. We’ll see. In the meantime, check out the pictures below.
So This is What a “Hamptons Inspired” Miami House Looks Like?
According to the broker’s remarks, this large family home at 4020 Kiaora Street in Coral Gables, is “Hamptons inspired.” The $10.9 million spread is mostly traditional, with white clapboard siding and vaulted, gabled ceilings, which are all nice and Hamptons-y. It mixes things up a bit with a few touches that are sort of modern or post-modern, or something, like a clerestory set of apertures (would ‘triangular archways’ be an oxymoron?) above the large back porch. Yet it does seem to work. All in all, not a bad package.
Excrutiatingly Adorable Little Coral Gables House Hits the Market for $675K
521 Aragon Avenue
This may be called the Miami Condo Blog, but when a house is cute, well, that house is cuuuute. Here’s an adorable little three bedroom, two bath, historic Mediterranean Revival number in Coral Gables that hit the market a total of eight days ago for $675,000. Built in 1926 and designed by architect Harold D. Steward, despite its modest 1,588 square foot size, the house has a certain stateliness to it, with a vaulted living room ceiling of ‘pecky cyprus’ beams, a fireplace, wooden floors, bright green cabinetry, and a front porch. The dining room/sun room has Portuguese tile floors, and out back the very lush backyard has a brick patio facing a pond and waterfall, with a little guest cottage beyond. At 521 Aragon Avenue, the house is in the oldest part of Coral Gables, two blocks away from Miracle Mile and literally basically around the corner from the childhood home of George Merrick, the Gables’ founder.
In Miami, houses are like land. In this town they’re not making many more of them. Condos are where the growth is, making up the vast majority of the residential real estate market, and houses in good neighborhoods are rarer and rarer.
