Miami’s Blue Lagoon neighborhood, an area defined by its mid-rise, office-oriented development, is seeing its first proposal under Florida’s Live Local Act. The project is known as Azul at Blue Lagoon, with plans currently awaiting Miami-Dade County approval for a 15-story residential tower made possible through the Act’s development incentives.
Led by Keystone 1200, LLC, an affiliate of local firm Keystone Holdings, the proposal would rise on 1.2-acre site currently occupied by two industrial warehouses and a surface parking lot. The venture will also mark Keystone’s second Live Local project in the county, following its earlier Keystone Midway proposal, which Floridian Development previously reported on.
According to plans submitted in early October, Azul at Blue Lagoon will feature 250 residential units. Under existing zoning, only 72 units would be permitted on the site, but the Live Local Act allows for a significant increase of up to 300 units in this case. By leveraging the act’s incentives, which include higher density and height limits, reduced parking requirements, and an expedited approval process, the developer must allocate at least 40% of the units as workforce housing. Most importantly, this proposal generously exceeds that threshold: approximately 54% of the building, or 136 units, will be reserved for workforce housing, priced at or below 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Residences at Azul at Blue Lagoon will range from townhome-style units and studios to one-, two-, and three-bedroom layouts, including optional two-bedroom units with dens. One-bedroom units will make up the majority of the development, accounting for 46% of all residences. All workforce-designated units will consist of either one- or two-bedroom layouts, ranging from around 600 SF to 900 SF.
While the amenity package may continue to evolve, current plans showcase features such as a fitness center, resident storage areas, a pool deck, and multiple lounge spaces. At street level, the project will include 2,501 SF of retail space, a lobby, and vehicular access to the podium garage. The garage will accommodate 372 parking spaces, a significant portion of which will be configured in tandem layouts to maximize efficiency.
Designed by FormGroup, a well-known architectural firm in the South Florida region, the building will feature a contemporary design with a concealed podium at street level, maintaining a pedestrian-friendly appearance. Balconies will incorporate a mix of metal and glass, while the facade will showcase stucco finishes in shades of blue, white, and brown.
The building’s 15-story height is based on the maximum allowable height within a one-mile radius, with the precedent set by a nearby 15-story residential building at 725 NE 57th Street, located approximately 0.29 miles away. According to elevations, the building will rise 148 FT to its tallest point.
Because the project is being filed administratively, there will not be a public hearing for this project. Once all is given the go-ahead, the existing site at 1200 NW 57th Street will require limited demolition.