American Landmark and BH Group Break Ground on 'The Current at City Center' At $1.5 Billion 'Southplace City Center' in Cutler Bay

American Landmark Apartments (“American Landmark”), one of the nation’s top apartment owners and operators, and BH Group, a Miami-based real estate investment firm, celebrated the groundbreaking of The Current at City Center, a 350-unit apartment community located on the site of Southland Mall in the southern Miami-Dade Town of Cutler Bay. The residences mark the beginning of a seven-year, multi-phase, $1.5 billion buildout of the mall into Southplace City Center, a dynamic mixed-use development that will redefine the landscape of southern Miami-Dade County.

Part of a large-scale project that will bring approximately 5,000 market rate apartments and condominium residences, the eight-story Current at City Center will include 24,000 square feet of ground retail and a new parking garage. Presidente Supermarkets, one of the country’s largest Hispanic-owned grocery chains, will occupy the entirety of the building’s ground floor retail and will have a one-of-a-kind design that aligns with the overall vision and strategy of Southplace City Center.

“This groundbreaking is a crucial step in fulfilling our goal of creating a more vibrant and connected community in Cutler Bay and all of southern Miami-Dade County,” said Joe Lubeck, CEO of American Landmark. “As we break ground on The Current at City Center and Southplace City Center as a whole, we envision a focal point for the area where residents have a true live-work-play option that satisfies the growing need for housing, updated retail, communal spaces, casual and high-end dining, and much more. We are thankful for the collaborative efforts of Miami-Dade County and the Town of Cutler Bay as they share their passion for the economic growth and modernization of this area.”

“With The Current at City Center now underway, this groundbreaking marks the beginning of a new era for Miami-Dade County,” added Isaac Toledano, Founder and CEO of BH Group. “This is only the beginning of what will become one of the area’s most transformative developments bringing greater economic opportunity, innovation, and inspiration for what can be accomplished in this exceptional community.”

Located at 20505 S Dixie Hwy, The Current at City Center will deliver modern, upscale residences designed to meet the growing demand for high-quality housing in Miami-Dade County. The new development will feature 350 apartment homes along with a comprehensive array of luxury amenities including a resort-style pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, resident lounge, dog park, and lush outdoor gathering areas.

The transformation of Southland Mall into Southplace City Center will introduce more than 5,000 market rate residential units, 500,000 square feet of retail, dining, and entertainment space, a 60,000-square-foot medical center, a 150-key hotel, and extensive green spaces. The project will be adjacent to Miami-Dade County’s new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, enhancing regional connectivity and accessibility.

Developed by American Landmark in partnership with BH Group, Southplace City Center is expected to generate approximately 3,000 new jobs during construction and $44 million in revenue within its first five years with 2,000 permanent jobs thereafter, reinforcing Culter Bay’s position as a key hub for residential and commercial growth. The 100-acre property will feature a reimagined retail center with direct storefront access, improved parking, and a dedicated community space for events such as concerts and farmers’ markets.

Current major retailers include Macy’s, JCPenney, Regal Cinemas, Florida Technical College, TJ Maxx, Old Navy, DSW, ROSS Dress for Less, LA Fitness, Five Below, Olive Garden, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Applebee’s.

The retail, design, and construction team for Southplace City Center includes Urban Retail Properties, LLC, MSA Architects, RSP Architects and general contractor American Engineering & Development Corp.

Construction of The Current at City Center is expected to be completed by Q3 2027.

