Developer Looking to Acquire 80% of Brickell Harbour
In the past couple of years, Brickell Harbour condominium owners have received multiple offer letters to purchase their units. More recently, one of our long-time clients has received a purchase letter for double the value of their unit. This has come at a time where all units seem to be receiving a similar letter with their purchase price unknown but it is evident of the developer wanting to buy out the tower.
The developer of interest is Brickell Bayfront Acquisition Associates, LLC, an affiliate of Fortune International Group. The limited liability company as well as Fortune International Group is located at 1300 Brickell Avenue in Miami. Their portfolio consists of the development, designing, and financing of Miami condominiums. They also offer brokerage services.
According to the letter (below), Brickell Bayfront Acquisition, plan on obtaining at least 80% of the units at Brickell Harbour. The letter also states that the company has spoken to the condominium owners association about purchasing units but it was concluded that it is up to each individual owner to make the decision to sell. Some of the highlights of the purchase agreement include:
The purchase price being offered is a significant premium above the market value of the unit and considers each unit’s particular size, view, floor, line, and improvements;
Cash earnest money is promptly deposited with a third party escrow agent to secure the contract;
There is no finance contingency;
Closing in 90 days after the expiration of the due diligence period;
The owner pays NO brokerage commissions (typically 6%);
The buyer pays off the recent special assessment for structural repairs; and
The ability to continue to occupy the unit for a period of up to 6 months after the date of closing.
Brickell Harbour is an 18-story condo tower located at 200 SE 15th Road in Brickell’s Financial District. The tower was built in 1974 and received major renovations in 2019. Residences comprise of 1 to 3 bedroom floorplans ranging from 602 to 1,641 square feet of living space. Tall ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glass windows, wide balconies, and gorgeous views are just a few of the residential amenities these units have to offer.
It is unclear what Brickell Bayfront Acquisitions plans on doing with the tower once they receive purchase contracts but we will update this article as more information is available.
Waldorf Astoria Hotel & Residences Receives Official Approval for Demolition
The Waldorf Astoria Hotel & Residences Miami will rise 100 stories at 1,049 feet tall making it the “highest skyscraper south of Manhattan.” In June, the developers launched Waldorf Astoria’s official sales gallery located at 400 Biscayne Bay, right across from the construction site.
Waldorf Astoria has received official approval to begin clearing the site. According to the Miami Building Department, the demolition permit was submitted in early June 2021 and officially approved on August 4, 2021.
Clearing the actual 5,000 square foot site is estimated to cost around $30,000. The developer is working with The BG Group for demolition.
The developers include PMG with Sieger-Suarez Architects are the designers for the project. This tower will be truly one-of-a-kind with a unique design featuring 9 stacked glass cubes offsetting each other as they go vertical. Design interior created by BAMO design firm.
Waldorf Astoria Hotel & Residences will rise 1,049 feet tall and will feature 360 condos, 205 hotel rooms, and suites.
Tower Amenities:
Peacock Alley
True Waldorf Service and concierge
Unobstructed views of city and downtown skyline, Miami Beach and Atlantic Ocean
Waldorf Astoria immersive resort-style pool with outdoor café and private cabanas
Private Bar/ Wine Tasting Room
Signature Restaurant
All-Day Dining Brasserie
Pre-function and function spaces
Meeting and boardrooms
Waldorf Astoria Kids Club
24-hour valet parking
Signature spa
Leading-edge fitness center with private training studios
Residential Amenities:
24-hour doormen and lobby desk attendants
Private porte cochère with 24-hour valet service and private residential entry
24-hour concierge services in addition to dedicated on-site professionals
Live-in resident manager and 24-hour security
Front-door package and service delivery via signature Concierge Closet
Owners Lounge with high ceilings
Billiard and entertainment room with panoramic bay views
Designed for private functions and equipped with adjacent catering kitchen
Private residential pool deck with whirlpools with lounging areas
Exclusive Waldorf Astoria Miami access and benefits, including preferred spa and restaurant rates and access to à la carte hotel services
Property Markets Group, Greybrook, and Hilton are also partnering on the project. The groundbreaking is still planned for the beginning of 2022.
