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

Groundbreaking for Onda Residences Officially Scheduled

The long-awaited Onda Residences has officially set a groundbreaking date for the beginning of November. According to a press release, the groundbreaking will take place on November 3 at 10:30 am located at 1135 103rd Street in Bay Harbor.

‘Onda Residences will rise 8 stories tall along the shore of Bay Harbor Islands. The tower is designed by award-winning architect Bernardo Fort-Brescia that will harness Italian-style finishes.

‘Onda’ itself in Italian means wave, and that’s exactly the effect the tower will have once seen off the shore. Developers include Ugo Colombo of CMC Group and Valerio Morabito of Morabito Properties. The lush landscaping will be designed by Enzo Enea who is responsible for the projects One Ocean and Icon.

This boutique waterfront tower will provide more than 300 feet of bay frontage with a private marina and views of Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The 41 luxury residences feature 2 + den to 4 bedroom options from 1,809 to 3,523 square feet floor plans. There are also 4 penthouses currently available as well.

Construction Information

• Developers: Ugo Colombo and Valerio Mortabito
• Interior Design: Carlo y Paolo Colombo
• Architect: Bernardo Fort-Brescia

Residence Amenities

• 2 Bedroom + den (1,809 square feet) to 4 bedroom + den (3,523 square feet)
• 4 penthouse options
• Spacious terraces available

Amenities

• Private Marina with 15 boat slips ranging from 36 to 60 feet
• Direct ocean access through Haulover inlet
• Watersports launch dock with available kayaks, paddleboards, and inflatables
• Covered valet drop-off
• Personal parking spaces in a fully enclosed garage
• Electric vehicle charging stations
• Bicycle storage
• Secured individual residential storage space
• Front desk reception
• 24-hour security video surveillance
• 24-hour valet
• Wi-fi available throughout all public spaces
• FTTH (fiber to the home) for voice, video, and high-speed internet
• Integrated digital concierge

Pricing

• Price ranges from $1.8 million to $9.5 million
• HOA is $1.29/sf
• Deposit Breakdown:
  • 10% with Reservation
  • 10% at Contract
  • 10% at Ground Breaking
  • 10% at Top Off (summer 2022) /
  • 60% at Closing

Construction is expected to be complete in early 2023. Onda is also at 60% pre-sold and a majority of the buyers are domestic.

The Related Group Plans for Demolition of Site for New Tower-Miami Station

In January 2021, the developer, the Related Group revealed plans for a proposed transit-oriented tower called Miami Station. Now, plans are rolling out to begin demolition and preparation for construction.

The pre-construction site located at 525-533 NW 2nd Ave in the Overtown district of Miami recently filed to begin demolishing the current parking garage that sits on the site. The remains of the parking garage is that of the Logik office tower that stopped mid-construction during the recession in 2008. The concrete shell of the garage has never been utilized.

A separate lot is adjacent to MiamiCentral Station and is also the former site of the Krystal Tower that was never completed. A separate lot next door with the once planned tower, Avery MiamiCentral will eventually be added to the Miami Station site plan.

Once construction begins, the proposed tower will rise 41 stories at 459 feet tall. The proposed plans would include 309 apartments, over 200,000 square feet of office space, over 8,000 square feet of retail, and 510 parking spaces.

Units will feature studio to 3 bedroom floor plans a well as a few penthouse units ranging from 460 to 1428 square feet of living space.

The office space will occupy the first 12 floors with 13-foot slab to slab heights. The residential units will occupy the higher floors with 10-foot slab to slab heights.

Development Information

• Developer: The Related Group
• Demolition Contractor: BG Group
• Architect: ODP
• Structural engineer: B+J Consulting Engineers
• MEP Engineer: Feller Engineering
• Landscape Architect: Dixie Landscape
• Exterior and Finishes: Facade +Envelope

Amenities

• 22nd-floor amenity deck
• rooftop pool
• Landscaped deck
• Dog park
• Several outdoor terraces

The date for the groundbreaking has not been set.

