Michelin-Starred Restaurant Carbone – Makes Debut in South Beach – Plans to Open Additional Eateries in Miami

Michelin-starred Carbone in South Beach

One of the hottest spots in Miami right now is the Michelin-starred Carbone restaurant. With its remarkable menu, retro-style French décor, and its iconic location; Carbone has become a staple in the South Beach neighborhood in such a short time.

This Michelin-Starred restaurant is the first of many restaurants that Major Food Group plans to open. This hospitality company is ran by Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi, and Jeff Zalaznick; whom also opened the original Carbone in New York in 2012. They are also in the process of working on restaurants in Miami’s Design District and the Brickell Neighborhood.

Carbone's Outdoor Patio

Located at 49 Collins Avenue, this luxurious and Ken Fulk design is truly awe-inspiring. Captains fitted in Zac Posen tuxedos guide customers through menu options and salads are prepared tableside for the full Carbone experience. The menu includes raw-bar platters featuring stone crab claws, crab knuckle sandwiches, spicy rigatoni, or veal parmigiana.

Menu Options:

Carbone is the first piece of the expansion and the Major Food Group plans to open a private member’s club with Japanese food this spring as well as a French-style Steakhouse in Brickell in September.

Carbone remembers his first trip to South Beach for the Wine & Food Festival in 2012, “I remember vividly one of the first trips we took here together. We had an absolute blast. If you told those kids who were drunk at La Sandwicherie back then that they would be opening on First and Collins, that would have been their dream come true. That’s as good as it gets.”

The Major Group isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Zalaznick states that “I’ve been here for the last 10 months. As I spent more and more time here, I really realized that this city is an incredible place to live and work in a full-time capacity.”

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.

Vizcaya Metrorail Station Project Begins Reviewing 7 Construction Proposals

Vizcaya Metrorail Station Project

Miami-Dade County is currently reviewing 7 construction proposals for the mixed-use project at the Vizcaya Metrorail Station. This development on 2.62 acres is set to feature condominiums, retail shops, and restaurants.

According to the South Florida Business Journal, all proposals are limited to 10 stories as well as a majority of the project must be residential units with 12.5% to be workforce housing.

Miami-Dade requested proposals in December 2020. The deadline was at the beginning of March and the current 7 proposals include those from:

  • Related Group: Proposing two 25-story towers. The first tower would have 391 apartments and 2,500 square feet of retail space. The second tower would be 320,000 square feet of office space. A 7-story parking garage with 638 spaces would be included. This project is above the 10-story maximum height restrictions.
  • Rilea Group, Axis Realty Trust, Coastal Construction and McKinney Properties: This project would be called ‘Vizcaya Park’ with two 10-story buildings connecting by a bridge. Proposal includes 288 apartments, 19,040 square feet of retail, 135 public parking spaces in underground garage, and 223 parking spaces for residences.
  • Adler Group & 13th Floor: This proposal includes 327 apartments with one 9 and one 10-story buildings. Improvements include those to the Underline, Metrorail station and the pedestrian bridge. This would include 309 parking spaces, with 100 for the public.
  • Grass River Property and Coral Rock Development Group: This project will include 292 workforce or affordable housing units and 3,000 square feet of retail in two eight-story buildings. Project includes 310-space parking garage and a community center.
  • Housing Trust Group: This proposal includes 209 workforce housing units, 15,000 square feet of offices, 2,600 square feet of retail, and a 126,000-square-foot parking garage in eight stories.
  • Mill Creek Residential: This proposal includes 392 apartments in two 10-story buildings with 8,000 square feet of retail and 620 parking spaces.
  • Terra Development Group: One 5-story and one 10-story with a combined 327 workforce housing units, 8,530 square feet of commercial space. Also included are 463 parking spaces with 100 for public use.

The proposals were set to be reviewed on March 19, 2021 but as of right now, no determination has been made on which proposal won.

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.

Explore Miami’s Top Places to Live in 2021- Brickell at #1

The Brickell neighborhood is at the #1 Spot for Miami's Top Places to Live.

Niche is a website dedicated to helping consumers understand neighborhoods, schools, and colleges. They utilize comprehensive data of factors like location, quality of local schools, crime rates, housing trends, and employment statistics, to create their rankings. According to Niche, these are the top places to live in Miami!

Miami’s Top 10 Places to Live:

  1. Brickell: Offers an urban-feel with many restaurants, bars, and parks. Home to many young professionals. The public schools are ranked above average.
  2. Pinecrest: Offers a suburban feel and a lot more residential homes. There are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops and parks. Public schools are highly ranked.
  3. Edgewater: Offers an urban-feel with many restaurants, bars, and parks. Home to many young professionals. The public schools are ranked above average.
  4. Coral Gables: Offers an urban-suburban mix feel. There are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. The public schools are highly rated.
  5. Coconut Grove: Offers an urban-suburban mix feel. There are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. The public schools are highly rated.
  6. Omni (also known as the Arts + Entertained District): Offers a dense urban feel. There are a lot of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. The public schools are above average.
  7. Palmetto Bay: Offers a suburban feel with a lot of residential homes. There are also a lot of park and the schools are highly rated.
  8. Key Biscayne: Offers an urban-feel with restaurants, coffee, and park. The public schools are highly rated.
  9. Miami Shores: Offers a dense suburban feel and there are a lot of restaurants and parks. The public schools are above average.
  10. Surfside: Offers residents an urban feel and there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. The public schools are highly rated.

