New Japanese Steakhouse Coming to Brickell by Bad Bunny and David Grutman

Gekko Brickell Restaurant
Gekko Brickell Restaurant

Bad Bunny is partnering with David Grutman and his hospitality group, Groot Hospitality, to open a new Japanese steakhouse known as Gekko. Coming this July to Miami’s Brickell, Gekko will be located under the SLS Lux tower at 801 S. Miami Avenue where Katsuya is currently located.

Its menu will feature prime cuts and various Wagyu beef dishes with dashes of Korean BBQ spices. Guests may also expect sophisticated table-side culinary displays, such as flame-seared steak courses, as well as traditional Japanese fare including a full sushi menu and a six-seat omakase bar.

Gekko’s design will be created by The Rockwell Group, and will have “luxurious-yet-contemporary” graphic wall coverings, jewel tones, light and natural wood accents, and seating for 185 guests. On the very colorful and Instagrammable South Miami Avenue area, the location is located on the northwestern ground floor portion of the SLS Lux Brickell tower.

Gekko will join Grutman and Groot Hospitality’s ever-expanding Miami restaurant portfolio, which already includes Papi Steak, Komodo, and Key Club, as well as Swan and Strawberry Moon, his two restaurants with Pharrell Williams.

The Japanese word “Gekko” means “moonlight,” which is appropriate for a city known for its nightlife. It’s also a double entendre reference to Michael Douglas’ famous Wall Street character Gordon Gekko. “On the day we were deciding on a name, Bunny was smitten with ‘Gekko. That night, I watched a Carl Icahn documentary,” Grutman says. “It all came together, and we had it.”

Newest Wynwood Hotspot Features 2 Restaurants and a Nightclub

Burdo Wynwood Miami
Burdo Wynwood Miami

“Bad friends, Good Drinks & Expensive Taste,” that’s the Moto for Wynwood newest spot Burdo. Opened just north of Cerveceria La Tropical on North Miami Avenue, Burdo has a 2,700-square-foot dining room and a 4,000-square-foot outdoor terrace that, like so many other new Miami hot places, morphs from restaurant to late-night party location after dark.

The concept was developed by SinMente Group, a Colombian hospitality company that established a comparable venue in Medellin in 2014. Burdo was brought to Miami by SinMente in collaboration with Buenavista Investment Group. Burdo’s main menu features American fare such as bowls, pizzas, and burgers, as well as sushi rolls.

Green apple and cheese pizza ($20) with blue cheese, mozzarella, bocconcini, green apples in maple syrup, almonds, basil, and spinach; truffle grilled cauliflower ($20); and “Black Wings” ($28) with sesame seeds, chives, and black barbeque sauce are among the highlights.

However, that isn’t the only food available on the premises. Criminal Taqueria at Burdo is located on Burdo’s patio. Tacos aren’t illegal, so don’t be alarmed. Tacos, burritos, quesadillas, esquites, and elote bowls are served at the taqueria, which has a few chairs but is mostly meant for grab-and-go purchases. It has its own separate kitchen and serves tacos, burritos, quesadillas, esquites, and elote bowls.

The design of Burdo is just as exquisite as the menu! Mixing a modern yet reclaimed design makes for an inviting atmosphere. A white marble surfaced bar adorns the bar and tabletops with outdoor inspired wood chairs. Mixing with green vegetation, wood paneled walls, and black steel touches creates a unique look that will be an excellent side to your food.

Prices range from $4 to $13 per pound. At the taqueria, you can order a margarita or Michelada, or try Burdo’s more extensive cocktail menu, which includes mezcal-based drinks like La Parca and El Chingon, as well as specialty gin cocktails. Bottle service is provided after dark, when the high-tech sound and lighting systems come on.

Burdo is located at 2509 North Miami Avenue in Wynwood and they are opened from Wednesday to Sunday from 5pm to 3am. Don’t forget happy hour is from 5pm to 8pm.

YotelPad Has Officially Opened to Guests

YotelPad Rendering
YotelPad Miami in Downtown Miami

As of yesterday, YotelPad has officially opened to guests for the first time since construction has been completed. Sales for the tower began in late 2020 and the development sold out within 15 months after breaking ground.

