Sunset Place Redevelopment Released Featuring Immense Retail, Housing, and Entertainment
Midtown Development, the proprietor of Sunset Place in South Miami, is gearing up for an ambitious redevelopment of the site. Once a thriving mall after its opening in 1998, Sunset Place has faced a prolonged downturn in the 21st century, with numerous redevelopment efforts faltering over the years. Now, the developers are presenting a new vision to the South Miami Planning Board, aiming to breathe new life into the property with immense retail and residential space. The new master-plan will consist of 7 high-rises, ranging from 15 to 33 floors. To contribute to a mixed-use, transit-orientated vision, developers are planning 1,513 units, 287 hotel rooms, a movie theater/performing arts theater that holds a maximum of 1,300 seats, 149,506 SF of retail, and 50,892 SF of office space. Units range from studios, one-bedrooms, two-bedrooms, and three or more bedroom configurations. The developer is also planning 2,418 parking spaces to accommodate for residents and visitors. 213 bike spaces are required under South Miami code, and will be included in the parking garage. The development is entitled to two bonuses (Tier 1 & 2) for increased height, density, and more. Without the bonus, the high-rises would measure between 4-17 floors at the highest. The development is divided into four zones to minimize disruption to existing single-family homes. The Sunset Zone, located along Sunset Drive, is the farthest from US Highway 1. Following it are the Village Zone, Central Zone, and lastly, the Gateway Zone, which is closest to US Highway 1 (also known as South Dixie Highway). The Gateway Zone will feature the tallest buildings, with towers reaching 33 floors, while the Sunset Zone and Village Zone will have buildings up to 15 floors. For a visual overview, please refer to the illustration below. According to elevations, two buildings in the Sunset Zone and Village zone will both rise 15 floors. One is 181 FT and the other is 212 FT (Height difference due to mezzanine level). In the central zone, two buildings will measure a respective 21 floors and 25 floors. The 25 Floor tower is 346 FT and the 21 floor tower is 284 FT. In the Gateway Zone, three buildings are planned to reach a maximum of 33 floors. One building will stand at 357 feet, while the other two will each reach 426 feet. The difference in height, despite all having 33 floors, is due to a mezzanine level at the top of the two taller buildings. If constructed, the 426-foot height will become the tallest point south of the Douglas Road Metrorail Station in Miami. Heatherwick Studio recently unveiled a video showcasing the architecture and design of Sunset Place. The studio emphasized their aim to preserve the character of Sunset Drive while enhancing it by introducing lively storefronts and creating several pedestrian-only streets. The video can be seen here. ODP is the architect of record. The development is located at 5701 Sunset Dive, South Miami, FL 33143.
New Renderings Revealed For Banco Santander’s Flagship Office
Banco Santander has unveiled updated renderings for their planned 40-story office tower at 1401 Brickell Avenue, which will be named Santander Tower. It will replace the current 14-story structure on the site. Earlier renderings didn’t include the tower’s logo or depict it within the Miami skyline. The new renderings, however, showcase significant ground-floor activation, immense greenery, a spacious lobby, and a view of the building at dusk and day. A video was also released showcasing a dynamic fly-around view of the office spaces, amenities, and what appears to be solar panels integrated into the building’s façade. The video highlights the sleek design and sustainable features of the tower. According to the Bank, construction will have the highest international standards for sustainable construction as well. According to plans released in February, the building will include 612,918 SF of office space, 107,953 SF of commercial space, and 1,496 parking spaces. It will rise 765 FT, around the same height as the adjacent building named, “Four Seasons Hotel Miami”. According to the bank, total demolition of the existing structure will occur in the next few weeks. BG Demolition, a company based in South Florida, will handle the demolition. As construction and demolition progresses, Banco Santander will move their employees to temporary office space in Brickell and Coconut Grove. Handel Architects and Bernadi & Peschard Arquitectura are the architects.
