Melo Group's Downtown 5th, The Largest Multifamily Project Ever Built in Downtown Miami's CBD, Now 100% Leased

Melo Group has completed Downtown 5th, the single largest multifamily project built in Downtown Miami’s Central Business District. The twin 52-story tower development, located at 55 & 25 NE 5th Street, comprises 1,042 rental apartments and approximately 12,500 SF of ground floor retail space. With both towers now open for tenant move-ins, Downtown 5th has delivered with 100% of its apartments already leased, a clear sign of the continued demand for market-rate housing in Downtown Miami. Approximately 25% of leases at Downtown 5th are being signed by out-of-state renters moving to Miami. The two-tower development broke ground in late 2019 and was completed in a record of 18 months.

Now open for occupancy, Downtown 5th apartments include one-, two- and three-bedroom units measuring between 650 and 1,200 SF in size. Monthly rental rates range from approximately $1,700 to $4,000.

“We continue to invest in areas where we see demand for high-quality rental product fueled by population and employment growth,” said developer Carlos Melo, Principal of the Melo Group. “We completely pre-leased Downtown 5th’s East Tower before even opening our doors, while the West Tower leased up shortly after, which points to the clear need for the communities we are building.”

Downtown 5th’s completion comes as Downtown Miami emerges as an economic engine and global destination luring businesses, finance firms and tech companies from across the country. Greater Downtown Miami is now home to approximately 115,000 residents, up more than 70% since 2010, and welcomes 250,000 visitors and workers daily, according to Miami Downtown Development Authority research. Downtown Miami is also an economic engine for our state and region, providing annual economic output valued at more than $38 billion.

“As corporations, finance firms and tech companies continue to look to relocate or expand to Downtown Miami, the city is evolving into a global destination for business and lifestyle,” said Martin Melo, Principal of the Melo Group. “We’re seeing people moving here from major cities across the country. At Downtown 5th, about 25 percent of our tenants are coming from out-of-state, with many relocating from cities in the northeast and California.”

Downtown 5th marks Melo Group’s first completed residential development in Downtown Miami’s Central Business District, where the firm plans to deliver a total of nearly 2,500 units over the next two years. The firm recently broke ground on Downtown 1st, a 57-story tower with 560 market-rate rental apartments, 10,000 SF of office space, and 3,000 SF of ground-floor retail space; and is planning a third tower in the area, Downtown 6th, which will encompass up to 800 rental units.

Melo Group’s focus on the Central Business District comes on the heels of the transformation of Downtown’s once-vacant Arts & Entertainment District into a thriving pedestrian-friendly community with thousands of new residents, retail and restaurant options, and access to free public transportation. In a span of just four years, the firm delivered a total of 2,300 residential units to the neighborhood across four newly built multifamily developments clustered around the Miami-Dade Metromover Schoolboard Station and connected by an indoor/outdoor promenade with ground-floor retail and restaurants.

Apartments at Downtown 5th feature expansive balconies with bay and city views, floor-to-ceiling sliding doors, energy-efficient tinted glass, European-style kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, granite countertops, double door refrigerators, stainless steel appliances, spacious living and dining rooms, imported ceramic tile and laminated wood flooring, and full-size in-unit washer and dryer machines.

Building amenities include two swimming pools, spa, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a social lounge, kids game room, children’s playroom, a café, and a conference room with private workspaces.

Melo Group has been one of the leading developers behind Downtown Miami’s real estate resurgence with a portfolio of more than 6,000 total condominium and rental units completed throughout the Greater Downtown Miami area and another 2,500 units currently in development.

Melo Group Tops Off Construction At Downtown 5th

Construction has officially topped off on Melo Group’s East Tower of Downtown 5th, the largest multifamily development built in Downtown Miami’s Central Business District. The project is composed of two towers, with the West Tower expected to top-off later this month. The construction has been underway with rapid speed in the middle of a pandemic as the foundation pour was only 9 months ago. The development has completed an average pace of one floor every three days. The project is estimated to be complete in Summer 2021. 

“We’re bullish on the long-term future of Downtown Miami. Despite a global pandemic, we never stopped building for locals who want to live and work in the urban core,” said developer Carlos Melo, Principal of the Melo Group. “Our strategy has always been to build for what the market demands – and we’re seeing a continued need from the community for good quality, attainably-priced apartments in a convenient, walkable location with access to public transit and nearby amenities.”

Downtown 5th will have two 52-story towers and feature 1,042 rental apartments with ground floor retail. Preleasing is scheduled to begin in Spring 2021. Apartments will range from studio to three-bedrooms. Units will have balconies with views of Downtown Miami. Building amenities will include three swimming pools, fitness center, social room, game room and café. 

“Downtown Miami has evolved into a global destination for business and lifestyle. We’re seeing people moving and opening up companies here from major cities across the U.S. and abroad in search of lower taxes, improved quality of life, and reduced expenses,” said developer Martin Melo, Principal of the Melo Group. “As more and more businesses look to relocate or expand to Downtown Miami, we’re building housing for the thousands of employees that will come with them and need a place to live.”

Downtown 5th is located at 55 NE 5th Street, in the heart of Downtown Miami’s Central Business District. The location is within a short walk of Museum Park, AmericanAirlines Arena, Bayside Marketplace and Miami-Dade College’s Downtown Miami campus.