Partnership Proposed 6-Story Multifamily Building in South Miami at 6230 SW 69th Street
A South Florida–based development team has submitted plans to the City of South Miami for a new multifamily project. Led by The Estate Companies in partnership with MAS AJP, the proposal calls for a multi-story residential building designed by Caymares Martin Architecture. The project is scheduled for review by the South Miami’s Design Review Board on January 6th, and would deliver 75 residential units on an assemblage spanning nearly one acre. The site is located at 6230 SW 69th Street, in proximity to Downtown South Miami and nearby single-family neighborhoods. The assemblage is comprised of four parcels, with two owned by SOUTH MIAMI RE PARTNERS LLC and two by 6201 SREI 99 LLC: entities associated with The Estate Companies and MAS AJP respectively. All four properties were acquired for a combined $3.5 million in early 2023, with two of the parcels subsequently transferred to The Estate Companies as part of the development partnership. According to plans submitted to the city, the development will include 7 studio units of 500 SF, 14 one-bedroom units ranging from 600 to 650 SF, 28 one-bedroom plus den units between 700 and 750 SF, and 26 two-bedroom units spanning 800 to 850 SF. Residents will have access to a variety of amenities, including a swimming pool, a rooftop deck, an 890 SF amenity room on the third floor, and a spacious ground-floor lobby. Parking for the development will total 128 spaces, including 4 on-street spots. Unusual for a Florida project, one floor of the parking will be located underground. The parking podium, spanning from the ground floor to the second level, will be largely hidden by the building’s units. With 128 spaces, the development provides a parking ratio exceeding 1:1 for residents. Caymares Martin Architects, a frequent collaborator with The Estate Companies, is leading the design for this project. The building will showcase a modern aesthetic, featuring gray and white color tones accented by ceramic wall tiles that mimic the appearance of wood. According to submitted elevations, the development will rise 82 FT from the sidewalk to its tallest point, measuring six stories. While an official name hasn’t been announced, The Estate Companies often uses the “Soleste” brand for their multifamily projects, meaning this development will likely be coined ‘Soleste South Miami’. Developers have quickly turned their attention to South Miami, an area that has traditionally been overshadowed by higher-density development hubs like Coral Gables and Miami. Just a few days ago, AvalonBay Communities proposed Avalon South Miami II, a 16-story residential tower in the heart of the city. AvalonBay isn’t the only developer active in the area, plans were also submitted last year for a full redevelopment of Sunset Place, which would include towers set to become the tallest South Miami has ever seen.
Related Group Resubmits FAA Permits for 444 Brickell, The First Signs of Life in Years
Signs of life have recently emerged for Related Group’s long-delayed third and final tower at One Brickell. New filings with the Federal Aviation Administration showcase refiled height permits for an 897 FT tower at 444 Brickell Avenue, the clearest indication in years that the developer is preparing itself to advance the final phase of the three-tower master plan along the Miami River, after years of uncertainty tied to archaeological discoveries. The 444 Brickell site has remained dormant amid prolonged archaeological review and preservation debates, following the discovery of expansive Tequesta artifacts and human remains during excavation of the adjacent parcels (where Baccarat Residences and Viceroy Brickell are now under construction). The FAA application was submitted after the permits filed in 2022 expired, which means the tower’s height remains unchanged at 897 FT above ground (901 FT above mean sea level). These updates are largely procedural, as the 444 Brickell site has been designated an Archaeologically Significant site to ensure the protection of historic artifacts and human remains uncovered during previous excavations. The designation does not prevent Related from moving forward with construction, since the developer holds vested development rights granted before the discovery of Tequesta artifacts and human remains. However, any major changes to the project beyond the current plans (such as changes in height/design) would require a resubmission, which could trigger additional review, public debate, and extra costs: outcomes Related would likely want to avoid. The designation does, however, require Related to carefully manage all archaeological materials, including their excavation, documentation, storage, and potential public display. Miami’s Historic & Environmental Preservation Board has the right to review and provide recommendations on how these artifacts are handled. In other news, Related told the Miami Herald in late 2024 that the existing office tower at 444 Brickell, which currently stores archaeological artifacts in certain rooms, is not expected to be demolished until at least 2028. The developer has indicated that portions of the artifacts will be incorporated into the project’s design, following the approach used in the Riverwalk for the towers already under construction. These spaces include planned homages to the Tequesta Tribe, such as exhibition areas. While updated plans have not been publicly released, a 2015 Miami River Commission submission (one of the last public files available) indicates that Tower 3 was planned to contain 420 units, designed by Arquitectonica, and intended to rise 80 floors.
Dulce Vida Advances Toward Groundbreaking Following Key $35 Million Financing Secured
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.