Abbhi Capital Acquires 1-Acre Miami Worldcenter Development Parcel For $20 Million

The master developer behind Miami Worldcenter, the $4 billion, 27-acre mixed-use development now underway in the heart of Downtown Miami, has sold a 1-acre parcel to Coral Gables-based investment firm Abbhi Capital for $20 million. The property is the west parcel of Miami Worldcenter’s “Block A,” which is located between NE 10th and 11th Streets along NE 1st Avenue. The parcel is zoned for a mixed-use project, with a base development capacity of nearly 850 residential units and 1.2 million square feet. The Cushman & Wakefield team of Robert Given, Troy Ballard, and James Quinn represented the seller, “MWC Block A, LLC” in the transaction.

The sale marks the second parcel of Miami Worldcenter land purchased by Abbhi Capital within the last year. In August 2020, the firm bought the neighboring center parcel of Block A for $24 million.

“Abbhi Capital's investment in Miami Worldcenter's mixed-use master plan is the latest example of sustained interest from like-minded firms that see value in aligning with our best-in-class team of developers and operators. We look forward to collaborating with the Abbhi Capital team as our vision for a 'city within a city' in the heart of Downtown Miami comes to life with an array of residential, retail, commercial, entertainment, and hotel uses," said Nitin Motwani, Managing Partner of Miami Worldcenter Associates.

“Abbhi Capital is excited to expand our commitment to Miami Worldcenter and we are proud to be a part of the strategic vision of a ‘city within a city.’ We look forward to the bright future of this incredible location and project," said Sankesh Abbhi, Managing Partner of Abbhi Capital.

Miami Worldcenter’s master plan continues to deliver in phases. As the largest private development underway in Florida, the development will feature a diverse mix of residential, commercial and hospitality uses complemented by a total of approximately 300,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and entertainment space.

Two residential buildings have been completed, the 60-story Paramount Miami Worldcenter condominium and the 43-story Caoba luxury apartment tower. Approximately 150,000 square feet of retail has been completed for tenant build-out, with another 130,000 square feet currently under construction and nearing delivery. Construction has topped off at ZOM’s 43-story Bezel Miami Worldcenter, a 434-unit rental tower slated to open later this year, and at Miami Worldcenter’s 351-room citizenM hotel, which is expected to open in December.

Miami Worldcenter occupies 10 city blocks within walking distance of Museum Park, home to Perez Art Museum Miami and the Frost Museum of Science; AmericanAirlines Arena; the Adrienne Arsht Performing Arts Center; and Miami-Dade College’s Downtown Miami campus. It is also adjacent to Brightline’s MiamiCentral station, which will soon offer direct train service to Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando, together with access to TriRail, the Metromover and the Metrorail, making Miami Worldcenter the largest and most-connected transit-oriented development in Florida.

Royal Palm Companies Acquires 1.53-Acre Future Site of Legacy Hotel & Residences In Miami Worldcenter For $33.9 Million

Miami Worldcenter Associates, the master developer behind Miami Worldcenter, the $4 billion, 27-acre mixed-use development under construction in the heart of Downtown Miami, has sold a 1.53-acre parcel to Royal Palm Companies (RPC). The transaction includes 66,656 square feet of developable land that was sold for $33.9 million. The property, which is situated at 942 Northeast First Avenue, will be home to the Legacy Hotel & Residences, a 50-story mixed-use tower with 274 branded residences atop a 256-room hotel. The Cushman & Wakefield team of Robert Given, Troy Ballard and James Quinn represented the seller, Miami Worldcenter Associates, in the transaction.

Legacy Hotel & Residences’ developer, Dan Kodsi of RPC, previously partnered with Miami Worldcenter Associates developers, led by Nitin Motwani and Art Falcone, on the newly completed Paramount Miami Worldcenter luxury condominium tower, which opened to residents in 2019 across the street.

“Legacy Hotel & Residences is one of our most anticipated developments. The project’s iconic architecture and state-of-the-art amenities featuring a world-class restaurant and medical facility are just some of the components that will make it a standout addition to our city-within-a-city at Miami Worldcenter,” said Nitin Motwani, Managing Partner of Miami Worldcenter Associates. “We’re committed to working with best-in-class developers to create a diverse and vibrant eco-system for the ultimate live, work, play Miami experience, and our recent collaboration with Dan Kodsi on Paramount is a testament to that vision.”

Legacy Hotel & Residences will feature first-of-its-kind amenities and offerings, including a sophisticated members-only international business lounge, a dramatic Singapore-inspired cantilevered pool, downtown’s largest hotel pool deck set on one acre, a highly-anticipated 100,000 square foot medical and wellness center, and stylish microLUXE residences – all topped with the project’s signature amenity: the city’s first enclosed rooftop atrium, taking up the top seven floors of the tower.

“We are looking forward to breaking ground in early 2021 on what we expect will be one of the iconic centerpieces of Miami Worldcenter,” said Dan Kodsi, CEO of RPC. “Legacy Hotel & Residences is setting the stage for the future of mixed-use developments and branded-residences that prioritize health and wellness without sacrificing luxury lifestyle experiences and resort-style amenities that discerning homeowners and travelers are accustomed to.”

The Miami Worldcenter master plan, delivering in phases, features an array of residential, commercial and hospitality uses. These include approximately 300,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and entertainment space; the 60-story Paramount Miami Worldcenter condominium tower; Caoba, a 444-unit apartment tower that opened in 2019; a 348-room CitizenM hotel which is now under construction; and Bezel, a 434-unit rental tower by ZOM Living which is also underway. In addition, Hines is preparing to build a new tower that will comprise up to 500,000 square feet of Class A office space and MDM Group is planning a 1,700-room Marriott Marquis hotel and adjacent 600,000 square foot expo center.

Miami Worldcenter occupies 10 city blocks within walking distance of Museum Park, home to Perez Art Museum Miami and the Frost Museum of Science; AmericanAirlines Arena; the Adrienne Arsht Performing Arts Center; and Miami-Dade College’s Downtown Miami campus. It is also adjacent to Virgin Trains’ MiamiCentral station, which will soon offer direct train service to Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando, together with access to TriRail, the Metromover and the Metrorail, making Miami Worldcenter the largest and most-connected transit-oriented development in Florida.