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.
Another Record Breaking Quarter for Miami Dade Real Estate with the Second-Highest Quarterly Home Sales in History
The Miami-Dade County real estate market is still on fire and we have the numbers to prove it. According to the Miami Association of Realtor’s, Miami-Dade County real estate has yet again broke another record for second-highest quarterly Home sales in 2021 quarter three. After last quarter’s record-breaking sales, this is of no surprise.
Sales, once again home sales have surged with a 35.5% increase compared to this time in 2020. Real estate sales are currently at 9,962 for this quarter with last year at 7,351. Single-family real estate transactions rose 2.2% (3,923 transactions) from last year with condo sales increasing by 72% (6,039 transactions).
Total home sales also jumped 40.2% from quarter 3 of 2020 at 9,962 transactions. It’s a large win for luxury condo sales with a sales increase of 199.1% with 643 transactions. Luxury single-family home sales increased at 67.3% for quarter three.
Median home prices have also increased for single-family home by 19% from $420,000 to $500,000 and condo median prices increased at 26.9% from $264,000 to $335,000.
Cash sales increased for Miami by 67.4% higher compared to the national figure. For closed sales, cash represented around 38.5% of those sales. This was a large increase compared to 2020 at 27.3%. For Miami condo sales, cash sales represented 47.1% and 25.1% for single family transactions.
Lack of inventory has been a continued barrier in the current market with single-family homes representing about 2.2 months of inventory and 4.3 months for condominiums. These numbers represent a strong seller’s market. Single-family home inventory decreased by 26.8% while condo inventory decreased by 43.1% compared to quarter two.
There are many variables to the continued increase in real estate sales. That includes low interest rates, restrictions lifted from traveling overseas, and lower pandemic restrictions in Florida have all aided in the surge of the real estate market.
Wynwood’s Hottest New Club Opens this Weekend-Mad Club
The newest luxury night club, Mad Club, brought to you by The Dirty Rabbit Group, will open their doors this weekend in Wynwood. Mad Club will one of the few night clubs in Wynwood that offer a luxury experience with bottle service.
The style of this new night club is like no other in Wynwood or Miami for that matter. As you enter, you’ll be greeted by a hostess in a white room with lined with crystal chandeliers, giraffe heads, and an expansive champagne bar.
Once out of the champagne bar, the hostess will lead you to your reserved area that resembles a large honeycomb. Upon looking out from your reserved area, the DJ booth looks exactly like a bee hive. There is nothing short of a bee and honey theme throughout the club.
“Become part of the honeycomb and see what the Queen has to surprise you every time” is what Mad Club’s website conveys and it does not disappoint.
Mad Club will feature two famous DJ’s, DJ Anastasia and DJ Walgee, and will spread out between Fridays and Saturdays. Those days are the only ones that Mad Club is currently open but depending on popularity, they may open additional days.
According to the owner, Andres San Martin, “It’s our mission to provide an experience that not only speaks to the lifestyle of Miami, by showcasing extravagant design and a vibe like no other.”
Not only will there be bottle service, there will also be complementary champagne. There will be a strict dress code for all. Reservations are required with general admission, hightop tables, and VIP tables.
Allure North Miami Tower Just Announced by Tate Capital
Plans for a mixed-use project in North Miami known as Allure North Miami has just been revealed. Tate Capital has brought forth plans for a conditional use permit to the city’s Planning Commission. The meeting was scheduled for November 2, 2021 and the current status of the conditional use permit has been released.
The site located at 1810 N.E. 146th Street features 2.11 acres. In an agreement with the city of North Miami, Tate Capital agreed to lease the property for 99 years at $100,000 annually. The developer has also requested a grant from the North Miami Community Redevelopment Agency for $15.2 million for infrastructure of Allure.
Jimmy Tate, a Tate Capital representative stated that they wanted something “unique and transformative” to showcase to residents that North Miami is the next city for urban development. Tate Capital wants to brand North Miami as a “new district” staring with Allure North Miami
Designed by Kobi Karp Architects, Allure will rise 20-stories and feature 360 apartments and 603 space parking garage. Around 8,429 square feet will be dedicated too retail with 36 apartments strictly for workforce housing.
