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.”