PROFILE Exclusive: 12 Questions With Developer James Curnin Of Clara Bay Harbor

PROFILEmiami had the exclusive opportunity to sit down with James Curnin of Clara Homes, a Miami-based, vertically integrated real estate firm, to discuss how he has found success developing and expanding his brand in the Miami market following an accomplished start to his career developing luxury residential properties in Los Angeles. Founded in 2014 by James, Clara Homes offers residential and commercial development, operations oversight and custom homes.

With work spanning South Florida to Los Angeles, the Clara Homes has collaborated with some of the industry’s most innovative architecture firms, including Vertoch Design Architects, McClean Design and Strang Design, to differentiate its portfolio from others in the market. Currently in the pipeline are three waterfront spec homes, three privately owned custom homes, as well as a 150-unit, three-building rental development in Bay Harbor Islands named Clara Bay Harbor which broke ground in March 2023.

Recent completed projects include a single family spec home project, a Modern Farmhouse located at 6341 Allison Road on Allison Island, which sold for $13,875,000, as well as 416 W San Marino Drive which is currently pending for $29 million. Curnin also delivered a project on Sunset Island II and other homes on Miami Beach. Homes currently under construction include properties on La Gorce Circle, Davis Road and Pinetree Dr Circle. PROFILEmiami recently caught up with James following his site approval for the third building as part of his Clara Bay Harbor development to see how he has taken the Miami market by storm:

PROFILEmiami: Tell us about your background, how did you get involved in real estate?

James Curnin: I was always drawn to real estate. My great grandfather had an impressive portfolio of buildings around New York City, and I grew up knowing that one day, I would follow in his footsteps. When I was finally old enough to start working for the family business, I was 14. It was hard work, but it solidified what I already knew to be true: I would grow up to be a real estate developer. My great grandfather’s company gave me my start. I contributed to major tri-state area projects such as Parker Meridien Hotels, Parker Towers and Parker Plaza. After some time, I decided to leave New York City and start my own legacy. In 2014, I founded Clara Homes, starting in Los Angeles. Great weather, a favorable business landscape and the promise of opportunity brought me to Miami. Here in South Florida I’ve grown Clara Homes into a vertically integrated real estate firm offering residential and commercial development, operations oversight and custom homes.

PROFILE: What was your first real estate development project?

JC: A single-family home in the bird streets of Los Angeles.

PROFILE: What is your development philosophy?

JC: Chase every penny, as frequently told to me by my great-grandfather when I was just getting started in the business.

PROFILE: You have built a name for yourself in Miami developing Spec Homes, can you tell us about your past projects? Are you currently working on any?

JC: I got my start in Miami building and selling spec homes, and it’s been an incredible journey. Just as the pandemic was setting in, we were completing four residences throughout the city. It was a time when everyone was in quarantine looking for more space, warm weather and private outdoor access, so we were able to quickly sell the listings and rapidly grow a good reputation for our use of quality materials and thoughtful design. Ever since, buyers have come to recognize our work and trust that we strive for perfection. We collaborate with the best architects in the area to design modern, tropical homes that truly suit the needs of families today, and people have even started coming to us for help to build their own custom homes. Currently, we’re finishing construction on three new spec home projects. I’m excited to report that all of them are now under contract. We will close when the homes complete, which will probably be in the next six months.

PROFILE: As a developer what is your strategy or some of the key items you take into account when developing an ultra-luxury home on spec?

JC: I like to invest in areas with a high barrier to entry, like Miami’s many islands. The land is fleeting and people are always going to want to be on the water, so there’s a much better chance these homes will hold their value over time. I’ve made it a point to hone in on opportunities such as waterfront and extra secluded properties to really maximize my portfolio.

PROFILE: You recently broke ground on Clara Bay Harbor on Miami’s Bay Harbor Islands, can you discuss the process of developing a high-end rental community in a neighborhood that did not have one?

JC: We’re developing Clara Bay Harbor as the premier rental community for Bay Harbor. The project will have three buildings, totaling 150 expansive apartments. The first broke ground in the beginning of this year, and the two following buildings have been approved by the Town of Bay Harbor Islands. We expect to begin construction on them soon.

