One of Brickell’s Tallest Towers, 619 Brickell by Nobu, Heads to UDRB
Plans for one of Miami’s tallest residential towers have officially been submitted to the city’s Urban Development Review Board. Known as 619 Brickell by Nobu, the 75-story waterfront tower would add another high-profile branded residence to Brickell, continuing a development trend that has transformed Miami’s luxury condominium market over the past several years. The project, led by 13th Floor Investments and Key International, is scheduled for review by the Urban Development Review Board (UDRB) on July 15th, marking another major milestone after years of planning. The development is proposed for a 1.97-acre waterfront site currently used for parking and special events by First Miami Presbyterian Church. Under a $240 million agreement, the church would sell the property while retaining its historic sanctuary and receiving new religious facilities integrated into the base of the development. Momentum around the project has continued to build in recent weeks. Sales launched only days ago, with the development team announcing more than $1 billion in reservations. Developers are aiming to convert those reservations into purchase contracts later this summer, positioning the project to break ground as early as next year. According to plans submitted to the city, the tower will contain 321 residences, slightly higher than the 312 units previously advertised. Homes will range from studios to five-bedroom residences, including multiple one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom configurations with optional den layouts. The project will also include 894 parking spaces, approximately gross 7,596 square feet of commercial space, 95,583 gross square feet of religious facilities, and 1,303 bicycle parking spaces. Retail space will be concentrated along the ground-floor waterfront and is expected to accommodate restaurant uses. Religious facilities will occupy portions of both the ground floor and the ninth level, including dining halls, kitchens, serving areas, gathering spaces, and additional seating overlooking Biscayne Bay. Residents will have access to approximately 90,000 square feet of amenities centered on Nobu’s hospitality and wellness brand. Planned offerings include multiple swimming pools, padel courts, fitness facilities, game rooms, IV and peptide therapy, ozone therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy suites, and other health and wellness services. The tower is being designed by Foster + Partners in collaboration with Sieger Suarez Architects. According to the design team, the building draws inspiration from Miami’s Art Deco heritage through a gently twisting form created by rotating each floor plate toward Biscayne Bay. The geometry is intended to maximize daylight exposure, improve water views, and reduce view obstruction for neighboring residences. Plans show the tower rising approximately 885 feet, placing it among Miami’s tallest buildings and one of the tallest towers in Brickell. The exterior will feature a predominantly glass facade with floor-to-ceiling windows, glass balconies, smooth stucco, aluminum accents, decorative screening around the parking levels, faux keystone detailing, and integrated louvers. Although the Urban Development Review Board does not have final authority over the project because it is proceeding through an administrative approval process, the board’s recommendations often influence the final design. Developers frequently incorporate suggested revisions before advancing toward construction.
Gallery at SoMi Parc Breaks Ground With Affordable, Workforce, and Special-Needs Housing
The Gallery at SoMi Parc has officially broken ground in South Miami, marking the next phase of a large-scale affordable and workforce housing redevelopment in a region grappling with rising housing costs. Developed by Related Urban, the project will replace portions of the former South Miami Gardens public housing complex with a mixed-income community that includes housing targeted toward residents with special needs. A groundbreaking ceremony was held June 12 at the development site, located at 5961 SW 68th Street, and was attended by local officials, housing leaders, and members of the development team. The project is part of a broader redevelopment effort that began after Related Urban was selected through a competitive process in 2020 to partner with Miami-Dade County Public Housing and Community Development on the transformation of South Miami Gardens. The first phase of the redevelopment has already been completed, allowing existing residents to relocate into newly constructed housing and freeing additional land for future development under a 99-year ground lease. In late May, Related Urban submitted plans for the next stage of the community, which calls for two 15-story towers containing approximately 700 residential units. The first tower is now moving forward into construction. Of the project’s planned 700 units, the initial phase encompasses approximately 350 apartments. Housing will serve a range of income levels between 20 percent and 80 percent of Area Median Income. Fifty-one of those units will be designated as “Link” residences reserved for individuals with special needs, while the remaining apartments will be targeted toward workforce households, including teachers, healthcare workers, service industry employees, and other essential workers. The development was submitted under Florida’s Live Local Act, allowing it to proceed through an administrative review process rather than traditional local public hearings. While a project of this scale may have ultimately received local approval through different channels, the administrative pathway provided a faster and more predictable entitlement process, reducing costs. Financing for the development comes from a combination of public and private sources. Funding includes $86 million in private placement bonds from Merchants Bank of Indiana, $60 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit equity from Red Stone Equity Partners, an $8.5 million sponsor loan from Related Urban Capital, and an additional $8.5 million State Apartment Incentive Loan (SAIL) from the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Residents will have access to a variety of amenities, including a swimming pool, fitness center, gathering spaces, and modern apartment interiors. According to Traded, units will feature quartz countertops, vinyl flooring, porcelain-tile bathrooms, washers and dryers, and other contemporary finishes. Some residences will also include private balconies. Ground-floor plans call for approximately 8,000 square feet of retail space alongside parking, lobby areas, resident amenities, widened sidewalks, landscaped public spaces, and more. Designed by Modis Architects, the tower is expected to rise 15 stories and approximately 150 feet. Elevations show a facade incorporating brown and white tones, metal balconies, stucco detailing, and large window openings. Construction of the first tower is expected to be completed in late 2028. A timeline for the second tower has not yet been announced. The project represents the latest affordable housing development to move forward for Related Urban, which is also advancing other major initiatives across South Florida, including the planned Gallery at Wagner Creek development.