Anheuser Busch Executive Pays Record Price for Waterfront Home in Bay Harbor Islands
Photo Credit: Dreampact Ventures and Douglas Elliman
Another record sale is in the books for Miami! Just this past week, an executive for Anheuser-Busch, Fued Sadala, purchased a waterfront home in Bay Harbor Islands for $12 million. This marks another record after the most recent mansion that sold for $65 million as the highest sell in Miami-Dade history.
Located at 9814 West Broadview Drive, the 8 bedroom and 9 bathroom home features 7,098 square feet of living space. The design of this modern home showcases its straight rooflines and large expanses of windows and glass doors. The expansive master suite with a sitting area, steam shower, and double walk-in closets is perfect with its Biscayne Bay views.
Photo Credit: Dreampact Ventures and Douglas Elliman
The open floor plan flows seamlessly throughout, opening to the large concrete patio and pool. The expansive yard makes for entertaining as well as gaining access to a private boat dock all on 0.3 acres. The property was originally built in 2002 and was last sold for $4 million in 2018.
Photo Credit: Dreampact Ventures and Douglas Elliman
The waterfront home was originally listed for $12.5 million and sold within 2 months. This sell is the highest sold waterfront home in the two-island town of Bay Harbor Islands.
The previous record was at $11.5 million in Bay Harbor Islands that sold in December 2020 at 9540 West Broadview Drive. Also in 2020, the CEO of Moet Hennessy sold his Bay Harbor Islands waterfront home for $8.1 million.
For more information on Bay Harbor Islands luxury homes or any of its new projects, please contact Lucas Lechuga via email at [email protected] or by phone at (786)247-6332.
Photo Credit: Dreampact Ventures and Douglas Elliman
The Next Steps: After the Champlain South Tower Collapse
In the wake of the condo collapse at Champlain Towers South, we are starting to see a shift in homeowner association infrastructure reporting as well as maintenance. Towns and local governments ordered immediate inspections and updated reports on older towers.
Miami/Dade County ordered inspections on towers older than 40 years of age. Miami Beach ordered an additional and immediate building inspection on all of their towers since the collapse.
Aventura, Florida is one of the only cities in Florida to pass an ordinance requiring condo associations to provide the officials with engineering and architectural reports within 24 hours, when requested. These reports will include concerns electrical, structural, or life safety concerns and on an annual basis.
According to the city press release, associations that do not comply with the new guidelines will be fined up to $500 a day and up to 60 days in prison.
This new ordinance was passed on Thursday and was sponsored by the Mayor of Aventura, Enid Weisman. The ordinance will become law once it receives a second approval.
Mayor Weisman stated, “There is nothing more important than ensuring the safety of the residents of Aventura. Requiring that reports indicating potential dangers to our residents are provided to the city will create transparency and help us to ensure the structural and electrical integrity of our residents’ homes.”
A second meeting is scheduled on August 10, 2021, to officially vote on the new ordinance.
We are encouraged by the actions of Aventura Florida and we hope to see the same ordinances and guidelines for all of Florida.
Miami will be the First Test Market for Lyft’s Self-Driving Cars
Lyft has been competing with Uber since it first launched its services in 2012. Now Lyft has the upper hand in the market because for the first time ever, Lyft will be launching a self-driving ‘robotaxi’ services in Miami.
Lyft has partnered with Argo AI, an AV startup that is backed by Volkswagen and Ford to bring artificial intelligence into ride-sharing. Launching in Miami later this year and Austin, Texas next year.
According to the press release today surrounding the partnership and ride-sharing initiative. Ford has promised to bring full-scale autonomous vehicles for the public that could make more reliable predictions than other self-driving cars on the market. For this self-driving car, Ford has built a vehicle without a steering wheel or pedals, but there are currently no renderings or photos available.
