Groundbreaking Officially Scheduled for District 225
Developers for one of the newest pre-construction towers in downtown Miami, District 225, have officially scheduled the groundbreaking for the third quarter of this year.
The Related Group along with ROVR Development and BH Group have been working tirelessly on the sales ever since the launch of the tower in 2021. Since then the development has 100% sold out.
District 225 will rise 37 stories tall and be built without a parking garage and will also be one of the first tower with direct listings on Airbnb.
The buyers for the tower included domestic transplants, remote workers, and domestic transplants as well as 50% of the buyers coming from South America.
According to Jon Paul Pérez, President of Related, “We launched District 225 as an experiment of sorts. And while we knew this unique product would resonate with buyers, the demand has surpassed even our most optimistic projections. Related has long been at the forefront of trends, and we are proud to once again be at the cutting-edge of the market.”
What makes this project unique is its home-sharing capabilities as well as its resort-style amenities. Siegler Suarez Architects partnered with Meshberg Group will be responsible for the design.
District 225 will total 343 unit spanning over 288,400 square feet with studios to 2 bedroom floor plans. Studio pricing will begin around $350,000 up to $700,000 for the 2 bedroom floor-plans. There will also be 2,297 square feet of commercial space located on the main floor.
District 225 Amenities
Rooftop pool
Fitness center
Indoor/outdoor basketball court
Racquetball court
Rock-climbing wall
Yoga/spinning studio
Coworking spaces
Lounge with billiard tables
Summer kitchen
Residence Amenities
Views of Biscayne Bay and Miami skyline
Fully finished and furnished studios, one-, and two-bedroom residences
9.8-foot-high ceilings
Smart-home technology experience for seamless personalization with the touch of a button
Interiors designed by award-winning interior design firm Meshberg Design
Fully built-out closets in all residences curated by Meshberg Design
Includes integrated audio, video, window treatment, and lighting systems
Equipped with a contemporary lighting package, including recessed lighting, dimmers, and lighting control
Built-in, top-of-the-line washer and dryer
Flooring selections included with specifications recommended by Meshberg Design
Pre-wired for high-speed communications and data connection
Kitchens featuring custom Italian cabinetry curated by Meshberg Design
Smeg appliance package including an integrated, paneled microwave; dishwasher; built-in convection oven; and refrigerator/freezer
Master baths featuring rainfall showerhead and custom Italian vanities
Dornbracht and Duravit bathroom fixtures, features, and accessories
The building will be professionally managed by Atlantic & Pacific, which will have staff educated in all elements of Airbnb hosting, including listing, marketing, maintenance, and cleaning.
Aston Martin Residences Miami Exceeds 90% in Sales Breaking Records in January and February 2022
Developers for Aston Martin Residences Miami recently announced that sales continue to climb and there seems to be no stopping the upward direction of unit prices. Sales for this new tower have surpassed 90%, beating its own records for both January and February 2022.
According to Alejandro Aljanati, CMO of G&G Business Developments, the business behind the project in partnership with premium brand Aston Martin, January and February 2022 combined completed over $100 million in sales. There are more under contract leaving less than 40 units available for much anticipated luxury tower.
According to Aljanati with the tower 90% sold, “This is called scarcity and rarity. There’s no inventory. The whole building is increasing prices. So even if you bought an apartment six months ago, you will make a very good profit.”
The tower’s penthouse, which is the only triplex penthouse in an Aston Martin structure, has boosted its asking price from $50 million to $59 million as a result of the increasing demand. The purchase still includes the extremely rare Aston Martin Vulcan.
Units range from studio to 4 bedroom floor plans with square footage beginning at 698. River and Panoramic units start at $750,000 and rise to $8+ million depending on the floor plan and unit location. As for the Sky and Penthouse residences, units begin at $14 million reaching well over $50 million.
