Brightline Launches Rail Service Connecting Miami to Orlando

Brightline’s passenger rail service between Orlando and Miami has officially commenced with the first train completing the 235 mile journey on September 22, 2023. The first train, Bright Pink, arrived in Orlando at 11:05 a.m. and was greeted by more than 500 elected officials, business leaders, community partners and company leaders from across the state. The celebration put an exclamation point on the boldest private infrastructure project in the nation and marks the revitalization of Henry Flagler’s original vision for the Florida East Coast Railway. A decade in the making, Brightline’s launch is poised to reinvent train travel in America and offers a blueprint to connect city pairs that are too short to fly and too far to drive.

The start of service was celebrated at the Brightline Orlando Station with guests who joined Brightline’s Founder Wes Edens, CEO Mike Reininger and President Patrick Goddard. Upon the train's arrival, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer greeted guests on the platform and presented the Key to the City to Edens who was joined by Reininger, Goddard and other Brightline representatives. Officials from the Federal Railroad Administration, the Florida Department of Transportation, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Central Florida Expressway Authority and more, were present to greet the first train.

Brightline launched operations in South Florida in 2018, connecting Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Stations in Boca Raton and Aventura opened last year. Construction on its 170 mile extension from West Palm Beach to Orlando began in 2019. The $6 billion project has generated substantial economic benefits in Florida creating 10,000 jobs and approximately $6.4 billion in direct economic impact to the region. Construction teams worked more than seven million hours over the course of four years to complete the project.

Brightline covers 235 miles between Miami and Orlando and the new route will take between 3 and 3.5 hours depending on South Florida station stops.

Brightline has quickly become known for its guest experience, innovative station design, spacious lounges and comfortable train sets. Designed by The Rockwell Group, and set with Brightline’s signature yellow, the stations are meticulously built through the lens of today’s modern traveler. All stations and trains are packed with amenities including Starlink Wifi, chargers and outlets at every seat, and a selection of food, beverage and cocktails available for purchase for SMART and complimentary for PREMIUM. Guests can enjoy a wide selection of light bites, beverages and cocktails throughout the day at one of Brightline’s signature in-station Mary Mary Bars or pick up last-minute gifts, sundries and refreshments at one of the MRKT shopping retail locations.

The new Brightline Orlando Station in partnership with Orlando Health, is located at MCO’s 37,350 square foot Train Station adjacent to its new Terminal C. This is the only intercity passenger rail station of its kind to be located in a U.S. airport and stands three-stories tall, including a 72,000 square feet platform area, making it the company’s largest train station. The Train Station connects directly to the airport’s Parking Garage C, which will have more than 350 parking spaces marked for Brightline guests. The Train Station provides direct access to the other airport terminals A and B via the airport Terminal Link (automated people mover) in under five minutes.

MiamiCentral is strategically located on an 11-acre complex in downtown Miami and represents Brightline’s southern flagship terminus. MiamiCentral is a unique live-work-play destination featuring luxury rental residences, commercial offices and dynamic retail and entertainment space. Guest’s looking to connect have a number of options including Brightline+, the Miami Metromover and Metrorail which are both connected to the station.

Brightline trainsets were made in partnership with Siemens Mobility in Sacramento, Calif. The stainless-steel coaches are made with components from more than 160 suppliers across 27 states. They are designed for luxury and comfort, featuring special ergonomic seating, contemporary communication systems and enhanced Wi-Fi. Thanks to wide aisles, wheelchair storage and fully accessible restrooms, the Venture trainset exceeds ADA requirements from end to end.

Brightline’s Orlando extension showcases engineering skill, cutting edge technology and design to create a transportation system that redefines intercity travel.

The Orlando expansion project included 56 bridges, including 18 new bridges, three underpasses, drainage installations, track and signalization installation and 60 track miles of new rail. Over the four years of construction, upgrades and improvements were made to three underpasses and 156 railroad crossings. Engineering of double track under active airport taxiways and tug roads and a new 35-mile rail alignment along the Beachline Expressway/SR 528, were also made.

The expansion to Orlando also included the development of Basecamp, a $100 million state-of-the-art train maintenance facility situated on 62-acres south of Orlando International Airport (MCO). The facility operates 24/7, servicing trains with skilled engineers, conductors, technicians and inspectors.

