Brickell House Finally Finds Solution to Its Parking Garage Woes
All eyes on are on Brickell House condominium tower after years of fighting a parking garage battle! More than 6 years in the making, owners now see a solution to their parking concerns.
The Brickell House Association has contracted ParkPlus High Density Parking Systems to complete the parking replacement project. ParkPlus has 50+ years of history in parking automation and they offer a number of solutions for any need; including robotic parking solutions, self-park stacking, and manually operated stacking.
The parking replacement project is estimated to take up to 77 weeks once permits and approval from the city are in place. ParkPlus is estimating 411 parking places with 80 spaces for electric vehicle charges. With the new system in place, it is estimated that 95 vehicles can be parked per hour.
With the $72 million awarded from the previous parking systems lawsuit, the Association will be able to cover the transition to this parking project making a special assessment not necessary for unit owners. The Brickell House Association has stated that they have taken into account the cost of preventative maintenance for 15 years but may need to revaluate due to technology advances in the future.
ParkPlus is bonded and insured, and the Association has additional insurances if the need arises. Initially there will be valet parking only, which will eventually transition into self-parking. Until the transition occurs, there will be personnel ready to assist in the parking and loading areas.
With this new parking replacement project in full swing, prices for Brickell House condos should rebound over the next few years as there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel!
Is Cryptocurrency Changing the Miami Real Estate Market?
With the Miami real estate market so hot right, it is of no surprise that offers are becoming more and more creative. We are seeing contingencies and appraisals being dropped to create a competitive edge for buyers. These aren’t the only items of change! In the MLS (multiple listing service), we are seeing an option for sellers to decided if they will accept cryptocurrency in their offer.
Cryptocurrency is a digital asset used to purchase goods and services. It has made headway in the past few years and it continues to gain popularity. In Miami we are seeing nightclubs, retail shops, and airlines accepting this form of payment. More retail stores are beginning to accept it like Overstock.com, Microsoft, and Home Depot, to name a few.
According to The Real Deal, South Florida is seeing a large number of Financial Managers and Tech-Savvy Entrepreneurs from Silicon Valley and New York using crypto in their real estate offers.
Vice President of Portfolio Development for Idoneus, Tim O’Leary handles a Swiss payment token (native cryptocurrency), which he has seen included in real estate offers more recently. O’Leary stated, “Idoneus has been utilized as a method of payment to acquire properties in Alaska, to Florida, to the Caribbean.”
There are a few different cryptocurrencies currently out and the most popular is Bitcoin. With how mainstream Bitcoin has become, crypto is becoming a common occurrence but there is still much hesitation. Since crypto leaves no paper trail, there is a lot of skepticism.
One of the biggest perks is that it can allow for cheaper and faster transactions, which is huge for the current real estate market.
Miami Q1 Residential Condo and Single Family Home Numbers are In, and They Look Good!
According to the quarterly Douglas Elliman’s report for Q1 in Miami-Dade County, residential sales continue to rise. With limited inventory of single-family residences and condominiums, prices and sales have increased drastically.
Single-family sales increased by 162 percent and new signed contracts for condo sales have increased by 338.9 percent.
What’s interesting for both condo and residential sales in Miami, the sales price of $5 million and higher have increased substantially. With condo sales over $5 million at a 492.2 percent increase and residential sales over $10 million at a 339.5 percent increase.
The median condo sale price is at $300,000, with a 14 percent increase compared to this time last year. According to the report, “Condos showed much larger gains due to their earlier slowdown in activity early on in the pandemic.”
For Miami Beach, sales of condos and houses increased by 85% with 1,425 closings in Miami Beach. Nearly 10-month supply for single-family homes and condos remained. Condo sales in Miami Beach have increased by 75 percent to 1,192 sales. The median condo price at $510,000 rose 44 percent compared to this time last year.
The 7-story Goodtime Hotel is located at 601 Washington Avenue in Miami Beach and will feature 266 rooms spanning a full block with 100,000 square feet of indoor space. This Deco-style hotel features a pool deck, restaurant, private lounge, and main floor retail.
Grutman and Williams also partnered with New-York based real estate development firm, Imperial Cos. for this project. They have previously collaborated on a Miami Design District restaurant, Swan & Bar Bevy which has been a huge success. Ken Fulk who assisted with the interior design for the Swan Bevy restaurant was also the lead designer for this hotel project.
Grutman stated, “I always wanted to be a hotel [owner] to try to complete my ecosystem in hospitality.”
