$110k Loss for Singer Trey Songz After Selling his Miami Condo

In 2017, singer and songwriter, Trey Songz purchased a condo in Miami’s Brickell Heights East for $1.09 million. In January 2022, Songz listed the unit for $1.2 million and ended up selling the unit in March for $980k to an undisclosed buyer.

The property itself features 2 bedrooms, and 3 bathrooms, with over 1,356 square feet. With 12-foot ceilings, floor to ceiling heigh impact glass windows, and a modern kitchen that opens to the living room.

These specific units showcase elegant entry foyers, wrap-around terraces, and custom bathrooms with designer porcelain tile. The bathroom rooms also feature porcelain tile and custom vanities.

Amenities for Brickell Heights East

Equinox Fitness Club & Spa with high-performance fitness programs
3,500 square foot SoulCycle studio
24-hour concierge
24-hour valet parking
Rooftop pool
9th-floor pool terrace with swimming and lap pools
Screening room
Two beautifully designed entertainment rooms available for private events
Kids’ playroom
WiFi access in all amenity areas

Songz previously purchased a unit in the same building in 2010 for $473k and sold it for $710k right before purchasing the second unit.

Trey Songz, whose real name is Tremaine Aldon Neverson, is an American songwriter, singer, record producer, and actor. Songz released his first album in 2005 with Atlantic Records, I Gotta Make It. One of Songz’s highest charting songs to date is Bottoms Up which featured Nicki Minaj. Songz has released a total of 8 albums.

Lofty Brickell Begins Demolition with Tower Construction Beginning 4th Quarter of 2022

Lofty Brickell launched sales in 2021 and officially reached 50% sold in February 2022. Now, site demolition is now underway with the tower construction scheduled for the end of 2022.

Approval for the demolition was received on April 28th. This demolition would be for the entire building site where 20,000 square feet of space would be demolished. The estimated cost of the demolition is $105,400.

TBRC Group is listed as the demolition contractor and there is not a current construction permit pending or filed.

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 Features

The 40-story landmark building designed by internationally acclaimed architecture firm, Arquitectonica
Prime Brickell location is steps from Brickell City Center
Short-term rentals permitted as-of-right
Spectacular panoramic Miami River, Brickell, and Miami skyline views
2 Story lobby with floor to ceiling windows 24-hour welcome desk with concierge 24-hour valet parking 24-hour secure access Advanced technology smart-building with high-speed fiber-optic wireless internet access throughout common areas
Exclusive LOFTY app
Cutting-edge green building technology
6 high-speed passenger elevators with access control
On-site hospitality management Curated River-front restaurant with outdoor dining terrace

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

Construction completion date is anticipated for 2024. 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.

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

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.”

Dirty French Steakhouse Officially Opens in Miami

Thanks to Major Food Group, they are bring another one of their successful New York restaurants to Miami. Located in the heart of Brickell, Dirty French Restaurant will bring culinary sophistication through this Parisian Fare steakhouse to further add to the ever-expanding Miami scene. Oh, and did we mention…the decor is 80’s era themed?

From the high-quality meat and fish to the comprehensive 700-bottle wine list, Major Food Group co-founders Zalaznick, Mario Carbone, and Rich Torrisi have brought this innovative menu to life with a menu full raw bar items, seafood dinners, aged steaks, and your favorite classic side dishes.

The menu itself ranges from prime aged steaks, including Filet Mignon, Ribeye, and New York Strip, all of which are presented with a variety of sauces ranging from Au Poivre to Cajun. Forty-ounce Porterhouses and a Wagyu Tomahawks, are the chef’s favorites and Diners will be surprised by a range of off-menu cuts offered weekly at the restaurant as well. The menu also includes a savory Dover Sole Meunière served table-side, a Duck à l’Orange, and an excellent soufflé program, all of which pay homage to the restaurant’s Parisian roots.

The design of the interior can only be described as French elegance. Designed by Ken Fluk, Dirty French Steakhouse mixes the early 80’s French era with contemporary tropical designs. Throughout, you’ll notice the golf-leaf ceiling, Jungle Bar, onyx bar, glass leaf chandelier, leopard bar stools and banana pendants. The pieces blend elegantly and really make the steakhouse inviting.

According to Co-Owner of Major Food Group, “After making this paradise home, we realized that there was a tremendous opportunity to bring a sensational steakhouse to Brickell in true MFG fashion—a sophisticated, contemporary, high-energy culinary blockbuster fit for the most exciting city in the world today. It simply does not get any more major than Dirty French Steakhouse, which is the beginning of a series of big projects in the neighborhood.”