Units will range from 608 to 1,411 square feet with studio to three bedroom floor plans. There will be around 30 studio apartments, 187-1 bedroom apartments, 132-2 bedroom apartments, and 11-3 bedroom apartments.
Amenities
Pool deck
Fitness center
Summer kitchen
Club room
Picnic areas
Package lockers
Elevated pedestrian bridge between tower and garage
If the project receives approval, the anticipated groundbreaking would take place in Spring of 2023 with a completion date of Winter 2024.
Miami’s First Vinyl Listening Bar-Dante’s HiFi
Wynwood welcomes Dante’s Hifi, the newest bar and listening lounge that will have you stepping into a different era. Think vinyl-covered walls, low lighting, and big leather couches that create a retro yet vintage vibe.
One of the cool things features of this bar is that it is similar to a speakeasy. With no front door, the entrance is in the back through a courtyard.
The intimate bar and lounge located at 519 NW 26th St., Miami was founded by Sven Vogtland, DJ Rich Medina, Alan Drummond, Jourdan Binder, and Arturo Nuñez. The inspiration behind the bar was from listening rooms in Japan. The group also wanted to offer a unique musical experience and not just another Miami nightclub. Medina wanted to bring “listening at a higher level” to Wynwood.
Vogtland being a massive vinyl collector states that “It’s a real cultural thing there, having a cocktail and enjoying vinyl. “That’s where Dante’s came from. I came home and told my business partner: ‘Miami is craving something a bit different.”
According to the owner’s Medina’s album collection is what’s playing at Dante’s HiFi and that around 40% of the records are still in the process of being moved from New York. One of the best things about the music is that there is a specific genre. According to one of the owners, “there’s room for everything.”
Starting the night off, the music is very laid back and chill. After hours, the music picks up and changes into more of a club-like vibe.
Dante’s can only hold around 50 people so reservations are not required by highly recommended with a $25 reservation fee that is applied to drinks.
Speaking of drinks, the cocktail menus are focused on highball that is made with Japanese whiskey and served in a great glass boot. There is also beer, wine, and other cocktails to choose from.
Membership options are also available.
Alaska Airlines Announces Daily Flights from Miami to Seattle
Coming in June 16, 2022, Alaska Airlines will begin daily transcontinental flights from Miami to Seattle. This will be Alaska Airlines’ 100th nonstop destination.
As of March, Miami has joined Oneworld Alliance. Oneworld Alliance was founded in 1999 as an airline alliance featuring 14 airlines that have flight patterns all over the world.
Alaska Airlines currently partners with American and maintains the Miami hub for the Latin America and Caribbean sectors, so it’s no surprise with the recent announcement.
According to the Alaska press release, “Think Seattle to Miami, then onward to locations such as Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.”
American is currently the only carrier that flies from Seattle to Miami. The return of the Alaska Airlines flight will be the first time in a decade. The last time the company serviced the area was in 2012 around the same time the company cut operations to Florida.
The company will be using a 737-900 plane and will be the longest continental U.S. flight by distance. The flight itself will take 6 hours from west to east and 6 hours and 30 minutes from west to east.
The airline also services Fort-Lauderdale International Airport with expansions into Lost Angeles, Cleveland, San Francisco, and San Diego.
Related Group Announces Casa Bella Tower with Sales Beginning Soon
The Related Group is on the verge of launching sales for their newest tower in downtown Miami; Casa Bella. This residential tower will be built at 1400 Biscayne Blvd in the Miami Arts and Entertainment District and is on the same site where Auberge Residences was originally planned.
According to the renderings, it appears Related is continuing with the same design and specifications that were planned for Auberge. Those designs include full glass exteriors in a wave-like pattern, as well as the unit floor plans. According to The Real Deal, the Related Group is likely reusing them since they have already been approved and to fast-track construction.
Casa Bella will feature 3 towers and 2 will rise 60 stories while 1 will rise 50. The first tower will feature 300 luxury units although 1,430 residential units have been approved for the site. The towers will have 1,629 parking spaces and will be connected by a podium.
The newest tower will feature 1 to 5 bedroom floor plans with only 6 units per floor. Interiors will be designed by Pierro Lissoni with landscape architecture by Enzo Ena. The double-height lobby will also be designed by Lissoni and will feature a mixture of sophistication and modern designs with a permanent collection of museum-quality art located throughout.
