Shaping the Future of Watson Island-Miami Voters to Decide on Watson Harbour Project
Miami residents will now be able to cast their votes on the approval of the Watson Harbour project, a new mixed-use development proposed for the south side of Watson Island. This ambitious project, set to enhance one of South Florida’s prime waterfront areas, includes plans for hotels, retail outlets, offices, residences, dining options, and expansive public spaces, all strategically located on Biscayne Bay between Downtown Miami and Miami Beach.
The developers, BH3 Management and Merrimac Ventures, acquired the 10.8-acre site at 888 Macarthur Causeway in 2023. They have developed a privately funded proposal to revitalize the area, featuring:
Two luxury hotels
Retail spaces for shopping and dining
Office buildings and residential units
A 2.2-acre public promenade along Biscayne Bay
Green spaces and a maritime museum
Infrastructure and resiliency upgrades
The project is expected to generate substantial economic benefits, including several million dollars in additional tax revenue for Miami. It also promises a wide range of community benefits, such as:
Employment opportunities for residents from underserved communities
Retail spaces allocated for nonprofit organizations
Infrastructure improvements on City-owned properties
A $9 million contribution towards affordable housing and public infrastructure
Watson Harbour will include several sustainability measures to protect and enhance the local environment, such as:
A seawall built above base flood elevation standards
Planting of native flora and expansion of the tree canopy
Energy-efficient LED and solar-powered lighting
An on-site stormwater management system designed to prevent pollution of Biscayne Bay
Greg Freedman and Daniel Lebensohn, Co-CEOs of BH3 Management, shared their excitement: “Watson Island is poised to become a vibrant destination for all, boosting Miami’s economy and offering a new gathering spot for the community. We’re honored to bring this vision to life and integrate Watson Harbour into the city’s fabric.”
Nitin Motwani and Dev Motwani, co-Managing Partners at Merrimac Ventures, emphasized the project’s focus on public spaces: “As Downtown Miami grows, the need for additional public spaces is clear. Our waterfront promenade will provide a beautiful new area for the community to enjoy. This project offers a chance to create a valuable asset for Miami, enhancing its resilience and appeal.”
The proposal will be presented to voters during the 2024 General Election on November 5, with Early Voting starting in October. The ballot question will ask voters to approve amendments to the City Charter, including the sale of 3.2 acres of leased property at fair market value, reduction of overall development, and authorization of the project with no cost to the city.
Aria Development and Merrimac Ventures Buy Miami Worldcenter Site for $17.5 Million for Proposed Condo Building
After purchasing a redevelopment site for $17.5 million, Aria Development Group and Merrimac Ventures have proposed a new Miami Worldcenter condominium building.
According to records, the joint venture paid the labor union $11 million to take over the former Miami headquarters of the International Longshoremen’s Association at 33-55 Northwest Sixth Street. According to a press statement, Aria and Merrimac also paid $6.5 million to acquire a neighboring unoccupied 1.2-acre site from a partner of Miami Worldcenter developers Art Falcone and Nitin Motwani.
The project calls for a 32-story skyscraper with about 600 fully furnished residential units with no limitations on short-term rentals with pricing starting at $395,000.
The final construction plot that was up for grabs in the Miami Worldcenter district was purchased by Fort Lauderdale-based Merrimac, led by Nitin and Dev Motwani, and Miami-based Aria, led by principal David Arditi, according to Mattingly.
Merrimac and The Related Group partnered earlier this year to pay $12 million for another Miami Worldcenter development plot at 601 North Miami Avenue, The Crosby, a 33-story, 450-unit condo tower that will also be accommodating to short-term rentals.
Miami Worldcenter, a $4 billion master-planned mixed-use city, is luring titans of the real estate sector to make investments in the area. For a property at 697 North Miami Avenue that was previously permitted for a 40-story, 429-unit skyscraper, a business connected to WeWork co-founder Adam Neumann received $108 million in construction financing in February. Neumann also owns the Caoba apartment complex, which is a nearby residence.
A.5-acre development site on Northwest 10th Street and North Miami Avenue was purchased by San Antonio-based Lynd Living in August for $30 million. Although a 650-unit apartment building is permitted on the plot, Lynd hasn’t made its official plans public.
