16 Floor Tower Proposed Near Miami’s Culmer Station
UBC Miami, LLC has submitted new plans for a multifamily development near the Culmer Metrorail Station in Miami. The developer intends to capitalize on the zoning benefits available under the Rapid Transit Zone (RTZ) Smart Corridor Subzone, which offers increased density allowances and reduced parking requirements for developments that support transit-oriented growth. Given that the project is LEED certified, the developers are granted additional flexibility regarding height and density parameters. As a result, the proposed development will feature 119 residential units, 123 parking spaces, and 12 bicycle parking spaces. Of the 119 units, 65 are 1 bedroom (or 1 bedroom + den) and 54 are 2 bedroom. Interestingly, despite the project’s proximity to transit, the ground floor will not include any retail spaces. According to plans, the building will rise 195 FT or 16 floors. Of these, the first five floors will form a pedestal, with four of those floors dedicated to parking. The tower’s podium will feature a “live green wall” designed by Behar Font. Additionally, circular, perforated metal-covered cutouts will be incorporated into the podium, giving it an artistic flare. The location is 1136 N.W. 8TH AVE. Behar Font is the main architect.
Biscayne Shores Revealed in Miami at 11400 Biscayne Blvd
Biscayne Shores Development Group LLC, an affiliate of Ben Josef Group Holdings based in NYC, has revealed new plans for a 15 floor tower in Miami. The development will have 561 units, 20,000 SF of commercial space, 723 parking spots, and 16 bicycle rack spaces. 12.5% of the units and an additional 14 of them will be set aside for workforce housing. Its also worth noting that these plans are still conceptual and can change. The developers are amending Miami-Dade’s Comprehensive Development Masterplan’s High Density Residential text to allow 150 units per acre and a FAR of 3.0. These changes in text will only apply to select properties, like this one. Likewise, the Future Land Use Map will be changed to High Density Residential for the entire property. The tower will reach a peak of 179 FT fronting Biscayne Blvd and a peak of 107 FT fronting NE 14th Ave. The architect is Kobi Karp.
Modera Aventura Phase Two Revealed in Ojus
Millcreek Residential, based in Boca Raton, has submitted their updated plans for Modera Aventura’s phase two. The project is coming back to Miami-Dade staff due to modifications in approved density and height. Modifications include lowering the height of the second phase from 15 floors to 8 floors, lowering density from 420 units to 251 units, and lowering parking from 557 spaces to 358 spaces. Likewise, the developers are providing 6,906 SF of commercial space on the ground floor. The mid-rise will rise to 94 feet and features a lower profile, distinguishing it from its taller counterpart in phase one. Phase one, which is currently under construction, has reached its full height of 15 stories by topping out weeks ago. The project complies with OUAD (Ojus Urban Area District) regulations and aligns with the district’s objectives by featuring a mixed-use design, enhancing pedestrian sidewalks, incorporating greenery, and being near transit options like the new Brightline Aventura station. However, Millcreek is not the first developer in the area. The OUAD was established in 2006 to allow higher density in exchange for better walkability and other improvements. Since then, developers like Millcreek Residential have been drawn to the area, resulting in a surge of multifamily development. The address is 2681 NE 191st Street. Corwil Architects is the main architect.
New Renderings & Design Released for Miami Riverside Center
Adler Development has revealed a twin tower project on the current site of Miami’s Riverside Center city administration complex at 444 SW 2nd Ave. The project, designed by Nichols Architects, will feature two slender, glass, residential towers both rising around 50 floors. According to Adler Development, there will be public access to a new multi-level restaurant complex, a public river walk with improved landscaping, and more along the Miami River. The tower’s river facing facade has aesthetics and functionality in mind by adding podium units to mask a multi-level parking garage. Morgan Sirlin, the Vice President of Adler development, stated that the company doesn’t anticipate any groundbreaking “until 2027 at the earliest”. Density for the project is unknown as the project is still in the design stage. The property is currently owned by Miami-Dade, but Adler development has a contract with Miami officials to build a new headquarters near the site of Inter Miami CF’s new stadium in exchange for land and development rights. Plans were proposed years ago, but were scrapped. Below were previous renderings with a master vision of 4 towers. The northern portion of the property is already under development, including two high-rises coined Modera Riverside and Nexus Riverside 1B.
