Witkoff Secures $302.6 Million Construction Loan for First Phase of Kobi Karp-Designed Residential Development in Miami Worldcenter

Another major residential development is moving closer to construction in Downtown Miami after Witkoff, in partnership with Monroe Capital, secured a $302.6 million construction loan for the first phase of its planned three-tower community at 700 North Miami Avenue in Miami Worldcenter.

The financing marks a significant milestone for one of the final large-scale undeveloped parcels within Miami Worldcenter. The nearly five-acre property, formerly home to the historic Miami Arena, is planned for a master-planned residential development designed by Kobi Karp Architecture & Interior Design.

The financing was provided by Athene Annuity and Life Company, an affiliate of Apollo Global Management, together with J.P. Morgan Chase. The transaction refinanced approximately $57.3 million in existing debt while providing roughly $245.3 million in new construction financing. Lotus Capital Partners arranged the financing.

The project's first phase will include a residential tower rising approximately 600 feet with 894 residential units. Plans also call for 17,367 square feet of ground-floor retail space and a nine-story parking garage encompassing approximately 167,237 square feet.

Upon completion, the full development will feature three residential towers rising 50, 51 and 53 stories. The master plan includes 2,346 residential units, approximately 30,535 square feet of commercial space and 2,078 parking spaces, creating one of the largest planned residential communities within Miami Worldcenter.

The development continues to move through the City of Miami's permitting process. Site preparation has already been approved, while the master building permit and phased vertical construction permit remain under review. Construction costs for the first phase are estimated at nearly $270 million, with Coastal Construction serving as the project's general contractor.

Witkoff and Monroe Capital acquired the property for $94 million in 2021 after earlier redevelopment plans for the site were never realized. Before the current vision, the parcel had been slated for a Marriott Marquis hotel and convention center project that ultimately did not move forward.

The property occupies the former site of the Miami Arena, which opened in 1988 as the original home of the Miami Heat before later hosting the Florida Panthers, as well as concerts, sporting events and other entertainment throughout its history. The arena was demolished in 2008.

Located within walking distance of Brightline's MiamiCentral Station and other regional transit connections, the project represents another major step in the continued evolution of Miami Worldcenter as Downtown Miami's mixed-use neighborhood continues to expand.

Renderings via Kobi Karp Architecture & Interior Design

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The Collection Breaks Ground On Jaguar Land Rover Dealership Expansion In Coral Gables

Ugo Colombo and Ken Gorin are expanding THE COLLECTION with the addition of a new Jaguar Land Rover dealership at the intersection of U.S. 1 and Ponce de Leon Blvd. in Coral Gables. The luxury car dealership broke ground on the new building after locking down a $64.5 million construction loan financed by JPMorgan Chase Bank. Burke Construction Group is the general contractor on the project.

The new Jaguar Land Rover dealership will be located on a 1.68-acre site at 125-163 S. Dixie Highway and will span nearly 500,000 SF of total development with room for over 800 cars when complete. The dealership will feature a 60,935 SF showroom and a 40,728 SF service station along with a car wash.

Miami is one of the largest markets for luxury vehicles in the United States and THE COLLECTION is consistently one of the top ranked luxury dealerships in the country.

Turnberry Associates and LeFrak Organization Lock Down $32 Million Construction Loan For SoLé Mia

Turnberry Associates, led by Jackie Soffer, and the LeFrak Organization, led by Richard LeFrak, have locked down a $32 million construction loan for the 187-unit Villa Solé at the $4 billion SoLé Mia mixed use masterplan in North Miami. The loan was provided by JP Morgan Chase Bank. Villa Solé is a 187 unit, 6-story multifamily building designed by MSA Architects with interiors by KDS Interiors. The building topped off Q1 2021 and is expected to be delivered Fall 2021. The developers have also planned another 190-unit multifamily building Villa Laguna.

In March 2019 the first residential tower at SoLé Mia, The Shoreline, was delivered. The SoLé Mia masterplan includes 12 towers, 500,00 SF of retail and commercial space, a 225,000 SF University of Miami Health Center, all anchored around South Florida’s first 7-acre Crystal Lagoon, Laguna Solé, at the $4 billion, 184-acre master-planned community, SoLé Mia. SoLé Mia will ultimately be a 183-acre master-planned community with the entire development expected to take over 10 years to complete. In total SoLé Mia will feature 4,300 residential units, retail, entertainment and recreation.

JP Morgan Chase Bank Office Building In Weston Sells For $8.9 Million

The JP Morgan Chase Bank office building in Weston, FL, has sold for $8.9 million. The 26,782-rentable-square-foot office building, anchored by JP Morgan Chase Bank, is located at 1040 Weston Road in the high-barrier-to-entry submarket that generates significant buyer interest. HRE/SEFIRA Weston Office, LLC, was the seller, and Shaked 21, LLC, was the buyer in the transaction which was overseen by Avison Young’s Florida Capital Markets Group led by principals David Duckworth; John K. Crotty, CCIM; Michael T. Fay, who is also Managing Director of the firm’s Miami operations; Vice President Brian C. de la Fé; and Associates Emily Brais and Berkley Bloodworth.

“The Chase Bank building is 100% occupied and, with medical tenants comprising more than 60% of the tenancy, garnered notable investor interest in a market where buyers are seeking stable, recession-proof assets,” said Duckworth. “Ultimately, our team secured the right buyer for the sale, allowing our client to realize a positive return on investment during a pandemic after a three-year hold.”

