The lease between the City and the joint venture led by Hyatt and Gencom was unanimously authorized by the Miami City Commission with a vote of 5-0. This choice represents an important step forward for the ambitious Miami Riverbridge project at 400 Southeast 2nd Street, paving the way for the revitalization of Downtown Miami’s riverside area.
The agreed lease deal opens the door for joint initiatives between Hyatt and Gencom to improve accessibility, encourage walkability, and bring a variety of offerings to the bustling city. The joint venture may now go forward with finalizing the construction plans in close collaboration with the City thanks to this significant endorsement.
The Miami Riverbridge project has already had resounding public support, garnering an amazing 64% of voters’ approval in the November election. This broad acknowledgment of the project’s transformative potential emphasizes its significance to the local community and visitors alike, sparking excitement for Downtown Miami’s future.Riverbridge in Miami. Credit: Gencom and Hyatt.
Both Phil Keb and James Francque, speaking on behalf of Gencom and Hyatt respectively, acknowledged how grateful they were that the City Commission had approved the lease. They reaffirmed their steadfast dedication to bringing about a great development that satisfies the community’s ambitions while also making a major contribution to Miami’s economic development.
Now that the leasing arrangement is finalized, the Miami Riverbridge project can move forward, realizing the riverfront’s full potential and creating a vibrant urban environment. The joint venture’s goal is to accommodate the rising demand for homes, hotel rooms, and event venues while also bringing in a sizable sum of money for the City in the form of taxes, fees, and ground rent.
Three towers affording residents and hotel visitors sweeping views of Downtown Miami and Biscayne Bay are part of the site’s plans, which were created by Miami-based Arquitectonica. 682 multifamily apartments, a 615-room Hyatt Regency with more than 100,000 square feet of conference space, and 264 serviced apartments will be housed in Towers One and Two, which will rise 61 stories. A Skybridge with an upscale destination restaurant and lounge positioned 700 feet above the city will connect the towers at their highest point. Tower three will rise 1,049 feet in the air and contain 860 residential apartments, making it one of the tallest structures in South Florida.
David Martin of Terra Group Acquires Prime 15.5 Acre Previous Miami Herald Site in Downtown Miami for $1.225 Billion from the Genting Group
Terms have been agreed upon for the purchase of a 15.5-acre development property on Biscayne Bay in Downtown Miami by SmartCity Miami LLC, an investment company led by Miami-based Terra and its CEO, David Martin. Genting Group will sell the property to the organization for $1.225 billion (USD). The closing is scheduled for later this year.
The property, which is located at 1431 N Bayshore Drive in Miami, has 800 linear feet of direct Biscayne Bay frontage and highly aggressive zoning in one of the city’s most vibrant and connected neighborhoods. A notable mixed-use commercial, retail, residential, hospitality, and entertainment destination could be developed on the location.
The buyer of the property is a longtime Miami resident, Miamian David Martin, CEO of a Miami-based development firm, Terra Group.
According to Martin, “This is a prized piece of real estate in the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic and fastest-growing cities, and we are honored to have been selected as the property’s next owner. At Terra, we have a long history of enhancing communities and transforming neighborhoods through careful planning, beautiful design, and a focus on connectivity and resiliency. Our development on Biscayne Bay will continue this tradition. “
Martin continues, “The scale and location of this site offers the opportunity to do something spectacular, something that all Miamians can take pride in, and we will deliver nothing short of that. For now, our team is focused on understanding the full potential of the property and the surrounding area. Our vision will evolve as we learn more. Over time, we will arrive at a plan that elevates Downtown Miami, improves access to the waterfront, and is welcomed by our community.”
The rare riverfront location in the Omni District was valued at just about $1.5 billion. The 15.5-acre development site, known as BayCity Miami, now hosts ArtMiami’s Art Wynwood show in February as well as CONTEXT Art Miami every year during Miami Art Week. The Miami Herald’s main office had stood on the land and was destroyed in 2014.
The Resorts World operator Genting Group, which owns 10 acres of land west of Biscayne Boulevard, will continue to be involved in the Omni neighborhood. Genting Group is one of the biggest resort, entertainment, and gambling organizations in the world.
The property, which spans many lots and once housed the Miami Herald’s headquarters, is zoned RTZ for mixed-use in Miami-Dade and is in the Metromover subzone (Rapid Transit Zone). The land has limitless buildable square footage, no setbacks, a height limited only by the FAA standards (649 feet), and a potential density of more than 8,000 units according to South Florida’s most benevolent zoning designation. The RTZ zoning offers builders a sizable, incredibly flexible building envelope as well as the chance to create a unique waterfront development on the site.
By comparison, Miami Worldcenter is 27 acres.