Getting development rights in Bay Harbor is a challenge because there is a limited number the town has left to give and a ton of interest to go around. The town sold us the last of their TDRs, and now our entire site plan is approved and ready to go vertical.

A luxury rental development project of Clara Bay Harbor’s caliber will help to redefine and reinvigorate the neighborhood, introducing an elevated precedent for luxury in Bay Harbor Islands. With the influx of in-migration to South Florida in the last few years, there is a need for full-service rental offerings in the area that can accommodate young families. Clara Bay Harbor will feature private amenity spaces, concierge services and the level of hospitality where all staff, from the doormen to the pool attendants, know your name, your children’s names and your dog’s name.

PROFILE: As the developer how does the process differ between housing built for sale and housing built to lease?

JC: I approach every project with the same mindset. I want each to be of the highest quality, with the finest materials, blurring the line between apartment and condominium. The rentals I’m developing will have a luxury lifestyle one would expect to see within a resort-style condominium tower. That’s something I think will set Clara Bay Harbor apart from other multifamily offerings throughout Miami.

PROFILE: What is your outlook on the real estate market in Miami amid a changing economic environment and rising interest rates?

JC: Over the past few years, we have seen a rollercoaster of a real estate market, but Miami has sustained tremendous demand that is on an entirely different level from the rest of the nation. Even as interest rates rise, Miami will always be a destination that attracts people. Thousands are relocating to South Florida and many more have plans to purchase real estate. What we’ve seen, though, is that many would-be buyers are turning into luxury renters to wait out high interest rates and other market conditions. These renters are the people who will be attracted to our apartments at Clara Bay Harbor. For this reason, I’m very bullish on the rental market across the Miami area. I find it’s a huge, untapped opportunity, as there are not many professionally managed buildings designed specifically for renters with a high-touch experience in mind.

PROFILE: What was the first gift you brought yourself following a career milestone?

JC: More real estate.

PROFILE: What is your favorite restaurant in Miami?

JC: My favorite restaurant in Miami is either The Surf Club or Makoto.

PROFILE: Describe your perfect Saturday night in Miami?

JC: A perfect Saturday in Miami would be spending quality time with my family, especially with everyone’s busy schedules. Whether going out to dinner by the water or hanging out with friends.

PROFILE: Where do we find you on your day off?

JC: As a real estate developer, I’m afraid I never really have a true “day off” but in my spare time I’m actively involved with the Institute of Contemporary Art and Perez Art Museum in Miami. I hold leadership positions at both museums, so I try to be as hands on as I can with any events, awards, or activations going on. I also try to be outdoors as much as possible whenever I can, so I love going over to the beach and playing tennis or golf on my off days.

Images via Clara Homes

Clara Homes Receives Site Approval For Third Rental Building At Clara Bay Harbor

Clara Homes, a Miami-based real estate development firm founded by James Curnin, has received the approval for its third building and site plan at Clara Bay Harbor, a three-building ultra-luxury rental community in Miami's Bay Harbor neighborhood. Located from 10200 to 10290 East Bay Harbor Drive, the project's third and final six-story building will feature 77 expansive apartments as the largest of the three, spanning 1.3 acres. The site is the largest of the three spanning 1.3 acres, and following this latest city approval, construction is set to commence in 2024 for the third building. Clara Bay Harbor is a luxury rental community near Bal Harbour and Indian Creek, set to reinvigorate the Bay Harbor neighborhood into a premier luxury living destination with New York-style, personalized service and a spread of amenities including coworking lounges and rooftop pool.

As Clara Homes achieved approval for the third building, the firm also separately negotiated the purchase of Transfer of Development Rights (TDRs) from the Town of Bay Harbor Islands, a rare occurrence representing the need for rental product in the neighborhood and the trust the city has in the developer.

Int total Clara Bay Harbor will deliver a collective 150 luxury rental residences to Miami’s Bay Harbor neighborhood. The three buildings it comprises are being developed concurrently and cohesively, each with their own dedicated suite of amenities and services.

