Mandarin Oriental Hotel and Residences Begins Construction on Miami’s Brickell Key
Construction has officially kicked off at the site of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel and Residences, one of Miami’s most closely watched condo and hotel developments. Crews recently began deep soil mixing ahead of the development’s planned October groundbreaking date, a technique essential for towers of this scale. The process strengthens the ground before foundation work can start, which is particularly important given Miami’s sandy, often unstable geology. With that process underway, the 294-unit, 149-key development is on track to begin rising next year across its two planned towers. This progress comes not long after the original Mandarin Oriental hotel was brought down to make way for it. Built in 2000 and home to 326 hotel rooms, relatively young by most building standards, the tower was demolished in a controlled implosion that drew onlookers from across the city. In the months since, debris cleanup from that demolition has neared completion, and in the areas already cleared, deep soil mixing is now moving forward. Below is a video outlining recent construction milestones. Click to view and expand. That sequence of ground preparation before vertical construction is not unique to this site. A similar approach is playing out a short distance away at Citadel’s new global headquarters, a project Floridian Development has also covered, where foundation work is only now getting underway after months of soil improvement. The parallel makes sense: Brickell Key is an artificial island, which makes this kind of ground preparation especially critical. None of that work is happening without oversight. The construction activity, located at 750 Claughton Island Drive, is backed by a steady stream of county permitting, with several permits either issued or under review. These include approvals for soil improvement tied to the deep soil mixing, site cleanup, a foundation permit for the hotel tower, and a master building permit for the residential structure. According to the issued master building permit, the project carries an estimated cost of $226 million and will add 1,286,326 square feet of new construction to the site. Much of the momentum behind this groundbreaking can be traced back to strong sales performance, with units in both the north and south towers repeatedly breaking records when they first hit the market. That demand stems in large part from the site’s location. Positioned on Brickell Key, the property offers one of the few unobstructed waterfront views left in Miami, with water visible in three directions, a rarity that has commanded both premium pricing and sustained buyer interest. It’s a location that will pay off further once the towers themselves take shape. Upon completion, the development will offer some of the highest vantage points in Miami. The taller of the two towers will rise 66 stories to a height of 850 feet, while the shorter hotel tower will reach 33 stories and 426 feet. Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, both structures will be wrapped in balconies and floor-to-ceiling glass, with an ornate crown detail capping each tower. Within those towers, the residential and hotel components are split by structure. The south tower, the taller of the pair, will house 228 residential units, while the north tower will include 66 residences alongside 121 hotel rooms and 28 hotel-branded residences. Across both, residents will have access to an extensive amenity package, including multiple outdoor spaces with sweeping views, pools, private waterfront cabanas, sports courts, a spa, a wellness deck, and resident lounges. Some pieces of the picture, however, are still coming into focus. Details such as commercial square footage or parking spaces aren’t yet available, since Swire Properties and Mandarin Oriental have not submitted those plans to public boards for review. Even so, the development is likely to feature commercial space and adequate parking for each resident once those details are finalized. Construction is expected to conclude in 2030.
Urbanica Reveals Plans for 28-Story Tower at 7915 East Drive in North Bay Village
North Bay Village’s ongoing development surge shows no signs of slowing, with plans now revealed for a 28-story luxury tower from Urbanica Development, a firm with several other high-profile projects already underway across South Florida. Despite its height, the building will be relatively exclusive, offering just 70 residences and joining a growing lineup of upscale high-rises reshaping the area, alongside projects like Pagani Residences and the Tula Residences. The tower is planned for 7915 East Drive, where it would replace Bayview Villages, a 41-unit low-rise condominium dating back to 1959. No sale has yet been recorded on the property, with the site’s last transaction going back to 2008. Still, if Urbanica moves forward as expected, the parcel should go under contract before long, clearing the way for demolition soon after. The project, designed by Revuelta Architecture International, was submitted to county planners just days ago and is now working through the approval process. Residences at 7915 East Drive will range from two- to four-bedroom-plus layouts, with the smallest unit measuring 1,997 square feet, putting the development firmly in luxury territory. Every unit will come with its own private balcony and floor-to-ceiling windows, while additional design details and finishes are expected to be announced closer to launch. The building’s amenity package is extensive, featuring a fitness center, a lounge, a library, dedicated kids’ and teens’ rooms, a theater, a spa, a shared living room, and rooftop pools. An expansive lobby and drop-off area will welcome residents and guests, while 142 parking spaces will serve both. At ground level, the project will introduce a public waterfront path dubbed the “Island Walk,” functioning much like a baywalk. The walkway will run along a newly raised seawall and include a wood dock and landscaped greenery, adding a required public amenity to what is otherwise a private development. In a letter of intent, representatives for the developer wrote that the team is “excited to bring this residential development proposal to this area of the Village,” adding that they believe the plan “will contribute positively to the community through the inclusion of the Island Walk.” Rising 339 feet, the tower will lean into a contemporary look, with a beige-and-gray color palette and a facade dominated by glass, including glass balconies stretching across much of the building’s exterior. The parking podium will be wrapped in perforated aluminum, a common architectural technique that shields parked cars from view while still allowing air to flow through the structure. The proposal is now moving through the approval process, and early signs point to a relatively smooth path forward. The property is already zoned for a tower exceeding 300 feet with up to 70 units, meaning the project meets the area’s core density and height requirements. The main outstanding item involves a handful of minor setback exceptions the developer is requesting as part of the review.