North Bay Village Approves 7.3 Million Square Foot Development Project Featuring 1,936 Residential Units

North Bay Village Approves Development Project
North Bay Village Approves Development Project

Sunbeam Properties, the proprietor of WSVN Channel 7, has a 7.3 million square foot redevelopment plan that has officially been approved by the North Bay Village Council. The special area plan for a 12.9-acre site covering 1400, 1401, 1415, 1600, and 1601 79th Street Causeway, as well as 155 and 1624 North Bay Causeway, was approved by the Village Council on a 3-2 vote early on Wednesday.

A 300-room hotel, 1,936 residential units, 200,000 square feet of office space, 670,000 square feet of retail space, 117 units of workforce housing, and around 5,000 parking spots are all included in the development plan. Additionally, there would be 84,366 square feet of public space, including a half-mile pedestrian walkway known as the “island walk” that would be surrounded by restaurants and stores. A marina would also be a part of the project.

The project’s highest structure would be 650 feet tall. To lessen the number of shadows cast upon the smaller dwellings, the structures closer to single-family homes would be smaller. Buildings north of the project would be taller and would rise 240 feet in height south of the causeway.

The offices and studios of WSVN will eventually be relocated as part of the construction. WSVN and Sunbeam Properties are owned by the multibillionaire Ansin family.

The project’s first phase, according to Ansin, would be built south of the causeway and will have 500 to 600 apartments spread across two buildings, along with a restaurant, grocery store, and other retail space that may house an urgent care facility or a daycare. Sunbeam Properties must apply for building permits for the first phase within two years in accordance with its development agreement with the village. The first renters, according to Ansin, should move in within five years.

As the Ansin family celebrates the 60th anniversary of running WSVN in North Bay Village, CEO Andy Ansin admitted that this was an emotionally charged decision for him. He has visited that studio ever since he was a youngster.

Although Ansin said the initial concept wasn’t for redevelopment, Sunbeam Properties over time purchased surrounding lands. According to Ansin, the first purchase was made to stop a strip club from being built next door. It bought a nearby office complex so the TV station would have more parking.

Ansin discovered North Bay Village had potential after having experts from the University of Miami School of Architecture do research on future renovation. However, it necessitated moving the TV studio.

Ansin stated that he is still looking for a new studio for WSVN. He emphasized that it would require plenty of parking, hurricane-resistant construction, and backup power generation.

PlusUrbana, a firm based in Miami, is the project’s architect. Attorney Ian DeMello, who is headquartered in Miami, is the developer’s representative.

The Constellation Group and Boschetti Group Propose a 15 Story Luxury Tower in Coral Gables

Coral Gables Florida
Coral Gables Florida

A 15-story, mixed-use luxury rental property is now being proposed by the Constellation Group and the Boschetti Group in Coral Gables, located at 4241 Aurora Street.

The proposals will be reviewed by the city’s development review board on Friday, according to Constellation Group Principal Eduardo Otaola. Approximately 70 apartments, 20,000 square feet of office space, 10,000 square feet of retail space, and a 5,000 square foot park would be present at the development site.

The location, which takes up an entire city block, is located west of Ponce de Leon Boulevard and immediately north of the Nordstrom shop at Brookfield Properties’ Merrick Park mall.

The project’s architects are listed as Bernardo Fort-Brescia and Raymond Fort of Arquitectonica, who were chosen by the Miami-based Constellation and Coral Gables-based Boschetti. According to Otaola, the design is the Mediterranean with an “innovation” twist because the location is located within the city’s Design and Innovation Overlay District. The building’s creators are aiming for a Mediterranean-inspired addition.

According to Otaola, they met with the neighborhood to obtain input on the designs and are proposing the taller building in exchange for the park.

According to the developers’ proposal, Constellation and Boschetti are requesting a transfer of development rights at the meeting on Friday that will add 26,000 square feet to the floor area ratio and offer remote parking for around 60 of the 200 required parking places. The developers are being defended by Greenberg Traurig’s lawyer Jorge Navarro.

At 4225 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, an adjacent office and retail complex is also being built by Constellation and Boschetti. It’s anticipated that construction will begin then.