The first building, located at 10281 West Bay Harbor Drive, broke ground this February. Expected to open in fall 2024, it will feature 28 two- to five-bedroom apartments. Groundbreaking for the second building of Clara Bay Harbor, located at 1147-1163 100th Street, will take place later this year. With 45 expansive apartments, the site totals to about 145,000 gross square feet.

Clara Bay Harbor is Clara Homes’ first South Florida multifamily development, following the firm’s success developing, building and selling numerous Miami and Los Angeles luxury spec homes for above market rate prices.

Founded in 2014 by James Curnin, Clara Homes is a Miami-based, vertically integrated real estate firm offering residential and commercial development, operations oversight and custom homes. With work spanning South Florida to Los Angeles, the company has collaborated with some of the industry’s most innovative architecture firms, including Vertoch Design Architects, McClean Design and Strang Design, to differentiate its portfolio from others in the market. Currently in the pipeline are three waterfront spec homes, three privately owned custom homes, as well as a 150-unit, three-building rental development in Bay Harbor called Clara Bay Harbor.

Clara Homes Breaks Ground on 'Clara Bay Harbor' On The Coveted Bay Harbor Islands

On the heels of closing on a $26 million construction loan for Clara Bay Harbor, Clara Homes has broken ground on Phase 1 of its luxury rental development, Clara Bay Harbor. Located at 10281 W. Bay Harbor Drive, the first building, a six-story midrise, will feature 28 well-appointed apartments designed with the same quality and level of finish as a luxury condominium. Inspired by New York’s famous apartment buildings, with personalized doormen and concierge service, walkability and convenient amenities onsite, the development will create a new tier of rental living in Miami and appeal to renters wanting the experience of home, without the hassle. The first building is scheduled to complete in 2024.

Clara Homes is a Miami-based, vertically integrated real estate firm specializing in residential development, custom single-family homes and operations oversight led by James Curnin. OHLA is leading construction.

"The groundbreaking is a huge milestone for Clara Bay Harbor and a leap forward in turning our vision into reality,” said James Curnin, CEO and Founder of Clara Homes. “We are excited to reimagine the rental experience in the market and have already seen a great deal of support and praise from people in the community on the concept.”

Nestled between the world-famous Bal Harbour Shops and Miami’s exclusive Indian Creek, Clara Bay Harbor is a premier rental project featuring 150 residences across three buildings. It will offer an enviable lifestyle and location in the heart of Bay Harbor, situated just minutes from the Atlantic Ocean as well as the best shopping and dining in the city. The first building will feature two- to five-bedroom spacious floor plans, a parking garage and a rooftop space with amenities that include a swimming pool, exercise area and sundeck. A full-time concierge will provide five-star service and highly curated experiences to residents.

“OHLA is proud and excited to be part of this project. These luxury apartments will, without a doubt, be the “must have” address for South Florida residents. We look forward to our part in bringing this iconic project to life, “ said Bernardo Perez, Executive Vice President of OHLA.

Following Clara Homes’s success developing, building and selling numerous Miami and Los Angeles luxury spec homes for above market rate prices, Clara Bay Harbor is the company’s first South Florida multifamily development and represents the developer’s expertise building thoughtful projects from the ground up. Construction for Clara Bay Harbor will be completed in three phases: one for each building. The other two buildings located at 1147-1163 100th Street and 10200 East Bay Harbor Drive are scheduled to break ground later this year. The entire master plan is expected to be completed by late 2025.

Clara Bay Harbor is part of a larger wave of new development that is transforming the neighborhood of Bal Harbor into an exclusive luxury destination. Known as one of the most desirable residential addresses in Miami, the area has always been celebrated for its small-town feel and focus on community, and will only grow as new high-profile projects, from Clara Bay Harbor to towering condominiums on the waterfront and mixed-use concepts along Kane Concourse, open and attract the most discerning residents.

Leasing for Clara Bay Harbor will be exclusively handled by Douglas Elliman Development Marketing.

Clara Homes Closes On $26 Million Construction Loan For Clara Bay Harbor Luxury Rental Development

The Miami-based Clara Homes, led by James Curnin, has closed on a $26 million construction loan financed by Maxim Capital for Clara Bay Harbor. The three-building development, Miami’s most anticipated new ground-up luxury rental community, will feature 150 total residences with five-star service and a suite of thoughtful amenities. Clara Bay Harbor’s first building is slated to break ground this March, with completion anticipated for Spring/Summer 2024. The entire master plan is expected to complete by the end of 2025. Clara Homes is a Miami-based vertically integrated real estate firm specializing in residential and commercial development, custom single-family homes and operations oversight.

