Jean Nouvel’s Monad Terrace Will be a Beautiful ‘Reflection Machine’ of Miami’s Watery Future
Rendering of Monad Terrace by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel.
There’s a certain incredible seductiveness to a sunken Miami, a combination Venice and Atlantis bobbing away in the ocean, out beyond the Florida coastline of the future. “The image is post-apocalyptical, foreshadowing an uncertain future yet, somehow, utopian and hopeful. It appears to be the end of the day, the end of a season, the end of an era, with the sun setting wildly over the skyline of downtown Miami.” says renowned architecture critic and Miamian Alastair Gordon of Jean Nouvel’s design for the luxurious boutique Monad Terrace condominium being developed by JDS Development in Miami Beach that both interprets and sharpens that vision.
It’s a future that almost unites with the past: “The architect appears to be seeking a kind of unity of purpose and compromise between future and past, an imaginary realm of wild sunsets, mating manatees and tangled mangrove roots before the coming of Flagler, Fisher or the Kardashians. A 70,720-square-foot slice of Eden, rebooted.”
The design was enthusiastically approved by Miami Beach’s Design Review Board last week. They say Miami is drowning and doomed, but after reading Gordon’s review in the Miami Herald you might not think so anymore. Perhaps Miami is just changing yet again, and maybe even for the better.
The Betsy Unveils is Renovation Plans by Shulman + Associates
The Carlton Hotel expansion to the Betsy.Art
Just in time for Curbed Miami’s ‘renovation week’ (Did you know it was their ‘renovation week?’ We didn’t) the Betsy Hotel has debuted renderings of its expansion into the neighboring Carlton Hotel, along with a new addition, and rooftop pool that connects the buildings. Designed by Miami-based architecture firm Shulman + Associates, a modernist firm that specializes in creative and sensitive historic preservation, the renovation began months ago. Diamante Pedersoli and Carmelina Santoro, interior designers of the original Betsy renovation, are doing the interiors of the expansion as well. Naturalficial did the landscape design. So, it’s great to finally see what they’re doing.
The “new” Betsy will comprise the original Betsy Ross hotel, a Florida Georgian structure designed by L. Murray Dixon on Ocean Drive, which now will be known as the Colonial wing, and the Carlton Hotel, a classic Art Deco structure originally designed by Henry Hohauser, to be known as the Art Deco wing. Finally, along with the new Art Deco wing, the alley between the two structures will be revitalized, and two four-story wings are being added with suites and special event spaces that will also support the new rooftop alley-spanning pool.
Alton Road Strip Sells For Record $2,011 Per Square Foot
1600 Alton
The Alton Road construction boom is continuing with the latest property to trade hands, the retail strip at 1600 Alton Road, home of Dunkin’ Donuts, Pizza Hut, and Lyon Freres, for a whopping $2,011 per square foot. Marcus & Millichap’s Scott Sandelin told the Real Deal that this is a record price for the area (total price: $12.25 million) The buyer, who is undisclosed but could logically be Russell Galbut’s Crescent Heights (they own and are redevelopment a lot of other similar land on Alton, have deep pockets, etc.) is apparently already eyeing redevelopment plans, in keeping with the redevelopment happening up and down Alton in the area. As this is one of the very few underdeveloped parts of all of Miami Beach, well, it’s about darn time.
Miami Beach Community Church Courtyard Demolished
Over the last few weeks demolition began at the Miami Beach Community Church’s courtyard at the corner of Lincoln Road and Drexel Avenue. The courtyard was the sight of a heated historic preservation feud pitting preservationists and open space advocates against developer TriStar Capital planning to build a three-level retail building designed by architecture firm Touzet Studio. The preservationists lost and now the site is being prepped for construction. The future structure will have multiple levels of prime retail space with glass frontages and an art deco-inspired corner treatment that mirrors the 420 Building across the street. There will also be a rooftop garden space. The project will include lighting and landscape improvements to the church’s facade as well.
Classic Miami Beach Med-Deco House by Flamingo Park is $2.499M
Mediterranean Revival ruled South Floridian architecture in the 1920s, while art deco, that fanciful modernist creation based on the lines of technology and ideas of the future, prevailed in the ’30s and ’40s. In the balmy, already fantasy-like atmosphere of South Florida, these two architectural styles would also sprout another unlikely peer generally called Med-Deco. This $2.499 million renovated house for sale in the Flamingo Park neighborhood and designed by Henry Hohauser is an example of the illusive Med-Deco.
Formally Med-Deco makes no sense. Is this house, built in 1935. supposed to be a recreated Spanish villa or a Corbusian ‘machine for living?’ Are its occupants living in the future (as imagined in 1935) or the past? Visually it’s a delight. The five bedroom, five bath house has just over 3,300 square feet of living space, and is replete with classic architectural details including terrazzo floors, a stone faux fireplace (which may originally have been gas), graceful curves, and a hemicircular (a hemicircle is a structure in the form of a half-circle) dining nook.
Some Serious I-Beams Went Up at Lincoln Road’s New Ross
Lincoln Road Ross Construction
When Miamians found out a year ago that discount fashion retailer Ross Dress for Less was moving to Lincoln Road, thanks to the sharp eye of photographer Phillip Pessar who notified your humble correspondent that Ross had posted a sign in front of their new premises and your humble correspondent broke the news on Curbed Miami, of which he (okay, I) was humbly the editor of at the time, people got a little worked up. While some saw the Ross as a good sign, that affordable merchandise was making its way to Miami Beach, others felt it was the downfall of Lincoln Road as a unique street for locals. The ‘mall-ification’ of Lincoln Road was complete.