Brightline’s phase I and II construction along with the launch of service have and will have an indelible impact on the state's economy. Independent studies show the combination of construction and operations will generate more than 10,000 jobs, 2,000 permanent jobs and over $6.4 billion in direct economic impact to the state. The system is expected to have a major impact on Florida’s travel and workforce industries while bringing a sustainable transportation alternative. Environmental benefits are equally impressive and include reduced highway and city congestion and CO2 emissions by an estimated 72,000 metric tons per year. Studies show the system will remove more than three million cars from roadways each year.

In 2022, Brightline launched a concierge service to connect guests to and from stations with Brightline+. The mobility service, powered by the Brightline app, makes planning a trip with Brightline from start to finish seamless through its add-on options available within the booking platform. Ground transportation and mobility options at the Orlando Station will cater to the unique needs of the Orlando visitor with new Brightline+ products including MEARS shuttles, Uber rideshare and car rental options through Avis. Upon booking a Brightline ticket, guests will receive confirmation email and instructions on how to add extras, such as parking, checked baggage, and Brightline+ mobility options available closer to their trip date.

Brightline recently unveiled a new digital experience for guests featuring a redesigned website and native mobile app available for iOS and Android devices. The enhanced guest journey is driven by a cutting-edge backend system, modern and intuitive design, and multiple additional upgraded features. Introduced ahead of expanded service connecting Miami and Orlando, the new digital journey transforms the booking process into a fast, dependable and frictionless system.

Images via Brightline

Florida East Coast Industries Lists ParkLine Miami Residential Above Brightline’s MiamiCentral Station For $500 Million

Florida East Coast Industries (FECI) announced the listing of ParkLine, its signature residential tower above Brightline’s MiamiCentral Station, for $500 million. The property, which consists of two iconic towers totaling 816 luxury residential units, will be listed on the market by the commercial real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield. The firm’s Florida team of Robert Given, Troy Ballard and Zachary Sackley will lead the marketing efforts along with the support of the New York and Los Angeles offices which will include Doug Harmon, Adam Spies and Rob Rubano. The two ParkLine towers are part of a master-plan adjacent to 2 and 3 MiamiCentral, 285,000 SF of Class A office towers, and over 160,000 SF of retail. ParkLine Miami is the largest, single multifamily asset in the Southeastern US to be listed for sale to date. 

Residents at ParkLine Miami have direct elevator access to the MiamiCentral Brightline station along with the station’s new 26,000 SF culinary center by C3, Citizens, which will house elevated restaurants by globally-renowned chefs such as “Iron Chef” Masaharu Morimoto and Michelin Starred chef Dani García. Residents will also have direct access to retailers such as Publix, Starbucks, Chic-fil-A, Joe & The Juice and Einstein Bagels located adjacent to the property.

FECI developed ParkLine Miami as a transit-oriented development to complement the $4.5 billion invested in Brightline trains, the only provider of modern, eco-friendly high-speed rail in the nation. It is the most significant transit-oriented development (TOD) offering in the Southeastern US. Brightline currently serves Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach with expansion stations in Aventura and Boca Raton opening in 2022. Construction to Orlando is on track to be complete by the end of 2022. Discussions remain underway with local stakeholders regarding expansion to Disney and Tampa. Brightline projects over nine million annual passengers once all Florida stations are completed. 

“This is a rare opportunity indeed, as the towers sit directly atop and are connected to the Brightline train platforms, in addition to three other modes of rail transportation and over 160,000 SF of retail in MiamiCentral,” noted Robert Given, executive vice chairman at Cushman & Wakefield. “MiamiCentral will undeniably be the center of gravity of the Miami MSA for generations to come.” 

The future expansion of MiamiCentral includes a Miami-Dade commuter rail system with stations in Wynwood, the Design District, El Portal, North Miami and FIU’s Biscayne Bay Campus. With the stations in Orlando and Tampa, the connectivity provided by ParkLine Miami is unprecedented in the multifamily environment. 

“ParkLine is the definition of metropolitan living and FECI strategically built these two towers above Brightline to offer a car-optional lifestyle and promote alternative, eco-friendly transportation options,” said Sarah Watterson, chief development officer at FECI. “More and more, people who live at the core of major cities today seek a lifestyle of interconnectivity without sacrificing time and money. ParkLine is meeting those needs and more with its integration to Brightline.” 

