Developers File Coastline Review for a 30 Story Mixed Use Tower

1755 Kennedy Causeway Waterfront Tower
1755 Kennedy Causeway Waterfront Tower

In North Bay Village at 1755 Kennedy Causeway, B Developments under the LGE NBV, LLC submitted a request to Miami-Dade County for a coastline review. Arquitectonica was hired by the developer to create a mixed-use structure that would be 345 feet tall, 30 floors tall, and directly face Biscayne Bay.

Due to the property’s frontage on Biscayne Bay and its compliance with Article III, Section 33D of the Miami-Dade County Code of Ordinances, the application is necessary. The coastline setback and side setback are subject to variance requests from the developer. A structure with 30 floors must be 75 feet away from the main shoreline and 25 feet away from the side shorelines, according to the County Code’s setback requirements.

The property can’t be developed strictly in accordance with the criteria due to the tower’s height, the property’s size, and the lot’s proportions. To build in compliance with the site plans, the setback from the beach would have to be decreased to 25 feet, resulting in a 50-foot variance.

The developer is offering to construct a public bay walk behind the property along Biscayne Bay as leverage to get the variances allowed for the project because the County standards cannot be met. On the plus side, the proposal complies with the 2020 Island Walk Design Criteria as well as the North Bay Village Unified Land Development Code.

According to floor designs submitted in February 2022 to the North Bay Village Planning & Zoning Board, the distinctive two-story waterfront restaurant would occupy 19,455 square feet of area between the ground floor and mezzanine level. From the mezzanine level to floors 2 through 5, 8 and 9, the majority of the west podium would be occupied by offices. There are five storeys of parking on the podium’s remaining surface.

On the 6th and 7th floors are the residential amenity levels, which have a landscape deck with three pools, barbecue spaces, fire pits, kids’ splash pads, party lounges, residential lounges, game rooms, sky lobbys, and fitness centers. On the south and west sides of the sixth level, there will be a separate amenity deck that the office tenants can use.

Building Plans Description

  • 473,252 square feet project
  • 201 residential units
  • 32,654 square feet of amenities
  • 19,455 square feet for a 2-story restaurant with a waterfront terrace
  • 1,860 square feet of office space
  • 408 parking space in a parking structure podium

The landscape architect is listed as Arquitectonica and the civil engineer as Kimbley-Horn.

Residential units would start on the 10th level and range in size from 670 to 2255 square feet, including 104 one-bedroom, 83 two-bedroom, 8 three-bedroom, and 6 four-bedroom units.

New Construction on Biscayne Bay by B Developers

Plans for a 12 Story Tower in Surfside was Filed

Multiplan New Construction Tower
New Construction Tower in Surfside

This week, developer Multiplan of South Florida filed plans for a 12 story tower that will be located in Surfside.

The architect is listed as Arquitectonica with R Palace Surfside LLC as an additional development entity. The project is proposed to have 27 residential units with 71 parking spaces. There will also be a small number of 2 bedroom floor plans but will mostly consist of 4 bedroom layouts.

Proposed Amenities:

  • Rooftop pool
  • Steam room
  • Sauna
  • Fitness

R Palace Surfside LLC is managed by Vivian Diamond. Owner of Multiplan is José Isaac Peres who is responsible for 57 Ocean as well as multiple other projects in Rio de Janeiro.

On the current site at 9309 & 9317 Collins Avenue in Surfside is the Regent Palace condos. In June, the 34 unit condo building was deemed unsafe after a comprehensive engineering report that flagged the property as uninhabitable.

This building is 70 years old and required a number of updates as well as structural issues. The developer has already purchased 32 of the 34 units at the Regent Palace and terminated the land lease on the property.

New Tower in Surfside Miami
Multiplan New Construction Tower

Plans Submitted for a 2 Tower Fontainebleau Project

Fontainebleau Apartments II
Fontainebleau Waterview Night View

Fontainebleau Apartments II is a two-tower multifamily development of 10 and 19 stories that is planned to rise atop 4.03 acres of backfilled land in Fontainebleau, Florida. It was developed by the Miami Lakes-based real estate developer and general contracting firm LF Development through an affiliated entity referred to as Combo Group Holdings LLC.

