1600 Washington Avenue Set for Transformation with Proposed High-Rise Tower in Miami Beach
A major property owner has unveiled ambitious plans for a residential high-rise along Miami Beach’s historic Washington Avenue. Positioned at 1600 Washington Avenue, just steps from Lincoln Road, 420 Lincoln Road Development is proposing a 15-story residential tower on land it’s long been familiar with. Led by Ambassador Paul Cejas, the firm owns the adjacent parking garage and several neighboring parcels, giving it a strong local presence in the area. The new high-rise will replace two low-rise buildings dating back to 1938 and 1952. The project will deliver 210 residential units described by the developer’s attorney as “reasonably priced” for “entry-level professionals, young families, or others who work in the City.” According to the attorney’s letter, this new housing addresses Miami Beach’s recent population decline: a concern the City Commission attributes in part to a shortage of “competitively priced housing options.” The development also claims it can assist with traffic congestion by easing the burden of long commutes on residents who are currently priced out of the city. Unit sizes will vary, with floor plans averaging 739 SF and ranging from a compact 550 SF to a larger 1,112 SF layouts. Residents can also look forward to shared amenities including a rooftop deck with a pool, garden, and lounge areas designed to enhance the building’s living. Due to the site’s narrow footprint, ground-floor retail will be limited to 6,900 SF, with no on-site parking provided. Instead, parking and additional retail space, totaling 20,378 SF, will be accommodated within the adjacent parking garage, which already serves the surrounding area. The tower and the garage will also be connected, integrating the two properties. In total, 492 parking spaces within the existing structure will support the new residential and commercial uses. Designed by firms Ten Arquitectos and Beilinson Gomez Architects, the tower is designed to be a modern addition to the skyline, with aluminum sliding doors, smooth stucco finished, curtain glass, and other features planned for the building’s facade. According to elevations, the building will measure 164 FT to its tallest point. Because the project exceeds 50,000 SF and is located within the CD-3 zoning district, a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) is required. As part of the request, modifications to parking requirements are also being proposed. As per the developer, the project meets the applicable criteria underlined in the city’s zoning code. This isn’t the first proposal for the site. Ambassador Paul Cejas has proposed a residential building designed by Stantec in the past, but plans fell through after years of inactivity. Miami Beach’s Planning Board will discuss the newest proposal and its associated requests on September 9th, 2025, at 9 AM.
SobelCo’s ‘South Broadway Condominium’ Project Wins Approval in Riviera Beach
SobelCo, a development firm based in Boca Raton, has recently scored approval for a high-rise development in Riviera Beach called ‘South Broadway Condominium’. The development, which is located on the corner between W 11th St and Broadway at 1117 Broadway Boulevard, will be steps away from the Port of Palm Beach and the newly completed Marina Village. While the development will be one of Riviera Beach’s tallest proposals in years, it isn’t the city’s first recent high-rise plan. In fact, Riviera Beach has seen growing interest from developers eager to capitalize on its waterfront views and amenities. On Thursday, July 24, the Riviera Beach Planning and Zoning Board voted unanimously to approve both the site plan and rezoning request. The development will feature 508 condominium units, ranging from one-bedroom residences to two-bedroom units, with sizes spanning from 872 to 1,467 SF. According to The Real Deal, the homes will be marketed toward young professionals working in or near West Palm Beach, with prices starting just below $1 million. Residents and visitors to the development’s 10,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space will have access to 1,083 parking spaces: 1,066 in a parking garage and 17 along nearby streets. Although plans remain in the early stages, the building is expected to offer a wide range of amenities, including four pools, lounge areas, and other recreational features. According to elevations, the building will actually be separated into 4 distinct towers, connected by a shared podium. Two buildings will rise 13 floors or 139 FT, while the other two will rise to 20 floors and measure 214 FT. Interestingly, the building’s tallest portion will face a side street, Avenue E, rather than Broadway. The facade will feature curtain glass, glass balconies, and brown aluminum decorative panels covering parts of the exposed garage. Before the project can move forward, SobelCo must still gain approval from the Riviera Beach City Council. However, with the old buildings on-site recently demolished, little preparation remains before construction can begin.