Constellation is expected to close on its share of the property at 4241 Aurora early next year. Property records show Brookfield Properties sold the 0.7-acre site to a Boschetti affiliate in January for $6.1 million.

After going before the development review committee, Otaola said the project will be heard by the Coral Gables Board of Architects. He intends to break ground by the second or third quarter of next year.

Just east of Merrick Park and south of Bird Road in Miami, a number of apartment complexes have already been completed or are in the planning stages. The Watermark at Coral Gables on LeJeune Road and Belmont Village Senior Living next to the Collection dealership are two other high-end senior living projects that developers are currently working on to the north and south of the mall.

According to public records, Boschetti also owns a site close to the Watermark project.

The LifeTime-branded mixed-use multifamily development at 237 South Dixie Highway in Coral Gables was purchased by Hines for $430 million in August.

Invite Only New Construction Luxury 50 Unit Condominium to Break Ground on Fisher Island Miami

Related Group Announces Fisher Island New Construction Project Announced
Related Group Announces Fisher Island New Construction Project Announced

The Related Group is making waves in South Florida with their newest condominium project on the exclusive Fisher Island. The invitation only condo tower would include 50 luxury residences with a select number of penthouses.

The wealthy have long made Fisher Island, which is located at the confluence of Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean and is a seven-minute ferry trip from Miami Beach.

Oprah, Julia Roberts, and Mel Brooks are all known to have lived on Fisher Island in the past. The enclave has also received some accolades: Bloomberg found in April 2018 that Fisher Island, with an average income of $2.5 million in 2015, was America’s wealthiest ZIP code.

According to Jon Paul Perez, Related’s President stated, “We are currently working with our sales teams to develop our list of VIPs. People can live their entire lives on the island and, as such, develop close relationships with neighbors and fellow residents. That’s the feeling we want to create at our job. We want our buyers to get to know one another, and forge close friendships that elevate this beyond just another one of their homes.”

The proposed condo site, which is the last developable parcel on the 216-acre island, was just purchased for $122.6 million by Related Group, billionaire tycoon Teddy Sagi, BH Group, and Wanxiang America RE Group.

When the unnamed property is finished, units will cost about $30 million, while penthouses will cost more than $60 million.

Project Details:

  • 3 to 5 bedroom residences
  • Membership to Fisher Island Club
    • Golf course
    • Tennis facilities
    • Marinas

The project’s architect is listed as Kobi Karl with interiors by Tara Bernerd and Partners.

Sales are expected to begin at the end of 2022 with construction anticipated in quarter 4 of 2023.

Cipriani Residences Miami Construction Update

Cipriani Residences Miami
Cipriani Residences Miami

Cipriani Residences Miami continues to make construction progress with its 3 tower project in the heart of Brickell.

In July 2022, the developers, Mast Capital received approval from the FAA for the height allowance for the towers. On September 9, the contractor Moss Construction applied for a foundation work permit.

A second permit was filed on September 12th for the other 2 towers for foundation work. The county also issued a dewatering approval that is needed for the foundation work as well. Dewatering would include the removal of groundwater as well as from surface area.

Cipriani Residences Miami will feature 3 luxury towers spanning over 2.8 acres, located at 1420 South Miami Avenue in Miami’s renowned Brickell area, which will represent the famous brand’s elegant design and exceptional service. 

The largest Cipriani tower will rise 80-stories and will feature 397 one to four-bedroom units with views of Biscayne Bay, Brickell skyline, and Simpson Park. The 2 smaller towers haven’t been revealed yet but will rise 59 stories and 50 stories tall.

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.

Residence Features

• Generous living areas with ceiling heights of 10 feet
• Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors and windows with magnificent panoramic views
• Terrace access from the living room and primary bedroom of every residence
• Gracious walk-in wardrobes in every primary bedroom
• An exquisite selection of flooring options included
• Direct elevator entry for select residences
• Eat-in, open kitchen with custom Italian cabinetry inspired by Cipriani’s renowned style
• Top-of-the-line appliances from Wolf Sub-Zero, including
cooktop, integrated refrigerator, freezer, wine cooler, and dishwasher
• Primary bathrooms with grand, stand-alone bathtubs and glass-enclosed showers; vanities with premium Italian cabinetry, imported stone tops, back-lit mirrors; separate room with water closet
• Spacious laundry rooms with full-size washing machine and dryer, with a utility sink in most residences
• Individually controlled, high-efficiency central air conditioning and heating systems, with linear diffusers in main areas to ensure seamless integration
• Innovative smart technology infrastructure that enables home automation
• Intelligent interface system for essential building services such as concierge, valet, and security

Cipriani has disclosed that the residential tower would have sophisticated, resort-style amenities for its inhabitants, as well as traditional design features popular at Cipriani restaurants worldwide.