The hotel restaurant, Strawberry Moon, is a 30,000 square foot Mediterranean restaurant which will also flow into a bar and pool deck, all located on the third floor. The ground-floor retailers have not been released.
According to The South Florida Business Journal, The Goodtime Hotel is expected to be the largest hotel in Miami Beach by rooms.
Property records also show that Imperial Cos. purchased the property for $5.75 million in June 2015.
Since people are wanting to spend more time outdoors due to the pandemic, Miami is now seen as the “go-to” destination. Imperial Cos. owner stated “If there is a net winner coming out of this pandemic, Miami is top of that list.”
Dezer Development Launches Bentley Residences
Miami welcomes the first-ever Bentley-branded luxury residential tower. The news was announced today that this remarkable tower will stand tall along with other luxury car brands like the Porsche Design Tower and Aston Martin Residences. This remarkable project will have a sophisticated and sleek design standing at 749 feet tall in Sunny Isles Beach. This tower will be the tallest beachfront tower in the U.S. and its height already has FAA approval.
Dezer Development and Sieger Suarez Architects will be partnering to create a luxurious design worthy of the Bentley brand. Dezer and Sieger Suarez has previously worked on Armani and Porsche towers. Gil Dezer, President of Dezer Development states, “Partnering with Bentley Motors, a true global luxury brand and being able to create another first in the Miami marketplace is an extraordinary opportunity.”
According to the press release, there will be 200+ residences, each with a multi-car garage with a car elevator delivering your car straight to your residence (similar to that of Porsche Design Tower). Each unit will also feature its own private balcony, pool and sauna. Floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the residences with ocean and bay views.
Building amenities will include a gym, pool, spa, restaurant (TBD), lounge, cabanas, cinema, whiskey bar, and garden. According to Forbes, Bentley Residences will be built according to the the Florida Green Building Council Certifications with anticipations that the building will use less energy.
The ground breaking is expected to begin in 2023 and construction is expected to be complete by 2026. We will update this article as more information is published about Bentley Residences.
‘Millionaire’s Tax’ Heads to New York While Bankers, and Big Earners Head Out
High tax rates are common within the city of New York and it has never really steered bankers, fund managers, and big earners away from ‘The Big Apple.’ In fact, the appeal to live in New York has always been the exclusivity of living there if you could afford it. But with a recent New York state budget agreement that plans to raise rates among certain high earners, there are some that are looking to move and settle south.
According to a Reuters article, a high level employee at a large bank who does not want to be identified stated, “I’m already looking for an apartment in Florida.” There has also been talk among others who are earning more than $1 million are considering moving their entire firms out of the city.
The breakdown of the legislation would have the top New York City earners paying an upwards of 15.73% in combined state and city taxes. To put it in perspective, the current tax rate for the state range from 4% to 8.82% and the city ranges are 3.08% to 3.88%
This legislation was named the “millionaire’s tax,” and is expected to increase taxes for earners who make more than $1 million a year. If implemented, this tax would beat California’s (highest in the country) tax rate.
Larger companies have already started moving staff out of New York. Some of note are Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, Virtu Financial Inc, and Elliot Management. A smaller hedge fund manager stated, “This creates an overwhelming incentive to move.”
Geoffrey Weinstein, a tax attorney for Cole Schotz stated that, “When wealthy people don’t like something, they don’t protest, they just leave.” If this is the case, then the tax will eventually fall on earners making less that $1 million.
With more people working remote due to the pandemic, places like Florida that have lower tax rates, lower real estate taxes, and are fully opened are becoming an ideal location for top earners. And we at Miami Condo Investments welcome them with open arms!
Construction is Underway for Platform 3750 Project in West Grove Neighborhood Miami
Platform 3750, a mixed-use project in the West Grove neighborhood of Miami has just broke ground at 3750 South Dixie Highway on 2.1 acres. This site is within walking distance of the Douglas Road Metrorail Station. The Cornerstone Group is the lead developer for this mixed-use project and is currently leasing from Miami-Dade County after winning a request for the RFP process.
This project is expected to create 300 jobs and is designed to ‘jumpstart economic activity’ in West Grove. It is anticipated to have 191 apartments, 21,000 square feet of retail space already leased to Aldi and Starbucks, 14,000 square feet of office space for the Cornerstone Group, 12,500 square feet of office space for the county’s Community Action & Human Services division, 3,000 square feet for the district office of county Commissioner Raquel Regalado, and 400 parking spaces.