Hibiscus Grove Breaks Ground in West Perrine, Promising Hundreds of Affordable Units
The push for more affordable housing in Miami-Dade has materialized in West Perrine. On Tuesday, July 22nd, Integra Investments along with key Miami-Dade officials like Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Kionne L. McGhee held a groundbreaking ceremony for Hibiscus Grove. The project, which is a part of a growing trend toward greater density along the South Miami-Dade Busway, will deliver 270 fully affordable units to South Miami-Dade. Units will range from one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, aimed at providing housing for households earning 30%, 60%, or 80% of the Area Median Income. On the ground floor of the development, community benefits do not stop. There will be roughly 5,000 SF of retail space and a 2,700 SF community center leased to the West Perrine Community Redevelopment Agency. The project’s financing was made possible in large part by support from Miami-Dade County, which awarded $5 million in Documentary Stamp funds. The West Perrine CRA also contributed a $2 million loan and $1 million in Tax Increment Financing. The groundbreaking comes as Miami-Dade’s prepares to launch the county’s first all-electric Bus Rapid Transit line, known as the South Dade Transitway. Located just steps from Hibiscus Grove, the new transit option will provide affordable housing residents with a reliable alternative to car travel. It’s important to note, however, that Floridian Development first reported on Hibiscus Grove last year following a proposal to amend unit counts from 270 to 300. That amendment also included a height increase from 10 to 11 floors and additional parking. Despite this, more recent renderings displayed on-site, coupled with county-issued press releases still citing 270 units, suggest that Integra may have opted to scale back toward the original plan. While the 300-unit ASPR amendment remains approved, the available evidence points to a return to the 270-unit proposal. According to Miami-Dade permitting, all permits filed for the building have already been issued. The building is estimated to cost $40 Million once all is said and done.
The Habitat Group Advances Through Permitting for 4 of Their Brickell Projects
As the Habitat Group is finalizing construction on Smart Brickell’s second tower, the company is moving forward in the permitting process for not one, but four, distinct developments in Brickell. The developer’s latest proposals, including Smart Brickell Luxe, Season One, Millux Place, and Parkside have all had permits submitted for their eventual construction, though some appear to be progressing towards completion more quickly than others. Of the permits submitted, the Habitat Group has filed for master construction permits, foundation permits, demolition permits, tree removal permits, and more. The first project, Smart Brickell Luxe, appears to be the furthest along out of the four projects. The development, which recently received construction financing, has already completed the instillation of all foundation piles according to a LinkedIn post by the project’s architect: Alex Ginard. This aligns with city records, which show foundation and site work permits have been fully approved. Among foundation permits are a vertical construction permit and a master construction permit, both of which require applicant corrections. Parkside is the next fastest-moving project. The 185-unit project at the edge of Brickell has already secured foundation permit approval and is currently under review for its master construction permit. While construction has yet to begin on-site, permitting activity suggests that groundbreaking could happen in the near future. The remaining two projects, Season One and Millux Place, are moving at a steadier pace, with 80 and 99 units respectively. Both recently submitted master building permits. Season One’s was filed on April 25th and accepted on June 23rd, while Millux Place’s was filed on May 14th and accepted on June 18th. Both permits are now undergoing review. However, before construction can officially commence on both projects, they require the submittal and approval of a foundation permit: something both projects do not have. With foundation work already completed at Smart Brickell Luxe and Parkside nearing construction, Habitat Group’s multi-site expansion is moving forward with steady speed. Likewise, the continued progression of Season One and Millux Place through the permitting pipeline suggests that all four projects could be under active construction within the next year, setting the stage for a significant wave of units to come online by the end of the decade in Brickell.
Preliminary Plans Revealed for Gallery at Little Havana at 1275 SW 1st St
The Related Group is doubling down on its affordable housing push in Little Havana with a new project: Gallery at Little Havana. Situated at 1275 SW 1st Street, early plans designed by Cohen Freedman Encinosa & Associates envision a 12-story high-rise in an area characterized by relatively low and mid-density housing. Although the project is still preliminary, an attorney representing the project has noted its ‘entirely’ affordable, bringing much needed housing to the area. The development will replace 2 three-story affordable housing buildings on-site, which, according to property records, were built in 1985 and contain 28 units. The proposal to revitalize this Miami-Dade site is part of a long-standing deal between the developer and the county, in which the Related Group is positioned to lease multiple sites across Miami-Dade for new development. Like Related Group’s recent Gallery at Marti Park in Little Havana, the project will benefit from the expanded Rapid Transit Zone (RTZ), a designation that offers increased height, density, and reduced parking requirements to developments near transit corridors. In addition, it will utilize the Live Local Act, which is expected to streamline permitting and unlock further incentives. Planned to include 130 units, the building will offer a mix of one- and two-bedroom layouts, ranging from 610 to 980 SF. Residents will also have access to over 2,500 square feet of amenity space, private terraces for each unit, and parking accommodations for 118 vehicles and 12 bicycles. According to elevations submitted by the architect, the building is expected to rise 141 FT to its crown. The podium will span the first three levels, with residential floors beginning on level four. As the project remains in a preliminary phase, all elevations and design elements are subject to change. Before the project can move forward, the development will have to complete its pre-application request, which is still currently under review. Likewise, there have been zero permits filed on the site yet relating to the project’s preparation, including demolition, tree removals, or foundation work.