Development Information
Developer: G&G Business Developments
General Construction: Coastal Construction
Architect and Design Team: Luis Revuelta of Miami and Bodas-Miani-Anger of Argentina
Residence Features
Private service entrance at basement level for all move-ins and personnel
Bulthaup custom cabinetry in kitchens
White marble floors throughout the entire unit and porcelain in all balconies
Quartz countertops in the kitchen. Piatra Grey (Ceasarstone) or similar
Gagganeau appliances in all residences: (sizes depends on units)
Duravit wall-mounted toilets in all units throughout the building and bidets in select units
All bathrooms feature marble floorings and walls (Thassos or similar
Hansgrohe faucets in secondary bathrooms and exclusive Axor model in master and powder bathrooms
Italian Bertolotto doors with AGB hardware in all units
Wood-paneled front doors to residence with programmable smartphone technologies such as NFC and Bluetooth
Floor soundproofing system installed throughout all units including all bathrooms
Walls dividing units with corridors will be 10″ wide with layers of Quiet Rock improving soundproofing
German Schuco hardware on sliding glass doors
ThyssenKrupp “Destination Dispatch” elevator system from main lobbies getting passengers to their destination in the shortest travel time and enabling access only to their own floor for enhanced security
High-speed elevators going up to 1200 feet per minute
High-speed internet and Wi-Fi hotspots in all common areas
Cast iron pipes and risers avoiding Waterflow noises
Amenities
Full-service building with concierge and hospitality-inspired services
Super Yacht Marina facilities
“The Aston Martin Club” membership
Rooftop infinity pool located on 55th floor
Fitness Spa and Fitness Center with Meditation Room and Treatments Suites
Private Steam, Sauna, and Locker Facilities
Pet-friendly building
Building designed with a helipad on the rooftop
24-hour valet and covered garage self-parking
Valet charging stations for electric cars
Valet Butler
Additional bicycle and private storage spaces
10 destination controlled super hi-speed elevators and separate dedicated service elevators
Digital connection to concierge and all building amenities from every residence
State-of-the-art Business Center and Conference Rooms
Art Gallery and Art Lobby on 53rd floor
Private Residence Movie Theatre, Event Space, Kids Playroom, Teen Center, and Game Rooms
Virtual Golf
Beauty Salon with blow-dry station, pedicure chair, manicure table, and wash stations
Construction for Aston Martin Residences Miami is expected to be completed by the end of 2022. If you or someone you know have any interest in purchasing at Aston Martin Residences, please contact Lucas Lechuga via email at [email protected] or by phone at 786-247-6332.
Miami Real Estate Sales Soar for the 17th Consecutive Month
According to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), Miami-Dade County real estate achieved its best-ever February sales month as existing condo transactions climbed by double digits for the 17th consecutive month, following the historic January 2022 and 2021 year sales.
Total house sales in Miami-Dade County increased 13.2% in February 2022, from 2,485 to 2,814. Due to low availability, Miami single-family home transactions fell 7.9%, from 1,093 to 1,007 units. Existing condo sales surged jumping up 29.8%, from 1,392 to 1,807, marking the 17th consecutive month of double-digit year-over-year condo gains.
Home sales were much higher in February 2022 compared to February 2020 with total house sales up 51.1% compared to February 2020, from 1,862 to 2,814. Miami single-family house sales are up 13.9% while condo purchases are up 84.8% from January 2020.
Miami luxury condo sales are up 45.4%, with mid-market transactions ranging from $400,000 to $600,000 on the rise. In addition, Miami’s existing condo luxury ($1 million and more) sales increased 45.4% year on year to 237 deals.
Miami single-family houses valued between $400K and $600K climbed 24.7 percent year over year in February 2022, with 389 sales. Miami’s existing condo sales in the $400K-$600K price range surged 101.8 percent year over year to 345 deals in February 2022.
Single-family home inventory fell 29.3 percent year on year in February 2022, from 3,128 active listings the previous year to 2,212 this month. Condominium inventory fell 55.1 percent year on year to 5,272 from 11,735 during the same time in 2021.
Months’ supply of inventory for single-family homes has been decreasing since July 2019, suggesting high demand. Months of inventory for single-family homes fell 39.3 percent to 1.7 months, indicating a seller’s market. Existing condominium inventory fell 74.5 percent to 2.6 months, indicating a seller’s market. A balanced market between buyers and sellers provides six to nine months of supply.
The total number of active listings at the end of February 2022 fell 49.6 percent year on year, from 14,863 to 7,484.
In February 2022, Miami-Dade County single-family median prices grew 19.1 percent year over year, rising from $450,000 to $536,000. The median price of a single-family home in Miami has climbed for 123 straight months (10.25 years), the longest unbroken stretch on record.
Year over year, the median price of existing condos grew by 26.7 percent, from $300,000 to $380,000. The median price of a condo has risen in 125 of the previous 129 months.
Mortgage rates have typically been low, making house purchases more accessible. The average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage was 3.76 percent in February, up from 3.45 percent in January, according to Freddie Mac. The overall commitment rate for 2021 was 2.96 percent.
