FIRST ON PROFILE: DAMAC International Submits Revised Sanitation and Service Bay Access Plans For Proposed Surfside Project

DAMAC International, a Dubai-based luxury property developer who purchased the 1.8-acre site at 8777 Collins Avenue in Surfside with plans for an iconic Zaha Hadid Architects-designed 12-story tower, has addressed the concerns of some members of the Champlain Towers memorial committee regarding refuse collection and the building’s service access bay along 88th Street. DAMAC International, led by Hussain Sajwani, has now resubmitted amended plans in accordance with the Town’s new policy.

At the recent Planning & Zoning meeting on August 31st, officials announced new town guidelines stating that refuse would no longer be collected on private property, but would rather be collected on the roadside. This raised concerns from a few memorial committee members of the proximity of the refuse collection point and the building's service bay access to the planned partial road closure of 88th Street to accommodate the memorial park for the Champlain Towers tragedy.

DAMAC International amended the plans with their architect and has relocated the refuse holding area to the building basement and created a pathway that arrives from the basement to the refuse collection point and avoids the use of 88th Street.

A Town Memorandum dated September 12th stated: “The collection point designated will be at the junction of 88th and Collins, and this location will also be used for sanitation personnel staging during the waste collection of both properties abutting 88th Street. The town designated this area to be of low impact on the quality of the area while optimizing sanitation personnel safety.

Additionally, the area will not have an impact on the proposed memorial park as the footprint is adjacent to an existing driveway. The location was coordinated with the proposed 88th Street closure. The sanitation collection schedule for commercial properties is from 7:00 am to 10:00 am. The expected staging for the proposed development is 5 minutes per pick-up day, which is scheduled differently for every property depending on the customer’s needs.”

As part of this review, DAMAC International has also been able to reposition the building’s service access bay further west by 15 feet resulting in more open spaces along 88th Street for the memorial park.

“The change in the Town’s policy allowed us the opportunity to enhance the open spaces available for the memorial park and addressed the sensitivity around this topic,’’ said Niall Mc Loughlin, DAMAC International Senior Vice President of Communications. ‘’We appreciate the opportunity to welcome 8777 Collins Avenue into our property family and do our part as a new member of this great community by using our resources to make an impact on the quality of life for all who live, work, and visit there.”

In August DAMAC Properties responded to misconceptions and misinformation following the July 25th Town of Surfside Special Commission Meeting in order to promote an informed dialogue following PROFILEmiami first revealing the Zaha Hadid-designed proposal in June.

DAMAC Properties and DAMAC International have been at the forefront of the Middle East's luxury real estate market since 2002, delivering award-winning residential, commercial and leisure properties across the region, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, the Maldives, Canada, the United States, as well as the United Kingdom.   

Since then, the company has delivered approximately 46,000 homes. Joining forces with some of the world’s most eminent fashion and lifestyle brands, DAMAC has brought new and exciting living concepts to the market in collaborations that include luxury homes in association with Versace, Cavalli, Just Cavalli, de GRISOGONO, Zuhair Murad, Vincent Faudemer, Paramount Hotels & Resorts, Rotana and Radisson Hotel Group. With a consistent vision and strong momentum, DAMAC Properties is building the next generation of Middle Eastern luxury living.

Renderings via DAMAC International

FIRST ON PROFILE: Dubai-Based Developer DAMAC International Submits Pair Of Zaha Hadid Architect's Preliminary Designs For Surfside Development Site

FIRST ON PROFILE: DAMAC International, a Dubai-based luxury property developer led by Hussain Sajwani, it has submitted its application for planning approval to the Town of Surfside, incorporating Zaha Hadid Architects’ (ZHA) stunning design. Zaha Hadid Architects has produced a pair of design variations for a 12-story ultra-luxury boutique oceanfront condominium with 57 residences at 8777 Collins Avenue. The submission takes place less than a year from when the 1.8-acre oceanfront property was purchased in July 2022.

This commission marks the second Miami project for the award-winning British architecture and design firm founded by the late, Pritzker-prize winning architect Zaha Hadid. Zaha Hadid Architects were the vision behind One Thousand Museum Tower, the firm's first Miami masterwork, which became an immediate icon when it debuted in 2019 with an eye-catching, curving exoskeleton.

Each project by Zaha Hadid Architects is the very specific assimilation of its unique context, local culture, programmatic requirements and intelligent engineering— enabling the architecture and surrounding urban fabric to seamlessly combine, in both formal strategy and spatial experience.

