Sunny Isles Beach Set to Overtake Philadelphia in Number of Skyscrapers by 2029

Skyscraper enthusiasts across South Florida are about to witness a remarkable milestone for the region. While Sunny Isles Beach may not rival Philadelphia in population, economic scale, or national prominence, this slender barrier island city is on track to surpass the Pennsylvanian powerhouse in the number of skyscrapers. According to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), skyscrapers are defined as structures exceeding 492 FT (150 meters) in height. Over the past decade, these towering structures have increasingly reshaped South Florida’s skyline, and few places exemplify this transformation better than Sunny Isles Beach.

The city’s appeal to developers lies in its prime location, relatively relaxed zoning laws, and the continued demand for oceanfront living in the region both domestically and internationally. With the upcoming completion of Bentley Residences and the two-tower St. Regis Residences complex, the city will add three new skyscrapers, increasing its total from 17 to 20 by 2029 when the final St. Regis tower is finished. Those buildings are currently working on their foundation and will quickly rise.

For those familiar with the city, the real count of 17 towers in Sunny Isles Beach should be raising eyebrows. After all, it’s far above the long-accepted norm of 14. However, Floridian Development recently obtained city records and found that Trump Towers I, II, and III each reach 500 FT, not the 461 FT previously reported. That correction pushes the verified total to 17, bringing the city’s real count to light following years of misinterpreted data.

According to elevations prepared by Sieger Suarez Architects, the towers each rise 500 FT starting from the lobby to the top architectural feature that conceals their mechanical components. These documents represent the most recent and final elevations for the buildings and do not reflect earlier versions. Dated late 2005, they were submitted as part of the foundation permits and reviewed prior to construction, which occurred between 2005 and 2009.

This means Sunny Isles Beach is currently tied with Atlanta, Las Vegas, and Austin in terms of skyscraper count. By 2029, however, the city is set to surge ahead; it will reach 20 towers and tie with Dallas, which currently has no buildings over 492 FT under construction. Atlanta will fall just behind with 18 towers after the completion of 1072 West Peachtree Street, while Austin and Las Vegas are projected to have 19 and 18 skyscrapers respectively. The only U.S. city expected to surpass Dallas in this timeframe is Jersey City, which is also experiencing a major skyscraper boom.

Even more impressive, Sunny Isles Beach is expected to exceed 20 skyscrapers in the near future, as developers continue to grab up low-rise parcels along the beachfront. Months ago, reports surfaced of a joint venture between Related Group, Dezer Development, and the BH Group acquiring the Miami Beach Club at 19051 Collins Avenue for over $100 million. The FAA recently approved an 820-foot tower on the site, which would make it the tallest building along the strip.