Miami real estate is attracting several bids, with buyers willing to pay above the asking price. In February 2022, the median percent of the initial list price obtained for single-family houses was 98.7 percent, up 1.5 percent from 97.2 percent the previous year. For existing condominiums, the median percent of the original list price obtained was 97.8 percent, up 3.7 percent from 94.3 percent last year.
Miami cash sales accounted for 75.6 percent of all sales in February 2022, which is much higher than the national average. In February 2022, cash transactions accounted for 43.9 percent of Miami closed sales, up from 35.8 percent in February 2021. According to the most recent NAR figures, cash accounts for around 25% of all house sales in the United States.
Cash sales made up 53% of all existing condo sales in Miami and 27.5 percent of single-family purchases.
Official Plans Submitted for Riverside Wharf
In December 2021, it was announced that a Miami Developer along with Driftwood Capital announced plans the rebuild The Wharf alongside the Miami River. Now, those plans have officially been submitted to Miami’s Urban Development Review Board.
The plans for this project include a hotel and an entertainment complex with retail, food, and beverage. The cost for the project is estimated at $185 million. The plans submitted include 174 hotel units operated by Dream Hotels and 91,733 square feet of commercial space.
A 16,000-square-foot restaurant, a 12,000-square-foot event hall, a 30,000-square-foot nightclub/rooftop day club, and 600 feet of river frontage are all planned for the 200,000-square-foot project. Garcia’s Fish Market may also set up shop on the property as a pop-up market. Its commercial fishing activity used to be located on the property.
The zoning requirements for this type of proposal would include 417 parking spaces but the developers are requesting a 50% reduction in parking by the entertainment and hotel spaces sharing parking. Once approved, the parking spaces will be offsite.
A part of the proposed development includes public used land, which will require a special election. That election is currently scheduled for August 23 and it will involve a potential lease of the public property to the developer.
The 1.5-acre Miami River property at 114 Southwest North River Drive will be developed by MV Real Estate Holdings and its partner, Coral Gables-based Driftwood Capital. Nitin Motwani, the managing partner of Merrimac Ventures and the developer of the Miami Worldcenter, is also a general partner in the project, according to Mantecon.
The Miami Urban Development Review Board is scheduled to review the development proposal on March 16, 2022.
MSC Cruises USA Breaks Ground on PortMiami Terminal
MSC Cruises USA has recently broken work on an extensive cruise terminal at PortMiami as it expands operations at the congested port. The cruise line is based in Switzerland but the US locations are currently in Orlando and Fort Lauderdale, and now Miami.
The terminal building itself rises 4 stories and will spread over 490,000 square feet. The building itself will cost $350 million. Once the project is complete in 2023, the capacity of the terminal can hold 36,000 passengers daily. The terminal can hold 3 cruise chips at once and it will include the MSC Seascape (a 2,270 cabin).
The project will also have a 2,400 space parking garage and lot. MSC Cruises utilizes LNG (liquified natural gas) powered ships. The ships can also connect to shore power while docking which creates a more fuel-efficient ship.
According to the President of MSC Cruises USA, Rubén Rodriguez, “Our new terminal at PortMiami represents MSC Cruises’ commitment to growing in North America and will help drive our expansion in South Florida and beyond.”
Arquitectonica is the designer of the building while Italy-based Fincantieri Infrastructure is listed as the developer for the project. The old renderings for the terminal included a separate building for the USA headquarters for the cruise line but the plans transitioned into more space for customers. There are talks of leasing office space in other areas of Miami.
PortMiami has seen a lot of construction over the past year. Larger cruise lines are expanding their fleets like Royal Caribbean Group, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd, and Virgin Voyages.
ROVR Development and Related Plan to Build 48 Story Tower in Downtown Miami- College Station
The Related Group is at it again with another tower proposed in downtown Miami. Along with the Miami Parking Authority, The Related Group, and ROVR Development are proposing to replace a downtown Miami parking garage with a 48-story development.
On Feb. 2, the Miami Off-Street Parking Board, or MPA, will vote on a 99-year lease and development agreement for the College Station Garage at 190 N.E. Third Street which is very close to Miami Dade College.
When the MPA received an unsolicited proposal for the property in July 2021, the process began. It solicited public bids for the property and received bids from College Station Partners LLC, a joint venture with The Related Group and ROVR Development, as well as Terra of Miami. On January 19, an MPA review committee gave College Station Partners’ bid a higher grade for the development.
The College Station project would include 1.88 million square feet of space and include 1,200 residences, 8,214 square feet of retail space, 33,865 square feet of public service space, 30,000 square feet of amenities, and 1,357 parking spots.