“We are honored to have been chosen for this very special project. While no work of architecture can ever remove the pain of the past, nor should it, a truly ambitious work of architecture can respect such a significant site,” said Chris Lepine, Director, Zaha Hadid Architects. “It’s a great responsibility to be providing this vision for Surfside.”

As part of the planning application to the Town, DAMAC has elected to submit two variations of a common theme for consideration. The submission is based on alternative interpretations of the town planning ordinances. The first which steps in on the South elevation and the second with consistent elevations on all sides. The intention is to provide the Town with designs that we believe accord to the ordinances and meet the highest design standards possible under each interpretation.

Both designs feature a twin-building duality, with a sculptural form modulated with nested crescents that coalesce at the corners. These soft, cloud-like elements, stretch pull and contract emulating the ebb and flow of the ocean to animate the façade. Balconies stagger, never aligning vertically, to give variety to every floor and so that horizontal movement is emphasized. Balcony extensions, shading elements and geometric curves help to ensure privacy between condominiums and their adjacent spaces with a contemporary reinterpretation of privacy fins, a characteristic detail of Miami Modernism’s (MiMO) patterned screens filtering the strong Miami sun.

Each proposal incorporates precision-engineered façades that echo the colors and textures of sand within the adjacent dunes and beach. The rich materiality of these crafted facades embeds the building within its Surfside community and warmly reflects the magnificent variety of light throughout each sunrise, daytime and sunset on Miami’s internationally renowned coastline.

The designs maximize views and natural light into the condominiums from at least three aspects. The condominiums will flow seamlessly from indoors to outdoors with generous balconies extending the internal living space capitalizing on the Miami weather and ocean breezes. The condominiums, ranging from 4,000-15,000 square feet, will provide a variety of living experiences to the residents. The community amenities will include a 100-foot rooftop pool bridging across the atrium between the north/south arms of the building with direct views of Downtown, as well as a 75-foot indoor exercise pool.

Adjacent to this pool will be a spa and gym with views to the exterior landscape. The building is set within landscaped grounds enveloped by nature, reflective of its beachfront location and interface with the dunes and ocean.

"We are pleased to submit our planning application, featuring Zaha Hadid Architects’ design variations for the Town’s approval," said Niall Mc Loughlin, DAMAC International Senior Vice President of Communications. “They have raised their own bar once more with these two design variations, expertly weaving together form and space to engage the senses, and create an unrivalled ultra-luxury experience and a true sense of place.”

“We know we cannot replace what was so painfully lost, but it is our desire that the building honors and respects its location at the heart of Surfside’s community and offers a sense of closure to the tragic event of the past while also providing a sense of a new beginning,” added Mc Loughlin.

Dubai-Based DAMAC Properties Closes On $120 Million Surfside Site Of Collapsed Condo, To Build Cavalli-Branded Condo

The Dubai-based DAMAC Properties, who was revealed as the she stalking horse bidder for the site of the former Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida which tragically collapsed in June 2021, has closed on the site for $120 million. DAMAC Properties, led by billionaire developer Hussain Sajwani, is planning to develop a Cavalli branded condo project on the site.

The developer agreed to a $120 million bid for the oceanfront property located at 8777 Collins Ave. via one of their US entities, East Oceanside Development, LLC. in September 2021. Court-appointed trustee Michael Goldberg issued the deed for the site at 8777 Collins Avenue which spans ±1.88 acres or ±81,886 square feet. The proceeds from the sale will go toward the $96 million settlement for the Champlain Towers South unit owners who lost their home in the tragic collapse.

The Cavallli Surfside condo will be DAMAC Properties’ first project in the United States. Sajwani’s private equity firm Vision Investments purchased the Cavalli luxury fashion brand in 2019. DAMAC Properties launched a 70-story Cavalli Tower in Dubai in 2021.

Honorable Judge Michael A. Hanzman and the court appointed receiver Michael Goldberg tabbed Avison Young, led by Michael T. Fay, to market the property in late-August 2021. Avison Young’s Michael T. Fay and his team John K. Crotty, David Duckworth, Brian C. de la Fé, and Berkley K. Bloodworth oversaw the sale, pro bono.

