Plans Filed for 750-Unit Magnus Grove and Stirrup Plaza Redevelopment Near Douglas Road Station
The Related Urban Group, the affordable housing division of Miami-based Related Group, has unveiled plans for one of Miami’s largest mixed-income housing developments near the Douglas Road Metrorail Station. Submitted to Miami-Dade County earlier this week, the proposal calls for two residential towers totaling 750 new apartments, replacing two aging affordable housing communities with a significantly larger transit-oriented redevelopment. Located at 3181 Douglas Road and 3150 Mundy Street, the project will occupy a 4.483-acre county-owned site currently home to Stirrup Plaza and Gibson Plaza. The redevelopment stems from a Miami-Dade County Request for Proposals (RFP), through which Related Urban was selected to redevelop the property. It marks the latest affordable housing partnership between the developer and the county, following several similar redevelopment initiatives across Miami-Dade. According to plans prepared by Cohen Freedman Encinosa & Associates Architects, the redevelopment will deliver 750 new apartments. Including 68 existing units that will remain, the completed community will contain 818 residential units. The development will consist of two buildings. Magnus Grove, located on the southern portion of the site, will contain 348 units, while Stirrup Plaza, on the northern portion, will feature 402 units. Apartments will range from studios to one-, two-, and three-bedroom floor plans, with two-bedroom units comprising the largest share of the development, followed closely by one-bedroom residences. While target incomes haven’t been revealed yet, the development is expected to target deeply affordable, workforce, and market-rate tenants. Residents of both buildings will have access to a variety of amenities. Magnus Grove’s amenity deck will be located on the eighth floor, while Stirrup Plaza’s will occupy the sixth floor. Each tower will include its own swimming pool alongside indoor and outdoor gathering spaces designed for residents. Beyond housing, the project incorporates community-serving uses at street level. Magnus Grove will dedicate approximately 7,650 square feet to a new Miami-Dade Public Library branch, while Stirrup Plaza will feature 7,295 square feet of street-facing retail or restaurant space intended to activate the pedestrian environment. Parking will also be provided through 796 newly constructed spaces, supplemented by 15 existing spaces that will remain, bringing the total to 811 parking spaces. Plans also include 55 bicycle parking spaces. The towers will also become prominent additions to the Douglas Road skyline. Magnus Grove is planned to rise 22 stories and approximately 241 feet, while Stirrup Plaza will rise 25 stories and approximately 270 feet. Renderings depict both buildings with stucco facades accented by green and white tones, floor-to-ceiling glazing, metal balconies, and contemporary architectural detailing. The proposal is advancing through an administrative review process rather than traditional public hearings. The development is utilizing both Miami-Dade’s Rapid Transit Zone (RTZ) regulations and Florida’s Live Local Act. The RTZ framework is intended to encourage higher-density, mixed-use development near major transit stations, while the Live Local Act provides additional zoning flexibility for qualifying residential projects. Together, the two frameworks allow developments like this to achieve greater height and density while proceeding through an administrative review process rather than local board hearings. The proposed density remains well within what the Live Local Act permits. Based on the project’s acreage, the site could accommodate substantially more units than currently proposed under the legislation’s density provisions, leaving room below the maximum allowable development. The latest submission also represents a significant evolution from earlier plans for the property. Months ago, Related Urban proposed a single affordable housing tower known as Gallery in the Grove, centered solely around Magnus Grove. The revised plans expand that vision into a two-tower redevelopment with increased housing capacity, redesigned architecture, and additional neighborhood-serving uses.
New Interior Renderings Offer First Look at the Rays’ $2.3 Billion Stadium Planned for Tampa
The Tampa Bay Rays have unveiled the first interior renderings of their proposed new ballpark, offering the clearest look yet at a stadium designed to blend modern technology, fan-focused amenities, and elements inspired by both Tropicana Field and Tampa’s broader cultural identity. The renderings were revealed during the fifth inning of the Rays’ 3-0 victory over the New York Yankees on a Rays.TV broadcast, showcasing five renderings for the proposed stadium. The defining feature throughout the designs is the stadium’s fixed dome, which is intended to create an indoor environment while maintaining a connection to the outdoors. Expected to seat approximately 30,000 spectators, the climate-controlled stadium will feature a partially transparent roof constructed with ETFE, a lightweight and highly transparent material commonly used in modern stadium and architectural projects. The design will allow natural light to enter the building while protecting fans and players from Florida’s heat and unpredictable weather. The goal behind the roof design is to create an experience that feels more open-air while still providing the benefits of an enclosed facility. Beyond the dome, renderings highlight several fan-focused features, including two large digital video displays, premium seating positioned closer to the field, a center-field bar overlooking the playing surface, and expanded gathering areas throughout the ballpark. One of the most recognizable features carried over from Tropicana Field will also receive a major upgrade: the Rays’ popular ray tank. At the main plaza entrance, fans will be greeted by views toward center field, landscaped open space, and a larger aquarium feature designed to showcase rays in a more prominent setting. The stadium will also incorporate elements celebrating Tampa’s history and identity, including the use of Ybor City-inspired red brick throughout portions of the design. In a statement, Rays CEO Ken Babby said the updated designs reflect feedback from fans who want a ballpark that balances tradition with modern expectations. “Ballpark design is always in motion, but we felt it was time to pause and share with our fans where we are today and anticipate going in the future,” Babby said. “What we are unveiling today is a response to what Rays fans have told us they want: a comfortable and inviting ballpark that honors the intimate connection between fans and the game, while at the same time incorporating modern amenities and design innovations that they expect and deserve.” According to the Tampa Bay Times, the Rays intend to offer a range of ticket prices to maintain accessibility for fans across different income levels. A Larger Mixed-Use District Beyond Baseball The unveiling comes several months after the Rays introduced their broader vision for the surrounding development, a mixed-use district inspired by projects such as The Battery Atlanta. The proposed redevelopment would transform the Hillsborough Community College Dale Mabry Campus site into a new destination combining sports, entertainment, housing, and commercial uses. Beyond the stadium, plans call for restaurants, retail, office space, a music venue, hotel development, residential buildings, and new educational facilities for Hillsborough Community College as part of a potential campus redevelopment. At full buildout, the stadium and surrounding district are projected to generate approximately $55.5 billion in economic impact over 35 years, create nearly 11,900 permanent jobs, and attract more than 10 million annual visitors to the area. The development would add another major destination to a region already anchored by high-volume attractions such as Raymond James Stadium and International Plaza and Bay Street. Funding and Approval Process Remain Ahead Despite the unveiling of new designs, the project still faces significant hurdles before construction can begin. The Rays must secure political approval to redevelop the publicly owned site and continue negotiations surrounding nearly $1 billion in proposed public contributions, primarily from Hillsborough County. Under the current framework, the team would fund more than half of the stadium/district costs while also covering potential construction overruns. In May, Tampa and Hillsborough County officials agreed to continue negotiations by approving a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the team. Final agreements, financing terms, and approvals have yet to be finalized. The Rays have stated their goal is to open the new stadium in time for the 2029 baseball season.