Miami Dade County Breaks More Records for Home Sales in September 2021

Home sale records continue to be crushed month over month for Miami-Dade, marking its best September sales in history and setting the bar for the most condos sold in a year’s time. The previous annual record was 17,142 in 2013, while the current condo sales have equaled 17,942 with only 3 months to go!

According to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), homes sales for Miami Dade have risen 20.2% at 3,031 transactions. This is up from the 2,521 transactions that occurred in 2020. Simultaneously, we saw a dip in single-family home sales at 3.6% at 1,241. This may be due to the lack of single-family home inventory. Condo sales have exponentially increased at 45.2% at 1,790 for September.

According to the Miami Chairman of the Board 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.

Miami is also on track to have its best year ever for single-family home sales. For September, single-family home sales have increased by 35.3% at 3,031 total transactions.

Miami condos sales have increased by 45.2% in September with major increases in pricing for properties over $250,000.

Luxury sales have also been in the records spotlight with a 31.4% increase with 209 sales for September. For properties $1 million and up, sales have increased 96.5% at 167 transactions. Currently, there is a 3.9 month of supply for luxury single-family homes and a 9.4 month supply for luxury condos.

Single-family home pricing falls between $400,000 to $600,000 increasing by 27.4% higher than September 2020. Condo sales also saw a heavy rise at 161.1% with sale prices between $400,000 to $600,000.

Inventory has decreased for both single-family homes as well as condominiums. Inventory single-family homes decreased by 42.1% since 2019. Condominiums have decreased from 68.8% since 2019 as well.

Single-family home median prices have increased by 11.5% from $435,000 to $485,000. Condo median prices have increased by 24.5% from $265,000 to $330,000

Miami-Dade cash sales are up by 62.2% and represent 37.3% of Miami’s closed sales in September. According to statistics from the National Association of Realtors, almost 23% of all United States home sales are cash. Cash sales count for 45.9% of Miami condo sales with 24.9% for single-family sales.

ARod Backed-Grand Station Apartment Tower is Complete and 80% Leased

Construction on Miami’s Grand Station Apartment tower has been completed. Alex Rodriguez and his partner Ricardo Vadio, owners of Rovr Development are the investors behind the $70 million construction project that was built on top of the existing Courthouse Center Garage.

Not only has ARod backed the construction of the project but his company Monument Real Estate Services is also the property Manager of Grand Station Apartments.

In early March 2020, partners for Grand Station obtained a $53 million loan from Saperian Capital to assist with the construction. Since Grand Station received their temporary certificate of occupancy in August, they have reached over 80% leased for the tower.

The tower located at 240 North Miami Avenue rises 30 stories and feature 300 units right in the heart of downtown. The development is a part of a public/private partnership with the Miami Parking Authority, which has assisted in adding an additional 350 spaces for the building totaling 1,200.

The tower features studio to 2 bedroom apartments with a monthly rent that ranges from $1,800 to $2,500. All units boast Italian kitchen cabinets, quartz counters, stainless steel appliances, and an in-unit washer and dryer.

The luxury tower amenities include an indoor pool, rooftop terrace with pool, outdoor kitchen, hot tubs, fitness center, and club room.

Zyscovich Architects and Anillo, Toledo, Lopez LLC are responsible for the design of Grand Station.

Rovr along with the Related Group and Airbnb are the masterminds behind the new development, The District located at 225 North Miami Avenue.

New Gin Focused Restaurant Opens in Coconut Grove

Botánico Gin and Cookhouse has officially opened its doors in Coconut Grove’s Cocowalk and it’s exactly what you think it is! Botánico is the first ‘gin-centric’ eatery offering the most extensive and unique gin-focused cocktails in Miami.

The co-owners, Ricardo Ordoñez and chef Gerardo De Negri are the brains behind the menu and unique concoctions. Ordoñez and De Negri have created such a unique dining experience focusing on modern American cuisine that highlights some Ecuadorian ceviche family recipes.

The gin menu includes 15 gin and tonic botanical variations infusing lavender, lemon, grape, crystallized ginger, and/or green apple. Whether you enjoy citrus, herbs, or fruits, flavors can be fully modified to appeal to any gin connoisseur. Not only does it have a well-versed gin menu but it also features a fully stocked bar with an extensive wine menu.

