Top 5 Spots to Celebrate Cinco De May in Miami 2021

Miami Cinco de Mayo Celebrations
Cinco De Mayo Miami 2021

Cinco De Mayo is finally here and we have found the best spots in Miami to celebrate! So bring your friends and/or family and lets try them all!

La Tiendita Taqueria

La Tiendita of Wynwood features authentic Mexican foods inspired by recipes passed down from the La Tiendita ancestors. For Cinco De Mayo, they will have beer specials, margaritas specials, food specials, as well as a live DJ from 12pm-3am. Click here for their full menu.

  • $5 Monopolio Clara
  • $30 Bottle Margaritas with Don Julio
  • $10 Pierde Almas Mezcal Gin
  • $199 Bottle of Don Julio Blanco

Toro Toro

Toro Toro is one of Chef Richard Sandoval’s ‘Pan-Latin’ steakhouses. This Cinco De Mayo, get ready for a tequila tasting with Casamigos hosted food parings. The fun starts at 5pm with a four-course tasting! Click here for more information.

Four-Course Meal Features

  • Pan-Latin inspired Cocktail
  • Casamigos mezcal served with fundido de queso a la tequila and Casamigos blanco paired with cobia tiradito
  • Casamigos reposado paired with smoked al pastor ribs with pineapple and chayote salsa
  • Coffee-rubbed lamb barbacoa, patacones and avocado crema paired with Casamigos anejo
  • Chocolate petits fours

Pisco Y Nazca

Pisco Y Nazca is celebrating this year’s Cinco de mayo with $7 margarita specials all day long paired with their classic menu! Click here for the full menu and Cinco De Mayo celebrations!

Chica

Chica is Miami will feature a live DJ starting and 5 p.m. going until midnight. Specialty cocktails and classic food menus will make Chica a one stop for all of your Cinco De Mayo needs. Click here for the full menu.

  • Feature Cocktail “Tomas Estes” made with reposado tequila, rasberry liqueur, cranberry juice, agave syrup, and lime $16
  • Baha fish dinner special for two
  • Whole duck carnitas special
  • Tres Leches $15

Boia De & Jaguar Sun

This exclusive collaboration are teaming up for Cinco de Mayo and serving you specialty foods, drinks, and an awesome DJ. This even will take place at 7357 NW Miami Court (Lot 6) and reservations are needed. Click here for more information.

  • Cocktails by Jaguar Sun
  • Food by La Pollita By Boia De
  • Choco Tacos by Frice Cream

Melo Group Proposes Two-Story Tower in Wynwood Named Urban22

Rendering for Urban22
Rendering of the Urban22 Tower

The Melo Group is a well-known development group in the Miami area. After completing 6,000+ residential units in Miami over the years, they currently have 2,000 units under construction.

According to The Real Deal, the group met with Miami’s Urban Development Review Board on April 21st to propose a two-tower multi-use project called Urban22 in the Wynwood neighborhood.

Multiple parcels making up the 1.94 acre site stretch’s from Second Avenue, 22nd Street, to 23rd street. The Melo Group started purchasing these sites in 2011.

Each 15-story tower would total 708,119 square feet with an 8-story podium connecting between the two. The towers will feature a proposed 441 apartments, 7,168 sq. ft. of retail, 5,692 sq. ft. of office space, and 529 parking spaces. The garage will feature a pool deck on top

The apartments would range from 725 to 1,200 sq. ft. with studio to three bedroom options.

  • 4 studios
  • 243, one bedroom
  • 152, two bedrooms
  • 42, three bedrooms

There has been no update on what the Urban Development Review Board has concluded but we will continue to monitor this proposed project.

City of Miami Approves New 37-Story Tower Called The District

The District in downtown Miami
Rendering for the new 37-tower called The District.

The City of Miami has recently approved The Related Group and Parcel C LLC’s proposal for a 37-story residential tower in downtown Miami, named ‘The District.’ This project will include 343 residential condos, 2,297 square feet of retail space, and will have no parking (the developer is requesting a waiver to allow off-site parking). Siegar Suarez Architects prepared the design and plans.

The District is proposed to be 393 plus feet tall and will be located at 225 and 223 N. Miami Avenue. According to Miami Today, The District will have retail on the ground floor, and the apartments will be located above the retail space. The paperwork that was filed also includes the fact that some units may be transitioned into hotel rooms as well.

