Workforce Housing Partners and RAL Companies are moving forward with plans for a 20-story student housing project in the heart of Sweetwater. The project, designed by Niles Boston Associates, will be the first student housing project by Workforce Housing Partners and RAL Companies in Sweetwater, potentially signaling future investment in the area. The development will include housing for approximately 820 students, extensive parking from floors 1 through 6, amenity space, and other uses. Units will be from studio apartments at minimum to five-bedroom layouts at maximum. According to Miami-Dade permitting, the project will be 676,465 SF and include an estimated cost of $105,500,000.
Amenity space for students will be located on floor 7, with benefits such as lounge space, a pool, and more to be included in the property. Active-use liners will front SW 107th Ave, a major thoroughfare, and partially line SW 5th St.
Pre-construction efforts are progressing smoothly, with tree permits, demolition permits, and a site plan permit already secured. The project is now awaiting a general construction permit before full-scale development can jump-start. Recent aerial imagery and site photos confirm that demolition is complete, clearing the property of seven apartment buildings constructed between 1970 and 1972. Documents linked to the project also suggest “Novu Sweetwater” as a potential name, though it remains speculative. Meanwhile, JWR Construction Services has recently been awarded a pre-construction contract.
The property, spanning 10742 SW 5th St, 10752 SW 5th St, and 10710 SW 5th St, was acquired for $10.5 million in November 2022. The developer recently secured a $9 million bridge loan from Elite Lending to support the project. The development site is positioned between Terrazul Miami and Identity Miami, both of which rise to a similar height.