Developed in a joint venture between Aria Development Group and AQARAT, YotelPad Miami is located at 227 NE Second Street in downtown Miami. The tower include 231 residential units while the hotel features 222 hotel rooms.

Condo units that range from 417 SF studios to 708 SF two-bedrooms. These units are located on floors 15 through 30. There are also 222 hotel units branded by the Yotel Britsh chain that occupy the lower levels of the tower. 

Although the units have sold out even without a parking garage, prices for the condo units ranged from $450,000 to $500,000 and the developers have confirmed that more than half of the buyers were from China, Mexico, and Columbia.

The units will also feature high-end appliances including an Electrolux washer and dryer, Grohe and Toto bath fixtures, Smart thermostats, Smart Lock System, and custom furniture packages.

Tower Amenities:

  • Elevated deck with pool, hot tub, and bar
  • Full-service restaurant and bar with outdoor paseo
  • Organic matcha bar
  • State-of-the-art fitness center
  • Private meeting rooms with co-working space
  • Valet parking
  • TransitScreen displays all your mobility options,
    in real-time
  • Private residential lobby with destination dispatch elevators
  • 24-hour security and concierge
  • Secure storage unit for each residence
  • Enclosed bicycle storage
  • Skytop Lounge featuring a game area and chef’s kitchen
  • Digital package concierge

Stantec is the architect behind Yotelpad. Each unit offers carefully cultivated floorplans with integrated living and dining areas.  The fully-finished interiors feature contemporary flooring with floor-to-ceiling glass windows with a European kitchen and baths showcase custom cabinetry with stone finishes as well as Smeg Designer Italian appliances. 

540 Unit Tower Planned for Miami’s Art & Entertainment District

1775 Biscayne Boulevard Miami
1775 Biscayne Boulevard Miami

With plans for a 540-unit apartment skyscraper in Miami’s burgeoning Arts & Entertainment District, LCOR is making its South Florida development debut.

According to public documents, Pennsylvania-based, LCOR purchased 1.1 acres of land at 1775 Biscayne Boulevard from a corporation owned by Aventura orthopedic surgeon Barry Silverman and his wife, Judy Silverman. The location lies on the outskirts of Miami’s Edgewater district.

Webster Bank provided LCOR with a $33.4 million loan while Walker & Dunlop’s Keith Kurland and Michael Stepniewski represented them in the financing transaction.

According to the developer’s news release, LCOR has proposed a 40-story skyscraper with studios to two-bedroom apartments all equipped with stainless steel appliances, washers and dryers, and quartz countertops.

Amenities:

  • 600 space garage
  • WiFi throughout the building
  • Gym
  • Rooftop pool deck
  • Outdoor patio
  • Grilling space
  • Tenant lounges
  • Co-working spaces
  • Conference spaces
  • Package retrieval services
  • 14,000 square feet of ground-floor shops

The Silvermans initially planned a 53-story mixed-use skyscraper on the site with 444 residential apartments, 200 hotel keys, 45,600 square feet of commercial space, 64,500 square feet of office space, and a 546-parking garage through their V Downtown subsidiary. A Miami board approved the necessary exemptions for the construction in 2017, but the project was never completed.

LCOR’s first ground-up project in South Florida, according to the statement, but the business has been investing in the region and other Southeast regions for more than a decade.

According to its website, LCOR is a real estate developer, manager, and investor with a $9.5 billion portfolio of finished, under construction, and pre-development projects. The California State Teachers Retirement System, Ares Management, and PGIM are among its partners. LCOR’s CEO is Anthony Barsanti, and its senior vice president is Anthony Tortora.

Construction is anticipated to begin in early 2024 with completion in 2026.

Cavalli Tower Proposed at Champlain Tower South Site

DAMAC Properties Buys Surfside Site
DAMAC Properties Buys Surfside Site

DAMAC Properties recently announced that it has officially received approval to purchase land in the Surfside neighborhood of Miami in a $120 million deal. This land is none other than the site where the Champlain Tower South deadly collapse occurred just last year. DAMAC Properties intends on building a luxury branded tower on the site, Cavalli.

