Gencom Affiliate Reacquires Majority Interest In The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove

Affiliates of Miami-based Gencom, a U.S.-based investment firm that owns, operates, and develops prized real estate globally, announced that it has reacquired a majority interest the 115-key The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove situated at 3300 SW 27th Ave. in Miami, Florida.

A Gencom-led joint venture originally acquired The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove back in 2011 and sold a majority stake on the property to Hersha Hospitality Trust in 2017. The new acquisition transaction was financed by Banco Inbursa, a leading international financial institution with a strong track record financing hospitality and commercial real estate assets, for an undisclosed amount.

“The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove has always been a special property for Gencom, reflected by our history with the asset and Coconut Grove’s timeless appeal,” said Karim Alibhai, Founder of Gencom. “Reacquiring a majority stake aligns with our strategy of investing in high-quality assets in markets with strong fundamentals. We see significant opportunity to build on the property’s legacy and exceptional brand by creating value through disciplined investment and asset management.”

The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove property first opened in 2002 in Miami’s historic Coconut Grove neighborhood. In addition to the hotel’s 115 guestrooms, the Ritz-Carlton property features ~30,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting space, a swimming pool, poolside restaurant, boutique spa and salon, and a fitness center. The 21-story upscale hotel underwent its latest renovation in 2018. The upgrades included renovating the guestrooms and suites, the lobby, swimming pool, and food and beverage spaces that led to the opening of Isabelle’s Coconut Grove and The Commodore cocktail bar.

“This acquisition reflects our long-term conviction in Miami’s lodging fundamentals and the sustained strength of its local economy,” said Alessandro Colantonio, Chief Investment Officer at Gencom. “Having previously owned The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, we recognize the enduring value of the asset and the importance of Coconut Grove as one of Miami’s most established and in-demand submarkets for both leisure and business travel. Regaining a majority ownership in this iconic property enables us to further scale our hospitality platform in Miami, one of North America’s most compelling and resilient tourism markets.”

Miami’s Coconut Grove waterfront neighborhood has emerged as one of the city’s most authentic and highly coveted communities. Known for its lush streets, historic charm, and vibrant cultural scene, the Grove has seen significant growth and redevelopment in recent years. The addition of several Class A office buildings has attracted new residents and businesses, while the revitalization of its anchor lifestyle center, Cocowalk, has introduced dozens of restaurants, retail shops, and a new movie theater. Coupled with the development of luxury condos and hotels, these enhancements have strengthened Coconut Grove’s position as a premier live-work-play district. Today, the neighborhood offers a unique blend of luxury living, shopping, dining, cultural attractions and entertainment, making it one of Miami’s most appealing destinations for residents, visitors, and investors alike.

Gencom’s Miami holdings include the recently reopened Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami following a $100 million renovation and Miami Riverbridge, a transformational, privately funded mixed-use development planned along the Miami River, reinforcing the firm’s long-term conviction in the city’s growth and waterfront revitalization. The company’s illustrious branded hotel portfolio also includes other Marriott Hotels brands such as The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch; The Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia; The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans; The St. Regis Chicago; and Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve; in addition to other five-star flags such as Auberge, Four Seasons, Rosewood, Fairmont, Hyatt, InterContinental, and more.

Gencom is a U.S.-based investment firm that owns, operates and develops prized real estate around the world, with an emphasis on luxury hotels, resorts and branded residential properties; and which is also an active owner and investor in hospitality operating platforms. Gencom’s current real estate portfolio is comprised of some of the world’s most iconic hotels, resorts, and destinations which are amongst the leading properties in the industry with key operating partners such as Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, Rosewood, Auberge, Fairmont, Hyatt, and Marriott.

Founded more than 40 years ago, Gencom has grown to become one of the nation’s leading firms specializing in the development and management of luxury resort and residential properties, alongside full-service hospitality operating platforms. Today, the Gencom portfolio is comprised of nearly $8 billion in assets under management and includes 24 owned assets in operation or under development with over 6,000 hotel rooms around the world; in addition to 185 properties, comprised of 50,000 keys through its third-party management affiliate, Pyramid Global Hospitality, which oversees hotel property management and operations throughout the U.S. and Europe; and over 2 million square feet through affiliate Convene, a hospitality company that designs, builds, and manages premium meeting, event, and flexible office spaces.