French Dirty Steakhouse has officially opened and if it’s like Major Food Group’s other Miami restaurants, Carbone, ZZ’s Club, and Sadelle’s, you may want to book your reservations now. Make your reservations through DirtyFrench.com.

Tibor Hollo’s Record-Breaking Sale and the Development of Miami’s Brickell

Florida East Coast Realty, owned by Tibor Hollo just sold a Miami Brickell development site for a record price, $363 million, to a company in Delaware under the name Florida LLC. The sale price equated to around $3,340 per square foot or around $145 million per acre.

The 2.5-acre site itself is located at 1201 Brickell Bay Drive and has been in limbo for a major development to come in and utilize the property. It is currently approved for 2 supertall towers rising 1,049 feet tall.

The original plan also included 1,120 residential condo units with underground parking and a walkway connecting the two towers. This project itself was referred to as Villa Magna and was proposed in 2006-07 but was later canceled in 2007.

Florida East Coast Realty, Corigin Real Estate Group, and McCourt Global Properties originally planned the 2 tower development with British architect Foster + Partners.

The buyer LLC (Florida LLC) was created in March 2022 and is managed by Randall Davis, a Houston developer. Although listed as a Delaware company, Randall Davis has a Chicago address.

According to county records, Florida East Coast Realty paid $15.5 million for the property in 2000. The current acquisition outperforms the previous record price for the property, established in 2011 when Genting Group paid $236 million for a 14-acre site that was the longtime home of the Miami Herald in downtown Miami’s Arts & Entertainment District.

Tibor Hollo is an American real estate developer and founder of Florida East Coast Realty. Hollo was born in Budapest, Hungary, and obtained his degree in architecture from Ecole Polytechnique Institute before immigrating to the United States with $18 in his pocket.

Before becoming a big name in real estate, he worked at a curtain factory and shortly after became an estimator for a general contractor. He worked at a curtain factory before landing a job as an estimator for a general contractor. During this work, he noticed that a lot of contractors were turning down jobs in New York so he started his own firm. In 1956, on a business trip, he fell in love with South Florida and then sold his contracting company and moved to Miami. He later founded East Coast Realty in 1972.

According to his biography, Hollo only works on one project at a time and never borrows more than 40% of the cost of the project. Hollo is responsible for the creation of the Vizcaya Tower, Opera Tower, Biscayne Bay Marriott, and the Panorama Tower.

ECHO Penthouse Slashes Price by $1 Million

Echo Brickell Penthouse Indoor Pool and Terrace

Echo Brickell is one of the most sought-after buildings in downtown Miami. Completed in 2017, it was designed by architect Carlos Ott and developed by PMG and JDS Development Group. Rising 57 stories with 180 condo residences, it is the epitome of Brickell living.

With all of Echo’s luxury features and gorgeous units, one heavy hitter penthouse is currently on the market and just had a massive price cut. The penthouse was previously listed at $42 million in 2018 and was relisted in 2021 for $39.5 million. Now, the property has had a significant price reduction of $1 million at $38.5 million.

Located at 1451 Brickell Ave #PH01, this 11,000 square foot ultra-luxe penthouse spans over 2 floors (56th and 57th) with 5 bedrooms and 7.5 bathrooms. It’s all in the details with 28 ft ceilings, 360-degree views of the Miami skyline and Biscayne Bay from the expansive terrace, and an indoor Sky Pool.

The sophistication continues with its signature staircase, marble and glass throughout, and the gorgeous Poliform kitchen that will truly amaze. The primary suite features a midnight bar, designer closets, and dual marble baths. With the 6 parking spaces, aquatic center, office, staff quarter, and a BBQ, do you really even have to leave this penthouse? The best thing about this penthouse is that it was personally designed by Carlos Ott.

Echo’s units come fully furnished with 1 to 4 bedroom floor plans ranging from 748 to 11,068 square feet. Each residence features panoramic views of the water and skyline, 9 to 14-foot ceilings with floor-to-ceiling windows, and 6 to 8 foot deep terraces with a bbq area. The interiors are inspired by yoo Studio with 7-foot high Italian entry doors, marble flooring, Italian custom cabinetry, and high-end stainless steel appliances.

Tower Amenities Include:

Vanishing-edge pool and deck with panoramic views of Biscayne Bay, Downtown Miami, and Miami Beach
2,800 square foot, state-of-the-art fitness center and spa overlooking pool, bay, and city
Resort-style poolside food and beverage service
Two hot tubs with sunbathing deck overlooking the Brickell skyline
Full-service concierge services
Ground-floor retail tenants Rosetta Bakery and Joe & the Juice.

