Global City Development & Asia Capital Real Estate Management Break Ground On MiMo Bay Apartments In Miami's Upper East Side

Asia Capital Real Estate Management (ACRE) and Global City Development, led by Principals Brian Pearl and Diego Procel, celebrated the groundbreaking of MiMo Bay Apartments, a 236-unit mixed-use waterfront community in Miami’s Upper Eastside. The project is a joint venture between ACRE and a large Canadian Pension Fund, and will be built on the 3.6-acre site of the former American Legion Post No. 29 building. The five-story waterfront building is being built by Miami-based Coastal Construction Group and financed via a $51 million construction loan from TD Bank. Designed by Stantec's Miami office, MiMo Bay Apartments will comprise of 236 LEED-certified market-rate rental apartment units, as well as 15,000 SF facility to be owned and operated by Post No. 29 for the use of its military veteran members. The Post No. 29 space will feature a gym, areas for physical therapy, a wellness center, and a swimming pool with services will include group therapy, acupuncture, post-traumatic stress disorder treatment, and more.

MiMo Bay Apartments is located adjacent to Legion Memorial Park at 6445 NE 7th Avenue in Miami’s MiMo District, the ceremony included remarks from Global City Development Principal Diego Procel, as well as ACRE Managing Partner Blake Olafson. Commander Robert Bellamy representing Post No. 29 and City of Miami Commissioner Ken Russell were also in attendance to initiate the ceremonial event.

“We’re incredibly proud to officially break ground on MiMo Bay Apartments and begin the process of developing this project with an extraordinary group of individuals,” said Olafson. “MiMo Bay Apartments will bring a world-class standard outdoor and waterfront living concept to Miami’s Upper Eastside, whilst being built and designed by local Miami firms.”

“We look forward to contributing such an important development in this growing neighborhood,” added Procel. “As the proud father of a Marine and recognizing the need for a community that serves the Legion, this development will realize an incredible opportunity for veterans to enjoy vastly enhanced amenities in the area.”

“Our vision for MiMo Bay is to pay homage to the surrounding neighborhood and its Miami Modern (MiMo) style of architecture, and to establish a connection between the bay and the park,” said Christina Villa, senior associate with Stantec’s Miami office. “We mixed modern and sharp angles to maximize water views from all areas including the units, public spaces and the American Legion facility. Natural fauna and landscaping will be implemented to enhance the site, blend with the park and provide a secluded retreat for residents.”

University Bridge Residences Closes On $231 Million In Bond Financing

University Bridge GP, LLC, a partnership between between Miami-based Global City Development, RER Ventures and Toronto-based Podium Developments that is developing the off-campus 20-story student housing rental tower University Bridge Residences, has closed on a $231 million bond issuance. The bond represents the largest financing of its kind for an off-campus student housing building in the United States. University Bridge Residences is located directly across from Florida International University (FIU) where the funding will provide $50+ million in scholarships over 40 years to and as per the terms of the agreement, Florida International University will also take ownership of the building upon completion of the bond payments in 2058.

“Today’s bond issuance is a major milestone and an especially proud moment as we come one step closer to delivering a new residential and retail landmark for Florida International University and the surrounding neighborhood,” said Brian Pearl, Principal of Global City Development. “As the largest financing of its kind, it gives us enormous satisfaction that the bond investment community recognized the obvious need in the marketplace for student housing and that this project will benefit FIU for many years to come.”

University Bridge Residences broke ground in June 2018 and is being built by Coastal Construction Group and designed by Arquitectonica. Construction crews started the foundation last month, and the project is slated to be completed in time for the 2020-2021 academic year. University Bridge Residences will serve the school’s rapidly growing student population’s housing demand which is the fourth-largest university in the United States by enrollment, with more than 55,000 students, but only 8% of the student body lives in college owned, operated or affiliate housing. The project rises 20 stories and features 886 units along with 7,000 SF of commercial space.

“We specifically chose to use this method of funding to serve both the project and the community for generations to come,” said Diego Procel, Principal of Global City Development. “University Bridge Residences will introduce a new paradigm in the area and we are excited to welcome our student residents in the near future.”

Christopher Kallivokas, Managing Member of RER Ventures added, “This extraordinary project could only have happened with the cooperation, vision and foresight of the President and the Board of Trustees of FIU in conjunction with the City of Sweetwater Mayor and City Commissioners.”

University Developments Unveils The Sales Gallery At University Bridge Residences

University Developments has officially unveiled their sales gallery after hosting a celebration in honor of the milestone on December 14, 2017. More than 150 of Miami-Dade’s leading real estate brokers, VIPs and community leaders joined the development team at its unique dome-shaped, contemporary sales center in welcoming Miami’s first student housing condominium, which will be located across the street from the main campus of Florida International University (FIU). Those in attendance received the exclusive first look preview at the project’s super-sized scale model, as well as viewed renderings and floor plans through their innovative app. The sales center also highlights the refined finishes offered to University Bridge’s future student residents in the sample model residence. The sales center’s unique dome structure brings a modern, sleek, contemporary look to the City of Sweetwater’s designated ‘University City’ district.

“We are very excited to formally open our doors and welcome those interested in this unique real estate project,” said Brian Pearl, principal of Global City Development. “The sales gallery is a reflection of the project’s uniqueness and has to be experienced to understand the value proposition being offered to buyers and brokers.”

University Bridge Residences is being developed by University Developments, a partnership between Miami-based Global City Development, Toronto-based Reichmann International and Toronto-based Podium Developments. The project will serve the school’s rapidly growing student population’s housing demand. Florida International University is the fourth-largest university in the United States by enrollment, with more than 55,000 students, but only eight percent of the student body lives in college owned, operated or affiliate housing. University Bridge Residences, which is bing designed by architecture and interior design firm Arquitectonica, will rise 20 stories and feature 492-units. Each turnkey unit depicted in the interior renderings comes fully furnished offering a multitude of residential features including complete kitchens, stainless steel appliances, washer and dryer in every residence, flooring throughout, and dedicated bathroom for each bedroom. Residences come a wide array of floorplans ranging in size from 317 square feet to 1,634 square feet, including studios, one, two, three and four bedroom units, as well as three and four bedroom townhouses. Prices range from the $190,000’s to the $600,000’s. Leasing is exclusively presented by Cervera Real Estate. Amenities include a large amenity deck with a landscaped recreational area featuring a resort-style pool with beach entry and pool volleyball with lap area, cabanas, sun deck with daybeds, BBQ and dining areas. The building’s rooftop will also feature a sunset terrace complete with dining areas, large yoga lawn and performance stage. The property also serves as a direct connection with the FIU campus and will allow residents to access the campus networks and online tools as if they were on campus. The project is scheduled for completion in time for the 2020-2021 academic year.