The site itself is located at 8777 Collins Ave Surfside featuring 1.8 acres and was sold to DAMAC through a court process and without any other competing bids on the property.

Prior to DAMAC taking an interest in the site, it was listed for $95.6 million. Sajwani offered the $120 million with the stipulation that he would obtain possession by the spring of 2022. One of the other stipulations was that Sajwani had to pay a $16 million deposit to make the contract valid.

Hussain Sajwani, Founder and Chairman of DAMAC Properties stated, “DAMAC Properties has long been eyeing development opportunities in Miami. We see the city, which is known for being a luxury and fashion centre, as a natural fit for our Company, which has an established reputation for its branded luxury offerings.”

While this is Sajwani’s first United States development, he has an extensive portfolio with establishments of his company in global cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Amman, Baghdad, and London. Sajwani has heavily invested in luxury fashion, real estate, hospitality, and manufacturing.

According to Sajwani, “Our global expansion into the United States marks a major milestone and demonstrates that DAMAC is a force to be reckoned with. This is an exciting time, and we have a lot in store.”

Surfside has been a hub for ultra-luxury condominium constructions in recent years, including the Four Seasons Private Residences, Fendi Chateau Residences, and Arte Surfside towers.

Brick & Timber Collective Recently Purchased a Wynwood Mixed-Use Property for $9 Million

Brick and Timber Collective Purchase Wynwood Property
Brick and Timber Collective Purchase Wynwood Property

Brick & Timber Collective just increased their Wynwood portfolio with an off-market $9 million purchase of a newly finished mixed-use property.

The developer and real estate asset manager from San Francisco purchased a 3-story office and retail property at 2724 and 2734 Northwest First Avenue.

The mixed-use property is located across the street from Wynd 27 and Wynd 28. Kushner Companies and Block Capital Group are developing the site, with 152 apartments, 79,500 square feet of office, and retail space.

The building was purchased for $900 per square foot by Brick & Timber Collective, managed by partners Jesse Feldman and Glenn Gilmore. The property is leased to a bay area tech business that finished a 10,000 square feet makeover was finished one month ago.

According to public records, the seller, a subsidiary of Miami-based Fortis Design-Build, paid $1.8 million for the two properties in 2018.

The structure, designed by Florida International University Dean of Architecture Jason Chandler, has ground-floor retail, second-floor office space, and a rooftop deck that may be expanded, according to Polinsky.

This isn’t the first Wynwood project Brick & Timber Collective has been involved in. The company purchased a Wynwood Annex Class A office building in February for $49 million but plans on buying more properties in Wynwood in the future.

Brick & Timber Collective specializes in leasing office space to technology startups, and has been exploring Miami, notably Wynwood, for more than a year. “We were scanning the rest of the country to see which market would profit from the tech industry in the same manner that San Francisco has and we landed in Miami and Wynwood. There is a significant migratory change in progress.”

Renderings and Sales Launched for Major Residences Miami

Major Residences Miami Ground View
Major Residences Miami Ground View
Major Residences Miami Rooftop Aerial

Major news for the infamous hospitality group, Major Food Group! Major Residences (renamed 888 Residences), the 1,049-foot-tall skyscraper, is setting a new benchmark from the minute tourists approach the site. Major ushers in lifestyle-driven hospitality and great home architecture for Miami as a combined vision of four industry heavyweights, MFG, JDS, Studio Sofield, and Ken Fulk.

Major Residences Miami Pool Deck

According to the group, “This is the tallest, the most brilliantly designed, the best-in-class hospitality experience, with the best club, in the best city in the world.”

Major Residences Miami Terrace

Major Residences will be located at 888 Brickell Avenue in Miami and will have 259 unique luxury apartments ranging from 1 to 4 bedrooms designed by Studio Sofield and set to open in early 2026, with sales for the project commencing July 2022. Each of the Major units will be designed as a hybrid plan, with a “lockout” function that allows for smooth conversions between a private residence, suite, and/or guest room.