Tower Amenities

• Exclusive private entrance with lush landscaping and elegant porte-cochère
• Dramatic lobby leading to two banks of high-speed, touchless elevators
• Signature private dining experiences by Cipriani
• In-home dining and 24-hour catering services by Cipriani, exclusive to residents
• Private dining rooms available for reservation, catered by Cipriani
• Elevated resort deck with two swimming pools, a blissful outdoor spa, poolside cabanas, and a beautifully landscaped sun terrace
• Poolside food and beverage services catered by Cipriani
• Holistic spa with sauna and treatment rooms
• Luxurious residents’ lounge for special events and intimate gatherings
• State-of-the-art fitness center
• Golf simulator
• Pickleball court
• Private salon available to be reserved for personal beauty services
• Screening room with cutting-edge audiovisual equipment
• Serene and spacious residents’ library
• Engaging children’s playroom
• Elevated four-level wellness center and lounge overlooking the Brickell skyline
• Pet-friendly community with dog park
• High-speed internet access across all public areas
• Electric vehicle charging stations available
• Air-conditioned storage rooms

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

Related Group Requesting Permission to Develop Mixed Use Project on Miami River

Gallery at Lummus Parc
Gallery at Lummus Parc

The Related Group’s affordable housing division, Related Urban Development Group, is requesting permission to develop a mixed-income housing development on Miami-Dade County property close to the Miami River.

The ground lease and development agreement with the Miami-based developer for the 1.05-acre site at 395 N.W. 1st St. and 25 N.W. River Drive will be up for consideration by the County Commission on September 1. There is a two-story county office building there right now.

The site is close to Interstate 95 to the west, Flagler Street Bridge to the north, and Lummus Park to the south.

In January 2021, the county released a request for proposals (RFP) to find a developer for the land, and Related Group was selected as the successful bidder.

The developer would lease the land from the county under the proposal for 75 years in exchange for a $1.54 million down payment and annual fee equal to 16.5% of the project’s revenue flow. Over the course of the lease’s 75-year term, the county calculated that the payments would total $238.8 million.

The Gallery at Lummus Parc was a project that Related Group predicted would cost $151.7 million to complete.

It would include 439 apartments in two 30-story towers, as well as 5,400 square feet of retail space, a 478-place parking garage, and a cultural installation showcasing Lummus Park’s heritage. An overpass over Northwest First Street would connect the towers.

On the eleventh floor, there would be an amenities deck with a pool, a club room, a workout facility, Zoom rooms, a game room, and a lounge.

Some of the apartments would have cheaper rents and be income-restricted. According to the agreement, 20% of the flats would be reserved for residents earning up to 50% of the area median income and another 20% for residents earning up to 140%. There would be no constraints on income for the remaining flats.

Miami’s average household income is $44,268. The Gallery at Lummus Parc is anticipated to fill some of that demand as local workers have found it more and more difficult to afford residences in the city due to recent double-digit rent increases.

The sizes of the flats would be between 495 and 1,220 square feet. There would be 28 three-bedroom homes, 99 studios, 177 one-bedroom units, and 135 two-bedroom units.

The Related Group representatives declined to comment. According to the proposal, a federal opportunity zone investment fund, Charlotte, North Carolina-based Grandbridge Real Estate Capital, and low-income tax credit equity from JPMorgan Chase and Raymond James would all contribute to the project’s partial funding.

The concept was created by Miami-based CFE Architects. The developer is represented in the application by Miami attorneys Terry M. Lovell and Al Dotson Jr.