Amenities for The District include a gym, racquetball, basketball, lounges, pool deck, rooftop spa, and barbeque area.

Several waivers have been requested and approved for the Miami 21 zoning code:

  • Primary and secondary setbacks
  • Side and rear setbacks above the eighth story
  • Permit off-site parking within 1,000 feet
  • 10% increase in the maximum lot coverage
  • Two residential loading berths substituted for one commercial loading berth
  • Reduction of the required ground-level setback on the property’s frontage

According to the Board member Robert Behar, who shared concerns about pedestrian safety with the limited amount of parking available.

According to The Related Group’s Attorney, Ms. Escarra, has stated, “The Project limits the interaction between vehicles and pedestrians by removing vehicular access to the Property. This will allow pedestrians to enter the Project with no vehicular conflict, as parking will be provided offsite, per the requested Waiver.”

The city’s Urban Development Review Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of the project on April 9, 2021. The construction permit has not been filed yet, and the groundbreaking is set to begin sometime this year.

The Future is Here – Miami Sees Its First Delivery Robots

Miami's First Food Delivery Service is Here

Cartken, a robotics startup, has recently partnered with REEF Technology to introduce self-driving delivery robots to Downtown Miami. REEF Technology currently offers fulfillment solutions, neighborhood kitchen deliveries, and parking solutions.

Founders of Cartken include ex-Google engineers, and have been developing this type of delivery service since 2019. This will be Carken’s first major introduction of self-driving robots in Miami.

While only operating within a 3/4 mile radius of downtown Miami, Cartken has been testing their electric-powered robots fulfilling orders from delivery-only kitchens. These robots are operating on the REEF’s network, are insulated, and can maintain heat for hot meals. Cartken already has designated logistics hubs and can be dispatched to restaurants while the food is being prepared.

Food Delivery Robots Come to Miami

Matt Lindenberger, REEF’s Chief Technology Officer stated, “We want to show how future-forward Miami can be. This is a great chance to show off the capabilities of the tech.”

There are currently only two restaurants utilizing Cartken in Miami with a large potential for expansion in other neighborhoods.

The robots are powered by rules-based programming and can actually stop and ask for help if necessary. Lindenberger stated, “The robot is seeing the environment, planning around obstacles like pedestrians or lampposts. If there’s an unknown situation, someone can help the robot out safely because it can stop on a dime.”

According to TechCrunch, the robots can only make it to street-level, where the customer has to come outside to pick up their food. Apartment complexes and units would be more difficult for the robot to navigate.

We will be following this story closely and will update as we learn more and as more restaurants begin using Cartken!

One Thousand Museum Secures Loan 3 Weeks after Foreclosure Announcement

One Thousand Museum
One-Thousand Museum Exterior Drone

The future is looking bright for the developers of One Thousand Museum Residences. Just three weeks ago, the Reuban Brothers filed a foreclosure lawsuit against the developers for $82.7 million with interest. As of March 3, 2021, which is the date of the filing, 15 developer units were still available in the tower.

Within three weeks of the foreclosure announcement; Louis Birdman, Gilberto Bomeny, Kevin Venger and partners Gregg Covin and Todd Glaser, have secured and closed on a $90 million condo inventory loan from Cirrus Real Estate Partners. This new loan closed on Monday and will pay off the loan balance that was originally provided by Fortress Investment Group in 2016. It will also give the developers time to sell the additional units.

The mortgage broker for this transaction was Jim Fried, President of Sandstone Realty Advisers. A former Fortress executive, who is now the Managing partner at Cirrus Real Estate Partners, Tony Tufariello, expects the developers to sell the units with the next couple of years. Tufariello stated that they were “attracted to the buildings larger floor plans and amenities, and encouraged by the recent uptick in sales.”

The developers stated that they were planning to pay off the original construction loan but it was “pushed due to travel restrictions that hindered lenders from walking the final project.”

One Thousand Museum Exterior Entrance

This luxury tower features a private rooftop helipad, valet services, and well spa. One-Thousand Museum is also home to David and Victoria Beckham.