During the transition, Ford along with Argo will be inviting members of the general public to ride in autonomous vehicles for consumer testing. The first fleet of cars to start in Miami will feature less than 100 cars. According to Argo, they expect to have more than 1,000 vehicles across several markets in the U.S in the next 5 years.
The technology itself has been tested in Miami for several years prior to this announcement. According to the press release, these vehicles will be available on the Lyft platform in Miami by the end of the year. The vehicles will include 2 ‘safety drivers’ in the front and passenger seats.
Argo is also is preparing to launch an autonomous delivery service with Volkswagon in Germany by 2025.
Related Group Revives 1400 Biscayne Project – Previously Known as Auberge Residences
As the old sales gallery lights come on for what once was the Auberge Residences, rumors began circulating about the development that never started. Will they begin the project? What’s happening at the sales center? It has been officially confirmed that Auberge Residences, now called 1400 Biscayne is making a come back.
We are unsure why the project was first canceled but we are excited for what’s to come of this development. Located at 1400 Biscayne Bay Road in the heart of downtown Miami, 1400 Biscayne will be centrally located just steps from Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Pérez Art Museum Miami, Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, and just minutes from the Design District.
The original plans for this project featured a three-tower complex with an eleven-story retail/restaurant podium, 1,629 parking spaces, and resort-style amenities. The new plans for this project include a 60 story ‘uniquely angled’ façade tower with ocean views from every residence.
The double-height lobby designed by Italian designer Piero Lissoni will feature a mixture of sophistication and modern designs with a permanent collection of museum-quality art located throughout. The developer for this project is The Related Group with landscape architecture by Enzo Enea.
Sales for 1400 Biscayne will begin in early August 2021. 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 1400 Biscayne, please contact Lucas Lechuga via email at [email protected] or by phone at (786)247-6332.
Developer Todd Micheal Glaser buys Indian Creek Waterfront Mansion for $24 Million
Photo Credit: Douglas Elliman
Developer, Todd Michael Glaser is a Miami native and a well-known developer who has made a name for himself with projects like 1000 Museum. Most recently, Glaser and his partners purchased an Indian Creek mansion for $23.8 million. The property was originally listed in October 2020 for $20 million and taken off the market in March 2021.
The Indian Creek waterfront mansion is located at 37 Indian Creek Road featuring 7,236 square feet of living space set on 1.2 acres. This 3 bedroom, 4 bathroom estate boasts an expansive brick driveway leading to a Mediterranean-style home. The large pool overlooks Biscayne Bay with a 20-foot boat dock.
Photo Credit: Douglas Elliman
The seller of the home was Don Francisco, host of ‘Sábado Gigante’ a Spanish language variety show that showcased musicians and comedians. He hosted the show for 53 years ending in 2015 and returned to TV with a new show “Don Francisco Te Invita.” Francisco originally purchased the property in 1993 for $2.6 million and has made several updates throughout the years.
Photo Credit: Douglas Elliman
Glaser and his partners plan on demolishing the home to build a mansion double the size and double the value. With the help of architect Kobi Karp, this new estate will be one of a kind. It will feature 2 pools and with plans on being listed around $50 million. The anticipated completion for construction is set for December 2021.
Indian Creek Island is a gated island north of Miami Beach. It has its own police force that patrols 24 hours a day. Billionaires are known to call this place home because of the security and exclusiveness it offers.
Notables like Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner as well as Hotels.com co-founder Bob Diener own properties on the island. Last year alone, Tom Brady and his wife, Gisele Bundchen purchased a lot for $17 million, where they plan on building a new estate.
There is only one property currently on the market on Indian Creek Island. The property located at 29 Indian Creek Drive is listed for rent at $100,000 monthly and features 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms with gorgeous southern exposure of Biscayne Bay. For more information on this property or about Indian Creek Island, please contact Lucas Lechuga via email at [email protected] or by phone at (786)247-6332.
Maple & Ash Steakhouse will Open at Miami Worldcenter
Photo Credit: Miami Worldcenter Associates
Miami Worldcenter leases its first restaurant, Maple & Ash Steakhouse at the block H retail building. This building, located between 7th Street and 1st Avenue Northeast. Maple & Ash will allocate 15,000 square feet of space on the ground floor of the building.