Images via Gencom

Mast Capital Locks Down Florida's Largest Residential Single-Tower Loan At $600 Million For Cipriani Residences Miami

Miami-based developer Mast Capital has secured a construction loan of $600 million, setting a new record for the largest single-tower residential construction loan ever obtained in Florida for Cipriani Residences Miami. The loan comes from Mexico-based Banco Inbursa and Ascendant Capital Partners, contributing $350 million and $250 million, respectively. The site is one of the last remaining raw parcels of land in Brickell and will serve as the southern gateway to Miami’s financial district.

Situated on the southern edge of Brickell’s business district, Cipriani Residences Miami will be the brand’s first-ever ground-up residences in the Americas. The high-profile condominium development, which is redefining luxury within the Brickell neighborhood, encompasses an 80-story luxury condominium tower with 397 residences offering spectacular views of Biscayne Bay, the Brickell skyline, and Coconut Grove. The site benefits from being located close to all the destinations within Brickell while also offering better accessibility and less traffic given its proximity to the lower density areas of Brickell to the South.

“The unprecedented financing we have secured for this transformative development anchored in Brickell is a testament to the demand for an ultra-luxury condominium product in this neighborhood. We have assembled the highest caliber of architecture, and design to execute this project and further solidify the position of Miami’s Brickell Financial District as a business and residential community,” said Camilo Miguel, CEO of Mast Capital. “Cipriani Residences Miami will transform the neighborhood and appeal to a wide variety of domestic and international residents, especially at a time when Brickell continues to experience robust growth fueled by the steady pace of wealth and business migration.”

While the influx of new residents to Miami, particularly the highly desirable Brickell neighborhood, seeking a cosmopolitan lifestyle, warm weather, and favorable tax environment is not new, this trend has dramatically accelerated since mid-2020 and is expected to continue over the years to come.

Mast Capital purchased the 2.8-acre site located at 1420 S Miami Ave. for $103 million in December 2021, which at the time represented the acquisition of one of the last remaining raw parcels of land in Brickell available to build a large-scale, high-rise development. The condominium tower is a signature Bernardo Fort-Brescia design by architecture firm Arquitectonica and world-renowned interior design firm 1508 London.

Starting at $1.7 million, Cipriani Residences Miami offers one- to four-bedroom residences ranging from 1,123 to 3,495 square feet, in addition to penthouses with private pools, with completion slated for 2028. As the crowned jewel of Cipriani Residences Miami, the Canaletto Collection will offer a boutique experience to residents that includes priority access to the tower’s private speakeasy and dining spaces, exclusive global concierge services and custom finish and furniture packages available for purchase, designed by 1508 London. The Canaletto Collection, which comprises six penthouses, will also feature direct elevator entry and a limited number of residences per floor appealing to discrete residents who prioritize privacy. Pricing for the penthouses starts at $17 million. The condominium will offer all residents exclusive access to around-the-clock dining services by Cipriani available in the private restaurant, 24-hour in-home dining and catering services. Dining services will extend to the elevated resort deck featuring multiple swimming pools, lounge and cabanas.

Residents will also have access to a fully equipped state-of-the-art fitness center, as well as a holistic spa including an ice plunge and sauna. The condo tower’s robust amenity package will also include a golf simulator, a pickleball court, a screening room, as well as a library and salon for beauty services. Residents will also have the convenience of a private dog park, children’s playroom and à la carte services like plant care, away-from-home maintenance, pet grooming and walking, luxury house limousine transport within a three-mile radius, in-residence spa treatments, personal training and more.

Mast Capital has emerged as one of Florida’s most active real estate development and investment firms today, with a diverse portfolio of residential, hospitality, and commercial properties throughout the State. The firm continues to expand its portfolio, with acquisitions representing over $3.5 billion in total project capitalization. These investments include new-build up development of over 4,000 residential units in South Florida, as well as the Fort Myers and Tampa metro areas.

Newmark arranged the transaction with a Debt and Structured Finance team led by Co-Presidents Jordan Roeschlaub and Dustin Stolly alongside Executive Managing Director Nick Scribani. Harry Silvera and Yehuda Auman of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP and Kimberly LeCompte and Eric Fisher of Greenberg Traurig P.A. served as legal counsel for the developer. Aron Zuckerman and Norian Watson of Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton LLP served as legal counsel for Banco Inbursa. Evan Kaufman and Andy Auerbach of Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP served as legal counsel for Ascendant Capital Partners. Ilana Strickon of Holland & Knight served as legal counsel to both lenders. Sales and marketing for the condominium development is handled exclusively by Fortune Development Sales.