Building Amenities:

  • Double height aquatic center with indoor pool
  • The Sky Lounge provides a dramatic venue for private events for residents
  • Private rooftop helipad. The helipad will make nearby islands, private and commercial airports, and private yachts easily accessible
  • Multiple recreation areas for swimming, sunning, socializing, and fitness
  • 24/7 specialized security and valet personnel, other on-site staff including concierge, professional management, and other specialized personnel
  • Custom scenting by 12.29 in all interior amenity spaces including the lobby, wellness & spa level, aquatic center, and sky lounge (can be available in residences upon request)
  • Bank-quality vault with individual safe deposit box for every residence, offering residents the convenience and security of storing their valuables onsite

Residence Features:

  • Private residences are accessed from the lobby via secure, high-speed elevators that feature destination-entry smart technology
  • East-to-west flow-through floor plans that capture the mesmerizing panorama of Biscayne Bay and Atlantic Ocean views as well as the Miami skyline
  • Oversized terraces
  • Custom Italian kitchens with quartz countertops
  • Induction cook tops, in wall ovens, steam ovens, microwaves, dishwashers and integrated coffee makers by Gaggenau
  • Refrigerators by Sub-Zero
  • Faucets by Dornbracht and other quality manufactures
  • Custom-designed Italian made walk-in closets
  • Interior doors throughout the residences are by Lualdi Porte. All doors have been customized with Valli & Valli’s Duemila Cinque series handles designed by Zaha Hadid
  • European Interior Illumination products by Apure Architectural Lighting and other premium manufacturers customized by German designer, Uli Petzold.
  • State-of-the-art home automation infrastructure by Crestron

These unique and luxurious units range from $4.95 million to $20 million and with the popularity of the luxury condo market, the inventory has become limited. If you or someone you know have an interest in purchasing one of the One Thousand Museum Residences, please contact Lucas Lechuga via email at [email protected] or by phone at 786-247-6332.

Tallest Residential Tower in Miami at 100 Stories – Waldorf Astoria Residences Miami has Officially Launched Sales

Rendering of the 100-story Waldorf Astoria Residences Miami

Waldorf Astoria Residences Miami has officially launched their sales center on March 23rd, 2021. Located at 300 Biscayne Boulevard, Waldorf Astoria is planned to be the tallest residential tower in Miami at 100 stories and will be the tallest tower south of Manhattan.

This tower will feature 360 condo, 205 hotel rooms, and suites. Amenities include a Peacock Alley Lounge, a restaurant, indoor and outdoor event area, resort-style pool with cabanas, spa and fitness center.

Architects include Carlos Ott and Sieger Suarez, whom have created a nine offset glass cube design for the tower. The hotel is announced to be within the first 3 cubes of the tower and the rest will include the condominiums.

Developer Information:

  • Developers: PMG – Property Markets Group & Greybrook Realty Partners
  • Interior design firm: BAMO – www.bamo.com
  • Architect: Carlos Ott (conceptual artist) with Sieger Suarez

Tower Distribution:

  • 3rd Level –  Condominium lobby
  • 5th level – Hotel Signature Restaurant and Peacock Alley
  • Level 7 to 16 – Hotel guest rooms and suites
  • Level 17 – Hotel function spaces, main ballroom, junior ballrooms and multi-purpose function space 
  • Level 19 – Hotel lounge bar, meeting and boardrooms 
  • Level 21 – Hotel pool deck with café and signature F&B 
  • Level 23 and 24 – Spa and fitness
  • Level 26 to 31 – Hotel guest rooms and suites
  • Level 31 to 32 – Private residential amenity level; pool deck
  • Level 34 to 85 – Residential condominium
  • Level 86 to the top – Penthouse level

Pricing:

  • Junior Suite Residences $650,000
  • 1 Bedroom Residences $1,000,000
  • 2 Bedroom Residences $1,700,000
  • 3 Bedroom residences $3,100,000
  • 4 Bedroom Residences $4,900,000

Payment Plan:

  • 10% deposit at contract
  • 10% deposit in 6 months
  • 10% deposit groundbreaking
  • 10% deposit one year after the groundbreaking
  • 60% deposit at closing
  • HOA – $0.80 per square feet
  • Rental terms – minimum 3 months only twice a year

Building Overview:

  • 100 Stories
  • 360 private residences
  • Studios, 1, 2, 3, and 4-bedrooms
  • Penthouse Collection