Avison Young In 2017, the Avison Young team facilitated the sale of the same building to HRE/SEFIRA Weston Office, LLC, as part of a two-building portfolio spanning approximately 63,000 square feet for $13 million. The HRE/SEFIRA partnership, led by Highline Real Estate Capital Principal David Moret, completed a series of cosmetic improvements to the Chase Bank building which enabled ownership to increase occupancy from 84% to 100% and increase rental rates to generate a 52% gain in the price within three years.

“Overall, sales activity has picked up since the end of the third quarter and into the fourth, as buyers have more clarity on where the market is going and are eager to place capital,” said Crotty. “The buyer in this deal acquired a property that has performed extremely well throughout the pandemic and is poised to continue to do so as we transition into the new normal.”

One of the most desirable, high-barrier-to-entry suburban office locations in Broward County, Weston is part of the Southwest Broward submarket, the only submarket in the county to report positive net absorption in third-quarter 2020.

Gatsby Enterprises Acquires DiVosta Towers Office Complex In Palm Beach Gardens For $80 Million

A joint venture led by the New York-based real estate investment firm Gatsby Enterprises has acquired the DiVosta Towers office complex in Palm Beach Gardens for $80 million. Gatsby Enterprises is led by Nadar Shalom and the complex was acquired in partnership with Master Mind LLC, led by Babak Ebrahimzadeh. DiVosta Towers was reportedly 70% leased at the time of sale with tenants including JP Morgan and the law lawfirm Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun LLP. The seller was represented by Tony Hollis of Hollis Realty Group. Jon Blunk of Tower Commercial Real Estate will oversee leasing of DiVosta Towers.

DiVosta Towers was the first new office complex to be delivered in Palm Beach in over a decade. Located at 3825-3835 PGA Boulevard., the project was developed by Otto DiVosta and was completed in 2019. The 6.6-acre complex features two 11-story towers topped with iconic white steel pyramid statue structures overlooking The Gardens Mall. DiVosta Towers offers 220,000 square feet of luxury Class A office space and 889 covered parking spaces with a full-time concierge, secure elevator access, 10’ ceilings, floor-to-ceiling impact glass windows, a ground-floor patio with public art and car charging stations. The South Tower features suites ranging from 2,500 - 10,000 square feet while the North Tower offers 10,000 square foot floor-plates for custom tenant build-outs.

Otto DiVosta was the founder of DiVosta Building Corp., which sold in 1998 to Pulte Homes for $155 million. DiVosta acquired the site in 2015 for $8.5 million. Gatsby Enterprises entered the South Florida market in 2019 when they acquired 800 Brickell for $125 million and is currently redeveloping the tower into a modern office building.

Two Roads Development Locks Down $138 Million Construction Loan For Elysee In Edgewater

Two Roads Development has officially secured a $138 Million construction loan for Elysee, their luxury condominium tower rising in Edgewater. The financing was provided by JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association as construction teams have already taken the tower vertical. Latham & Watkins LLP represented Two Roads Development in the transaction with a team led by partners Robert Buday, Rachel Bates, and Diana Doyle. The loan comes as the development approaches the 50% sold mark, with unit sales representing more than $100 million in total transaction value. Vertical construction of Elysee commenced last month following the completion of the tower’s major foundation pour of more than 5,000 tons of cement for the building’s concrete mat. Located on Biscayne Bay at 788 NE 23rd Street, when complete Elysee will rise 57-stories with delivery expected in 2020. 

“Construction is in full swing at Elysee and this financing will provide for the continued development and completion of the tower,” said James Harpel, Chairman and Senior Partner of Two Roads Development. “Elysee’s waterfront location, combined with Bernardo Fort-Brescia’s innovative architecture and Jean-Louis Deniot’s sophisticated designs, continues to resonate with local and international buyers alike in the form of strong presales – a powerful combination that has attracted a financing institution as prestigious as JPMorgan.”

Elysee is being developed by Two Roads Development in partnership with entities managed by New York-investment firm DW Partners. The tower was designed by architect Bernardo Fort-Brescia of Arquitectonica. The tower will feature 100 half-floor and full-floor residences priced from $1.5 million to $14 million. The tower will feature 3-tiered telescoping shape will provide direct 180-degree bay and city views from every residence. Luxury residences at Elysee will include floor-to-ceiling glass windows and sliding doors, private elevators and foyers, 10' to 12' ceilings, designer finishes and fixtures, premium appliances, top-of-the-line Italian cabinetry, as well as two expansive east/west-facing terraces with 180-degree sunrise and sunset views. Interiors were designed by Paris-based interior architect and designer Jean-Louis Deniot. The 7th floor will feature an amenity deck which will include a resort-sized lap pool with a poolside refreshment bar, outdoor summer kitchen and barbecue terrace; waterfront fitness center and yoga studio; spa facilities with private sauna, steam and massage rooms; children’s lounge; and a blow-dry bar. The 30th-floor will feature an Owners Sky Lounge with Grand Salon lounge area and full bar; a Grand Dining Room with seating for up to 30 guests; a professional-grade chef’s kitchen and chef’s table; and a library/private theater, game room, and wine room. Cervera Real Estate is the exclusive sales team for Elysee. 

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