“House of Wellness Hotel” Proposed in Brickell Using Rapid Transit Zoning
North at Brickell VI, LLC has submitted a Pre-Application for a new tower in Brickell named “House of Wellness Hotel”. The developer is hoping to gain a Special Exception for the development plan by designating the property as part of the “Metromover Subzone of the Rapid Transit Zone”. Through this path, the developer can achieve higher density/height for the project. It should be prefaced that the site plan, floor plans, building elevations, and overall design of the building is for reference only. The final plans will be submitted later after the developer gains the Special Exception approval. However, the height, density, and zoning parameters used in this application follow what’s allowed under the RTZ Metromover subzone. Additionally, the developer has proposed offering a monetary contribution towards improvements in the Metrorail station area, perhaps to facilitate the approval process. “House of Wellness Hotel” will include 832 hotel rooms, a 3,260 SF lobby, 347 parking spaces (although none are required under the RTZ subzone), and 12 bicycle spots. As per the site plan data, the tower will measure 43 floors or 437 FT. If the developer decides to change the height, RTZ zoning permits unlimited heights with heights only subject to FAA approval. Studio Mc+G Architecture is the main architect. The development will span 3 parcels at 132, 142, and 152 SW 9th Street.
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.