One of Allapattah’s first Live Local Act developments is preparing to move toward groundbreaking as Coral Rock Development advances plans for Dulce Vida, a mixed-income residential project enabled by the state’s sweeping pro-density legislation. The proposal, which received approval from Miami’s Urban Development Review Board in early 2024, is targeting a construction start in early 2026. Groundbreaking is supported by $35 million in financing just granted by Citibank, alongside an additional $15 million secured through the City of Miami’s Forever Affordable Housing Bond program, structured as a 30-year loan.
Planned for 1785 NW 35th Street, Dulce Vida will rise on a Miami-Dade County-owned site currently occupied by a one-story public library and surface parking. The redevelopment will replace the existing facility with a new library integrated into the project, while significantly increasing density along a rapidly developing stretch of Allapattah.
Set to deliver 227 residential units, Dulce Vida will feature a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom residences. The project is structured as a mixed-income development, serving both low-income households and those qualifying for workforce housing. Under the proposed income distribution, 40% of units will be reserved for households earning up to 60% of Area Median Income (AMI), 35% for households earning up to 100% of AMI, and the remaining 25% for households earning up to 120% of AMI.
Residents in the building will have access to multiple amenities, including barbeque areas, a dog park, kids playground, and more, all on the ground floor.
According to the project’s UDRB submission from last year, the replacement public library planned at the corner of NW 18th Avenue and NW 35th Street will span 8,494 SF. The development will also include 372 structured parking spaces, in addition to 15 on-street spaces for a total of 387 parking spaces, providing adequate capacity to serve both library patrons and residents.
Dulce Vida will rise 8 stories, reaching 80 FT in height. The building’s facade, designed by Behar Font, will combine stucco, concrete parapets, metal balconies, and impact-resistant windows, with a color palette featuring shades of gray and blue.
The project has also drawn public support from city leadership. Speaking to CityBiz, which reported on the project’s financing, District 1 Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela described Dulce Vida as a positive step for the neighborhood.
“Dulce Vida is a great addition to Allapattah and District 1 where the city teams up with the developer to continue the redevelopment of the area while providing needed affordable housing, public parking and a new public library,” Gabela said.