Multifamily Development Site For Approved M Tower Sells For $10 Million In Downtown Miami

The New York-based Lions Group has acquired a development site in Downtown Miami for $10 million which has a project known as M Tower approved to be built. M Tower is planned to rise 53-stories and offer 440-unit apartment units, located at 56 SW 1st St and 65 SW 2nd Street. Colliers' Urban Core Division Executive Managing Director Mika Mattingly and Associate Cecilia Estevez represented the seller, the Aventura-based S2 Development, and EP Realty’s Estrella Perez represented the buyer, Lions Group, in the transaction.

“The downtown Miami market has never been more active than it is right now,” Mattingly said. “This market is poised to see the largest influx of investors ever from other states and this transaction highlights that trend. New York-based Downtown 1st Street LLC’s purchase of this development site proves that the migration from the Northeast has only accelerated as the vibrant downtown neighborhood continues to evolve.”

M Tower will consist of 622,783 SF of gross building area, with 25,732 SF of office space and 1,089 SF of retail. The development site also includes a parking garage owned by the Miami Parking Authority (MPA), located at 70 SW 1st St. The 16,718 SF site includes air rights, waivers, and the ability to build residential units over the adjacent parking garage. The proposed units are targeted toward students and young professionals looking for a connected urban experience, currently the largest market of downtown residents.

The project has Urban Development Review Board (UDRB) approval, which it obtained through an extensive RFP process. The entitlement provides additional air rights, waivers, and the ability to construct a residential tower over the adjacent Miami Parking Authority (MPA) garage.

Downtown Miami continues to experience robust demand as it attracts a younger, wealthier and more educated population. Downtown is the largest employment center in Miami-Dade, with more than 175,000 employees and a day-time population of 235,000. The city is home to the highest concentration of banks and financial institutions outside of Manhattan, and tourism is at an all-time high with more than 6 million visitors per year. M Tower stands to benefit from the area’s rapid population growth. Since 2010, the population of Downtown Miami has increased approximately 52% and is expected to increase another 16% by 2024.

Largest Development Site Available In Downtown Miami Sells For $46 Million

The largest development site available in Downtown Miami has sold for $46 million. Known as Miami Center or the ‘Burdines property,’ it is the last significant development site remaining in downtown Miami’s Central Business District (CBD). The 92,972 SF development site, which is located at 16 SE 2nd St in downtown Miami, is currently home to a parking lot.

Mika Mattingly, Colliers' Executive Managing Director, and Robert Given, Vice Chairman of Cushman & Wakefield in South Florida, represented Wharton Equity Partners and Cross Lake Partners, the seller. Estrella Perez, with EP Realty Group Inc., represented Enrique Manhard, the buyer.

“This is a pivotal site for the future of downtown Miami because it is a major location connecting downtown to Brickell,” Mattingly said. “This deal represents the voracious appetite for downtown assets. We currently have 10 land deals under contract to close by year’s end, and there is little inventory left for the first time ever. This is unbelievable given the fact the downtown market went silent in 2019 and during the pandemic. The demand is being fueled, in part, by all the transformative projects that are just beginning to take shape in this area. It could not be a better time to invest in the future of downtown Miami.”

Based on the site’s T6-80 zoning, this is one of the largest land sales in downtown Miami. The zoning designation allows several uses, including residential, hotel, office and retail. The maximum height permitted at the site is 80 stories with unlimited height available through public benefit bonuses. Because the development site is right in the middle of Brickell and downtown, it will provide future residents the opportunity to live, work and play in a highly walkable, urban environment.

South Florida has continued to see an influx of residents from New York, California and other states seeking lower taxes, better weather, and a higher quality of life. Greater Downtown’s population was 92,235 people in 2018, a jump of 38% since 2010, according to a study from Miami’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA). Downtown and Brickell have also emerged as the top choice for the largest technology and financial firms. According to a recent report from the DDA, at least 700 new jobs are expected in the area over the next few years.