In addition to the Tri-County connectivity provided by Brightline and MiamiCentral, ParkLine Miami’s residents will benefit from Brightline’s new and first-of-its-kind, door-to-door service. This will include a fleet of both private and third-party vendor vehicles supporting point-to-point service beyond the train and making a car-optional lifestyle possible. All services will be available through the Brightline app and will further create transportation access to everything from scooters, bikes and electric micro-rides to shuttles and chauffeured Teslas.  

Perched above Downtown Miami, at 100 NW 6th Street, ParkLine Miami puts residents just minutes from the city’s hottest neighborhoods, including Wynwood and the Design District, with access to a plethora of dining, retail, arts and culture, and events. Opt for a stroll to the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Frost Science Museum, Perez Art Museum or FTX Arena. The property is also adjacent to Miami World Center, a $4 billion development underway with over 300,000 SF of retail slated to begin openings this year. Convenient accessibility to the Miami Metrorail and Metromover allows for a car-free lifestyle, with major thoroughfare I-95 located nearby for those who so desire.

By Katya Demina

Powerhouse Gym Leases 36,000 SF of Space At MiamiCentral In Downtown Miami

Powerhouse Gym has leased 36,000 square feet of space at MiamiCentral, marking the international fitness chain’s entrance into the Miami market. MiamiCentral, located in the heart of Downtown Miami at 600 NW 1st Avenue, is the home base of Brightline Trains and a mixed-use, urban experience that is transforming the Florida landscape. The JLL team of Katie Fernandez-Espinosa, Zach Winkler, and Rafael Romero represented MiamiCentral in the lease negotiations.

“With the addition of Powerhouse Gym, Downtown Miami will now have an upscale, full-service gym servicing the area’s residents and growing office sector,” says JLL’s Fernandez-Espinosa. “This deal is the perfect example of how experience driven retailers see value in and are bullish on committing to MiamiCentral. For companies looking to capitalize on the urban core’s growing residential and visitor base, MiamiCentral remains an ideal location for entertainment, lifestyle and top-tier food & beverage brands who want to be a part of where the action is happening.”

Powerhouse Gym is one of the top leaders in the fitness industry for over 40 years. With 300 licensees in 39 states, Powerhouse has continued to steadily gain global attention by expanding into 17 different countries worldwide serving over 1.2 million dedicated members. They have locations all across Florida, but this will be the first to serve downtown Miami’s rapidly expanding population.

“We are excited for the opportunity to expand into a new market, delivering the rich heritage of the Powerhouse brand to a one-of-a-kind development in MiamiCentral,” said Clayton Flotz of PowerHouse Gym.

“As a global transportation hub with lifestyle options for all, we are excited to welcome Powerhouse Gym to MiamiCentral. In addition to creating local jobs, Powerhouse will fill the much needed demand for premium fitness options of Downtown Miami residents and office workers,” said Najam Syed, Head of Asset Management for Florida East Coast Industries, the parent company of Brightline Trains.

MiamiCentral is a unique live-work-play destination with unrivaled transportation and dining options. Comprised of luxury residences, a Class-A office building, and 130,000 square foot of retail, MiamiCentral is the flagship station for Brightline Trains, which expects to be complete to Orlando in 2022. The transit-oriented development’s retail and dining venues make up an expansive promenade where Central Fare serves as one of Downtown Miami’s favorite dining destinations with culinary concepts that range from Sushi to authentic Italian pastries.

Recently MiamiCentral oversaw the grand opening of the urban core’s first Chick-Fil-A, located on the first-floor retail promenade, and also announced opening of global financial services firm Blackstone’s Tech-Hub in 2 MiamiCentral, a Class-A office building that is part of the TOD project. Blackstone is expected to hire 200+ employees for offices at MiamiCentral.

Blackstone Group Signs Long-Term Lease At MiamiCentral For South Florida Expansion

Blackstone Group has signed a long-term lease at 2 MiamiCentral in Downtown Miami as the investment group moves forward with their South Florida expansion which was announced in October 2020. Blackstone will occupy 41,000 square feet over two floors in the recently completed 2 MiamiCentral where the group plans to have over 200 employees who will be focused on tech. The lease was overseen by Alan Klebar and Ryan Nunes of JLL, who represented Blackstone, as well as Danet Linares and Andres del Corral of Blanca Commercial Real Estate, who represented the landlord. The newly signed lease brings 2 MiamiCentral, which is owned by Shorenstein Properties, to 98% occupied with other tenants included Ernst & Young, Carlton Fields and New Fortress Energy. Asking rates at 2 and 3 MiamiCentral are $40 NNN.