Below is a video of the Carlos Ott Penthouse at Echo Brickell: https://www.miamicondoinvestments.com/property/1451-brickell-av-ph1-miami-fl-33131-a10521016.

If you or someone you know have an interest in purchasing at Echo Brickell, or any information on this penthouse, please contact Lucas Lechuga via email at [email protected] or by phone at (786)247-6332.

Marriott and Westin Open a Dual-Branded Hotel in Brickell

In Miami’s Brickell Financial District, a dual-branded hotel with considerable commercial space has opened. Robert Finvarb Cos. and Tony Cho recently finished the AC Hotel by Marriott and Westin located in the heart of Brickell at 115 S.W. Eight Street.

The AC Hotel totals 264 rooms with 156 inspired by the Marriott and 108 rooms by the Westin that caters to longer-term guests. Also included in the hotel are 22,500 square feet of ground-floor retail, and 4,600 square feet of meeting space. Rosa Sky is the bar located on the rooftop.

Amenities:

Pool
Bar in lobby
Fitness Center
Ground floor retail
Meeting space
Rooftop lounge

Robert Finvarb, CEO of the Finvarb Cos stated, “We believe our dual-brand property and Rosa Sky concept will fit in well with this market, offering an enhanced guest experience.”

The ground-floor retail space is currently under contract with Metro 1. Other tenants include a speakeasy piano bar Il Piano, Silver Mirror, La Suiza Bakehouse, and Toro restaurant.

Arquitectonica designed the hotel and John Moriarty & Associates of Florida was the general contractor. AC Hotel is just one block west of Brickell City Center and the Brickell Metrorail Station. AC Hotels currently have 107 locations in North America, 12 in Central America, 90 in Europe, and 6 in Asia.

Plans Submitted for 48 Story Tower: Brickell Gateway

Israeli-developer, Gazit Horizons, is on track to bring a 48 story tower to Miami’s Brickell. 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.

Gazit Horizons acquired the land in July 2017 for $29.5 million and March 1, 2021, was the date that the developers submitted plans for demolition. The tower is proposed to include 500 condo units.

The demolition approval is still pending. According to the plans, the site only permits plans for a building up to 48-stories and they are taking full advantage.

The demolition costs for the property would total $139,698 with an estimated cost for completion at $150 million. BG Group is listed as the demolition contractor for the project. Once approved, the developers are aiming for a completion date in quarter 2 of 2023.

The developers met with the City of Miami on February 15, 2022, for review. The current status of the project is still in redesign.

You may be familiar with the current site of the proposed tower. It is a black building with magnificent artwork portraying soccer-based graffiti. The soccer club, Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami, that houses the building has been renting the space since 2018. David Beckham is the Miami MLS Owner and President of Football Operations.

830 Brickell Tower Brings Big Names to Miami’s Financial District

As more tech companies and their execs flock to Miami, another quintessential tower is making a name for itself in the Brickell Financial District with new commercial leases and a lot of them are prominent names! 830 Brickell will soon be home to a massive technology and aerospace companies and we cannot wait to see what other companies decide to lease space.

AerCap, an aviation company recently signed a lease for 20,000 square feet at 830 Brickell with their headquarters currently in Dublin, Ireland. AerCap has leased the entire 50th floor.

According to the developers Cain International and OKO Group, “Attracting a global company like AerCap is precisely what we envisioned when we decided to develop this best-in-class office tower in the Brickell Financial District.”

Other companies that are joining AerCap include CI Financial and Microsoft. CI Financial, a Canadian Asset Management Firm signed a lease for 40,000 square feet between floors spending over the 48th and 49th floors. Microsoft is also leasing 50,000 square feet.

Rent for 830 Brickell starts at $100 per square foot.

About 830 Brickell

830 Brickell is a 55 story Class A office tower located in the Brickell Financial District. Developed by OKO Group and Cain International, the tower was designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill. Interiors have been designed by the Italian architecture company, Iosa Ghini Association.

830 Brickell totals 650,000 square feet.

Amenities for 830 Brickell include street-level retail, cafes, outdoor terrace, conference facility, health and wellness center, and rooftop bar/restaurant. The tower also offers unlimited Biscayne Bay and downtown Miami views.

OKO Group and Cain International are also responsible for Una Residences and Missoni Baia, residential towers in Miami. Missoni Baia has already reached 90% sold. Una is currently scheduled for completion in 2023.

830 Brickell is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2022.

LOFTY Club Residences Debuts in February-50% of Units Reserved

Lofty Club Residences will officially debut on February 17th with the grand opening of the brand’s sales lounge. As of this month, the project has reached 50% reserved and continues to climb.