Renderings via BH Group and American Landmark

Electra America and BH Group Reveal Plans for $1 Billion Redevelopment of 80-Acre Southland Mall Site In Cutler Bay

Electra America, a real estate private equity firm focused on value-add and opportunistic investment in the Sun Belt region of the U.S., along with its U.S.-affiliate, American Landmark, and BH Group, a Miami-based private real estate investment and development firm, have revealed preliminary plans for the redevelopment and reinvention of the Southland Mall in Cutler Bay, located approximately 20 miles south of downtown Miami. The 80-acre, $1 billion redevelopment will be one of the largest projects of its kind in the Southeast and will be called “Southplace City Center.” The reinvention of the Southland Mall into “Southplace City Center,” a vibrant, mixed-use transit-oriented community with live-work-play options, promises much-needed relief for a city suffering from a major housing shortage

The new ownership team envisions a “city within a city” for living, working, shopping, and playing that will feature more than 4,000 residential units, over 500,000 square feet of curated retail, and exciting dining and entertaining venues at the existing mall, with an additional 150,000 square feet of prime retail space and outparcels for food and beverage operators. The phased redevelopment project will be a charming, self-contained community with abundant green space, bike and golf cart trails, walking trails, a trolley system, and easy access to public transit – specifically, the soon-to-open Miami-Dade SMART Plan mass transit route adjacent to the property.

The total project, to be completed over a seven-year time frame, is expected to create approximately 2,700 new jobs and generate $44 million in property taxes ad valorem revenue in the first five years ($6.1 million to Cutler Bay), and up to $491 million ($75.2 million to Cutler Bay) over a 20-year period. The developer’s plan is in accordance with the Town’s code and will not be seeking any special approvals.

“We’re delighted to work with the Town of Cutler Bay and its residents to breathe new life into a property that has been underutilized for decades, and in so doing, create thousands of new jobs, as well as help alleviate the housing crunch facing many Miami-Dade residents today,” said Ron Gaither, Chief Development Officer of Electra America. “Southplace City Center will provide a wide range of market-rate housing options, and its location close to major thoroughfares and mass transit, yet away from residential communities, minimizes traffic and facilitates the use of public transportation – two key priorities for this community. We’re looking forward to continuing working with the community to ensure this project reflects the values and character of Cutler Bay.”

“The future of this site is one that our residents deeply care about,” expressed Town of Cutler Bay Mayor Tim Meerbott. “Ensuring that this project aligns with our community’s vision and has a proper mix of use is extremely important to the Town Council and me. The site is ready for change and this project will check so many boxes on our community’s wish list—thousands of jobs, more restaurants, entertainment, and a fresh look, to name a few. We look forward to working with Electra America and BH Group to bring this important project to life, while keeping it consistent with the character of our beautiful Cutler Bay.”

The development team acquired the mall and adjacent parcels totaling 80 acres in May of this year. The site is conveniently bordered by the Florida Turnpike on the east and U.S. 1 on the west, placing it on major commercial crossroads in suburban Miami-Dade County, directly along the new South Corridor Rapid Transit Project, expected to open in late 2024. The corridor will provide a 20-mile mobility connection between Miami’s central business district and the County’s southern-most communities.

Specifically, the developer’s master plan calls for updating the existing 808,766-square-foot mall with cosmetic improvements and the addition of several new high-quality retailers; the phased development of 4,395 new market-rate apartments catering to a full spectrum of household budgets; the addition of several new retail and restaurant concepts, situated around a series of man-made lakes and open spaces; a new specialty grocer, a 150-key hotel, and 60,000 square feet of medical office space; and a terraced community amphitheater/bandshell. The plan also calls for a new vehicular entrance directly off U.S. 1, featuring a welcoming entrance square with a large fountain and extensive green space, along with a pedestrian bridge connecting the community to the new bus rapid transit stop. The entire community will feature bike and golf cart paths, pedestrian walking trails, and trolley stops to minimize the use of cars.

Ground-breaking on the first residential building is expected in mid-2023 and would deliver in approximately 18 months (early 2025), with rents starting at $2,500.

The project design team for Southplace City Center includes economic advisors Florida Economic Advisors, retail consultants CPH, master planner/designer MSA Architects Inc., landscape planner Insite Studio and civil/traffic engineer Kimley Horn.

Renderings via MSA Architects