Updated Plans for Keystone Midway Submitted in Miami-Dade, Set to Add 489 Units
Fontainebleau could soon receive its first major development filed under Florida’s Live Local Act, as developers have submitted updated plans for a 15-story mixed-use project known as Keystone Midway. Proposed by Keystone Holdings, the project would replace an existing church property with nearly 500 residential units, marking the second iteration of the proposal after an earlier version was filed months ago. Planned for 190 NW 79th Street, the development would redevelop a 2.4-acre site currently occupied by a church building constructed in 1977 alongside a large surface parking lot. The property was acquired in early 2025 by Keystone Midway LLC for $10.2 million from Cathedral Connection Ministry Inc. Recently submitted plans call for a total of 489 residential units, an increase from the 477 units proposed in the project’s original filing. Under Florida’s Live Local Act, developers can access additional development incentives in exchange for reserving at least 40% of a project’s units as workforce housing. In this case, 40% of Keystone Midway’s units would be designated for residents earning up to 120% of Area Median Income. The development’s unit mix will include one-bedroom, one-bedroom plus den, two-bedroom, two-bedroom plus den, and three-bedroom layouts. One-bedroom units are expected to make up the majority of the project, followed by two-bedroom residences. Like many Live Local developments still moving through early approvals, portions of the amenity package remain subject to change. Still, plans already outline a substantial amenity deck located on the seventh floor, featuring a pool, kiddie pool, spa, pickleball court, family lounge, fitness center, business center, and game room. At street level, the project aims to improve pedestrian activity along the corridor through added landscaping, widened sidewalks, and 6,301 square feet of retail space. That figure represents a reduction from the 8,624 square feet of retail included in the original proposal. To support both residents and commercial activity, the development will include 773 parking spaces, slightly below the 779 spaces otherwise required under existing code. According to submitted elevations, Keystone Midway will consist of two tower structures rising above a 6-story podium. Both structures are planned to reach approximately 161 feet at their tallest architectural point. Renderings depict an exterior composed primarily of stucco finishes, metal balconies, and a pastel-toned color palette. Windows are not planned to be floor-to-ceiling, although balconies will line the facade. The project’s proposed height is made possible through the Live Local Act’s zoning regulations, which allow qualifying developments to match the tallest permitted height within a 1-mile radius. In this instance, the development uses zoning tied to a recently proposed 600-unit project by LF Development located roughly 0.64 miles away, where 15 stories are permitted. That mechanism could ultimately create a ripple effect for nearby properties that are seeking similar increases in density and height. The application is currently undergoing administrative review by Miami-Dade County, though approval is expected.
278-Unit Greenzone Development Proposed at The Big Easy Casino in Hallandale Beach
A chunk of Big Easy Casino in Hallandale Beach could soon be redeveloped into apartments, after developers submitted plans for two 8-story residential buildings to the city. Proposed at 501 NE 7th Street, the project will be dubbed Greenzone. Plans call for the redevelopment of an existing surface parking lot into a mixed-use development featuring apartments and retail, adding to an area that has rapidly become a hotspot for new construction activity. The property, originally home to a greyhound racing track before later being rebranded as Big Easy Casino, has seen portions of the larger site gradually sold off for redevelopment over the years. A 12.3-acre parcel was previously sold to JAI Legacy Holdings LLC, which later transferred the 3.09-acre development site to Greenzone Property Hallandale 770 LLC for $12 million. Current plans submitted to the city call for 278 residential units split between 54 efficiency units, 168 one-bedroom units, and 56 two-bedroom units. Efficiency units are planned at 499 square feet, while one-bedroom layouts will average 740 square feet and two-bedroom units approximately 1,050 square feet. Planning documents estimate the project could house around 560 residents at full occupancy. Units are expected to feature floor-to-ceiling windows, private balconies, and access to a broad amenity package centered around a rooftop deck above the parking structure. Proposed amenities include a pool, spa, clubhouse, playground, gym, landscaped open space, and two pickleball courts. At ground level, the development is designed to activate much of the site with 17,745 square feet of retail space lining the south, west, and north portions of the property. The surrounding streetscape is also set to receive pedestrian-focused upgrades, including widened sidewalks, added greenery, and other public realm improvements. To accommodate both residents and retail demand, the development will include 391 parking spaces. The project is being designed by SKLARchitecture, with the two 8-story structures planned to rise approximately 96 feet to the roofline, or roughly 100 feet to their tallest architectural feature. Renderings depict a contemporary facade complemented by white and gray tones, with the parking podium wrapped by active uses and architectural screening intended to minimize its visual impact. Describing the project’s design in a letter submitted to the city, SKLARchitecture wrote, “The architectural design emphasizes a contemporary and cohesive aesthetic, with clean lines, articulated façades, and curved balcony elements that create visual interest while also functioning as shading devices to enhance energy efficiency and occupant comfort. The massing is carefully modulated to maintain a strong street presence while providing appropriate transitions within the site and to surrounding uses.” The development is expected to move through the approval process with relative ease. Unlike many large redevelopment proposals in South Florida, the project requires little demolition, as the site currently functions as surface parking. In addition, the zoning and land-use framework already established for the former greyhound track property anticipates large-scale redevelopment, positioning Greenzone to move forward without major entitlement hurdles.