The completed facility would contain the same number of public parking spots as the present garage, which will be demolished. The MPA would own these spaces.
The developer stated that 20% of the units would be affordable housing for seniors earning up to 50% of the local median income, while the other 15% would be worker housing for those earning up to 140% of the area median income. Miami’s current median family income is $39,000.
According to the proposal, the public service space might be used for a fire station or an urgent care clinic to support the downtown’s fast-rising population, including a not-for-profit art’s center.
The units would range from 360 to 1,310 square feet in size. There would be 138 studio apartments, 636 one-bedroom apartments, 354 two-bedroom apartments, and 72 three-bedroom apartments.
The lease is expected to be signed in the first quarter of 2023, taking up to 60 months to construct. The application said that the developers would have to establish alternate parking arrangements for tenants of the adjoining Downtown Lofts I and II condos, which would use this garage for parking, during the construction time.
According to the lease’s proposed financial terms, College Station Partners would pay the MPA $500,000 upfront, about $2 million per year during construction to compensate for missed parking revenue and 10% of the project’s net cash flows for rent following completion. According to the developers, this would equate to a $1.27 billion economic gain to the MPA over the life of the 99-year lease, not including the value of the new public parking garage.
Moishe Mana Expands Portfolio to 3 Buildings for $25.4 Million in Miami
Miami’s biggest landlord, Moishe Mana, has bought three additional buildings to add to his forever expanding portfolio. As part of his aim to convert the Downtown Miami into an innovation and cultural centre, he plans to create, Mana Common. Moishe Mana has spent much of this year investing in commercial properties as well as residential properties in Miami that he has been making a big time profit on!
Mana paid a total of $25.4 million for the three properties at 100 North Miami Avenue, 173 Northeast First Street, and 124 Northeast Second Avenue. The buildings total 50,197 square feet, and are part of Mana’s portfolio of more than 60 properties in and surrounding Downtown Miami.
According to property records, the two-story, 18,535-square-foot structure at 100 North Miami Avenue was built on 0.2 acres in 1941. According to state corporate filings, the seller Flexini Investments is led by Mario Sapoznik. The two-story, 7,200-square-foot building at 124 Northeast Second Avenue, erected in 1922 on less than 0.1 acre, is two blocks west, according to property records. On 0.3 acres, it lies next to the two-story, 24,462-square-foot structure at 173 Northeast First Street. The two buildings were sold by SG & S, which was led by Ana White.
The majority of his properties are older low- to mid-rise buildings with small businesses including clothes boutiques, pawn shops, and cafes.
Mana intends to repair or redevelop his properties to establish Mana Common, a campus-like space aimed at integrating Latin American and American digital companies. Despite the fact that Mana has started work on several of his properties after years of land acquisition, he has run across some roadblocks recently.
Mana had commissioned engineering inspections prior to beginning repairs, which revealed the buildings had “significant structural issues.” Mana Common’s representative declined to provide an update on the buildings. Some of the buildings that he has started repairs include the Nikola Tesla Innovation Hub, a fashion mall, the Flagler Studios, and another building on East Flagler Street.
Developers for Legacy Hotel & Residences Receives Third Largest Construction Loan Ever in Florida
Developer Dan Kodsi’s Royal Palm Companies recently received a $340 million construction loan for Legacy Hotel & Residences. New York-based real estate lending joint venture Silverstein Capital Partners, provided the loan for a condo-hotel construction tower that will be located in Downtown Miami at Miami Worldcenter.
According to a press release, the financing is the third-largest construction loan ever made in Florida, behind two others for projects in Miami-Dade. The other two loans were for the building of The Estates at Acqualina in Sunny Isles Beach ($558 million) and Five Park in Miami Beach ($345 million).
Legacy Hotel & Residences began selling in late 2019 and despite the pandemic, it is already entirely pre-sold, with $160 million in sales.
The luxury tower located at 942 Northeast First Avenue, will rise 50 stories at 668 feet tall making it the second tallest tower at Miami Worldcener. This mixed-use development will feature 312 residential units, 262 luxury hotel rooms, a business center, medical office, retail space, and rooftop atrium.
The residences will include studio to 2 bedroom floor plans with 368 to 964 square feet options. The units will be fully finished and furnished. One of the unique things about Legacy is that residents will be able to rent their units without any restrictions. This includes utilizing a short-term rental company, whether its the Legacy’s rental program, Airbnb, or VRBO.
Not only is this loan one of the largest construction loans in Florida but this is also Silverstein Capital Partner’s first South Florida loan. Larry Silverstein of Silverstein Properties is an affiliate of the financial group and also led the development of the World Trade Center after 9/11.