Renderings via Mast Capital

Merrimac Ventures and Aria Development Group Lock Down $95 Million Construction Loan for Sold-Out 600 Miami Worldcenter

A joint venture between South Florida-based developers Merrimac Ventures and Aria Development Group is preparing to break ground on 600 Miami Worldcenter, a 32-story condominium tower set within Downtown Miami’s Miami Worldcenter 27-acre mixed use development, following locking down a $95 million construction loan from Banco Inbursa. Located at 600 NE 1st Ave., 600 Miami Worldcenter will deliver 606 fully furnished units with no restrictions on short-term rentals. Construction is expected to be completed in 2026.

Buyers are responding to 600 Miami Worldcenter’s short-term “turn-key” rental model, with all of the development’s units already pre-sold to residents hailing mostly from the U.S., Colombia, Turkey and Argentina. Residences will range from 407-square-foot studios to 830-square-foot two-bedroom units where prices started in the $400,000s.

OneWorld Properties, led by CEO Peggy Olin, is managing sales and marketing for 600 Miami Worldcenter. Newmark’s Jordan Roeschlaub, Dustin Stolly, Nick Scribani, Daniel Matz and Holden Witkoff, along with the law firm of Bilzin Sumberg LLP’s Joseph Hernandez, Salomé Bascuñan, and Anthony De Yurre, represented the developers in the transaction.

“600 Miami Worldcenter has been one of our most anticipated and fastest-selling developments, which was appealing for our lenders at Banco Inbursa,” said Nitin Motwani, Managing Partner of Merrimac Ventures. “Heightened demand for the project’s ideal location and fully furnished turn-key residences are just some components that will make it a standout addition to our city-within-a-city at Miami Worldcenter.”

"600 Miami Worldcenter blends best practices from our most successful luxury residential developments with the excitement of Downtown Miami. We look forward to growing our relationship with Banco Inbursa through the construction of this beautiful project in our vibrant submarket," said David Arditi, Managing Partner of Aria Development Group.

600 Miami Worldcenter is the latest residential offering within Miami Worldcenter, the $6 billion mixed-use development transforming the heart of Downtown Miami. As the second largest urban development in the U.S. after Hudson Yards, the ‘city within a city’ features a diverse mix of residential, commercial and hospitality uses complemented by approximately 300,000 square feet of retail, restaurant, and entertainment space.

Merrimac Ventures’ presence in Downtown Miami also includes the development of Miami Worldcenter, which is being developed by master developers Miami Worldcenter Associates, led by Managing Partners Nitin Motwani and Art Falcone, in partnership with CIM Group.

In addition to 600 Miami Worldcenter, Merrimac Ventures is also developing two more residential towers within Miami Worldcenter: The Crosby, a sold out 450-unit condominium with no rental restrictions in partnership with Related Group, and the second phase of Caoba, a 40-story tower with 420 apartments.

Aria Development Group’s Downtown Miami portfolio includes the nearby YOTEL Miami, a 31-story condominium and hotel, and 501 First, a 476-unit condominium in partnership with AQARAT – both of which have no rental restrictions and are completely sold out.

Residences at 600 Miami Worldcenter will be curated by the award-winning design company, The Design Agency, and are equipped with floor-to-ceiling glass windows with custom window treatments, expansive balconies, flooring and furnishings on all residential interiors. Kitchens and bathrooms will include custom Italian cabinetry and countertops, top-of-the-line appliances with speed ovens, integrated paneled refrigerators/freezers, dishwashers, in-unit washers and dryers, and fully built-out spacious closets.

Designed by Revuelta Architecture, 600 Miami Worldcenter will boast luxury amenities including a summer kitchen, rooftop swimming pool with resort seating, a state-of-the-art fitness center with an outdoor private training area by Homage Fitness. 600 Miami Worldcenter will also feature a covered porte-cochère, 24-hour attended lobby, dedicated co-working space, resident lounge, and entertaining space, air-conditioned resident storage, and bike storage.

Miami Worldcenter occupies 10 city blocks within walking distance of Museum Park, home to Pérez Art Museum Miami and the Frost Museum of Science; the Kaseya Center, the home of the Miami Heat; the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts; and Miami Dade College’s Wolfson Campus. It is also adjacent to Brightline’s MiamiCentral station, which offers direct train service from Downtown Miami to Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and Orlando, together with access to Tri-Rail, the Metromover, and the Metrorail – making Miami Worldcenter the largest and most connected transit-oriented development in Florida.