The project, designed by Coral Gables-based Valle Valle & Partners, would include 600 residential units split between its two towers, 5,200 square feet of retail space, and 957 parking spaces, including 147 parking spaces for electric vehicles and 20 handicap spaces. The engineering team is made up of Solver Engineering, Zamora & Associates, and Fineline Engineers, Inc. The landscape architect is Witkin Hults + Partners.

The property itself spans 11.18 acres which is roughly 487,436 square feet with the property also backing to a lake. The lake/property is specifically located west of Northwest 87th Avenue, east of Northwest 97th Avenue, between State Route 836 Expressway to the north and West Flagler Street to the south. The developer is requesting to backfill 4.03 acres (175,480.00 square feet) of the lake/property to construct the multifamily project.

If approved, Fontainebleau Boulevard would front the recently filled in land and run directly between these neighboring thoroughfares. The developer is also requesting that the property’s designation be changed from Water to Medium-High Density Residential and that the zoning be altered from GU to RU-4.

These zonings and classifications surround the region, which is being used as leverage to support the zoning changes. The owner of the area where the buildings are planned to go up is indicated as Italo Campagna.

The site permits 50 dwelling units per acre, resulting in a total of about 560 dwellings. Additionally, the developer is including 36 workforce housing units (WHU) at a rate of 6 percent, allowing for a density increase of about 50 units.

Residential units would have floor patterns with one or two bedrooms. The combined floor area of the two buildings would be 691,497 square feet, and 75,480 square feet of the land would be used as private open space to surround the complex. Google Maps places the building at 9193 Fontainebleau Boulevard, almost exactly where the south tower’s entrance would be.

On July 28, plans for Fontainebleau Apartments II were submitted, although there was no mention of a requested application meeting time.

Fontainebleau Apartments II

Approval Received for 87 Condo Tower in Coral Gables

Location Ventures Proposes New Tower in Coral Gables
Location Ventures Proposes New Tower in Coral Gables

A 16-story condo development by Location Ventures has officially been given the green light by the Coral Gables City Commission this past Monday.

Location Ventures plans to construct an 87 condo tower on a 1.6-acre plot at 1505 Ponce De Leon Boulevard, as well as at 122 and 126 Menores Avenue. According to the meeting, the project would cost over $350 million and with only 87 condo units, the average price per unit would be north of $4 million.

The new condo would have 319 parking spaces, 10,500 square feet of retail space, and 87 homes in its almost 500,000 square feet. The fourth story would have an amenities deck. A full board room for private meetings, as well as a spa with a steam room and sauna, were among the features listed by Kapoor. Along Mendoza Avenue, there would also be a public dog park located outside the building.

The majority of the condos would have three or four bedrooms, with a few one- and two-bedroom apartments. According to Kapoor, prices would start in the mid $1 million level or roughly $1,000 per square foot.

The site is mostly unoccupied, however, there is a 1925 structure that is 5,736 square feet in size which Location Ventures consented to refurbish and restore that structure so that it might house restaurants.

The owner of Location Ventures, Rishi Kapoor, plans to partner with a high-end luxury brand to market and design the property but no luxury brand has been named in the agreement documents.

Location Ventures anticipates starting construction in late 2023 and starting sales this fall.

Cipriani Residences Receives FAA Height Approval for 3 Tower Project

Cipriani Residences Miami
Cipriani Residences Miami

As the approval and permit process continues for Miami’s newest luxury tower in Brickell, Cipriani Residences is one step closer to construction.

The developers for Cipriani has just received approval for the height clearance for the 3 tower development with one tower at 80 stories, one at 60, and another at 50 stories. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the tower is approved at 940 feet above ground or 950 feet above sea level.

The two rental towers have a maximum height of 693 feet above ground.

Cipriani Residences Miami, located at 1420 South Miami Avenue in Miami’s renowned Brickell area, which will represent the famous brand’s elegant design and exceptional service. 

Mast Capital paid $103 million, marking this transaction as one of the largest in Miami-Dade in 2021.

Cipriani is currently working with Mast Capital and Arquitectonica to bring this luxury building to life. Not only will the tower feature luxury amenities, but each residence will offer custom finishes and gorgeous designs.

The project will features 1,300 residential units spreading over the 3 towers, 18,300 sq. ft. of restaurant space, and 1,600 parking spaces.

For this specific project, Mast Capital has partnered with a private real estate equity firm, Rockpoint, which will be responsible for the multifamily component. Mast Capital will be utilizing MSD and CanAm for financing.  Arquitectonica is listed as the architect for the project.