Integra Investments Advances Redevelopment of Annie Coleman 14 into Mixed-Income Housing
Integra Investments is moving forward with the redevelopment of a portion of Annie Coleman 14, a public housing community featuring 60 residences in Brownsville, Miami-Dade. Located at 2101 NW 52 Street, the property entered a Work Order Proposal Request on August 10th, 2023, whereas Miami-Dade essentially called for qualified developers to redevelop the site into mixed-income housing. Integra Investments was the sole bidder, and is now proposing the development of 316 units, of which 60 will replace the existing units built on-site. More specifically, the 316 residential units will be divided between 156 one-bedroom, 92 two-bedroom, 40 three-bedroom, and 28 four-bedroom apartments. Of these, units are designated across four income levels: 20% of units at 120% AMI, 18% at 80% AMI, 50% at 60% AMI, and 12% at 30% AMI, ensuring a broad range of income levels. Additionally, the project will include commercial space, a food hall, and 371 parking spaces. Residents will benefit from a variety of on-site amenities and community enhancements, such as a playground, covered outdoor patio, fitness center, laundry facilities, community room, and an on-site police workstation. Returning residents occupying the 60 replacement units will also receive 3 years of free high-speed internet. The redevelopment, designed by Lantz Boggio Architects, will consist of a six-story building accented with murals along its facade. Landscaped greenery will compliment both the street and the structure, while walk-up units along NW 21st Avenue will create a more welcoming pedestrian realm. As part of the redevelopment, Miami-Dade County stands to receive over $136 million through a combination of financial agreements, including a Master Development Agreement and a 99-year ground lease with Integra. This revenue includes capitalized ground lease payments, annual rent, developer fees, and a percentage of the project’s net cash flow. From the developer fees, 5% will be directed to the Brownsville Civic Neighborhood Association, while 10% of both net cash flow and residual profits will support the Brownsville Historic Endowment for the Curation of Public Art. The Housing Committee unanimously approved the resolution to award development rights to Integra, with final approval now pending from the Board of County Commissioners. The project is expected to close in late 2027, requiring Miami-Dade County to provide a solution such as interim housing support for displaced residents during the redevelopment period.
VDG Land Gets Green Light for Mixed-Income Apartments Aimed at Breakers Hotel Staff
VDG Land Company has just gained approval from the City of West Palm Beach’s Planning Division for their newest proposal: an 8-story multifamily building aimed at housing Breakers Hotel employees. Located on a 2.46-acre site at 2410 and 2460 North Australian Avenue, the site will include 155 units, of which 51% of the units are designated as workforce. Residents will have access to a variety of recreational amenities, including a pool, sports field, clubroom, fitness center, conference room, salon, and a dedicated shuttle service for Breakers employees. On the south portion of the site, there will be 65 parking spots available for employees. Although architectural elevations were not shown during the meeting, the project, designed by Spina O’Rourke & Partners, is expected to reach approximately 80 FT in height, making it the tallest building in the surrounding area. While VDG Land Company owns the northern portion of the site, the southern portion actually belongs to the City of West Palm Beach. As such, the city is negotiating a land agreement with the developer that would allow the integration of the southern portion, home to a water pump station and largely vacant land, into the overall project. Under the terms of the deal, the vacant land surrounding the pump station will be converted into surface parking for Breakers employees, and in return, the city will receive infrastructure upgrades to the water pump facility. At the planning board meeting, the proposal was unanimously approved given the developer meet conditions requested by staff. The approval means a change to the property’s Future Land Use (FLU) and zoning designations. Specifically, the northern portion of the site was reclassified from Neighborhood Commercial to Multifamily High-Density Residential, while the southern portion shifted from Recreation and Open Space to the same residential category. The approval marks one of the many steps in a years-long effort by the Breakers Hotel to house and/or benefit employees. In a quote provided by CBS 12, a Breakers representative noted, “The independent resort, one of Palm Beach County’s largest private employers, makes an unrivaled commitment to its team by offering comprehensive benefits, robust resources for associates and their families, and excellent compensation—all part of its employee-centric culture.” The development still needs to move through additional approvals, permitting, and demolition work before construction can begin.