The location of this tower places residences near the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts and the Miami Internation University of Art and Design. The Omni Station Bus Loop is also 1 block away.
With the reopening of borders and the lifting of the pandemic restrictions as of November 8, 2021, we will likely see an increase in international buyers, especially for the new construction towers. Currently, international buyers are representing around 50% of new construction developments when earlier in the year, they were only representing 20%.
Construction for the development is estimated for spring of 2022 with an anticipated completion date of 2024. If you or someone you know have an interest in purchasing at Casa Bella, please contact Lucas Lechuga via email at [email protected] or by phone at (786)247-6332.
South Miami Welcomes NYC Restaurant in Summer 2022
Over the past year, Miami has seen a swarm of NYC eateries heading south including Carbone and COTE. Now we can add the Parisian-style bistro Pastis to the list. Pastis is famous for being the go-to French fare in the Meatpacking district and many celebrities have been known to frequent this famous restaurant.
Stephen Starr, James Beard Award-winning chef, and Keith McNally are the masterminds behind Pastis that have been in business for nearly 15 years. The new location is expected to open in the summer of 2022 at 380 NW 26th Street in the Wynwood neighborhood.
The design of the new location will be similar to NYC’s location. Designed by Paisely Design, the Miami location will feel like a “time-worn Parisian bistro.” Hardwood plans, a curved zinc bar, dark banquettes, subway tile, and vintage mirrors will flow effortlessly through the space. Handwritten daily specials along with the mosaic-tiled floor will bring the space together forming the vibe of the bistro.
According to Starr, “For the last few years, I’ve had my eye on Wynwood. I’ve witnessed the vibrant and artistic neighborhood transform into a booming cultural hub with an incredible dining scene. People want great food, energy, and a great location; Pastis Miami will be a perfect addition to the community.”
Pastis originally opened in 1999 in Manhattan, while quickly becoming the “go-to” spot for a-listers. In 2014, the building that the restaurant was in sold, and in the summer of 2019, they reopened and Starr joined the team.
Their classic menu includes French classics like steak tartare, onion soup, snails with garlic butter, trout amandine, filet au Poivre, and tuna Crudo.
Hors D’oeuvres
Oysters
Tuna Crudo
Shrimp Cocktail
Oeufs Mimosa
Sardines en Conserve
Artichokes
Entrées
Trout Amandine
Grilled Branzino
Half Roasted Chicken
Moules Frites
Duck à l’Orange
Grilled Lamb Steak
Lobster Frites
Dessert
Profiteroles
Paris-Brest au Chocolat
Vanilla Crème Brûlée
Baba Au Rhum
U.S. Lifts Restrictions for International Travelers November 8th-Will this Change the Miami Real Estate Market?
Since the pandemic, the Miami condo market has flourished with record-breaking sales, massive tech companies making moves to Miami, and new developments being announced every day. One of the biggest variables that South Florida has always counted on was the international buyers, but due to travel regulations, foreign buyers have dwindled.
In the past 12 months, homes sales for international buyers have dipped to 31% making it the lowest since 2011, with Florida having the most sales to foreign buyers. Although Miami has seen a surge in condo sales this past year, the majority were domestic buyers.
With President Biden’s announcement of lifting travel restrictions for foreign travelers from certain areas in Canada and Countries in South America, this is big news for the real estate market itself. Beginning November 8th, vaccinated travelers can resume travel into the United States. With this, we can expect to have an increase in international buyers.
According to the Miami Chairman of the Board (MIAMI Association of Realtors), Jennifer Wollmann, with international travel resuming in the United States in November, the expectation is that foreign home buying will grow in the coming months.
According to Biz Journals, elections in Peru and Colombia are soon and South Florida may see an influx in buyers from those areas. The Senior Vice President of the Related Group, Eric Fordin has stated that he was surprised at the number of international buyers taking an interest in the District 225 project. According to Fordin, the new construction tower has over 100 buyers that are from Colombia.
Even with the increase in new construction towers, inventory remains at an all-time low for single-family homes and condominiums. Currently, there are only 631 condos in new or under construction remaining unsold.
According to The White House press release, there will be a second phase to requirements for all inbound foreign travelers in January 2022.