The Dubai-Based DAMAC Properties Revealed As $120 Million Stalking Horse Bidder Of Site Of Collapsed Surfside Condo

The stalking horse bidder for the site of the former Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida which tragically collapsed in June 2021 has been revealed as the Dubai-based DAMAC Properties, led by billionaire developer Hussain Sajwani. The developer agreed to a $120 million bid for the oceanfront property located at 8777 Collins Ave. via one of their US entities, East Oceanside Development, LLC. East Oceanside Development will be required to submit a $16 million deposit with $150,000 non-refundable and the developer will now begin two months of due diligence on the site. The Surfside land at 8777 Collins Avenue spans ±1.88 acres or ±81,886 square feet.

Once the initial bid is finalized by Honorable Judge Michael A. Hanzman other developers will be able to submit bids on the property to potentially push the price higher. Judge Hanzman has the final decision over which developer wins the bidding considering input from the lawyers overseeing the class-action negligence case with the final decision expected in the spring of 2022. Hanzman wants the sale to produce as much proceeds as possible in order to help compensate the families of the 98 people who lost their lives in the collapse and countless others who lost their homes. The victims and their families will also be the beneficiaries of a $49 million insurance payout.

Honorable Judge Michael A. Hanzman and the court appointed receiver Michael Goldberg tabbed Avison Young, led by Michael T. Fay, to market the property in late-August. Avison Young’s Michael T. Fay and his team John K. Crotty, David Duckworth, Brian C. de la Fé, and Berkley K. Bloodworth are spearheading the sale, pro bono.

Avison Young's Michael T. Fay Launches Marketing For The Former Site Of Champlain Towers South In Surfside

Pursuant to the direction of the Honorable Judge Michael A. Hanzman and the court appointed receiver Michael Goldberg, Avison Young, led by Michael T. Fay, has officially launched the marketing process for the sale of the Champlain Towers South site in Surfside, Florida. Efforts to establish a suitable memorial immediately adjacent to or near the site honoring the cherished memories of the victims of the horrific tragedy of June 24, 2021, are ongoing. The news comes as the reported stalking horse bidder continues to review their $120 million contract.

Avison Young’s Michael T. Fay and his team John K. Crotty, David Duckworth, Brian C. de la Fé, and Berkley K. Bloodworth are spearheading the sale, pro bono. The team welcomes all inquiries regarding the property and will soon announce the date and time for a live bidding process to take place in the courtroom in the coming weeks. Additionally, a contract for $120 million is in review by an undisclosed stalking horse bidder.

“It’s an honor for our team to sell this site through Receiver Michael Goldberg and Judge Michael Hanzman for all the families and victims of this sad tragedy,” said Michael T. Fay, Principal, Managing Director - Miami, Chairman, U.S. Capital Markets Executive Committee at Avison Young.

The Surfside land at 8777 Collins Avenue spans ±1.88 acres or ±81,886 square feet. The offering memorandum is available to the public and can be downloaded via the following link: http://properties.avisonyoung.com/surfside

DEVELOPING: Champlain Towers South Condo Collapses In Surfside, 159 People Reported Missing

DEVELOPING (Updated June 25, 11:43 A.M.): Around 1:30 AM on June 24, 2021 the 12-story Champlain Towers South Condo, located at 8777 Collins Ave. in Surfside, FL collapsed, leaving 4 dead and 159 reported missing as of 11 A.M. on June 25, 2021. At least 35 people have been rescued from being trapped in the building and rescue operations are underway.

Rescue teams of 10-12 rescuers are attempting to tunnel under the remaining structure into the rubble to locate additional survivors with the help of search dogs. Teams are using sonar as the carefully tunnel into the rubble with saws and infrared cameras. The work is a brave, desperate search for life, putting the rescue teams in peril of potential shifting rubble or the remaining structure to collapse.

Of the 136-units in the building, 55 were destroyed in the collapse. Authorities still have no idea how many people were in the building at the time of collapse and fear that the death toll could continue to rise.

Over 80 rescue units reportedly responded to the disaster. Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett and Governor Ron DeSantis were on-site Thursday. American Red Cross volunteers are assisting people who have lost their homes or been displaced by the disaster.

Authorities have not identified what may have caused the collapse and an investigation may take several weeks to months.

Champlain Towers South was developed in 1981 by Nathan Reiber and is part of a condominium complex with two additional separate buildings on adjacent lots. Champlain Towers South featured 136-units ranging from one-to-four bedroom floorpans which range in size from 1,200 SF to 4,500 SF. The building was undergoing its 40-year recertification, which is a one year process to complete, and was also undergoing restoration and roof work at the time of the collapse.