Botánico not only features the best gin drinks in Miami, but they also have an extensive wine program featuring over 2,000 bottles from around the world including; Mexico, Croatia, and Uruguay. The wine is stored in a state-of-the-art glass-enclosed and temperature-controlled cellar.

If the cocktail menu doesn’t appeal to you, then you will definitely be satisfied with the food options. The menu highlights octopus carpaccio, duck confit, short rib, and pulled pork. French-themed burgers, marinated shrimp, and their artisan cheese boards are the stars of the menu.

Botánico’s atmosphere is a relaxed sophistication with marble touches, porcelain tiles, and natural woods strategically placed throughout. The rainforest green marble bar wraps around the space creating the perfect ambiance. Two expansive patios with lush landscaping will create the perfect al fresco dining experience. The building itself located at 3015 Grand Avenue, Suite 123 is a 3,009 square foot space with 150 seating availability.

New Waterfront Condo Development Proposed in Edgewater

The same developers that brought you One Thousand Museum are proposing a new waterfront luxury condo development in the Edgewater neighborhood. Receiving its name from its street address, 710 N.E. 29th Street, 729 Edge will sit on 0.47 acres along Biscayne Bay.

The five parcels that the developers have planned for this project are currently under contract and they also plan to buy out Harbor 29 condominiums for this development as well.

The project itself would expand 342,848 square feet rising 58 stories tall. There would be a proposed 70 luxury units with three to five-bedroom options. The breakdown of the units would be one to two units per floor. Full floor units would expand a total of 6,174 square feet. 729 Edge would also feature 2 penthouses-styled townhomes spanning two floors.

The parking garage would rise 9 stories featuring 160 spaces. The garage is planned to be developed on 483, 485, 501, and 530 N.E. 29th Street totaling 0.41 acres. These lots are also under contract with the developers.

There would also be 13,037 square feet of commercial space between two buildings with a restaurant on the lower level of the condo tower.

Zaha Hadid with ODP Architecture & Design was the mastermind behind the design of One Thousand Museum. For 729 Edge, ODP will be the architecture and will feature some similar elements to Hadid’s designs.

Amenities will be similar to those of One Thousand Museum.

Tower Amenities:

• Private dock
• Lounge/bar
• Business center
• Private dining room
• Theater room
• Storage space for owners
• Fitness room
• Salon/spa
• Indoor pool
• Juice bar
• Sky lobby on the top floor

Plans for 729 Edge have already been submitted to the city’s Urban Development Review Board but will be reviewed on October 20th. Proposed by 710 Edge LLC, owned by Kevin Venger, Michael Konig, Louis Birdman, and Alex Posth were also a part of the development of One Thousand Museum.

Curated by White Feather Management-Bar La Real Opens in Downtown Miami

Downtown Miami’s hottest new bar just opened and it’s nothing like you would expect. Bar La Real, located 100 NE 1st Avenue in the attic of a historic 1917 building.

Bar La Real will intertwine the historic concepts of the building with the old-school glamour all within a tropical setting, coining the term ‘Tropiglam.’ Just think Little Havana meets South Beach.

The creators, White Feather Management are behind this cool bar and are the same team behind Wynwood’s El Patio and Mayami Latin. The Art Director, Carols Perez Fleta states “At Bar La Real we walk the line between elegant and extravagant in everything that we do.”

White Feather Management is headquartered in Miami with 25 years of experience in curating entertainment and multi-sensory atmospheres. According to their website, White Feather is ‘united by art, sensibility, and creativity.’

Not only will you experience an elegant environment, but unexpected concoctions will have you coming back for seconds. The cocktail menu consists of caviar topped drinks and wasabi sake-infused cocktails. You can also enjoy the classics as well as enjoy a hookah experience.

CEO, Nicolas Hoyos also announced that there will be themed nights weekly, “Our mission has been the same from inception: to make Bar La Real a unique environment that can only be understood through having lived it.”