“Miami is a vibrant city with a pipeline of top technology talent available from best in class university programs, as well as an experienced workforce that will enable us to diversify our talent pool and grow our technology team. 2 MiamiCentral’s prime downtown location and access to mass transit make it an ideal office location,” said John Stecher, Blackstone’s Chief Technology Officer.

MiamiCentral was developed by Florida East Coast Industries and completed in 2018. The 2 MiamiCentral and 3 MiamiCentral office buildings have highly efficient, open rectangular floor plates, floor to ceiling windows boasting unobstructed views, market leading amenities, and direct access to local and multi-city mass transit. The 17-story 2 MiamiCentral is located at 700 NW 1st Avenue and features 190,000 square feet of Class A office space with a 288-stall valet parking garage that sit adjacent to Miami Central Station, the transportation hub serving four rail lines including the Brightline. Combined 2 and 3 MiamiCentral feature 320,000 square feet of Class A office-space and were acquired by Shorenstein Properties for more than $159 million in 2019.

Publix Receives Construction Permit For New Location In Downtown Miami At 3 MiamiCentral

Publix has received a construction permit to begin work on their newest supermarket location at Three MiamiCentral, just one block from MiamiCentral Station. Publix will buildout their 27,935 SF location in the ground floor retail space of the recently completed building which also features 90,000 SF of Class A office space and parking. Construction costs are estimate around $3.3 million and Hawkins Construction will be the General Contractor on the project. Three MiamiCentral was the first building to open as part of the 11-acre, mixed-use MiamiCentral initiative by Florida East Coast Industries in Downtown Miami.

3 MiamiCentral Completed & Welcomes Brightline, The Project’s First Office Tenant

Florida East Coast Industries has announced the completion of 3 MiamiCentral, its first mixed-use tower at MiamiCentral and has welcomed its first office tenant, Brightline. Brightline, the nation’s only privately funded inter-city, express passenger rail service, officially moved its corporate headquarters to 3 MiamiCentral; additionally, HNTB, a nationally recognized infrastructure solutions firm, recently signed a lease for its Miami office. 3 MiamiCentral rises 12-stories and features 96,000 SF of rentable Class A Office Space, 35,000 SF of rentable ground level retail space and is adjacent to the MiamiCentral transit station and Two MiamiCentral. 3 MiamiCentral a seven-story parking garage to supply ample parking for Brightline guests, visitors and office tenants. Brightline’s lease encompasses approximately 24,000 SF and HNTB’s lease spans approximately 18,000 SF. Multiple retail spaces make-up the ground floor where Einstein Bros. Bagels and a major grocer. Two MiamiCentral will feature 190,000 SF of Class A Office Space with tenants including Ernst & Young, Cisneros, Moss & Associates, Venevision International Enterprises, Fortress Investment Group, Florida EAst Coast Industries and Regus. Rental rates at Two MiamiCentral are around $33 to $35 SF triple net; and $29 SF at 3 MiamiCentral  

MiamiCentral, the highly anticipated hub for transportation, leisure and business, is a transformational, first-of-its-kind, transit-oriented development, spanning six Downtown Miami city blocks. It serves as the southern terminus for Brightline, the new inter-city, express passenger rail service that opened between West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale on January 13. The system will extend to Miami in the coming months and will ultimately connect to the Orlando International Airport. MiamiCentral will also provide connectivity to all forms of transit in Miami-Dade County, including Metromover, Metrorail and soon, Tri-Rail.

“We are excited to have recently relocated Brightline’s new headquarters to 3 MiamiCentral, which is an important component of MiamiCentral and strategically located in Historic Overtown,” said Patrick Goddard, Brightline’s President and Chief Operating Officer. “Downtown Miami continues to transform into a vibrant community, and the addition of this new urban development and passenger rail system will be critical as the city continues to develop.”

“MiamiCentral is set to raise the bar for future office environments and 3 MiamiCentral is the first new standard,” said Daniel Quintana, vice president of development for Florida East Coast Industries. “From the variety of integrated transit options to the desired lifestyle offerings just one elevator ride from the offices, the built-in amenities that come with working at MiamiCentral are truly immeasurable.”