2215 NW 1st Place Submitted to Wynwood Design Review Committee
Whale & Star Wynwood Owner, LLC has submitted new plans for a project located at 2215 NW 1st Place and 170 NW 23 Street. Plans include an 8-story mixed use building with 214 hotel rooms (between floors 2 and 5), 87 multifamily units (between floors 6 and 8), 87 parking spaces, and 313 bicycle spaces. To activate the ground floor for pedestrian traffic, the lobby will be accompanied by 8,935 SF of retail/restaurant space. Seeing that there’s been a flurry of development in Wynwood, it will be one of the shorter buildings in the neighborhood measuring 132 FT. Like many Miami projects nowadays, the project is requesting a slight increase in density in exchange for providing public benefits. For instance, under existing code, the building can only rise to 5 floors. Since the project is using Wynwood’s NRD-1 Public Benefits Program, planners are allotted a 50% density bonus and a max benefit height of 106 FT for habitable floors. Likewise, to meet the standards for Wynwood’s neighborhood characteristics, the project is including elevated art treatment by Goldman Global Arts. Six waivers were requested. These waivers ranged from increases in maximum allowed lot coverage, a reduction of parking by 30%, an allowance of parking within the mezzanine level, and more. It should be prefaced that the requested waivers don’t allow for taller heights nor increased density, but to enhance the overall design and function of the building. ODP is the architect of record while HWKN Architecture is the design consultant.
Renders and Designs Revealed for Citadel’s New Global Headquarters
Plans have been unveiled for Citadel’s new global headquarters at 1201 Brickell Bay Drive. The project will cover about 4.17 acres, including the sites at 1201 Brickell Bay Drive, 1250-1260 Brickell Bay Drive, and the 1221 Brickell Avenue parcel, which currently houses an office building. The developer intends to pursue this project under Miami’s RTZ Metromover Subzone, which allows for higher-density and transit-oriented development. According to the application, the tower is classified as a supertall structure (exceeding 300 meters) and will reach a height of 1,028 feet, comprising 54 floors. If built, it will become the second tallest tower in Miami, just behind the Waldorf Astoria Miami which stands at 1,041 feet. In addition to its height, the developers intend to construct 1,293,373 square feet of office space, 413,476 square feet dedicated to a hotel with 212 rooms, and approximately 23,590 square feet for restaurant and retail use. Below are elevation counts. Although official plans show the tower at 1,032 FT, the ground level doesn’t begin until it’s 6 FT off the ground, making the tower 1,028 FT in actuality. To accomodate for on-site visitors, the tower will include 50 below-grade parking spots with additional parking being used at 1221 Brickell Avenue and 1250-1260 Brickell Bay Drive. The development will proceed in planned phases, beginning with the renovation of the main office tower and a new parking structure at 1221 Brickell Avenue to accommodate the new headquarters. There’s approximately 1420 parking spaces between 4 basement levels and 8 parking tiers. Below are new facade treatments for the parking deck at 1221 Brickell Avenue. The buildings at 1250 and 1260 Brickell Bay Drive will be demolished to create space for outdoor public seating. Likewise, the tower is connected with its environment, having a large, accesible baywalk with trees and a 55.92′ setback. Fronting the baywalk is dining space and an outdoor terrace. The design architect is Foster + Partners while the architect of record is AAI Architects, P.C.
Lofty Brickell Debuts a New Webcam for Construction Progress
Newgard Development’s flagship project coined “Lofty Brickell” now has a live webcam for construction progress. Lofty Brickell is part of a two tower complex currently under construction named “One Brickell Riverfront”. Both towers will possess 784 units, 919 parking spaces, retail, and 13,170 SF of office space. The live webcam is accessible here: Webcam According to the live view, both towers have their foundation and pilings ready to go for a concrete pour. There are two tower cranes on site with the southernmost crane fully erected. G.T. Mcdonald Enterprises is the general contractor. They’ll oversee the construction of both towers, the enhanced riverwalk, and other improvements to pedestrian experiences. Newgard has approval for both construction and foundation work. According to construction permits, both towers will rise at once instead of having a phased plan. Lofty Brickell will be a multi-family condo with 362 units and the southernmost tower will be a rental project with 422 units. Arquitectonica is the architect. The location is 99 SW 7th St, Miami.
Melo Group Breaks Ground on “Downtown 6th” in Downtown Miami
Melo group has broken ground on their 54 story, 581 feet tower in Downtown Miami named Downtown 6th. According to South Florida Business Journal who originally reported the groundbreaking, Melo Group hopes for completion to be in about two years. The project will contain 824 units, 639 parking spaces, and 2,427 SF of retail space. Uniquely, the parking podium is wrapped in habitable units and colored protective glass, giving it enhanced pedestrian views. The development is also in proximity to a plethora of development including Okan Tower, 501 First, 600 Miami Worldcenter, Natiivo Miami, and the Crosby. According to building permits, Melo Group filed for both structural permits and site plan permits under Melo Contractors Corp. Both permits are under review but on track for being approved shortly. The site is already demolished and ready for construction. Melo Architecture and G3aec are the architects. The location is 46 Northeast Sixth St, close to multiple transit modes including Miami’s Metromover, Metrorail, and Brightline station.
