Strategic Real Estate Moves: Boucher Brothers Clinch Nikki Beach in a Tense Miami Beach Vote
In the high-stakes world of real estate, where every decision can ripple through the financial markets, the Boucher Brothers have made a significant play. On September 27th, 2023, amidst the towering skyscrapers and the azure backdrop of Miami Beach, the City Commission convened. The agenda? The future of the coveted oceanfront property at 1 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, Florida.
The Boucher Brothers, no strangers to the Miami Beach landscape, were vying for the Nikki Beach site. Their ambition was met with intense scrutiny and debate, echoing the boardrooms of Wall Street. The decision was not an easy one. City Manager Alina Hudak had put forth a recommendation, and after what can only be described as a nail-biting session, it was approved in a 4-3 vote.
Lending their support to the Boucher Brothers were Mayor Dan Gelber and Commissioners Ricky Arriola, David Richardson, and Kristen Rosen Gonzalez. On the other side of the aisle, Alex Fernandez, Steven Meiner, and Laura Dominguez voiced their reservations. Their concerns? Primarily procedural, with some pointing to earlier discussions around a no-bid agreement and advocating for a delay in the vote to allow for more public consultation.
For the hedge fund managers reading this, the intricacies of the deal are where things get interesting. The Boucher Brothers’ proposal is a 10-year commitment, promising the city a yearly contribution of 10% of gross operating revenue. In tangible terms, that’s a minimum of $4 million annually, with a 3% increment each year. The property itself is set to undergo a transformation, with a proposed $26 million in renovations. The vision includes a state-of-the-art pool, a wellness center and spa, a dedicated area for children, and a beach concession zone. Culinary enthusiasts will be pleased to hear of a collaboration with Major Food Group, bringing a Sadelle’s restaurant to the location.
However, the road to this decision was far from smooth. Legal challenges and intense negotiations marked every step. Earlier in the year, the City Commission had considered a non-binding term sheet with Boucher, hinting at a potential no-bid agreement. But in the face of significant criticism, they pivoted, seeking alternative proposals for the land and its adjacent beach area.
For those in the financial world, this move by the Boucher Brothers is more than just a real estate acquisition; it’s a testament to strategic planning, negotiation, and the ability to navigate complex landscapes. As the ink dries on this deal, one can’t help but wonder what ripple effects this will have on the broader investment landscape.
Norman Foster’s Biophlic South Beach Office Building Project Approved by the Planning Board of Miami Beach
The proposed Alton Road office project in South Beach by developer Shvo was approved by the Planning Board of Miami Beach.
The project is being designed by Pritzker Prize winner Lord Norman Foster and the crew at Foster + Partners using a biophilic approach that was influenced by Florida’s climate and vegetation. Foster and Kobi Karp Architects are listed as the architects involved in the design.
‘The Alton’ and will rise 6 stories with 170,000 rentable square feet, 17,000 square feet of ground floor retail, and 4 luxury residential units.
The hearing before the Design Review Board will take place in October. The Alton’s construction is anticipated to start in early 2024, assuming it is permitted.
Shvo is working with Foster and architect Peter Marino on three Class-A office buildings in Miami Beach, including The Alton, that have a combined square footage of about 400,000. Together with Deutsche Finance America, the developer is committing nearly $2 billion to Miami Beach.
JMH Development to Build 7 Story Luxury Tower in Miami Beach
The long-awaited Miami Beach condo project by JMH Development can finally move forward after the lawsuit against the developer was dismissed. The lawsuit included the actual condo site where the plans for this new tower would be constructed.
The project has been put on hold for 5 years due to a dispute between the original partnership of Jason Halpern (Managing Partner for JMH Development) and companies owned by Dhruv Piplani. In 2017, Piplani filed suit again Halpren and accused them of selling the property without permission of the co-investors.
When originally purchased, the property was purchased for $7.75 million by 29 ICD LLC, managed by Gerard Longo, who is noted as a longtime business partner of Halpren.
To add fuel to the fire, in 2020, Halpern filed for a $5.25 million mortgage foreclosure against the property. The original case was dismissed due to a breach of contract because PSB Indian Creek failed to make the $800,000 contribution toward the project in 2016.
According to Halpren, “In addition to Justice Masley’s ruling in favor of JMH Development across the board, the court awarded our client attorneys’ fees. This is a big win for our client, and demonstrates the egregious nature of the claims made against them.”
The project itself will be located at 2901 and 2911 Indian Creek Drive in Miami Beach. It is approved to rise up to 7 stories with 22 luxury condo units. The property itself will have to stay under 17,150 square feet and will also feature a rooftop pool, as well as a parking garage for 22 cars.
The Historic Deauville Beach Resort Miami Beach Set to be Demolished
The Deauville Beach Resort located in Miami Beach, will be finally be demolished after years of neglect and decay, the mayor of Miami Beach announced this week.
The order for demolition was delivered in a letter to the Miami Beach City Commission on Wednesday, after a report by the building’s owners concluding that the structure is hazardous to the public. An assessment was completed after the letter by the city that confirmed the results to the demolition order.
The hotel forced to close in 2017 due to an electrical fire, and it has been closed ever since.
The hotel was purchased in 2004 for only $4 million by Deauville Associates LLC, a business managed by Belinda and Richard Meruelo. For years, the 540-room hotel at 6701 Collins Avenue has been the subject of lawsuits and other disputes between the city and its owners.
