Sabet Group’s 1600 Edgewater Begins Construction as Miami’s Omni District Enters New Development Boom
Construction has officially begun on 1600 Edgewater, a 282-unit residential development taking shape in Miami’s Omni District. Photos recently taken by Floridian Development show crews beginning foundation work, marking a major milestone for the project after months of approvals and permitting by developer Sabet Group. Proposed in March 2025, the 33-story tower will join a growing collection of high-rises planned or already rising throughout the Omni District, as developers increasingly look beyond Miami’s most expensive neighborhoods, including Brickell, for opportunities to build at scale. Located at 1600 NE 2nd Avenue, the project occupies a property that only recently cleared its previous structures. Demolition was completed several months ago after Sabet Group acquired the site for $14.3 million in late 2022, setting the stage for the redevelopment of the property. The start of foundation work follows a series of recently approved permits. Site preparation and foundation work have already received approval, for example, while GT McDonald Construction has been identified as the project’s general contractor. A vertical construction permit has also been approved, although the master construction permit remains under review while the developer addresses requested corrections. According to the master permit, the project carries an estimated construction cost exceeding $93 million and will encompass nearly 500,000 square feet of new construction. Activity on the site is now beginning to reflect those approvals. Photos show rebar cages, heavy machinery, and other equipment being used as crews drill into the ground and install reinforced foundation elements that will eventually support the tower as it rises vertically. Considering the project was only proposed around this time last year, reaching the foundation stage this quickly represents a notably short timeline from initial proposal to construction. Part of that speed can be attributed to the project’s residential model. Rather than pursuing for-sale condominiums, 1600 Edgewater will operate as a luxury rental development while incorporating a portion of affordable housing. The 282 residences will be divided into approximately 93% market-rate and 7% affordable units, with 20 apartments reserved for households earning at or below 60% of the Area Median Income. The rental model also avoids the presale requirements and extended sales process often associated with condominium developments. Residences will range from studios to one- and two-bedroom apartments. Residents will have access to a broad range of amenities, including a rooftop pool, rooftop restaurant, outdoor dining areas, and a spacious lobby. A multi-level parking podium will also provide 352 parking spaces, while the development will contain approximately 9,519 square feet of commercial space, including the rooftop restaurant. Although a detailed construction schedule has not yet been announced, completion is currently expected in 2028. The tower will rise 33 floors and approximately 384 feet, placing it among the taller structures in the Omni District once completed. Designed by Kobi Karp, the building will feature floor-to-ceiling windows and a contemporary exterior centered around a black, gray, and white color palette. Extensive exterior lighting will further accentuate the structure, giving the tower a prominent presence within the growing district. 1600 Edgewater is also advancing alongside several other major developments in the surrounding area. Nearby, Sense22, Biscayne 18, and 1775 Biscayne Boulevard have recently entered site preparation phases that include foundation work, adding to a growing wave of construction activity throughout the Omni District. As these projects progress simultaneously, the area is quickly emerging as one of Miami’s next major high-rise construction hubs.
The Aurelian Begins Rising as 161-Unit Rental Project Takes Shape in Coral Gables
Coral Gables’ multifamily boom continues to gain momentum, as crews have begun vertical construction on The Aurelian, a 12-story rental development planned along East Ponce De Leon Boulevard. The project is being led by European developer Empira Group, which has become increasingly active in the Miami metropolitan area. Once completed, The Aurelian will mark the firm’s third multifamily project under construction in the region and will deliver 161 luxury rental residences. Located at 912 E Ponce De Leon Boulevard, the project occupies a site acquired by Empira Group for $18 million in August 2025. The property came with existing development entitlements, as a nearly identical proposal had previously been submitted and approved for the site in 2018. Known as Regency on the Park, that project ultimately never materialized, allowing Empira Group to move forward with a new vision while potentially avoiding another lengthy entitlement process. Just months after breaking ground, The Aurelian has now entered its vertical construction phase. Photos taken by Floridian Development show the first columns forming the building’s initial floor, with construction already beginning to rise above the foundation. The ground-floor columns are notably taller than those on the residential levels, as they will accommodate the building’s lobby, amenity spaces, and the ramp leading into the multi-level parking podium. A tower crane has also been erected on the property and is expected to be raised as construction progresses toward the building’s eventual topping out. Construction documents submitted to the city indicate that the development will encompass approximately 324,000 square feet of new construction. With completion currently projected for 2028, the project is expected to take roughly two years to build from its recent groundbreaking. The Aurelian will offer one-, two-, and three-bedroom residences, with spacious floor plans planned throughout the building. Residents will have access to 248 parking spaces within the multi-level podium, along with a range of indoor and outdoor amenities. These will include a swimming pool, fitness center, yoga studio, outdoor lounges, and additional resident-focused spaces. Although the ground floor will not include retail, the project will make several improvements to the pedestrian environment surrounding the property. Plans call for a new park along the western side of the site, along with a colonnade, expanded sidewalks, additional landscaping, and other improvements intended to enhance the public realm. The 12-story building is expected to rise approximately 143 feet, based on the entitlements approved for the original 2018 proposal. A crown-like architectural feature will form the highest point of the structure. The design incorporates elements of Coral Gables’ Mediterranean-inspired architectural requirements, with a predominantly beige color palette, balconies, and other details intended to complement the city’s established architectural character. Behar Font designed both iterations of the project, having originally created the design for Regency on the Park in 2018 before returning in 2026 to design the revised Aurelian development for Empira Group.