Gallery at Little Havana Updated With More Affordable Housing Units, Refined Design
Related Urban’s next affordable housing development, Gallery at Little Havana, has been quietly advancing through the approval process, and newly submitted plans reveal several notable changes since the project was first unveiled. While the original proposal was explicitly preliminary, the latest plans refine both the building’s design and interior program as the development moves closer to construction. Located at 1275 SW 1st Street, the 12-story development will replace two three-story affordable housing buildings constructed in 1985, which together contain 21 existing units, according to property records. The redevelopment is part of a long-term partnership between Miami-Dade County and Related Urban Development Group, under which the developer has been selected to redevelop multiple county-owned affordable housing sites through long-term ground leases. The Gallery at Little Havana was first unveiled one year ago. Among the most significant revisions is an increase in residential density. The latest plans now call for 135 affordable housing units, up from 130 units in the original proposal. Apartments will consist of a mix of one- and two-bedroom floor plans in various layouts. Even with the additional units, the project remains below the site’s maximum allowable density of 170 units under the Live Local Act. The updated proposal, like the preliminary proposal, will continue to move forward under Florida’s Live Local Act, allowing the project to proceed through an administrative review process rather than the traditional public hearing process required for many large developments. The revised plans also introduce several architectural refinements. While the overall white-and-gray color palette remains, the facade has been simplified into a cleaner, more contemporary design. The most noticeable change is the treatment of the parking podium. Earlier plans relied primarily on flat perforated metal screening, while the updated proposal incorporates metal canopy elements that better conceal the garage and add greater depth to the building’s exterior. Additional facade materials include stucco finishes, floor-to-ceiling windows, metal balconies, and other contemporary architectural elements. Civica Architecture continues to serve as the project’s architect, with David O. Design leading the landscape architecture. Although the development will not include ground-floor retail space, residents will have access to amenities including a clubroom, fitness center, and leasing office. Parking will be provided through the ground floor and an integrated podium, totaling 109 spaces. While that is a reduction from the 118 spaces proposed previously, it remains well above the 70 spaces required by code despite the increase in residential units. The building will continue to rise 12 stories, reaching approximately 138 feet, representing little change from the original proposal. The additional height is made possible through the Live Local Act, which allows qualifying developments to utilize the maximum height permitted within a one-mile radius, subject to the law’s requirements. Because the project qualifies for administrative review, it is expected to move through the approval process without the lengthy public hearings commonly associated with comparable residential developments. A groundbreaking timeline has not yet been announced. Once construction begins, Gallery at Little Havana will join a growing pipeline of affordable housing projects by Related Urban across Miami-Dade County, including the recently updated Magnus Grove and Stirrup Plaza developments.
Biscayne 18 Nears Groundbreaking as Melo Group Files for Construction and FAA Permits
A long-vacant block along Biscayne Boulevard in Miami’s Edgewater neighborhood appears poised for redevelopment, as new permitting activity suggests construction could begin in the near future. Developer Melo Group has recently filed multiple construction permits with the City of Miami, along with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) applications for the project’s two towers. The flurry of activity comes as the company nears completion of several major developments, including Aria Reserve and Downtown 6th, positioning Biscayne 18 as one of its next major projects. Plans submitted to Miami’s Urban Development Review Board more than a year ago call for two 45-story residential towers on a more than one-acre assemblage at 1825 Biscayne Boulevard. Melo Group acquired the property in 2019 for more than $30 million after assembling multiple parcels. According to the project’s master building permit, Biscayne 18 will deliver 1,178 residential units, split evenly between the two towers with 589 residences each. The development will also include 17,670 square feet of professional office space, 26,860 square feet of retail, and a 10,150-square-foot banquet and event hall, all located within the podium. Plans submitted to the Urban Development Review Board additionally call for 1,472 parking spaces. While construction has not officially begun, permitting activity indicates the project is moving steadily toward that milestone. The master building permit remains under review and is currently undergoing the city’s standard correction process. City records estimate construction costs at approximately $321 million, with Melo Contractors Corp. listed as the project’s general contractor. Several additional permits have also been submitted, including applications for site work and piling, tree removal, and phased vertical construction. Although each permit still requires final approval, work on-site appears to be ramping up, with construction equipment visible and initial ground disturbance already underway. The developer has also filed FAA applications for both towers. While the applications request authorization for structures reaching 490 feet, architectural drawings and city permitting documents consistently list the buildings at approximately 465 feet. It is common for developers to request slightly greater heights from the FAA than ultimately planned to provide additional flexibility during the design and construction process. The FAA is currently reviewing the applications, though approval is widely expected. Previous FAA determinations in the Edgewater area have permitted structures significantly taller than Biscayne 18, making the proposed heights unlikely to present an obstacle. Once complete, residences will range from one-, two-, and three-bedroom floor plans. Residents will also have access to an extensive amenity package, with additional details outlined in the project’s development plans.