“Uptown Harbor” by Dezer Development Subject to Site Plan Approval in North Miami Beach
“Uptown Harbor” by Dezer Development is subject to a site plan approval by the Planning & Zoning Board of North Miami Beach on August 12th. The project was originally proposed on November 10th, 2020 and had approval for both a development agreement and a conceptual plan. Up until May 9th, 2024, progress has been continuous. There will be eight blocks. In total the development will have 335,109 SF of commercial-retail space, 197,768 SF of office space, 2,000 residential units (subject to change), a 244-key hotel, and 4,743 parking spots. However, the developer is entitled to slightly more SF of commercial-retail space/residential units per a city and developer agreement. In this post, there will be an in-depth analysis for each block. Starting with block S1. Block S1 will border NE 163rd St and NE 36th Ave. It will be 21 floors high or 283 FT. It will contain 98,943 SF of commercial, 177,368 SF of office space, and 878 parking spots. Uniquely, North Miami Beach has minimum and maximum parking requirements. The developers could’ve had 641 parking spots on block S1 or 1,105 parking spots at max. The next phase is the S2 block, introducing two residential towers standing at 38 and 35 stories with heights of 394 FT and 364 FT respectively. Together, the buildings will add 643 residential units, 32,004 SF of retail space, and 1,070 parking spaces to the area. The towers will be anchored by a shared parking podium, designed to integrate seamlessly into the streetscape. Street-facing residential units will line the interior roads, while a masked parking garage will be positioned along NE 163rd Street to minimize its visual impact. The towers are also setback from the major thoroughfare via a slender park. The tallest block is Block S3, with two high-rise towers set to become the tallest in North Miami Beach. One will rise 48 stories to a height of 493 FT, while the other will reach 45 stories at 463 FT. The development will introduce 832 residential units and 22,398 SF of retail space, all supported by a multi-level podium housing 1,791 parking spaces. If completed as planned, these towers will be the tallest in North Miami Beach. Moving to block S4, there will be one tower at 46 floors or 486 FT. It will distinctively have no parking spots, with offsite parking provided by block S3. There will be 33,111 SF of commercial, 20,400 SF of office, and 336 residential units. Transitioning over to the N-labeled blocks, block N1 will function as a community focal point. The 6 floor, 83 FT building will contain 131,658 SF of commercial space, 17,398 SF of gym use, a police sub-station, a fire rescue station, and a 2,141 SF community center for residents. To accommodate the various uses, the building will have 617 parking spaces on site, more than the 605 maximum North Miami Beach sets. Block N2 will be split into a residential and hotel block. The residential block will be 12 floors or 152 FT. There will be 153 units, 27,177 SF of retail space, and 215 parking spots. The hotel block will be west from it. The wedge-shaped building will also rise 12 floors but be 147 FT. There will be 244 hotel rooms for guests and 2,529 SF of commercial. Parking is provided on the residential N2 block. The final block named TH will have 36 town homes with waterfront access. The project will be in four phases. The first phase will be construction Block N1 (the community center) and Block S1, the 21 floor office and retail building. The second phase will involve constructing roadway improvements, park space, the canal, and other bay walk features. The third phase will undergo the construction of a waterfront promenade by constructing retail, restaurants, and other uses along the water from block S2, S3, and N2. The fourth and final phase will be the construction of all major condominium towers, the hotel, rental apartments, and town homes. Dezer Development is requesting multiple administrative waivers. Waivers range from allowing more than 14 floors on specific plots, requesting garage screening instead of liner units, and more. A total of 15 waivers are requested. The architect is Zyscovich Architects. The location of the master-development is 3501 Sunny Isles Blvd.
Tower Cranes Submitted For Waldorf Astoria Reaching Over 1,200 FT.
PMG development has submitted on Wednesday two tower cranes on the site of Waldorf Astoria Miami, a new supertall set to be one of the tallest towers in America. Tower crane one will rise 1,273 FT off the ground or 1,284 above sea level. It will be the southernmost crane on the property, bordering Biscayne blvd. The crane is already erected, but not at its fullest height. The second crane submitted will be 1,227 FT or 1,238 FT. It will be on the northern portion of the property. Like the southern crane, it’s already erected. Back in the summer of 2023, two tower cranes were submitted at the site but slightly lower in height and different in location. The installed cranes today don’t match the FAA filings, hence the new submissions. One crane that shifted the most was Crane #1, going to the southern part of the property instead of the middle. These new filings will be subject to FAA approval, and will most likely receive approval shortly. The project site is 300 Biscayne Boulevard. The tower will feature 360 residences.
Stormwater Improvements Project Begins in Ft. Lauderdale’s Dorsey Riverbend Neighborhood
The city of Fort Lauderdale is beginning its Stormwater improvements project in the historic Dorsey Riverbend neighborhood. Man-Con, Inc will install 21,000 feet of stormwater pipe, install 90 drainage structures, install a new sewer pump station, reconstruct swale areas, trim trees, restore pavement, reconstruct driveways, and relocate nearby water and sewer lines. Construction began on Monday, July 22, 2024 and will continue to late 2026. Work will happen on weekdays between 7am and 6pm. For more information: use the website for the City of Fort Lauderdale. Stormwater improvement projects are especially necessary at a time where Fort Lauderdale has been hit with historic flooding. In early April of 2023, some parts of the city received more than 25 inches of rain while surrounding cities saw as high as 17 inches. Dorsey Riverbend is just one of the seven vulnerable neighborhoods highlighted in a $200 million plan to update drainage. Others include Durrs, Progresso, Victoria Park, and Southeast isles. The end goal is for the installed infrastructure to withstand about 10 inches of rain in a 24-hour period. Improving stormwater infrastructure is a race against the clock. Canals that flooded in the past would drain their water out onto the ocean, but recently the ocean’s rising waters has caused problems with natural outflow.