One acre at 1016 Northeast Second Avenue, where the New York-based developer intends to construct a two-tower residential complex, was purchased by Naftali Group for $40.5 million a month later.
New Development Revealed at Miami Worldcenter-600 Miami Worldcenter
Aria Development Group and Merrimac Ventures are partnering for a new construction development located at Miami Worldcenter. The project has officially been dubbed 600 Miami Worldcenter.
600 Miami Worldcenter will rise 32 stories and will feature 579 fully furnished and finished luxury residences ranging from studios to two-bedroom floor plans with no rental restrictions. The studios will start at $400,000.
The Design Agency, a renowned design firm, was selected by the developers to design the residences at 600. The architect for the project is listed as Revuelta Architecture.
Residence Features:
Floor-to-ceiling glass windows with custom window treatment
All residences feature balconies
Finished flooring on all residential interiors
Kitchens and bathrooms feature custom Italian cabinetry and counters
Top-of-the-line, separate, in-unit washers, and dryers
Fully built-out, generous closets
Tower Amenities:
Covered porte-cochère
24-Hour attended lobby
Luxer one automated parcel storage
Dedicated co-working space
Resident lounge and entertaining space
Air-conditioned resident storage
Bike storage
Summer kitchen
Rooftop swimming pool with resort seating
World-class state-of-the-art fitness center with outdoor private training area by Homage Fitness
The 600 Miami Worldcenter will be within a few blocks from the 300,000+ square foot commercial district of Miami Worldcenter, situated in the Park West neighborhood of Miami at 600 NE 1st Ave.
Just Revealed: Related and Merrimac Announces New Tower The Crosby Miami Worldcenter
Related Group and Merrimac Ventures are now teaming up to develop a residential tower with no rental restrictions in the heart of Miami, The Crosby Miami Worldcenter.
The Crosby Miami Worldcenter will sit on 0.55 acres in the Park West neighborhood of Miami. Rising 31 stories tall, the residential tower will feature 450 condo units. The units themselves will be fully furnished and finished from studios to two-bedroom floor plans. Square footage will range from 350 to 825 square feet and pricing will begin in the low $300,000. Interiors will be curated by AvroKo.
Residence Features Include:
9-foot-high ceilings with floor to ceiling glass windows
Balcony with every residence
Finished interior and exterior flooring
Gourmet kitchens featuring custom Italian cabinetry
Bosch appliances, including paneled refrigerator/freezer, dishwasher, built-in convection oven/microwave, and cooktop
Rain showers in primary bathrooms and custom Italian vanities
Full-size washer and dryer in unit
Fully built-out closets
Contemporary lighting packages, including recessed lighting, dimmers, and lighting control
Brilliant smart-home system offering seamless personalization with the touch of a button, including the ability to control audio, climate, window treatments, and lighting systems
Smart keyless entry system allowing you to unlock your door via smart app, door code, keycard, or Apple Watch
The Crosby will be designed by Cohen Freeman Encinosa (CFE) Architects. The design of the tower appears modern with floor-to-ceiling glass windows on every floor and expansive terraces throughout. The Crosby features over 22,000 square feet of luxury amenities from a rooftop pool to a ground-floor restaurant.
Tower Amenities Include:
Expansive rooftop resort-style pool with jacuzzi, cabanas, and grilling stations perfect for entertaining
Private rooftop restaurant/bar Italian inspired trellis garden
Inviting fire pit lounge with breathtaking views of the Biscayne Bay skyline
State-of-the-art fitness center featuring saunas and plunge pools
Clubroom with private dining and stunning water views
Convenient juice and coffee bar
Spacious coworking center
Gaming lounge
Curated museum quality art throughout all common areas
24/7 security services, high-speed elevators, and controlled property access
24/7 concierge services European porcelain flooring
According to Nick Pérez, a Senior Vice President at Related, it took around two years to come to terms for the project with the managing partner at Merrimac and a co-developer, Nitin Motwani. The developers paid $12 million for the site.
The Crosby will have no rental restrictions and the buyers are able to rent out their units using any available platform for as many days as they would like. In the announcement, Related expects the buyers to be mostly investors due to there being no restrictions.
According to Motwani of Merrimac, “This will be the only for-sale product at Miami Worldcenter.”
The construction costs have not been disclosed and construction is expected to begin in 2023 with a completion date of 2025.