Cornerstone Partner, Lenny Wolfe states, “West Grove has been neglected for a while. There was a very small amount of affordable housing built there and there is tremendous need. And it’s a food desert because there’s a real need for an affordable grocery store.”
This project was designed by Kobi Karp Architecture and the general contractor is Current Builders
The loan for this project includes a $60.5 million loan, $8 million county’s surtax, $3.5 million city government obligation bond, $1.95 million city Home loan, $1.4 million from the county economic development fund, and $5 million in tax credit equity.
Cornerstone Partners announced that they anticipate this project to be completed by the end of 2022.
Construction has Reached the 49th Floor of the Aston Martin Residences Miami
Aston Martin Residences is a condominium skyscraper currently under construction in Miami. Located at 300 Biscayne Bay Blvd in downtown Miami and situated along the Miami River and Biscayne Bay.
The original plans for this tower were a proposed 66 stories and 817 feet high. According to a source, this tower will now be 70 stories, making it just over 860 feet. These additional stories will include an owner’s lounge among other amenities that will be released to the public as construction continues.
The construction has reached the 49th floor and has almost reached the height of Epic Residences which is directly west of the tower. It has also cleared the Met 1 tower which is directly east of Aston Martin Residences.
Although the tower will be larger than proposed, it will still have its amazing features with 391 residences with studio to 4 bedroom unit options. Floor 56 and above are dedicated to the penthouse units with panoramic views and their own private pools. The building will also feature a full-service marina which will accommodate super yachts!
Although the building size has changed, there has been no official update on when the project will be completed. As it stands, construction is expected to be complete in 2022. We will update this article once we receive more information on this luxury condominium tower!
Elysee Receives TCO – Closings are set to begin in the Coming Days
No, it’s not an April Fool’s joke, Elysee has finally received its TCO! Two Roads Development, the developer of Elysee, has officially received its temporary certificate of occupancy after a five-month delay, which means that closings will begin in the upcoming days. According to our sources, Elysee is approaching 90% sold.
Elysee will be the tallest building in the Edgewater neighborhood standing 57 stories on the shore of Biscayne Bay. Elysee sets a new standard of luxury with its contemporary architecture, designed by Bernardo Fort-Brescia of Arquitectonia. The building was designed with three tiers of different sizes with the largest tier on the top creating a telescopic shape.
With only 100 units (no more than two per floor), this layout creates unobstructed Miami and Biscayne Bay for every unit.
Impact resistant floor-to-ceiling glass windows and sliding glass balcony doors
Two 8-10 foot terraces facing East & West (sunrise & sunset)
360-Degree Views
Savant wireless technology systems
ItalKraft® cabinetry in kitchens and baths
Sub-Zero® and Wolf® stainless steel appliances
Full size washer & dryer
Designer faucets and fixtures
50% of the residences have nanny/maid’s quarters
Two parking spaces per residence
Toto® Toilets
Service and staff elevator(s)
Over 50% of residences have nanny/maid’s quarters
Building Amenities
24-Hour door attendants
24-Hour security and video surveillance
White glove concierge service
On-site automobile concierge
Valet parking
Expansive 30ft wide motor court
Landscape and grounds crew
Robotic parking
Two guest suites available
Storage area
Bike storage
7th Floor Amenities
360-Degree views
75-Foot resort pool
Outdoor summer kitchen & BBQ terrace
Fitness center and Yoga studio
Dedicated men and women’s spa with sauna, steam shower & massage tables
Blow dry bar
Children’s room adjacent to fitness center
Teen room
Two guest suites
13th Floor Amenities
Great room with grand piano
South-facing grand dining room (Seats up to 30 Guests)
Library that converts to private theatre with high-definition projector
Full lounge bar
Chef’s kitchen
Chef’s table with indoor and outdoor seating
Business center
Resident wine storage
Game room
Pricing for Elysee
3 Bedrooms: $.68M – $2.3M with a North Eastern exposure
3 Bedrooms: $1.67M – $2.7M with a South Eastern exposure
4 Bedrooms: $3.2M – $3.8M with a North Eastern exposure
4 Bedrooms: $3.5M – $4.2M with South Eastern exposure
Although there are few units remaining, if you or someone you know has any interest in purchasing a remaining unit at Elysee, please contact Lucas Lechuga via email at [email protected] or by phone at 786-247-6332 for more information.