“Walgreens moving into the Ritz and now this… You can spend $500 on a room then run downstairs for snackys and across the street for a party outfit to wear to Cameo.” said one commenter.
“This is simply further proof that the only stores that can afford the exorbitant rents on Lincoln are the national chains. Here comes another one!” said another.
The multilevel retail building was supposed to be complete by October, but this being real life, well it isn’t. Construction has, however, made considerable progress with the demolition of the former building (the last remnants of the historic Carib Theater) and the installation of two ross of absolutely massive I-beams that will eventually support a tall shade structure over the entrance to the new Ross. People may be dressing for less, but they’ll buy those dresses (or shirts, pants, whatever) in a surprisingly dramatic structure.
Photo by Phillip Pessar
Week in Review: How to Avoid the Federal Disclosure Law for Cash Purchases and Other News…
Rendering from Paramount Miami Worldcenter
Week of January 17-23, 2016.
The US Treasury announced this week that starting in March, title companies will be required to disclose the identities of buyers to government regulators for all cash purchases above $1 million in Miami’s residential real estate market. They are hoping to put a stop to illicit funds being laundered through the cash purchases, but effectively are also spooking legitimate buyers who simply do not wish to have their buying habits publicly disclosed.
Fear not, fancy condo shoppers. The ink is not even dry on the new order and The Real Deal has already compiled a list of 7 ways that the rule can be circumvented. [The Real Deal]
Last week, the developer of Miami Worldcenter announced that it is scrapping the plans for an enclosed mall just days after Macy’s announced multiple store closings due to slow sales. After this announcement Taubman and Forbes cancelled their contract with Worldcenter, causing a flurry of rumors and news stories stating that the project would be scrapped. It turns out that everyone jumped the gun. According to the developer and this Taubman release, the project is not scrapped. The contract just needs to be renegotiated to reflect the new building plans. [Zacks]
While everyone was up in arms about the potential drama at Miami Worldcenter, Brickell CityCentre released their updated list of all retailers, shops and restaurants that will be opening with the mall. The shops will begin individual build-out soon and is scheduled to open later in the year. [The Next Miami]
In possibly the least surprising news of the week, Car2Go finally announced that they are suspending service effective March 1. They say that the reason for the service-shuttering is low ridership and high state taxes, locals have not wasted time or minced words with their own theories. It seems they have been in trouble with their client base for some time due to poor handling of a PR incident involving a drunk driving accident, not offering service in many important areas of the community, poor customer service and unreliable service. We think it can be easily explained by simple economics… why pay more to drive yourself in a shared smart car with a complicated service when you can pay less and have an Uber car pick you up at your doorstep and drop you off wherever you want to go? The choice is simple. [Curbed]
Investment Opportunity: South Beach 1 Bedroom, Walking Distance to Lincoln Road with Low Monthly Fees
Just in time to wrap up 2015, we are excited to offer this 1 bedroom investment property in South Beach.
The Sherita Condo is a boutique development of only 28 apartments at 1840 James Avenue in South Beach. It was originally built in 1952 and is walking distance to both Lincoln Road and the Miami Beach sand.
Today we listed a 1 bedroom apartment in the complex that is rented until March 31, 2016 for $1,400 per month. The second floor apartment has been updated with laminate wood floors and is offered for $230,000. The HOA fees are $325 per month.
Reach out if you would like additional information on the lease, property or opportunity. We are happy to show the property so long as we can give the tenant 24 hours’ notice of the appointment. Here are some additional photos of the apartment:
Venetian Islands Real Estate: November 2015 Market Report
Each week, Miami Beach Realtors host a progressive open house of listings in the area. This week’s focus was the Venetian Islands, with an impressive 23 properties on the tour! This is a great time for the Venetian Islands as the roads and infrastructure are in the last months of a $12.4 million restoration project. The Venetian Causeway is expected to reopen by the Spring of 2016, offering residents new roads as well as utilities. The construction project has not slowed the bustling real estate market in the neighborhood. Here are some highlights of the market as we draw an end to 2015:
There are currently 47 actively marketed homes for sale on the Venetian Islands in Miami and Miami Beach (comprised of Venetian Drive, San Marco Island, San Marino Island, Di Lido Island and Rivo Alto Island).
Highest Price Listing: 610 W Dilido Island
$15,500,000 for 5 bedrooms, 6 baths in a 5,210 square foot home on a waterfront lot.
Lowest Price Listing: 211 S Rivo Alto Drive
$1,595,000 for 4 bedrooms, 3 baths in a 2,194 square foot home on an interior lot.
Contracts Signed
There are 4 properties that are currently under contract, ranging in price from $5,900,000 down to $929,000.
Recent Closings
Over the last 3 months, we have seen 9 properties trade hands for $12,500,000 down to $1,525,000. Waterfront properties averaged $1,450/square foot in price vs $811/square foot for interior lots.
Featured Property: 300 W Rivo Alto Drive
Of the actively marketed properties in the neighborhood, we made special note of the home at 300 W Rivo Alto Drive, offered at $12,750,000.
This Venetian Island home was built in 1938 on a waterfront lot, but recently remodeled beautifully. It offers 5 bedrooms, 5 1/2 baths and 90 feet of bayfront views with an infinity lounge pool and boat dock. There is an outdoor living room with summer kitchen, garden and even a koi pond with waterfall. The interior design is tasteful yet dramatic with zebrawood walls, calcutta gold marble, top of the line appliances and Crestron security system.
Here are some additional photos of 300 W Rivo Alto Drive:
And if that waterfront house doesn’t tickle your fancy, be sure to visit our real estate listings page for luxury houses for sale in Miami and Miami Beach.