Kobi Karp Architects, Design Agency, and ID & Design International designed the structure.
The ground-breaking for Legacy Hotel & Residences occurred in August 2021 and is expected to reach top-off in 2024.
Smart Brickell Tower 3 Coming Soon
Smart Brickell is one of the newest condo-hotel projects located in the heart of West Brickell. This mixed-use development will comprise three towers total that features 170 condos and 150 hotel rooms spanning over the three towers.
The most unique thing about the Smart Brickell Tower, besides its futuristic design, the smart technology is so advanced that it will set the stage for all pre-construction towers going forward. Some of the smart features include Lifx Wi-Fi enabled LED smart bulbs, Samsung’s digital home appliances, concierge app, and Nest thermostats.
Tower 1 rises 26 stories featuring 50 condos with 1 to 2 bedroom floor plan options. Floor plans will range from 558 to 1117 square feet starting at $318,000. The first 7 floors will feature a boutique-style hotel managed by Habitat Hotels with floors 11-23 will be condos.
Units will be fully furnished and finished. Top-off was completed in May 2021. The exterior is still will be completed with stucco and prime paint has started on the south facade. Interior drywall and framing is 90% complete.
Tower 2 will feature 50 condos as well as 50 hotel rooms with one to two-bedroom floor plans. Units will also be fully furnished and finished and can be rented up to 50 times a year on a short-term basis like Airbnb. Completion for tower 2 is anticipated for 2022.
Construction on Tower 3 will begin soon and will feature 20 condos and 100+ hotel rooms. These units will also be fully finished and furnished.
On the ground level, the development will feature 12,000 square feet of commercial space with retail, a cafe, and a restaurant.
Building Features
25 Story tower designed by the well-known architect, Hernando Carrillo
The building is Leed certified
One assigned parking space per unit in secured parking garage plus valet parking services
Electric car charging stations
24 Hour concierge and security services
The café is on the ground level
Stunning amenity deck located on the 8th floor with landscaped recreational area and expansive terrace
Resort-style pools with lap area and sun deck
In-water lounge chairs near a waterfall
Spa and wellness center
Fully-equipped business center on the 9th floor
Chic and spacious event room on the 10th floor
Sky fitness center located on the 24th floor
Lounge bar located on the 25th floor
Wi-Fi throughout the lobby and amenity deck
Residence Features
Renowned design firm, Arquitectonica Interiors, designed the units that take full advantage of every square foot
Each unit is equipped with smart, Wi-Fi enabled features to compliment the look and feel of the future of living including Nest thermostat, Lifx Wi-Fi enabled LED smart bulbs and Amazon echo/Alexa home and personal assistant
City-view terraces with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors
Every residence has the ease to always be in control from the comfort of their smartphone with the Concierge App
The kitchen will be fully equipped with Bosch and Samsung appliances and contemporary cabinetry
The penthouse is located on the 23rd floor and has 12-foot ceilings
Developer Sells Palm Island Mansion for $17 Million
Miami-based developer Pedro Adrian of Adrian Homes has recently sold his Palm Island waterfront mansion for a cool $17 Million. The buyer, listed under a LLC by the name of JLG Family Holdings LLC, purchased the property at $1,459 per square foot. The LLC is managed by Jorge and Aida Garcia of Miami Beach.
Located at 198 Palm Avenue, Miami Beach, this gorgeous estate was originally built in 2016 by Adrian and his wife Adria. Featuring 30,000 square feet of property and 100 feet of water frontage, this land is the perfect backdrop for the modern Mediterranean home.
The lot itself is considered one of the largest lots on Palm Island with one of the best views overlooking the downtown Miami Skyline.
The property features 14,000 square feet of unrivaled living space. A total of 6 bedrooms, 8.5 bathrooms, and a 4 car garage make this home truly spectacular. This mansion is not limited in amenities and the lucky buyers will enjoy a sauna, fitness room, and a temperature-controlled wine cellar.
This estate boasts top-of-the-line appliances and mechanicals. The backyard is complete with a 20×40 heated pool, expansive terrace with a summer kitchen and BBQ installation. The 2 large gazebos overlook the ocean and the spacious dock.
The Adrians own a primary home located at 145 Palm Avenue as well as an adjacent lot that features a tennis court.
Adrian Homes is a residential development company based in Miami. They have a long history with Miami and have been established in the area for the past 42 years. Adrian’s has built over 5,000 single-family homes as well as many retail and commercial centers in the Miami Area.