Amenities:

  • Access to the exclusive Major Club
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Leisure
    • Wellness
    • Fitness
    • Pool deck
    • Terrazzo-clad sun deck
    • Private cabanas
    • Poolside service w/ a Major Food Group restaurant
  • 115,000 square feet of facilities

The Food & Beverage program will contain trademark Major Food Group brands and wholly new ideas developed by longstanding partner Ken Fulk, unique to Major Residences Miami.

Major Residences Miami Kitchen Rendering

The tower, designed by William Sofield, has a beautiful façade of ivory travertine and high-gloss steel columns, giving it a defined, graphic look and distinguishing it from the surrounding structures.

Major Residences Miami Lobby Entrance

The Porte-cochere, in a significant architectural gesture of skill and quality, greets with Gatsby-level enthusiasm via gold leaf trims, massive slabs of travertine, and white-glove service, setting the tone for the building’s mood.

Major Residences Miami is estimated to be completed summer of 2026. If you or someone you know have an interest in purchasing at Major Residences Miami, please contact Lucas Lechuga via email at [email protected] or by phone at (786)247-6332.

Major Residences Miami Tower View

70% Sold for Standard Residences

The Standard Midtown Residences
The Standard Midtown Residences

In November Rosso Development along with Standard International announced their collaboration on a development project in Midtown Miami, The Standard Residences. Now, the Standard has reached 70% sold in only 5 months.

Situated between the Design District and Wynwood, the Standard Residences will rise 12 stores and will feature 228 luxury hotel branded units curated by Urban Robot and Standard International. Arquitectonica is listed as the architect on the project.

The luxury units range from 432 to 965 square feet of living space with studio to two-bedroom floor plan options still available. Prices will range from $469,900 to $949,900

Price Breakdown

  • Studios starting at $469,900
  • 1-bedroom starting at $699,900
  • 1-Bedroom + Den starting at $809,900
  • 2-bedrooms starting at $949,900

The units will feature cubby kitchens designed by Urban Robot, expansive 6′ deep terraces, and master baths with double showers. Unit owners will be able to rent their units for periods of up to 30 days with exclusive benefits to friends and family.

Amenities:

  • 35,000 square feet of amenities
  • 10,000 square feet of retail space
  • Expansive lobby with lounge areas and a cafe
  • Rooftop restaurant
  • Bar
  • 60-foot resort-style pool
  • Sweat room and fitness center
  • Indoor pickleball court
  • Yoga and stretch studios
  • Karaoke bar
  • Pet Spa
  • Party room

Carols Rosso, owner of Rosso Development has stated that this is his first major development since he left the Related Group. Rosso hinted at additional Standard-branded residential projects in the pipeline.

Standard International, currently operates 16 hotels in the United States and across the world and owns a waterfront hotel on the Venetian Islands in Miami Beach named the Standard Spa.

The sales gallery is still under construction and is expected to be completed in June 2022. Construction on the actual tower has already started and the expected completion date is in 2023.

Two Roads Development Buys $150 Million Edgewater Site for a 3 Tower Project

Two Roads Development Proposes 3 Tower Development in Edgewater
Two Roads Development Proposes 3 Tower Development in Edgewater

Two Roads Development recently purchased a $150 million development site in Miami’s Edgewater neighborhood, with the intent to build a 3-tower luxury condominium complex.

With the purchase of Biscayne 21, a 1960s-era condo with 191 units, Two Roads obtained the 3.5-acre beachfront lot located at 2121 North Bayshore Drive for $150 million.

Arquitectonica’s Bernardo Fort-Brescia will design the tower, which will contain branded apartments and luxury condo units.

Three Roads Development plans to build the 3 towers rising 60 stories tall or about 649 feet tall with up to 750 residential units and apartments.

The sellers which include 176 unit owners, were represented by an Avison Young team led by John Crotty and Michael Fay. More than two years ago, the unit owners came together and hired Avison Young to offer their property in bulk to Two Roads Development.

According to the Avison Young team, the unit owners were able “to negotiate for a multiple of more than three times what the sellers would have sold their individual units for on a one-off basis.”

Two Roads is a West Palm Beach and Miami-based developer that is known for its other towers including Elysee and Biscayne Beach.