13th Floor Investments and Key International Reach an Agreement with Presbyterian Church Site to Move Forward with Construction
At 609 Brickell Avenue in Miami, a new 80-story project, created by Sieger Suarez Architects, and developers 13th Floor Investments and Key International is moving forward.
The congregation and the Miami-based developers have a “transaction and development agreement,” according to a memo filed with the Miami-Dade Clerk of Court on March 2nd. The developer’s right to purchase the property, their duty to build the project there in accordance with the agreement, and their duty to transfer ownership of the new church improvements to the church after substantial completion are all included in the terms of the agreement. Only a memo verifying the existence of the arrangement was recorded. Other details of the agreement have not been released.
13K-BP Brickell Owner LLC is identified as the developing firm, while Arnaud Karsenti is mentioned as the developer’s authorized signatory on the letter. The project’s goal is to utilize the land that is currently used for parking and a religious school building at the back of the property while maintaining the main church structure.
The agreement provides a number of advantages for the congregation and might be worth $240 million to the church. As part of the arrangement, the church will be granted access to 148 parking spaces, 90,000 square feet of space in the new structure, and a small park. In exchange, the church will receive $48 million in cash, 15% of condo sales estimated to be $125 million, and a portion of revenue from the restaurant on the ground level.
The iconic 1949-built First Miami Presbyterian Church, was named a historical landmark in 2003, will continue to stand. The church had previously struggled with money, including a $7 million tax obligation in 2018 as a result of selling part of its lands.
The document submitted to Miami-Dade County does not specify the specific terms and conditions of the sale. It does, however, confirm “the Developer’s Obligation to Construct the Project on the Property in Compliance with the Agreement.”
Miami’s Review Board Approves New Construction Development in Overtown- Block 19
Miami’s Urban Development Review Board has given the green light to Overtown Block 19, a 25-story mixed-use development slated at 1159 Northwest 1st Court in Overtown.
The approximately 275-foot-tall building, which was designed by Nichols Architects with Witkin Hults + Partners serving as the landscape architect, is being developed by RNG Overtown LLC in Morganville, New Jersey. It will have 606,942 square feet of space divided between two towers connected by a podium, including 413 multifamily units, about 20,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, and 505 parking spaces.
The property is surrounded by Northwest 11th Terrace, Northwest 1st Court, NW 12th Street, and NW 1st Avenue and is part of Block 19 of the Alice Baldwin Subdivision. Within the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency (SEOPW CRA) section of the city, the site consists of unimproved land.
The land is a part of a 1.16-acre Transit Oriented Development District (TOD) that spans from 1129 to 1159 Northwest 1st Court and 105 to 113 Northwest 11th Terrace. It is located four blocks north of the Overtown/Lyric Theatre Metrorail Station and south of Interstate 395.
Aluminum and clear glass window walls, smooth off-white, green, and light blue painted stucco reinforced masonry walls, and cast-in-place concrete wall projections make up the outside facade of the structure. The building’s pedestal will have panels with wood patterns, aluminum and glass storefront systems, art murals, and horizontal aluminum louvers. The balcony slabs will have dark metal railing systems.
As it combines cultural arts, produces sustainable jobs, promotes the neighborhood as a destination for culture and entertainment, and enhances the quality of life for Overtown inhabitants, Overtown Block 19 complies with the Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Redevelopment Plan.
Construction jobs, long-term jobs for on-site facility maintenance, and commercial use will all be created by the project, which also includes artwork by a local artist to activate the facade and raise cultural awareness in the neighborhood.
Award-Winning Chef Tom Aviv Opens First United States Restaurant in Miami-Branja
Branja, the first restaurant opened by award-winning chef and restaurateur Tom Aviv in the United States, has officially opened its doors. Located in Miami’s Upper Buena Vista and Banja serves food inspired by Aviv’s Israeli heritage in a retro, industrial environment.
Branja is a classic restaurant with 3,000 square feet of area that is divided between a sizable outside terrace and a cozy interior. Each night, the 12-seat Chef’s Table serves two omakase-style seatings for guests with a side of retro Miami. The Chef’s Table is housed in the famous bar from the Lenny Kravitz-designed Florida Room of the Delano Hotel.
The covered outdoor terrace features a bright stained-glass ceiling, terrazzo-topped tables, repurposed synagogue benches, a sizable artwork by Tel Aviv-based artist Paul Curran, while diners use silverware and pastel porcelain plates from the 1970’s.
With a strong focus on Israeli food and recipes, Branja’s menu draws inspiration from all over the world. Customers will find inventive interpretations on traditional dishes like the Falafish, a blend of juice fish and falafel, and Fishwarma, which is cooked with a spiced fish mixture that resembles traditional shawarma.