Stantec Releases New Renderings of Park-Line Miami and Park-Line West Palm Beach

Park-Line Miami and Park-Line West Palm Beach have released new renderings of their future lobbies designed by Stantec. Both Park-Line branded residential projects are located next to the All Aboard Florida Brightline Train Stations, helping further connect the South Florida city centers and allowing residents to seamlessly travel between Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Park-Line Miami was designed with a “the timeless traveler," featuring rich leathers inspired by antique luggage and travel bags, warm woods, creamy neutral tones, and deep blues are incorporated to create a sophisticated and inviting environment. Stantec will also design Park-Line Miami’s residential units, and amenity deck, which will feature a yoga pavilion, dog park, running track, movie screening area, and a resort-style pool. The twin towers located in MiamiCentral have just begun vertical construction. Park-Line West Palm Beach's design will feature tones of rich purple complemented by warmer tones of yellow and a dripping diamond tile wall that gradients from purple to gold and silver tones. Amenities at Park-Line West Palm Beach will feature a game room, dog park, and dog spa. Bother towers are under development by Florida East Coast Industries (FECI). Park-Line West Palm Beach is expected to be completed in 2018 and Park-Line Miami is expected to be completed in 2019. 

“The All Aboard Florida train and the residential towers are monumental in transforming the lives of commuters in South Florida,” said Susan LaFleur, director of hospitality and residential interiors for Stantec’s Miami office. “Our goal is to create a welcoming feeling for residents by implementing rich design and timeless sophistication.”

Florida East Coast Industries Announced Park-Line Residential Rental Residence Brand to Launch at MiamiCentral & Palm Beach

Capitalizing on the new connectivity that the Brightline will be bringing to South Florida, Florida East Coast Industries (FECI) has announced that they will debut their new residential property brand, Park-Line, at MiamiCentral and Palm Beach. The brand will launch in 2018 with a 290-unit tower in downtown West Palm Beach, followed by two towers with a total of 816 units at MiamiCentral in 2019. The Park-Line brand will be an integral part of FECI’s dynamic, transit oriented developments transforming South Florida.

“Park-Line residences are designed for people on the move who want to live and travel smarter,” said Daniel Quintana, Vice President of Development for Florida East Coast Industries. “Each of the innovative towers in West Palm Beach and Miami will expand residents’ playground and working options by utilizing a vast variety of transit options just steps away from their front door, including our new Brightline train service that will seamlessly connect Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.”

Residences at Park-Line properties will come in studio, one and two bedroom floor-plans in West Palm Beach and studios, one, two and three bedroom apartments in MiamiCentral. Every residence will be highlighted by floor-to-ceiling windows, classic designer finishes and a collection of unparalleled amenities. Amenities will include a full-service poolside lounge; open-air cross training course; yoga lawn and fitness center with juice bar; private cabanas with outdoor grills and intimate seating areas; shaded dog parks and pet grooming salon; event lawn with movie screen and full social calendar of resident events. Unique to the MiamiCentral location, residents will have direct access to 180,000 SF of retail space including Miami’s first true food hall experience, Central Fare. The Park-Line residences will be located within steps of the Brightline express intercity train service connecting Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach with new downtown stations. Park-Line in West Palm Beach will launch in 2018, followed by the MiamiCentral location in 2019. 

Construction Update: Three MiamiCentral, MiamiCentral's First Office Building, to Open by End of Summer

Three MiamiCentral, the first building to open as part of the 11-acre, mixed-use MiamiCentral initiative by Florida East Coast Industries in Downtown Miami, is expected to open by the end of the summer (2017). The second office building, Two MiamiCentral, is expected to open in the fall (2017). Three MiamiCentral features 90,000 SF of rentable Class A Office Space, 35,000 SF of rentable ground level retail space and is adjacent to the MiamiCentral transit station. Two MiamiCentral will feature 190,000 SF of Class A Office Space with tenants including Ernst & Young, Cisneros, Moss & Associates, Venevision International Enterprises, Fortress Investment Group, Florida EAst Coast Industries and Regus. Rental rates at Two MiamiCentral are around $33 to $35 SF triple net; and $29 per square foot at Three MiamiCentral. MiamiCentral will feature All Aboard Florida's Brightline station for rail service connecting Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach and Orlando.