In Miami’s Little River neighborhood, where housing affordability remains a growing concern, a new development is moving forward with the goal of expanding access to supportive housing. The Healthy Housing Foundation, a subsidiary of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), recently broke ground on a 12-story residential project aimed at serving individuals and families in need of housing assistance, including those experiencing homelessness. The project, designed by Glavovic Studio, was marked by a ceremonial groundbreaking held on January 23rd between 10:30 A.M. and noon.
The event took place at 7952 NE 3rd Avenue, the site where the building will rise. The 0.9-acre property was acquired by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation for $6 million in 2022 and was previously occupied by a single-story strip mall and surface parking lot. Demolition of the existing structures was completed in 2023, and recent activity on-site, including site work, signals the start of vertical construction.
Coined as Little River Plaza, the project will deliver 250 affordable housing units targeted to households earning up to 50% of Miami-Dade County’s Area Median Income and below. The unit mix will consist of micro-studios and one-bedroom residences, with sizes ranging from approximately 380 to 540 SF. The groundbreaking event was attended by Mayor Eileen Higgins, who noted ‘you will not meet anyone in Miami that doesn’t know someone who is struggling to pay the rent’.
At the heart of the building, residents will share a large common space, designed as a multi-story open-air atrium. The space functions similar to a hotel-style courtyard, providing lighting and fresh air to circulate throughout the structure. At ground level, the high-rise will include a designated drop-off zone and a total of 205 parking spaces, including five on-street spaces reserved for guest use.
In addition to parking, the project will include 2,888 SF of ground-floor retail space designed for a single tenant. While no retailer has been announced to date, the space will be supported by widened sidewalks, on-site landscaping, and other pedestrian-oriented improvements intended to activate the street frontage.
Glavovic Studio approached the design with cost efficiency as a core principle, allowing the project to pencil out while maintaining affordability. Architectural elements such as balcony railings are repeated across the podium to limit the need for custom materials and reduce construction costs. The zig-zagging aluminum balconies and parking screens serve a dual purpose, helping to reduce solar heat while adding visual movement and texture to the facade. According to architectural elevations, the building is expected to rise 134 FT at its tallest point.
Permitting activity at the site has been active, with a master construction permit, electrical permits, and other required approvals now being issued. Gomez Construction Company is listed as the project’s general contractor.
Once complete, Little River Plaza will join a growing pipeline of new development in Little River, much of it centered on affordable and workforce housing. The site was selected in part for its proximity to transit and daily amenities, including direct access to a bus stop along the property frontage.