Former Michelin-starred chef Danny Grant and Michael Beltran are the creators behind the Chicago-based steakhouse. The rent for restaurant space is asking $100 per square foot.
Maple & Ash offers an eclectic menu featuring seafood towers, Waygu beef, Filet Mignon, and raw bar options. The menu will resemble Maple & Ash’s Chicago counterpart.
horseradish, cocktail sauce & champagne mignonetteWild Blue Prawn Shrimp Cocktail
cocktail sauce, drawn butter & aioli
Beef Tenderloin Steak Tartare
smoked egg yolk, white soy & grilled sourdough
Wagyu Beef Carpaccio
Entrees
Ricotta Agnolotti
(pillows of love) winter truffle
Roasted Skuna Bay Salmon
chanterelle, turnip & brown butter apples
Fire-Roasted Chicken
spring onion, potato purée & pan jus
Whole-Roasted Branzino
fennel capers & preserved lemon
I Don’t Give a F*@K
let Maple & Ash take care of you (per person$200.00)
Wood Fired Steaks & Seafood
Petit Filet Mignon 6oz
Filet Mignon 10oz
Bone-In Filet Mignon 16oz
Maple & Ash Surf & Turf
Butcher’s Reserve
The Eisenhower
40+oz porterhouse cooked directly in the coals
Slagel Farms Dry Aged Bone-In NY Strip18oz
45 Day Dry-Aged Tomahawk40oz
Miyazaki Wagyu
Michael Beltran will also be opening two additional restaurants including a Cuban-inspired bistro and a cigar bar. Their locations place them directly across the street from Maple & Ash. All restaurants are expected to open by Winter 2022.
Aria Reserve-Tallest Waterfront Twin Towers in the United States are Coming to Miami
I am sure you have heard of the Aria Reserve Towers Miami, and if you haven’t, keep reading. It will truly be the most unique and luxurious towers to grace the Miami coastline. With its modern yet sultry design set directly on Biscayne Bay, it will truly feel like you are living on a resort!
Located at 711 Northeast 23rd Terrace, Miami’s most coveted area in the Edgewater neighborhood, Aria residents will be able to enjoy Miami’s pristine beaches, Miami Beach nightlife, and the Design District’s shopping. This project is being developed by the Melo Group and designed by Bernardo Fort-Brescia of Arquitectonica with interiors designed by MORADA.
Aria Reserve will be the tallest waterfront twin residential towers in the United States rising 62 stories high. Sited on a 5.2-acre development with 547 linear feet of water frontage, it will offer unparalleled amenities. Melo Group also plans to build a public park from Aria connecting to the Miami Baywalk. The development site was previously known as Island Bay.
The Melo Group has recently launched sales for 321 units in the south tower of Aria. With roughly 800 units between the two towers, pricing for Aria Reserve’s first building will start at $750,000. There are 15 penthouses available starting at $12 million. Units will feature 1 to 4 bedroom floor plans with 1,100 square feet to 2,600 square feet of living space. The penthouses will range from 3,500 square feet to 9,000+ square feet, each including a 3-car garage. Sales for the second tower will be launched based on market demand.
Tower Amenities:
2-acre recreation deck
Lap pool and spa
Gaming center
Playground
Tennis courts
Basketball courts
Paddle courts
Miniature golf course
Wellness center
Gym
Meditation Garden
Residence Features
Unobstructed views of Biscayne Bay and Ocean
Finished residences with two flooring options
All residences include 2 high-speed elevators
All residences include an office/media room
All residences are sunrise-sunset flow-through from East to West
3-month seasonal rentals allowed up to 4 times per year
Construction of Aria Reserve south tower should begin in the spring of 2022 with an anticipated completion date of 2024. If you or someone you know have an interest in purchasing at Aria Reserve, please contact Lucas Lechuga via email at [email protected] or by phone at (786)247-6332.
