Terra Closes on $127 Million Refinancing Loan for Natura Gardens Development

Terra and New Valley, the development partners behind Natura Gardens, a new multifamily community in Northwest Miami-Dade County, have secured $127 million in permanent financing for the development. The loan, issued by an affiliate of MF1 Capital, will be used to pay off and refinance an existing $65 million construction loan, which was provided in 2021 by Bank OZK. Completed in Summer 2023, Natura Gardens includes 460 garden-style rental apartments across 23-acres in Miami’s West Hialeah neighborhood.

At more than 97% leased, Natura Gardens’ one- to three-bedroom apartments measure between 727 and 1,603 square feet in size, with rental rates ranging from approximately $2,000 to $3,350 per month.

“Our ability to refinance Natura Gardens reflects the leasing success we’ve experienced at the property as well as the increasing demand for market-rate rental housing in the West Hialeah area,” said David Martin, CEO of Terra. “Natura Gardens continues to fulfill an unmet need for quality suburban living for thousands of working families seeking to minimize their daily commutes.”

Walker & Dunlop’s New York Capital Markets team, led by Keith Kurland, Aaron Appel, Jon Schwartz, Adam Schwartz, and Michael Diaz arranged the loan proceeds to refinance the existing construction loan of Natura Gardens.

Situated along NW 170th Street between I-75 and Florida’s Turnpike, Natura Gardens is located immediately south of the planned American Dream retail and entertainment complex, and a short drive from several large employers, including Boeing, Royal Caribbean International, Preferred Freezer Services, and The Home Depot.

Natura Gardens was designed by Pascual, Perez, Kiliddjian Architecture (PPK), with the development’s clubhouse and model units imagined by tennis champion Venus Williams’ design firm V Starr Interiors.

 Apartments have high-end finishes and fixtures, expansive balconies, custom shaker-style kitchen cabinetry, spacious built-in pantries, kitchen islands with breakfast areas, stainless steel appliances, full-size washer and dryers, spacious living and dining rooms, walk-in closets, and en-suite bathrooms.

Amenities at the gated community include a two-story clubhouse with a resort-style pool and spa; a covered kitchen prep area and grilling station, sink and refrigerator; outdoor tiki hut areas with hammocks, tables and umbrellas, and lounge chairs on comfortable beach sand; a media room, billiards and children’s playroom; a sophisticated lounge with a bar and kitchen; a state-of-the-art fitness center with yoga, aerobics and spinning studios; a business center with co-working spaces and a coffee bar; a children’s tot-lot with recreational equipment and electronic car charging stations, and a residents-only dog park.

Inspired by the area’s natural surroundings, the community features lush landscaping, open lawns, lakes and preserves. Residents also have access to lush, green spaces with sitting areas and mobile device charging stations throughout the entire community.

Natura Gardens is the latest among Terra’s portfolio of newly completed multifamily developments across South Florida, which includes Grove Central, a transit-oriented mixed-use development with residential and retail uses in Coconut Grove; and Pines Garden at City Center, a garden-apartment community in Broward County’s City of Pembroke Pines. Terra is also currently developing CentroCity, which will include up to 1,200 apartments as part of a larger 38-acre mixed use development in central Miami-Dade County, just west of Little Havana; and Upland Park, which will include up to 1,700 apartments as part of a 47-acre mixed use transit-oriented development at the Miami-Dade County Dolphin Park-and-Ride Station.

OKO Group and CAIN International Lock Down $128.3 Million Construction Loan For Una Residences

OKO Group and Cain International have secured $128.3 million in construction financing for Una Residences. The senior debt, which was provided by Bank OZK, will fund the ongoing development of the 47-story luxury condo tower, which broke ground in May 2020 and has over $75 million in sales over the past four months.

The Walker & Dunlop team led by Senior Managing Directors & Co-Heads of New York Capital Markets Keith Kurland, Aaron Appel, and Adam Schwartz along with Managing Director Michael Diaz and Director Sean Bastian represented the developers in the transaction. Weil Gotshal & Manges served as counsel for the sponsor/developer, while King & Spaulding served as counsel for Bank OZK.

Una Residences sits on one of the last developable parcels of waterfront land in Brickell in the South Brickell enclave at 174 SE 25th Road and will become the first waterfront residential tower to deliver in the neighborhood in over a decade upon its completion in 2023. The tower is being developed by a partnership between OKO Group, the luxury development group helmed by international real estate mogul Vladislav Doronin, and Cain International, a privately held investment firm with over $6.3 billion in real estate equity, debt, and leisure-focused investments.

“Miami’s increasing global appeal is drawing families to live and businesses to invest in high quality real estate, particularly rare and exclusive offerings such as Una Residences; one of the last opportunities to buy a waterfront property in one of Miami’s most desirable neighborhoods,” said Vladislav Doronin, Chairman and CEO of OKO Group. “We are seeing this trend of moving to Miami accelerate at an unprecedented rate, attracted by the many benefits including its sunny weather, quality of life, status as a global destination and its tax incentives. As construction progresses on site at Una Residences, we anticipate a beneficial and successful relationship with all parties involved in this project.”

Una Residences was designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill (AS+GG) and the tower will offer 135 spacious two-to-five bedroom condominiums with unobstructed views of the Atlantic Ocean, Biscayne Bay, and city skyline. Residences are priced from $2 million to $7.4 million, with two ultra-exclusive penthouses priced up to $21.6 million.

"We firmly believe the Miami market is well-positioned for future growth as a global gateway city, with continued demand for new residential property coming from both foreign and domestic buyers. Closing this financing with Bank OZK is a significant milestone for Una Residences and for the broader Brickell residential market," said Jonathan Goldstein, CEO of Cain International. "With its unique position overlooking Biscayne Bay, close proximity to Key Biscayne, Brickell and Coconut Grove, and access to incredible lifestyle amenities, Una Residences is truly one-of-a-kind and we look forward to advancing towards completion with our partners."

Amenities include three swimming pools, a children’s splash-pad area and playroom, a movie theater, an Aman Resort-inspired spa and steam room, a state-of-the-art fitness center featuring yoga and personal training facilities, onsite dining, and more. Una’s amenities will also extend beyond the property, as residents will receive exclusive membership access to the Grand Bay Club on the beachfront of Miami’s Key Biscayne.

“The fundamentals of the Una Residences project met the high standards Bank OZK consistently seeks in our credits – marquee real estate, strong market fundamentals and top-tier sponsorship,” stated Greg Newman, Managing Director of Originations for Bank OZK’s Real Estate Specialties Group. “OKO Group and Cain International are developing a best-in-class option in the Miami market, with amenities and an unrivaled setting that delivers an exceptional quality of life to residents. We appreciate the opportunity to participate in this project as the sole senior secured lender and look forward to a very successful execution.”

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