Grab Something Green and Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Miami – 2021

St. Patrick's Day Celebration

St. Patrick’s Day may be a little different for many this year but there are restaurants and bars in Miami that are still celebrating. Check out the list below for drink specials, bands, and all things green!

  • The Taurus: Drink specials with St. Patrick’s Day-themed cocktails for $8, Guinness for $5, and Irish whiskey for $5. These specials are from 5pm until midnight.
  • Tobacco Road: Living Music and drink specials include $5 Green Pabst Blue Ribbon, $6 Irish coffees, $7 Irish Car Bombs and $5 Irish whiskey.
  • The Wharf: Tonight features live music and games! Food by Spris Artisan Pizza, La Santa Taqueria, and Mojo Donuts! Free Guinness every time you buy a shot of Jameson.
  • Calle 23 Miami: Beer and Irish whiskey shot specials at $10 each, Guinness for $7 and Irish Mules for $10.
  • Swarm in Wynwood: This festive street party is free and features live DJ, drink specials and games!
  • Sunset Skyline Happy Hour Cruise: Departing from Biscayne Bay, this 90 minute happy hour cruise takes you past Star Island, Hibiscus Island, Palm Island, Fischer Island plus the famous Venetian Islands, all while drinking green beer!

Block Capital Group and Kushner Companies LLC Breaks Ground on Wynwood Neighborhood Project

Rendering for WYND 27 & WYND 28 development currently under construction in Wynwood neighborhood.

After obtaining an $80 million construction loan, Kushner Companies LLC. and Block Capital Group broke ground on March 11, 2021, on a mixed-use project in the Wynwood neighborhood in Miami.

This project will consist of 152 apartments, 46,000 square feet of office space, 33,500 square of retail space, and 232 parking spaces with three roof decks and a large courtyard. There will be one-five and one-eight story buildings located at 129 N.W. 26th Street and 127 N.W. 27th Street, giving it the name WYND 27 and WYND 28.

According to Nicole Kushner Meye, Principal at Kushner, “This project is poised to mesh into the unparalleled Wynwood context and culture, while at the same time expand the vision and limits of this neighborhood with a tremendous addition of creative office, retail, and public space.”

Designer for this project is Arquitectonica who has also designed Inter Miami CF Stadium and Miami Freedom Park, Mr. C Miami – Coconut Grove, Brickell City Centre, 500 Brickell, and SLS Brickell Hotel & Residences.

There has been no reported completion date for the construction but we will update this article as the construction and time-line continues.

Subway Corporate Makes its Move to Miami

Subway Sign on Storefront.

According to Restaurant Business Online; Subway, the Milford Connecticut based sandwich chain, will be relocating 10% of its operations to Miami. The new location is reported to be near Miami National Airport which also happens to be closer to home of John Chidsey, CEO of Subway, in Coral Gables.

In a statement following the company’s announcement, “A Miami presence allows us to keep our finger on the pulse of more cultural conversations and the evolving tastes of the modern consumer. With its dynamic business climate, diverse population and multicultural influences, it is the ideal place to transition some of our consumer-facing roles.”

The departments that are relocating include; marketing, culinary teams, and global transformation teams. This move will also make their U.S. and Canada based teams have stronger integration with their supply chains. Subway plans to move by the spring of 2022.

This change for Subway comes after a year of layoffs and an ‘executive overhaul,’ with a large number of store closings and buyouts.

Chidsey’s former chain, Burger King, is also located in Miami, as well as its sister company – Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen.

One Thousand Museum Tower Faces Foreclosure Due to Unpaid Loan

One Thousand Museum
1000 Museum Residences in downtown Miami.

Designed by the late starchitect Zaha Hadid, One Thousand Museum is a luxury condo tower located in Miami’s Park West neighborhood. As reported by The Real Deal, the developers of it are facing foreclosure due to an unpaid loan of $82.7 million.

According to FinTech Zoom, the court filings include the Motoconb Estates, LTD., agent for David and Simon Reuben (Reuben Brothers), are seeking to overtake the remaining 15 units from the tower.

The Principal investor is Gilberto Bomeny and the co-developer is Louis Birdman. Caught by surprise, Birdman recently stated, “This action by our current lender was completely unexpected, as they are well aware that our sales team had a record-breaking year of sales, and that we are preparing to pay off the construction loan this month. We remain focused on the successful sellout of our limited number of remaining residences at One Thousand Museum during the course of this year.”

1000 Museum Residences in downtown Miami.

FinTech Zoom also reported that the Reuben Brothers are among some of Britain’s wealthiest families but are not well known in South Florida. This year alone, they purchased Kyu restaurant in Wynwood and a few additional properties in South Florida. They also acquired the One Thousand Museum loans in February 2021.

According to Birdman, “We are in the process of raising prices. The building is performing better than ever.” In the past year, over $100 million in units have sold as well as $35 million in quarter 1 of 2021.

Notables that currently reside at One-Thousand Museum include David and Victoria Beckham and French national team soccer player Paul Pogba.