The groundbreaking for this project is anticipated for Q4 of 2022 with a completion date in 2026.

New Renderings Revealed for Brickell Gateway Miami

Ground Floor View of Brickell Gateway
Ground Floor View of Brickell Gateway
Brickell Gateway Night Lights

Gazit Horizon in collaboration with Atlantic Pacific, has recently released new renderings for the 61 story tower, Brickell Gateway in Miami’s Brickell. The developers for Brickell Gateway tower are also waiting on the county planners for final clearance of the project.

Located at 90 SW 8th Street next to Brickell City Centre, will be the Brickell Gateway Tower. The 377,000 square foot project will bring residential units, office spaces, a hotel concept, and retail to the neighborhood. 

The final submission to Miami-Dade on July 22 states that Brickell Gateway will rise 747 feet above ground and comprise the following:

  • 18,287 sq. ft. of retail space located on the first 2 floors
  • 348 parking spaces
  • 504 residential units

The developers are taking advantage of the property’s position in a rapid transit zone, which enables assessment by county planners, rather than going through the City of Miami planners.

Gazit Horizons acquired the land in July 2017 for $29.5 million and March 1, 2021.

Demolition on the site has been completed and once approved, the groundbreaking will be scheduled for Winter 2022. Corwil is listed as the architect for this project.

Brickell Gateway Rendering
Brickell Gateway Drone view
Brickell Gateway
Drone Rendering of Brickell Gateway
New Tower in Brickell

Oak Road Equities Announces Plans for a 40 Story Tower at 2600 Biscayne

2600 Biscayne Tower
2600 Biscayne Tower

Oak Row Equities recently revealed that it had closed on the purchase of a 2.1-acre site on one of the final vacant city blocks in Edgewater. For $35 million, the company purchased 2600 Biscayne Boulevard in order to build a mixed-use building designed by Arquitectonica.

One of Miami’s most rapidly expanding real estate development companies, Oak Row Equities, has ongoing projects in Wynwood, North Miami Beach, Edgewater, and the Design District.

The company’s most recent acquisition is 2600 Biscayne Boulevard. The 2.1-acre lot in the highly sought-after coastal community of Edgewater has just been closed by Oak Row Equities. A mixed-use development with 399 condo units, roughly 160,000 rentable SF of office space, and 6,500 rentable SF of retail space is what Oak Row Equities intends to construct.

Tower Information

  • 40 stories tall
  • 399 class A residential units
  • 160,000 rentable sq. ft. of office space
  • 6,500 rentable sq. ft. of retail space

The proposed Brightline commuter rail is one block away from the location. Arquitectonica, a renowned local architectural studio, will create 2600 Biscayne. A third of the offices at 2600 Biscayne have already been pre-leased by Oak Row Equities. The development team includes LNDMRK Development, owned by Alex Karakhanian.

The Fairholme Foundation, run by Bruce Berkowitz, had previously intended to turn the site into a museum. In 2013, Fairholme spent $6.79 million to purchase the home.

2600 Biscayne Proposed Development Site

Developers for Lofty Brickell Acquire $170 Million Construction Loan

Lofty Brickell from the Miami River
Lofty Brickell from the Miami River

Newgard Development Group, the Miami-based real estate company led by Harvey Hernandez recently acquired a $170 million construction loan for Lofty Brickell.

Lofty Brickell is a 44-story apartment tower that is a component of a three-building and marina project proposed by the Coconut Grove-based 3650 REIT. The 1.6-acre construction site located at 99 Southwest Seventh Street on the Miami River.

According to the press release, Lofty Brickell will contain a private marina, a members-only social club, and an NFT art collection for unit owners.

Similar to its sister tower, NATIIVO (which sold out less in less than a year) Lofty will feature 380 units of fully finished and furnished interiors that will be available for rent nightly, daily, and/or monthly. Residents will have the option of self-managing their units (VRBO or Airbnb) or using Lofty’s onsite management. 

Rising 44 stories, Lofty will feature studio, 1, and 2 bedroom floor plans with 485 to 930 square feet options. Pricing starts at $493k for a studio. There will also be available penthouses but the information hasn’t been released as of now.