Building Features:

  • The 100-story tower located in Downtown Miami across from Biscayne Bay
  • Conceptually designed by world-renowned architect Carlos Ott in collaboration with Sieger Suarez Architects
  • 360 branded luxury residences
  • 205 hotel guestrooms and suites
  • Interiors created by BAMO design firm
  • Peacock Alley
  • True Waldorf Service and concierge
  • Unobstructed views of city and downtown skyline, Miami Beach and Atlantic Ocean
  • Waldorf Astoria immersive resort-style pool with outdoor café and private cabanas
  • Private Bar/ Wine Tasting Room
  • Signature Restaurant
  • All-Day Dining Brasserie
  • Pre-function and function spaces
  • Meeting and boardrooms
  • Waldorf Astoria Kids Clubs
  • 24 hour Valet services

Sales have started and the construction completion date is set for 2025. If you or someone you know has any interest in purchasing a unit at Waldorf Astoria Residences, please contact Lucas Lechuga via email at [email protected] or by phone at 786-247-6332 for more information.

Are Casinos Coming to Miami?

Casinos may be coming to Miami.

Jeffrey Soffer, billionaire and son of real estate developer Donald Soffer, is pushing lawmakers to update Florida gambling laws. According to Miami’s Local 10 News, Miami Beach commissioners have hired lawyers to stop Soffer from building a casino under the Fontainebleau brand.

Miami Beach Mayor Gelber’s mission is to ‘discourage late-night entertainment in the city,’ and Soffer’s plan to build a casino goes against this.

According to Mayor Gelber, “What they are going to want to do apparently is take casino licenses, take gaming licenses, gambling licenses that exist right now in parimutuels — slot machines, card games, and things like that — and allow them to become portable.”

Also reported to be involved in the endeavor includes former President Donald Trump, who wants to open a casino at his current resort, Doral.

The Miami Herald has reported that Governor Ron DeSantis, has met with parimutuel owners to discuss casino openings and guidelines.

As part of he legislation, Genting’s Resort World Miami as well as the Seminole Tribe would be included and would greatly benefit from the legalization.

If this legislation passes, gambling licenses would be allowed to transfer into areas that currently do not allow it and local governments could not enforce any laws prohibiting it. The legislation is currently being drafted and will be released to the public within the next few weeks.

Waldorf Astoria Hotel and Residences Coming to Downtown Miami

Waldorf Astoria Hotel and Residences Miami

Waldorf Astoria Hotel and Residences Miami

Property Markets Group, a large real estate development company in New York City and Miami, has cemented a deal to bring Miami its first Waldorf Astoria. The Waldorf Astoria Hotel and Residences Miami will be located in Downtown Miami at 300 Biscayne Boulevard, in a 1,049-foot skyscraper that Property Markets Group is planning to develop in the coming years.

Totaling 800,000 square feet, The Waldorf Astoria Hotel and Residences Miami will be a mixed-use development with 400 condo residences; a 140-key, 5-star hotel operated by Waldorf Astoria; and ground-floor retail. At 1,049 feet, the development would be Miami’s first supertall skyscraper. Currently, Miami’s tallest tower, Panorama Tower, stands at just 868 feet. Designed by Sieger Suarez Architects, the tower’s design resembles nine staggered, large glass cubes.

Property Markets Group is co-developing the project with Greybrook Realty Partners and S2 Development. Sales are expected to begin towards the end of 2019 with sell-out projected to top $1 billion.

Vizcayne Condominium Associations Awarded Settlement for Construction Defects

Vizcayne condos Miami
Vizcayne Condo in Downtown Miami

It appears that there is a light at the end of the tunnel for Vizcayne condominiums. According to Law.com, this past May, Vizcayne North Tower Association and Vizcayne Master Association were awarded $3,069,251 and $646,699, respectively. In November 2016, the aggrieved parties, citing a laundry list of construction defects, had filed a 184-page complaint against various construction companies. Over a year and a half after the initial filing date, and shortly before going to trial, the settlements were reached.

With the worst now behind Vizcayne, it will be interesting to see how quickly real estate prices improve for condos in the two towers. The litigation had been a big black cloud over the development, making it near-impossible to secure financing for condos there. With the cloud now lifted, lenders will likely be more open to providing financing for qualified buyers.