According to a Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board meeting last week in which the board considered options for moving forward, the North Beach hotel has piled up fines totaling roughly $1.8 million since last year.
According to the Miami Beach’s deputy city manager, Eric Carpenter, said that the demolition process may take one to two months to complete once the permit is issued. Approval will come after the Miami-Dade County’s Department of Environmental Resources Management Department determines that the site is safe for demolition, which will include the process of asbestos removal.
Some locals have stated that the property was purposely left unattended and that there was no maintenance ever completed on the hotel.
There are currently no plans for the 3.8 acre site after the hotel is demolished but the property will no longer be considered an historic site once the hotel is removed.
The Deauville features many historic components from 1957, including a large swimming pool, hairdresser, ice skating rink, ballroom and radio station.
This historic hotel housed some of the most iconic performances ever made. The Beatles’ in 1964 on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” and Frank Sinatra. The hotel was also a spot for big names like Joan Rivers and President John F. Kennedy.
Governor Ron DeSantis Announces $25 Million Renovations on the Freedom Tower
In a landmark event, Governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis stood behind a podium with the words *Patria Y Vida, meaning ‘Homeland and Life,’ while announcing plans to restore the Freedom Tower with a $25 million renovation. During the announcement, Miami natives came out to support the people of Cuba. While crowds were demonstrating, DeSantis announced this new renovation project for the tower that means so much to Cuban Americans.
The Freedom Tower was originally built in 1925 for the headquarters and printing facility for The Miami News newspaper. In the ’60s, the Federal Government used the tower to process and document refugees during the Cuban Revolution. This building assisted with providing medical and dental services to all refugees.
In 1972, the Federal Government sold the building to a private buyer and just a few years later the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Since then, the building was converted into a memorial to honor the Cuban refugees that were once given sanctuary there. There is currently a contemporary art museum as well as offices for some of the Miami Dade College faculty.
Developer, Terra Group purchased the property in 2005, and then announced plans for a 62-story residential tower named Freedom Square. The tower was never built. While Miami-Dade College owns the Freedom Tower, the property behind it where Freedom Square was originally proposed, is now owned by developer, Chateau Group.
The $25 million renovations for the Freedom Tower would include; parking garage shoring, architecture restoration, a new security system, and waterproofing. While lawmakers have yet to approve the request, DeSantis plans to place the renovation expenses in the budget for 2022. Renovations could take anywhere from 2 to 3 years.
*Patria Y Vida is a slogan and song associated with the July 2021 Cuban protests.
Luxury Travel Magazine Names Miami Beach One of the Best Beaches in the U.S.
According to Condé Nast Traveler, a luxury and lifestyle travel magazine, dubbed Miami Beach as one of the best beaches in the United States. Miami Beach stands next to three other beaches in Florida including; Grayton Beach State Park, Dunedin, and Sanibel Island.
The magazine stated, “The siren song of Miami’s South Beach is undeniable…beautiful people, flashy cars, Art Deco architecture: It’s all here.” Condé Nast Traveler highlights that Miami Beach is one of the popular and liveliest areas for tourists in Miami.
The magazine also states that the most touristy areas run parallel to Ocean Drive and locals tend to hang around the South of Fifth neighborhood. “But we say those famous white sands are worth bumping elbows with a few fellows,” according to Condé Nast Traveler.
About Miami Beach
It is no debate that Miami Beach does offer some of the most beautiful properties and beaches in the world. Situated on a barrier island, the coastal city is between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay.
The Bass Museum of Art and the New World Symphony are both located in Miami Beach. Other options to visit include a cultural center called the Faena Forum. This cultural center hosts an array of events including; lectures, performances, and large-scale events. Miami Beach is also home to the largest art fair along the east coast.
Miami Beach also has some of the most luxurious condo developments in Miami. Faena House is a 47-unit ultra-luxury condominium tower located at 2901 Collins Avenue. The condos at Faena House are some of the most prized pieces of real estate in South Florida.
Ritz-Carlton Residences Miami Beach located at 4701 N. Merdian Avenue features 15 stand-alone villas comprised of 8 waterfront villas with private boat docks and 7 landside villas surrounded by lush, tropical landscaping. Each of the villas has its own private pool and an air-conditioned two-car garage. Ritz-Carlton Residences features 125 total units.
The lifestyle of Miami Beach is like no other. With its fabulous art and cultural options, luxury condominium buildings, and its vibrant nightlife, there are so many options for every visitor as well as a potential buyer.
Euclid Avenue Plaza Extension of Lincoln Road Pedestrian Mall Opens to the Public
Photos by Sean McCaughan.
In the heart of South Beach. the new Euclid Avenue pedestrian plaza, beginning where Euclid terminates at Lincoln Road and extending almost a city block south, is done. The Euclid plaza, which we had just included in our Lincoln Road construction roundup last week, is now effectively an extension of Lincoln Road’s famed pedestrian promenade.
Technically, however, this is also Lincoln’s first completely new pedestrian mall expansion ever, since the road was initially closed to cars in 1960 by architect Morris Lapidus. (the 1100 block, which was also recently totally redesigned to remove traffic lanes that had crept back in, was not an expansion but a reclamation)
Miami Beach city bigwigs first decided to expand the mall at Euclid in 2014, when the city commission agreed on a public-private partnership deal with an adjacent developer, as the Herald reported at the time. With work beginning, the contracting job was awarded to Edge Construction, which from then on beautifully documented the project’s progress on their Facebook page.
