Major projects in Brickell, Overtown and Wynwood received design approval from several well-known developers.
On Wednesday, the Miami Urban Design Review Board voted unanimously to approve a proposal by Swire Properties and New York-related firms to build an office building in downtown Brickell; a trio of apartment towers planned by Witkoff of New York and Monroe Capital of Chicago; Regis-branded condominiums co-developed by Integra Investments, both of which are based in Miami.
The board also approved designs for two Wynwood projects proposed by Clearline Real Estate, led by former Kushner executive Jenny Bernall, and Coconut Grove-based Eden Multifamily and New York-based The A joint venture of the Dermot Company.
700 North Miami Avenue and 771 First Avenue NW
Based on the site plan, Witkoff and Monroe proposed three apartment towers on the site of the former Miami Arena, measuring 577 feet, 589 feet, and 615 feet. The entire complex will have approximately 2,350 rental units, 30,500 square feet of commercial space and nearly 2,100 parking spaces.
In July 2021, Witkoff and Monroe purchased the 5-acre property for $94 million.
“We believe there is demand for all 2,346 units and ground floor retail,” Melissa Tapanes, the joint venture’s attorney, told the review committee.
Board members had little criticism of the project, which was designed by Miami-based Kirby Karp Architecture and Interiors.
“From an architectural point of view, the project is very elegant,” said board chairman Agustin Barrera. “One of the challenges with this site was how to get so many units without overcrowding the site.”
700 Brickell Avenue
The board approved Swire and Associates, led by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, to build a 1,000-foot office tower in downtown Brickell as the second phase. The proposed building would be the tallest commercial high-rise in Florida.
Office suites range from 40,000 square feet on the upper floors to 60,000 square feet on the lower floors, with a floor area capped at 2.85 million square feet, the documents show. Spencer Crowley, a lawyer for the joint venture, said “the aim is to attract significant financial and technology companies”. “We worked with the council to meet their needs, which were larger office slabs.”
The project was designed by Miami-based Arquitetonica. “I think downtown [and Brickell] Been waiting for an office building of this quality and caliber for a long time,” Barrera said. “Connections to the rest of downtown Brickell are great. ”
1809 Brickell Avenue
The board also approved the acquisition of Related Group, led by Chairman Jorge Pérez and his sons Jon Paul and Nick, and Nelson Stabile. Stabile and Victor Ballestas, Integra is seeking a waiver for the joint venture’s proposed St. Regis Residences in Miami. The partnership plans to build a 46-story tower with 152 units on the waterfront.
Wynwood Project
A planned mixed-use project and a proposed apartment complex in Wynwood also received an exemption from the 30 percent reduction in parking spaces.
The mixed-use project is being developed by New York-based Clearline, which acquired the development site at 2010 North Miami Avenue last year for $19.1 million. In addition to the parking reduction waiver, the board also approved a reduction in the size of the project’s multifamily units from 550 to 495 square feet.
The jury also gave Eden and Dermot a thumbs up for their apartment project. The joint venture proposes a 43-story tower with 430 units and 455 parking spaces, designed by Kobi Karp. Eden and Dermot contracted to purchase 0.7 acres at 1018 North Miami Avenue owned by Park West investor Michael Simkins.