Shoma One Moves Forward With Permitting and New Designs
Shoma One at 3650 Bird Rd is moving forward with updated designs and permitting. The project previously announced in early 2024 will have 748 units with 94 of them being workforce units to meet a 12.5% minimum requirement. The 12.5% requirement derives from a workforce housing development program that permits the Shoma Group to add 6 floors of additional height in exchange for workforce housing. Plans previously called for 718 parking spots, but the developers scaled it down to 700. It’s worth noting that there’s no minimum parking requirement in “Rapid Transit Zones” of Miami. Additionally, there will be 22,453 SF of retail and 30,245 SF of open space. 24 Bicycle Parking Spaces will be provided. There’s two towers both rising 40 floors or 407 FT to the roof and around 440 FT to the top (estimate to the top as there’s no elevations past the roof line). Previous elevations show a different crown, one that has a circular, decorative feature at the top. The new crown is tiered, featuring a series of successively receding levels, giving it a distinctive, stepped appearance. Now, the developers are moving forward with permitting. On may 14th, 2024 total demolition permits were filed that aren’t yet approved. Once those permits are approved and demolition commences, the developers are expected to move forward with foundation/structural permitting and construction. The architect is Bermello Ajamil & Partners.
Miami Stands Out Nationally with a Staggering 44 High-Rises and 15,066 New Units Under Construction
Miami is undergoing a historic boom in high rise construction. In a list compiled by Floridian Development’s independent analysis (subject to minor errors), Miami has 44 high-rises under construction. These high-rises will add 15,066 multifamily units, office SF, and other uses to the market. This data only pertains to city boundaries and doesn’t include high-rises from Sunny Isles, Miami Beach, and the rest of South Florida as others lists notably have done. Note: Construction is when piles are driven into the ground and foundation work begins. Demolition or site clearing is not counted as construction. Under Construction High-rises (More than 12 floors) in Miami’s City Boundaries: Out of the 44 high-rises under construction in Miami, 40 are primarily residential and account for 15,066 units. Three of the high-rises are mostly office-use while one is dedicated to medical research and care. High-rises in Miami are reaching new heights. Waldorf Astoria Miami is at the forefront. Towering 1,041 FT, it will be Miami’s tallest residential tower in decades. It’s also the tallest tower under construction outside of NYC (in the U.S.) and Miami’s first supertall. Other notable towers on the list are Okan Tower and The Cipriani Residences, both of which will exceed 900 FT. Miami’s development pipeline exhibits significant variation in unit counts. The towers with the highest number of units include Mercedes-Benz Places, Namdar’s First Phase, and Miami River. Mercedes-Benz Places will provide 1,010 market-rate units. Miami’s high-rise construction consists of both market-rate and affordable/workforce housing, though the majority of the projects are geared towards market-rate units. Miami’s high-rise development is particularly notable on a national scale, largely due to the city’s emphasis on taller buildings. While comprehensive lists for each city detailing developments with 12 or more floors may be limited, CTBUH’s data tables provide valuable insights. For instance, Miami currently has 17 towers under construction that exceed 492 feet (150 meters, or approximately 45 floors), surpassing New York City’s 13. It’s important to note that NYC is the only city with more high-rises under construction at lower heights than Miami. Despite this, Miami’s focus on taller structures makes its development impressive and competitive, second only to New York City’s sheer scale of construction. Miami’s allure to domestic migrants makes the city appealing both for business and development. Even so, many critics highlight the city’s inefficiencies to deliver adequate traffic improvements or transit improvements amidst the growth in development. Likewise, Miami City Commissioners recently reinstated parking minimums, forcing more cars on the road.
Shoreline Review Submitted for “The St. Regis Residences” in Miami
Related Group’s “St. Regis Residences” submitted site plans for a shoreline development review on July 18th. The tower, announced in the past, will rise 48 floors and feature 152 residences. Part of the site plan highlights the benefits to pedestrian connectivity and experience. On both the east and west portion of the property, there will be a public baywalk access path that leads to 450 additional linear feet of baywalk. The property is raised from the ground, making steps and a sloped pathway necessary for accessibility. The tower will be setback 50 feet from the water. Likewise, If plans materialize, the baywalk will have a public “lawn sculpture”, cast in place benches, and other lighting features to enhance the pedestrian experience. Along both the property’s frontage and baywalk will feature adequate native and foreign greenery. The tower will be the 621 FT tall, the tallest on the strip. The Design Architect is RAMSA (Robert A.M. Stern Architects), and the Architect of Record is CFE (Cohen Freedman Encinosa & Associates). The tower will rise at 1809 Brickell Ave.