Electra America and BH Group Reveal Plans for $1 Billion Redevelopment of 80-Acre Southland Mall Site In Cutler Bay

Electra America, a real estate private equity firm focused on value-add and opportunistic investment in the Sun Belt region of the U.S., along with its U.S.-affiliate, American Landmark, and BH Group, a Miami-based private real estate investment and development firm, have revealed preliminary plans for the redevelopment and reinvention of the Southland Mall in Cutler Bay, located approximately 20 miles south of downtown Miami. The 80-acre, $1 billion redevelopment will be one of the largest projects of its kind in the Southeast and will be called “Southplace City Center.” The reinvention of the Southland Mall into “Southplace City Center,” a vibrant, mixed-use transit-oriented community with live-work-play options, promises much-needed relief for a city suffering from a major housing shortage

The new ownership team envisions a “city within a city” for living, working, shopping, and playing that will feature more than 4,000 residential units, over 500,000 square feet of curated retail, and exciting dining and entertaining venues at the existing mall, with an additional 150,000 square feet of prime retail space and outparcels for food and beverage operators. The phased redevelopment project will be a charming, self-contained community with abundant green space, bike and golf cart trails, walking trails, a trolley system, and easy access to public transit – specifically, the soon-to-open Miami-Dade SMART Plan mass transit route adjacent to the property.

The total project, to be completed over a seven-year time frame, is expected to create approximately 2,700 new jobs and generate $44 million in property taxes ad valorem revenue in the first five years ($6.1 million to Cutler Bay), and up to $491 million ($75.2 million to Cutler Bay) over a 20-year period. The developer’s plan is in accordance with the Town’s code and will not be seeking any special approvals.

“We’re delighted to work with the Town of Cutler Bay and its residents to breathe new life into a property that has been underutilized for decades, and in so doing, create thousands of new jobs, as well as help alleviate the housing crunch facing many Miami-Dade residents today,” said Ron Gaither, Chief Development Officer of Electra America. “Southplace City Center will provide a wide range of market-rate housing options, and its location close to major thoroughfares and mass transit, yet away from residential communities, minimizes traffic and facilitates the use of public transportation – two key priorities for this community. We’re looking forward to continuing working with the community to ensure this project reflects the values and character of Cutler Bay.”

“The future of this site is one that our residents deeply care about,” expressed Town of Cutler Bay Mayor Tim Meerbott. “Ensuring that this project aligns with our community’s vision and has a proper mix of use is extremely important to the Town Council and me. The site is ready for change and this project will check so many boxes on our community’s wish list—thousands of jobs, more restaurants, entertainment, and a fresh look, to name a few. We look forward to working with Electra America and BH Group to bring this important project to life, while keeping it consistent with the character of our beautiful Cutler Bay.”

The development team acquired the mall and adjacent parcels totaling 80 acres in May of this year. The site is conveniently bordered by the Florida Turnpike on the east and U.S. 1 on the west, placing it on major commercial crossroads in suburban Miami-Dade County, directly along the new South Corridor Rapid Transit Project, expected to open in late 2024. The corridor will provide a 20-mile mobility connection between Miami’s central business district and the County’s southern-most communities.

Specifically, the developer’s master plan calls for updating the existing 808,766-square-foot mall with cosmetic improvements and the addition of several new high-quality retailers; the phased development of 4,395 new market-rate apartments catering to a full spectrum of household budgets; the addition of several new retail and restaurant concepts, situated around a series of man-made lakes and open spaces; a new specialty grocer, a 150-key hotel, and 60,000 square feet of medical office space; and a terraced community amphitheater/bandshell. The plan also calls for a new vehicular entrance directly off U.S. 1, featuring a welcoming entrance square with a large fountain and extensive green space, along with a pedestrian bridge connecting the community to the new bus rapid transit stop. The entire community will feature bike and golf cart paths, pedestrian walking trails, and trolley stops to minimize the use of cars.

Ground-breaking on the first residential building is expected in mid-2023 and would deliver in approximately 18 months (early 2025), with rents starting at $2,500.

The project design team for Southplace City Center includes economic advisors Florida Economic Advisors, retail consultants CPH, master planner/designer MSA Architects Inc., landscape planner Insite Studio and civil/traffic engineer Kimley Horn.

Renderings via MSA Architects

Electra America Hospitality Group Acquires The Conrad Miami Hotel In Brickell Arch Tower

Electra America Hospitality Group (EAHG), a joint venture between Electra America and AKA, has acquired the Conrad Miami hotel in Brickell for $75.33 million. The seller was AG-M Miami Hotel Owner LLC, a JV partnership between the Miami-based Mast Capital and the New York-based Angelo Gordon. The transaction was funded with a $58 million loan from OWS BCA Funding LLC. Andrew Dickey, Gregory Rumpel and Maciej Polek of JLL represented the seller in the transaction.

The Conrad Miami hotel is located in the Brickell Arch Tower, an iconic, 36-story mixed-use tower on Brickell Avenue in the heart of Miami’s financial district. The hotel includes 201 guestrooms, an 11-story atrium, a sky lobby, a fitness and spa facility, a rooftop swimming pool, event venues including, ballroom, small meetings and pre-function spaces. The hotel will be converted to “Hotel AKA Brickell,” immediately following acquisition, offering a mix of short-term and extended-stay lodging options catering to the upscale leisure and corporate traveler.

This marks EAHG’s third hotel acquisition since the joint ventured launched in early 2021 with the intent to acquire and reposition underperforming hotels in gateway cities. EAHG also recently acquired a 194-room hotel in New York City and another 178-room hotel in Old Town Alexandria in the Washington, D.C. metro area. It also marks AKA’s entry into the robust Miami market. AKA, which specializes in accommodations designed for longer stays with exceptional business, wellness, and lifestyle amenities in well-known neighborhoods, operates 14 properties in New York City, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Los Angeles and London.

“In our initial six months, EAHG has been extremely active and all right down the fairway of our business plan,” said Russ Urban, CEO of EAHG. “All are in extremely high growth gateway markets with a balance of transient and corporate business not reliant on the lagging group segment. In addition to the already recovered leisure market, the acquisition of the Brickell Miami property is particularly exciting because of the recent tsunami of corporate relocations to Miami. Dozens of high-profile technology firms and financial institutions from New York and internationally have announced plans to open offices in Miami’s downtown and Brickell neighborhoods. Now, more than ever, we are confident that corporate and business-related travel will return strong and that high-end, multi-night stay properties in Miami’s urban core will be in high demand.”

“We’ve always envisioned AKA in Miami, a market that is globally appealing, vibrant and filled with opportunity,” said Larry Korman, President of AKA and co-CEO of Korman Communities. “Finding the perfect property is always a journey, and we knew we found a gem in this architecturally significant and well-located high-rise offering. The breadth of design, culture and energy adds great synergy with the DNA of AKA, and we are beyond thrilled to introduce the AKA brand to Brickell Miami.”

EAHG intends to invest roughly $11 million in additional renovations to the property. The joint venture plans to remain active in pursuing other hotel opportunities in Miami, New York and Washington D.C., as well as in cities including Los Angeles and London.

Located at 1395 Brickell Avenue, Hotel AKA Brickell Miami is located in Brickell submarket, the city’s leading office market anchored by primarily financial, marketing and technology and travel sectors throughout the US, Europe and Central and South America. Microsoft, Silicon Valley Bank and CI Financial are among the companies that recently announced new offices in Brickell.