Designed by internationally acclaimed, Arquitectonica, interiors will be designed by a New York-based interior design company INC New York. Developer Harvey Hernandez is also responsible for Brickell House and Centro towers. Hernandez purchased Lofty lot for $50 million

Lofty will feature a number of wonderful amenities including a butler service, rooftop pool, car service, and a 5-star restaurant that hasn’t been disclosed. This tower will also include a private marina with available docks for boating.

Building Amenities

  • Exotic resort pool with pool-side cabanas
  • Bar and grill on pool deck 24/7
  • Co-working lounge Private meeting rooms
  • Event room with exclusive terrace
  • A fully-equipped, state-of-the-art fitness center with HD TVs and wireless audio Private Peloton studios Yoga lounge and terrace
  • LOFTY Rooftop Experience

Residence Features

  • Urban luxury residences with modern open layouts from 485SF—930SF Studio, one and two-bedroom units
  • All residences are delivered fully finished and furnished specially curated by INC
  • Panoramic Miami River, and Miami skyline views
  • Private balconies for every residence
  • Corner units offer wrap-around balconies
  • High ceilings ranging from 9’ to 11’
  • Owner closets in every residence
  • Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors and sound attenuating impact-resistant laminated glass throughout
  • Advanced technology Smart Building wiring for HD TV,
  • Multiple telephone /data lines and ultra-high-speed internet access
  • Individually controlled energy-efficient central air conditioning and heating system

Kitchen

  • Imported European cabinets with premium hardware and drawer pulls
  • Top of the line appliance package including stainless steel refrigerator, oven, cook-top, microwave, dishwasher and sink disposal
  • Elegant imported stone countertops and backsplashes
  • Contemporary stainless steel under-mounted sink
  • High-arc gourmet faucet with integral sprayer

Master Bathroom

  • Imported European cabinets with premium hardware and drawer pulls
  • Elegant imported stone countertops and backsplashes
  • Custom-finished floors and walls in wet areas
  • Frameless glass shower enclosures Spacious, extra-depth soaking tubs
  • Premium European-style fixtures and accessories

Eighty percent of the tower’s units are under contract and Newgard anticipates starting construction in the fourth quarter of this year. When Newgard paid $50.5 million for the Brickell-area property in September, 3650 REIT also gave the developer a $55 million acquisition loan. The new construction loan was obtained by Lotus Capital Partners under the direction of Faisal Ashraf.

If you or someone you know have an interest in purchasing at Lofty Brickell, please contact Lucas Lechuga via email at [email protected] or by phone at 786-247-6332.

Location Ventures Proposes a 16 Story Condo Tower in Coral Gables

Location Ventures Proposes New Tower in Coral Gables
Location Ventures Proposes New Tower in Coral Gables

Coral Gables’ continued growth is being hinted at by Rishi Kapoor’s, Location Ventures’ proposal for a 16-story condominium. According to documents submitted to Coral Gables, Location Ventures plans to construct an 87 condo tower on a 1.6-acre plot at 1505 Ponce De Leon Boulevard, as well as at 122 and 126 Menores Avenue.

According to the minutes of the June meeting of the Coral Gables Planning & Zoning Board, the developer has a contract with the seller, who is a partner of Tibor Hollo’s Florida East Coast Realty, to purchase the land.

At its meeting on Tuesday, the municipal commission is anticipated to vote on the request. In the event that the proposal is authorized, commissioners will vote on it a second time at the next meeting.

According to documents, Coral Gables-based Location Ventures intends for seven of the units to be live-work condos on the lower levels of the structure and the other 80 would be located on the upper levels. A 319-car garage, 10,500 square feet of retail space, 20,144 square feet of open space, and a public dog park would also be included in the project.

According to property records, the site is mostly empty save from a two-story, eight-unit apartment structure. According to the minutes of the planning & zoning board meeting, the historic structure, built in 1925, will be maintained and integrated into the project, maybe as retail space.

The finished 13-story, 39-unit Villa Valencia condominium at 515 Valencia Avenue is one of the company’s developments in Coral Gables. In 2018, Location Ventures had invested $16 million in the property.

The business spent $20 million buying a pair of commercial structures in Miami Beach at 1260 and 1234 Washington Avenue last year. Under Location Ventures’ Urban co-living brand, the 1260 Washington Avenue property will be refurbished, while the 1234 Washington Avenue building will be rehabilitated.