“We are committed to bringing buildings to market that elevate luxury rental living across South Florida,” says James Curnin, CEO and Founder of Clara Homes. “This construction loan reaffirms the vision and confidence we have in Clara Bay Harbor. The project will offer renters high quality residences, designed with the same sophistication and style as our custom homes.”

Nestled between the world-famous Bal Harbour Shops and Miami’s exclusive Indian Creek, Clara Bay Harbor will offer an enviable lifestyle and location in the heart of Bay Harbor. Situated just minutes from the Atlantic Ocean as well as the best shopping and dining in the city, Bay Harbor is one of the most desirable residential areas in Miami, celebrated for its small-town feel and focus on community. The waterfront neighborhood is now transforming into an exclusive luxury destination with the development of new high-profile projects such as Clara Bay Harbor. The three buildings of Clara Bay Harbor will set a new standard for rental living across South Florida.

“Clara Homes is an experienced South Florida builder and a longtime Maxim client,” said Adam Glick, principal and cofounder of Maxim Capital Group. “We’re looking forward to completing a luxury rental building in one of the fastest growing markets in the country with one of the best residential developers in the Miami area.”

Construction for Clara Bay Harbor will be completed in three phases. The first phase introduces the first of three six-story buildings. Located at 10281 W. Bay Harbor Drive, the first building will tout 28 luxury two-to-five bedroom rental residences, a parking garage, and an amenitized rooftop space encompassing a swimming pool, exercise area, and sundeck. The other two buildings located at 1147-1163 100th Street and 10200 East Bay Harbor Drive are scheduled to break ground later this year.

Clara Bay Harbor is Clara Homes’s first South Florida multifamily development, following the firm’s success developing, building and selling numerous Miami and Los Angeles luxury spec homes for above market rate prices. Curnin got his start in the industry working under the late legendary developer Jack Parker, his great-grandfather, in New York City on high-profile projects such as Parker Meridian Hotels, Parker Towers, Parker Plaza and Truffles Tribeca.

Leasing for Clara Bay Harbor will be exclusively handled by Douglas Elliman Development Marketing.

Luxury Rental Residences Clara Bay Harbor Gets City Approval For Second Building

Clara Homes, a vertically integrated real estate development firm led by James Curnin, has received city approval of its second building at Clara Bay Harbor, a three-building ultra-luxury rental community being developed on the exclusive Bay Harbor Islands. Clara Bay Harbor will deliver a collective 150 luxury rental residences and will be completed in three phases, beginning with construction of the first building located at 10281 West Bay Harbor Drive. Groundbreaking for phase one is projected for Q1 of 2023, with the second phase to follow in Q3.

“I believe Bay Harbour is a jewel box neighborhood and the perfect unique setting for a true luxury rental apartment building. This has not been done before in Miami Beach and I’m thrilled to be working together with the community on developing Clara Bay Harbour, as this will solidify bay harbor as the next luxury location in Miami.” Said James Curnin of Clara Homes.

Located at 1147-1163 100th Street, the new approved Phase 2 is a six-story building which will feature 45 expansive apartments as well as a dedicated suite of amenities and services. The site totals to about 145,000 gross square feet.

The first site, which is located at 10281 West Bay Harbor Drive, received approval in April of this year. The site is roughly .35 acres and will include 28 luxury rentals. The third site, located from 10200 East Bay Harbor Drive through 10290 East Bay Harbor Drive, is the largest of the deals, spanning 1.3 acres. It will offer 77 of the total 150 luxury apartment residences at Clara Bay Harbor. All three buildings are being developed concurrently and cohesively.

Clara Bay Harbor is Clara Homes’s first South Florida multifamily development, following the firm’s success developing, building and selling numerous Miami and Los Angeles luxury spec homes for above market rate prices. Clara Homes is a vertically integrated real estate firm led by James Curnin.