Witkoff Secures $302.6 Million Construction Loan for First Phase of Kobi Karp-Designed Residential Development in Miami Worldcenter

Another major residential development is moving closer to construction in Downtown Miami after Witkoff, in partnership with Monroe Capital, secured a $302.6 million construction loan for the first phase of its planned three-tower community at 700 North Miami Avenue in Miami Worldcenter.

The financing marks a significant milestone for one of the final large-scale undeveloped parcels within Miami Worldcenter. The nearly five-acre property, formerly home to the historic Miami Arena, is planned for a master-planned residential development designed by Kobi Karp Architecture & Interior Design.

The financing was provided by Athene Annuity and Life Company, an affiliate of Apollo Global Management, together with J.P. Morgan Chase. The transaction refinanced approximately $57.3 million in existing debt while providing roughly $245.3 million in new construction financing. Lotus Capital Partners arranged the financing.

The project's first phase will include a residential tower rising approximately 600 feet with 894 residential units. Plans also call for 17,367 square feet of ground-floor retail space and a nine-story parking garage encompassing approximately 167,237 square feet.

Upon completion, the full development will feature three residential towers rising 50, 51 and 53 stories. The master plan includes 2,346 residential units, approximately 30,535 square feet of commercial space and 2,078 parking spaces, creating one of the largest planned residential communities within Miami Worldcenter.

The development continues to move through the City of Miami's permitting process. Site preparation has already been approved, while the master building permit and phased vertical construction permit remain under review. Construction costs for the first phase are estimated at nearly $270 million, with Coastal Construction serving as the project's general contractor.

Witkoff and Monroe Capital acquired the property for $94 million in 2021 after earlier redevelopment plans for the site were never realized. Before the current vision, the parcel had been slated for a Marriott Marquis hotel and convention center project that ultimately did not move forward.

The property occupies the former site of the Miami Arena, which opened in 1988 as the original home of the Miami Heat before later hosting the Florida Panthers, as well as concerts, sporting events and other entertainment throughout its history. The arena was demolished in 2008.

Located within walking distance of Brightline's MiamiCentral Station and other regional transit connections, the project represents another major step in the continued evolution of Miami Worldcenter as Downtown Miami's mixed-use neighborhood continues to expand.

Renderings via Kobi Karp Architecture & Interior Design

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Witkoff And Monroe Capital Acquire Cancelled Marriott Maquis Miami Worldcenter Site For $94 Million

The New York City-based real estate investment group Witkoff, led by Steve Witkoff, and the Chicago-based Monroe Capital have acquired the site of the now cancelled Marriott Marquis Miami Worldcenter from MDM Group for $94 million. The 4.7 acre site is located at 700 North Miami Ave. The property is entitled to develop 60+ stories and for a mix of residential, hospitality and commercial. The transaction was overseen by Manny De Zárraga of JLL and was financed with floating-rate financing which was arranged by Dustin Stolly and Jordan Roeschlaub of Newmark and provided by Mack Real Estate Credit Strategies.

The Miami-based MDM Group, which is led by Ricardo Glas and Luis Pulenta, had planned to build a 1,700-key Marriott Marquis hotel and 600,000+ SF expo center as part of the $4 billion, 27-acre Miami Worldcenter mixed-use development. MDM Group initially acquired the site for $45.25 million in 2017 from Nitin Motwani who is Managing Partner of Miami Worldcenter Associates, the master developer of Miami WorldCenter. News of the cancellation of the Marriott Marquis Miami Worldcenter accompanies news of the property’s sale.

As the largest private development underway in Florida, Miami Worldcenter will feature a diverse mix of residential, commercial and hospitality uses complemented by approximately 300,000 SF of retail, restaurant and entertainment space. The first restaurant tenants were recently announced after Miami Worldcenter Associates completed leases with Chicago-based steakhouse concept Maple & Ash, etta, Laurel Brasserie and El Vecino. All four concepts are expected to open in 2022.

Two residential buildings have been completed at Miami Worldcenter including the 60-story PARAMOUNT Miami Worldcenter condominium and the 43-story Caoba luxury apartment tower. Approximately 150,000 SF of retail has been completed with tenant build-out work set to commence in 2021, and another 130,000 SF is currently under construction and nearing delivery. Construction is nearing completion at ZOM’s 43-story Bezel Miami Worldcenter residential tower and at the 351-room citizenM hotel, both of which are expected to open later this year.

Miami Worldcenter occupies 10 city blocks within walking distance of Museum Park, home to Perez Art Museum Miami and the Frost Museum of Science; FTX Arena; the Adrienne Arsht Performing Arts Center; and Miami-Dade College’s Downtown Miami campus. It is also adjacent to Brightline’s MiamiCentral station, which will soon offer direct train service to Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando, together with access to TriRail, the Metromover and the Metrorail, making Miami Worldcenter one of the largest and most-connected transit-oriented development in Florida.

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