Mill Creek and Group P6 Gain Planning Board Approval for ‘Modera Boca’ in Boca Raton
Mill Creek Residential is slowly expanding their ‘Modera’ brand across South Florida, and downtown Boca Raton is the next destination. The firm, along with partner developer Group P6, recently submitted plans to Boca Raton’s planning and zoning board for a 12-story building at 400 S Dixie Hwy in Boca Raton, set to replace an existing office on-site. The building will be called Modera Boca. The development, which was reviewed by staff in late June, received unanimous approval for various reasons, including the site’s emphasis on greenery and design. While the approval isn’t the last remaining piece before construction can begin (that lies in the hands of city council members at a future meeting), the approval is one step in the right direction for Mill Creek Residential. Plans for Modera Boca include 306 units, ranging from studios, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom, and penthouse units. Units will range from 701 SF at the lowest, to 2,870 SF at the highest. Residents will have access to various amenities throughout the building, including but not limited to a clubhouse, fitness center, a pool, amenity room, and lounge areas. Boca Raton places a strong emphasis on architectural quality and visual harmony, and the building’s design and landscaping align closely with the city’s standards. For instance, while the ground floor includes zero retail space, the development includes the construction of a new linear park along SE 3rd St, featuring widened sidewalks and abundant greenery. “We wanted to make sure that front was very vibrant. So we have zen gardens. We have putt-putt golf. We have sitting areas. We have green walls. We have a lot of activity going on in our property on Dixie Highway even before you get to the building,” according to a quote provided by Sun Sentinel of Ele Zachariades, an attorney for the project. According to submitted elevations, the building will reach a height of 142 FT at its tallest point. Parking, totaling 468 spaces, will be accessed via a private alleyway at the rear of the property, where a screened parking podium will be strategically positioned to face away from public view. This configuration minimizes visual impact while improving traffic circulation. Although Boca Raton’s code traditionally requires 538 parking spaces for a project of this scale, the developers secured a reduction by lowering parking ratios for studio and one-bedroom units.
Cassa Residences, a 17-Story Tower, Approved in Aventura
Cassa Residences, a development by The Lojeta Group and Miami Off Center Associates, was recently approved for a 17-story tower in Aventura. The multifamily high-rise proposed at 2850 NE 187th Street will replace a low-rising retail building from the early 1980s. The developers sought multiple code exceptions, including conditional use approval to allow greater height and density, a reduced floor area minimums for one-bedroom units, and various variances like a change in required setbacks. While full plans such as elevations or a site plan have yet to be submitted, the project is expected to include 208 residential units, approximately 12,000 SF of ground-floor retail, and 456 parking spaces. The 17-story tower will rise to 174 FT in height, not including architectural ornaments or mechanical elements. Designed by Cohen Freedman Encinosa and Swerdoe Architecture, the tower is thoughtfully positioned with the front facing NE 187th Street, while a screened parking garage will face NE 28th Street, minimizing visibility from the public realm. In exchange for the requested code deviations, the developers have proposed several public benefits. These include 12 designated Hero Housing units intended for essential workers such as firefighters, teachers, and healthcare professionals. In addition, the development team will contribute $1 million toward capital costs for the construction of a new charter school, along with an additional $1,000 per Hero Housing unit: totaling $12,000. The vote, in a joint meeting with Aventura’s City Commission and Planning Board on July 1st, reached almost a unanimous approval for all items presented, with the sole no vote being Commissioner Clifford B. Ain. A primary concern voiced in the meeting is the future concern of the Live Local Act. The Live Local Act has rendered cities like Aventura unable to control development that exceeds city-approved density and height. This approval, in hand, theoretically reduces the possibility of a future taller, denser building on-site. Although an official construction timeline has not been released, progress is expected to be relatively smooth given the development team’s experience and the minimal demolition required on-site. According to Aventura requirements, building permits must be consistent with submitted drawings unless changes are made through an administrative site plan approval.
Rio Vista Apartments Proposed Near the Miami River
Bricka CB Development, a collaboration between Bricka Real Estate and CB Development, has proposed a multi-story residential building near the border between Overtown and Downtown Miami. Located at 413 NW 3rd Street, the development will sit in front of Lummus Park, a waterfront park nestled in the Lummus Park Historic District. Plans include the construction of a 10-story tower, designed by Studio Mc+G Architecture, set to include 140 units. Units will range from studios, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and townhome units. While plans are not finalized, the building will include abundant amenity space for residents including lounge space, a gym, a pool, and other amenities. The ground floor has been designed to meet historic preservation standards by integrating the existing 1920-built home at 453 NW 3rd Street into the project’s layout. The historic building, offering nearly 3,000 SF of interior space, will be preserved as part of the overall development. Surrounding the preserved home, the project will feature street-level townhomes, a lobby, and a parking podium discreetly hidden from public view. The garage will accommodate approximately 160 vehicles, with an additional 10 parking spaces provided along the street. To improve walkability and the overall streetscape, the development will also include wider sidewalks and added landscaping throughout the property. According to elevation plans, the building will rise 130 FT to its tallest point, aligning with the scale of other recent developments in the neighborhood. The design also pays homage to the area’s historic character through a careful mix of materials and finishes, including coral walls, terracotta finishes, bronze detailing, and traditional stucco. Before the project can move forward, it has to gain approval by Miami’s Urban Development Review Board. The meeting will be held on July 16th, 2025.