16 Floor Tower Proposed Near Miami’s Culmer Station
UBC Miami, LLC has submitted new plans for a multifamily development near the Culmer Metrorail Station in Miami. The developer intends to capitalize on the zoning benefits available under the Rapid Transit Zone (RTZ) Smart Corridor Subzone, which offers increased density allowances and reduced parking requirements for developments that support transit-oriented growth. Given that the project is LEED certified, the developers are granted additional flexibility regarding height and density parameters. As a result, the proposed development will feature 119 residential units, 123 parking spaces, and 12 bicycle parking spaces. Of the 119 units, 65 are 1 bedroom (or 1 bedroom + den) and 54 are 2 bedroom. Interestingly, despite the project’s proximity to transit, the ground floor will not include any retail spaces. According to plans, the building will rise 195 FT or 16 floors. Of these, the first five floors will form a pedestal, with four of those floors dedicated to parking. The tower’s podium will feature a “live green wall” designed by Behar Font. Additionally, circular, perforated metal-covered cutouts will be incorporated into the podium, giving it an artistic flare. The location is 1136 N.W. 8TH AVE. Behar Font is the main architect.
Biscayne Shores Revealed in Miami at 11400 Biscayne Blvd
Biscayne Shores Development Group LLC, an affiliate of Ben Josef Group Holdings based in NYC, has revealed new plans for a 15 floor tower in Miami. The development will have 561 units, 20,000 SF of commercial space, 723 parking spots, and 16 bicycle rack spaces. 12.5% of the units and an additional 14 of them will be set aside for workforce housing. Its also worth noting that these plans are still conceptual and can change. The developers are amending Miami-Dade’s Comprehensive Development Masterplan’s High Density Residential text to allow 150 units per acre and a FAR of 3.0. These changes in text will only apply to select properties, like this one. Likewise, the Future Land Use Map will be changed to High Density Residential for the entire property. The tower will reach a peak of 179 FT fronting Biscayne Blvd and a peak of 107 FT fronting NE 14th Ave. The architect is Kobi Karp.
Modera Aventura Phase Two Revealed in Ojus
Millcreek Residential, based in Boca Raton, has submitted their updated plans for Modera Aventura’s phase two. The project is coming back to Miami-Dade staff due to modifications in approved density and height. Modifications include lowering the height of the second phase from 15 floors to 8 floors, lowering density from 420 units to 251 units, and lowering parking from 557 spaces to 358 spaces. Likewise, the developers are providing 6,906 SF of commercial space on the ground floor. The mid-rise will rise to 94 feet and features a lower profile, distinguishing it from its taller counterpart in phase one. Phase one, which is currently under construction, has reached its full height of 15 stories by topping out weeks ago. The project complies with OUAD (Ojus Urban Area District) regulations and aligns with the district’s objectives by featuring a mixed-use design, enhancing pedestrian sidewalks, incorporating greenery, and being near transit options like the new Brightline Aventura station. However, Millcreek is not the first developer in the area. The OUAD was established in 2006 to allow higher density in exchange for better walkability and other improvements. Since then, developers like Millcreek Residential have been drawn to the area, resulting in a surge of multifamily development. The address is 2681 NE 191st Street. Corwil Architects is the main architect.
New Renderings & Design Released for Miami Riverside Center
Adler Development has revealed a twin tower project on the current site of Miami’s Riverside Center city administration complex at 444 SW 2nd Ave. The project, designed by Nichols Architects, will feature two slender, glass, residential towers both rising around 50 floors. According to Adler Development, there will be public access to a new multi-level restaurant complex, a public river walk with improved landscaping, and more along the Miami River. The tower’s river facing facade has aesthetics and functionality in mind by adding podium units to mask a multi-level parking garage. Morgan Sirlin, the Vice President of Adler development, stated that the company doesn’t anticipate any groundbreaking “until 2027 at the earliest”. Density for the project is unknown as the project is still in the design stage. The property is currently owned by Miami-Dade, but Adler development has a contract with Miami officials to build a new headquarters near the site of Inter Miami CF’s new stadium in exchange for land and development rights. Plans were proposed years ago, but were scrapped. Below were previous renderings with a master vision of 4 towers. The northern portion of the property is already under development, including two high-rises coined Modera Riverside and Nexus Riverside 1B.