Miami Beach City Commission Grants Final Approval for Terra’s Deauville Redevelopment

The long-awaited redevelopment of Miami Beach’s historic Deauville Hotel site has cleared its final hurdle, with the Miami Beach City Commission granting full approval to Terra’s development plans. The decision, made on Friday, June 27, finalizes zoning, land use, building height, and public-benefit commitments, paving the way for a major transformation of the iconic North Beach property. With development plans now fully approved by the City Commission, the next step will be a review by the Historic Preservation Board later this year to evaluate design details and preservation components.

Terra’s plans include a partial reconstruction of the hotel’s historic elements, a new residential tower designed by Foster + Partners, major infrastructure upgrades, and a $7.5 million contribution toward the revitalization of the Byron Carlyle Cultural Center. The plan also commits to significant public benefits, including infrastructure improvements, increased beach access, public parking, and cultural investments. The overall project will feature reduced density compared to previous proposals, aimed at minimizing traffic congestion, infrastructure strain, and environmental impacts.

David Martin, CEO of Terra, described the Commission’s approval as a pivotal moment for both the Deauville site and the broader North Beach community. “The approval marks a major step forward in restoring the site’s historic and cultural significance,” Martin said. “With this green light, Terra is now fully committed to delivering a world-class development that reflects the community’s values, prioritizing architectural excellence, environmental responsibility, and meaningful public benefit.”

Originally built in 1957, the Deauville Hotel once stood as a symbol of Miami Beach’s golden era, famously hosting the Beatles’ first U.S. television performance. In recent years, however, the property fell into disrepair and was ultimately demolished following structural decline. Terra’s redevelopment aims to honor the Deauville’s legacy while contributing to North Beach’s long-term growth.

Public benefits included in Terra’s redevelopment plans include enhanced stormwater infrastructure to address flooding, two new pedestrian pathways connecting to the beachwalk, 150 public parking spaces, traffic improvements, and a $7.5 million contribution toward the revitalization of the nearby Byron Carlyle Cultural Center. According to Martin, the project is expected to generate over $16 million in annual revenue for the North Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, providing ongoing resources for neighborhood reinvestment.

“We look forward to working closely with the City and local stakeholders as we move into the next phase of bringing the reimagined Deauville to life,” Martin added.

Renderings via Terra

City of Miami Beach Planning Board Approves Terra's Redevelopment Plans For The Deauville Beach Resort

David Martin’s development firm Terra and the Meruelo family are moving forward with plans to redevelop the former Deauville Beach Resort site in Miami Beach after receiving a unanimous recommendation from the city’s planning board in yesterday’s meeting. The developers plan to build two condominium towers and a partially reconstructed Deauville Beach Resort at 6701 Collins Avenue. Their proposal includes a branded 100-unit condo and a 150-room hotel, with Foster + Partners, Shulman + Associates, and ODP as the architects.

Terra’s proposal reflects reducing the overall number of residential units from 570 to accommodate a more community-focused design. The current proposal from Martin and the Meruelo family does not require a public referendum, positioning it for potential rapid advancement through city approvals. Construction is anticipated to commence in 2026.

Following yesterday’s unanimous approval from the City of Miami Beach’s Planning Board, developer David Martin, CEO of Terra, issued the following statement:

"Following unanimous approval from the City of Miami Beach’s Planning Board on the morning of February 4th, a joint venture between Terra (TMG 67 Communities, LLC) and Deauville Associates, LLC is set to transform the site of the historic Deauville Beach Resort into a prominent branded hotel and residential development that will blend the original hotel's iconic architecture with modern aesthetics and amenities.

Led by design architects Foster + Partners and Miami-based Shulman + Associates, with ODP acting as Architect of Record, the project’s design features a reconstructed version of the 1950s-era Deauville hotel that will comprise approximately 150 rooms and suites.

The residential component will feature two boutique condo buildings with approximately 100 total residences and design elements including new green spaces, botanical gardens, and an elevated pool deck. The slender design of the towers will preserve view corridors along Miami Beach while maximizing vistas for residents.

With construction set to begin in 2026, this project will serve as a key economic driver for the area and enhance the cultural fabric of Miami Beach.”

The Deauville, a historic resort built in 1957, has been vacant since it was deemed unsafe and ordered demolished in 2022 after suffering years of neglect. Previous attempts to redevelop the site, including a $500 million offer from billionaire Stephen Ross, fell through after a referendum to increase zoning allowances was rejected by voters. Ross and his firm Related Companies has planned a Frank Gehry-designed Equinox-branded project.

Renderings of Related Companies Frank Gehry-Designed Redevelopment Of The Deauville Miami Beach

Related Companies, led by the billionaire owner of the Miami Dolphins Stephen Ross, has revealed the first renderings of the Frank Gehry-designed two tower project proposed to replace the Deauville Beach Resort in Miami Beach at 6701 Collins Avenue. The two towers would feature 125 residential units and 175 hotel units with the tallest tower rising 373’. Initial plans point towards an Equinox-branded project. Related Companies owns both fitness and lifestyle brand Equinox and developed the Equinox Hotel in New York City’s Hudson Yards. On November 8 a voter referendum will decide if the developers can proceed with an increased density on the site. The proposed project has already successfully received a zoning amendment in before the Miami Beach Commission voted in favor of placing the referendum on the November 8 ballot.

The existing historic Deauville Beach Resort was designed by Melvin Grossman and was where the Beatles had their second performance in the United States on February 6, 1964. The 540-room hotel was built in 1957 but ownership in recent years has left the structure fall into a decrepit, uninhabitable state and has been declared an unsafe structure.