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

Demolition Permit Filed and Renderings Revealed for 710 Edge Tower

710 Edge in Edgewater
New Construction 710 Edge

In October 2021, developers announced plans for a 55-story tower, 710 Edge that will be located in Edgewater. Months later the plans were approved by the Miami Review Board and now permits have been filed with new renderings attached.

The permit that was filed will allow total demolition of the site which would include several buildings that are currently on the property.

Two adjacent waterfront buildings were submitted on July 29th with one of the buildings as Harbor 29. A total of 16,000 square feet will be demolished costing the developers $151,000.

The second permit is for 530 NE 29th Street which totals 4,590 square feet estimating $25,250.

On both permits, Dade Wrecker Service is identified as the demolition contractor.

The projected height of 710 Edge is 55 stories, or 646 feet (649 feet) above sea level. 710 Edge will include 70 residential units, 193 parking spaces, 16,000+ sq. ft. of commercial and retail, a rooftop helipad, and a public baywalk.

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. Sales have not yet been announced.

710 Edge in Edgewater
710 Edge Tower

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.

830 Brickell Tops off Construction in Miami’s Financial District

830 Brickell Tops Off
830 Brickell Top Off

As it nears completion later this year, Civic Construction has topped off 830 Brickell, Miami’s first Class A office tower to be constructed in the urban core in more than ten years, at 55 floors (724 feet tall).

In addition, 830 Brickell is the only Class A office tower being constructed in Miami’s Financial District at a time when national and international businesses are relocating and developing there. It was developed by OKO Group and Cain International.

Microsoft, Blackstone, Thoma Bravo, A-CAP, CI Financial Corp., Marsh Insurance, AerCap, and WeWork are just a few of the prestigious tenants that have signed leases on the 640,000 square foot office skyscraper, which is already more than 60% leased. One of the biggest airplane leasing firms in the world, AerCap, obtained a 20,000 square foot lease in February and will be moving its new offices to the entire 50th floor.

An investment company from Canada called CI Financial stated a month earlier that it would quadruple the size of its lease at 830 Brickell, increasing it from the previous 20,000 square feet to around 40,000 square feet for its American headquarters.

To house its Latin American regional team, Microsoft inked a lease for 50,000 square feet in September. Private equity firm Thoma Bravo also negotiated a lease for 50,000 square feet, beginning in the spring of 2021.

In Miami, where the city’s business-friendly atmosphere, quick population expansion, and appealing climate are promoting office investment and development, 830 Brickell is currently the largest office skyscraper under construction. As of June, the active pipeline consisted of nearly 2.4 million square feet of office space spread over 18 sites, according to data from CommercialEdge. The Brickell submarket and central business district saw the most of the construction.

In Miami, where the city’s business-friendly atmosphere, quick population expansion, and appealing climate are promoting office investment and development, 830 Brickell is currently the largest office skyscraper under construction. As of June, the active pipeline consisted of nearly 2.4 million square feet of office space spread over 18 sites, according to data from CommercialEdge. The Brickell submarket and central business district saw the most of the construction.

In a prepared statement, Vlad Doronin, chairman and chief executive officer of OKO Group, stated that 830 Brickell is meeting the needs of prestigious users from all over the world who are drawn to the tower’s new quality of construction, technology, and design-led services.

The $300 million construction loan from MSD Capital, secured in 2019, was used to fund the project, which was created by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture. Once the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020, building plans were modified to include the most recent health standards for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, as well as contactless entrance and exit technologies. Construction started that year.

The property, which will be near the intersection of Brickell Plaza and SE 9th Street, will feature sweeping views of both the city and Biscayne Bay. Iosa Ghini Associati, an Italian architecture and design firm, is creating the interiors of the tower.

Building Amenities:

  • Rooftop bar/lounge
  • Fine dinning restaurant
  • Health and wellness center
  • Conferencing facilities
  • Outdoor terrace
  • Cafes
  • Street level retail

The Metrorail and Metromover, the Brightline, walking and cycling trails, and bay access points are just a few of the close transportation alternatives. Design District, Wynwood, Edgewater, and Miami Beach are just a few of the best residential and lifestyle neighborhoods in Miami that are close by.

830 Brickell Top Off Construction in Brickell
830 Brickell Top Off Construction