Other meals include the Tuktuk Kebab, made with Thai ingredients like tamarind glaze, and Krouv. On the sweeter side of the menu, Branja serves Halva Crack Pie made with tahini and Layali Beirout, a contemporary version of a Lebanese classic. Drinks like the vibrant Purple Rain, an allusion to the traditional Margarita created with tequila infused with za’atar and butterfly pea and garnished with salt and dry za’atar, complete the meal.
Despite having no official culinary training, Aviv, who was born and raised in Tel Aviv, won MasterChef Israel in 2016 and quickly rose to fame. He has opened a number of eateries in Israel and Morocco since winning.
Located at 5010 NE 2nd Avenue in Miami, Branja is open for dinner Tuesday – Saturday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
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’ wascreated 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.
Fort Partners Purchase Land in Surfside to Build 14-Story Condo
A subsidiary of Fort Partners, which constructed the opulent Four Seasons Residences at the Surf Club in Surfside, spent $41.5 million for an oceanfront plot of land in the community where a new condominium will be constructed.
9165 Surfside LLC, acting on behalf of Wexford Real Estate Investors of West Palm Beach, sold the 0.54-acre site at 9163 to 9165 Collins Ave. to Hillcrest Land LLC, acting on behalf of Fort Lauderdale of Fort Lauderdale. 9165 Collins Ave Lender 1 LLC provided the buyer with a $50 million mortgage.
The Hillcrest by the Sea co-op building, which was constructed in 1949, is still located on the land, which is close to the north of the Surf Club. A premium apartment will be built in the place of that 24-unit structure.
The land will be redeveloped with a 14-story condo in 10 levels and 32 spaces in an underground parking garage, according to plans approved by town officials in 2022. Condos would be very big, with 10,000 to 12,500 square feet of space.
The proposal was created by Hollywood firm ODP Architecture.
This continues the pattern of older co-op and condo buildings along South Florida’s coast being purchased and renovated into luxury condos to accommodate the inflow of affluent out-of-state residents.
Just south of Collins Avenue, Fort Partners plans to build another condominium.
One River Point Receives FAA Height Approval
The Federal Aviation Administration has given its certification for the One River Point towers in downtown Miami. The FAA allowed the towers to rise to a height of 788 feet above ground, or 797 feet above sea level, in a letter that was sent out on January 16.
The same property received FAA approval in 2014 for a construction height of 928 feet above ground (that approval expired in September 2018). The FAA then gave the towers additional certification in 2019.
Developers Edgardo Defortuna of Fortune International Group and Shahab Karmely of KAR Properties announced their collaboration to construct the buildings in November 2022.
The original developing company sold the property to the new partnership for $58.85 million.
According to records, Bank OZK gave the developers a $38 million loan for the 1.8-acre site at 24 Southwest Fourth Street in Miami. According to Defortuna, the loan is a line of credit to be utilized for the 386-unit luxury condominium’s development, sales, and marketing. After the unit plans are completed, sales should begin this year.
The developers will make a few changes while maintaining Rafael Violy’s original concept. An 85-foot waterfall, a three-story glass skybridge that floats in midair, and an exclusive members-only Adrian Zecha “Sky Club” on the 55th level with two restaurants, a cigar lounge, a wine cellar, and a screening room were all originally planned.
If you or someone you know have an interest in purchasing at One River Point, please contact Lucas Lechuga via email at [email protected] or by phone at (786)247-6332.
Why Choose Miami for Your Next Real Estate Venture?
The Miami real estate market is one of the most vibrant and dynamic in the country, with a wide range of properties available for buyers, sellers, and investors. Whether you’re looking for a luxurious waterfront mansion, a sleek and modern high-rise condominium, or a cozy single-family home, you’re sure to find something that fits your needs and budget in Miami.
One of the key factors driving the Miami real estate market is its location. The city is situated on the Atlantic coast of Florida, with easy access to beautiful beaches, world-class shopping and dining, and a wide range of recreational and cultural activities. This makes it a popular destination for both residents and visitors, which in turn helps to support a strong and stable real estate market.
Another important factor that contributes to the strength of the Miami real estate market is the city’s diverse and growing population. Miami is home to a large and diverse community of residents from all over the world, which helps to create a unique cultural scene. This diversity also makes Miami a popular destination for international buyers and investors, who are drawn to the city’s unique blend of cultures and styles.
Despite the ongoing global pandemic, the Miami real estate market has remained resilient and continues to thrive. In 2020, the prices for luxury real estate in Miami increased by around 20%, despite the economic downturn caused by the pandemic.
Miami is a fantastic place to buy, sell, or invest in real estate. With its location, growing population, and diverse range of properties, Miami offers something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a primary residence, a vacation home, or a rental property, Miami is a great place to invest your money in real estate.
