The Wharf Miami Set to Close Making Way For Groundbreaking Of Riverside Wharf On the Miami River

The Wharf Miami will close on Saturday, September 16 to make way for the expansion of the venue at the highly anticipated Riverside Wharf development. The iconic entertainment venue has welcomed millions of guests, hosted hundreds of cultural experiences and events, and became a space where countless cherished memories were made for all who have experienced the venue since its doors opened in November 2017. Originally the brainchild of Breakwater Hospitality Group’s Emi Guerra and MV Real Estate Holdings (MVREH)’s Alex Mantecon, The Wharf Miami has pioneered the open-air, waterfront concept and played a significant role in establishing the Miami River District as a world-class entertainment destination, as well as shaped the direction of entertainment venues in South Florida.

The Wharf Miami’s final weekend, dubbed “The Closing Parties” will be a monumental celebration kicking off with “The Closing Parties: & MORE!” on Friday, September 15, a themed celebration of everyone’s favorite moments and holidays at The Wharf Miami taking place from 4:00 p.m. - 3:00 a.m. The venue will be entirely decked out from top to bottom with “giant inflatables, photo moments, featured cocktails & more!” in celebration of The Wharf Miami’s most iconic events over the past five years. Seven themed bars with unique cocktails will include Cinco de Mayo, St. Patrick’s Day, Blowfish & Friends, HogWharf, Christmas and the 90s.

On Saturday, September 16, The Wharf Miami will host “The Closing Parties: Bon Voyage” from 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 a.m., the venue’s final day and a pure celebration of what makes The Wharf Miami. The first 500 people to arrive with an RSVP on Saturday will have a chance to spin a prize wheel to win The Wharf Miami merchandise. To RSVP for The Wharf Miami’s closing events, visit WharfMiami.com.

Upon closing of The Wharf Miami, seawall work will begin for the future site of Riverside Wharf, which is anticipated to break ground by end of year. Riverside Wharf will be home to the rebirth and expansion of The Wharf Miami, evolving from a pop-up experience to a world-class permanent establishment. Riverside Wharf as a whole will also include a 165-key Dream Hotel, an impressive 30,000-square-foot nightclub and rooftop day club, 16,000 square feet of signature restaurants, a 12,000-square-foot event hall, and a marina component.

“When we opened The Wharf Miami, it was a total game changer for the Miami River District and a never-before-seen concept in South Florida. Over the past six years, we have had the honor of operating this venue while bringing unique events, culinary concepts and an amazing atmosphere which forever changed Miami’s social scene. Watching the venue become so successful and beloved over time has been incredibly gratifying, we are proud to have created a space where guests felt welcomed and created lifelong memories,” said Emi Guerra, co-founder of Breakwater Hospitality Group. “While The Wharf Miami is closed, we are working hard to bring an impressive, elevated experience to Riverside Wharf, a project that would not have been possible without the support of our community. We invite guests to join us during the closing weekend to celebrate six incredible years of The Wharf Miami and what’s to come.”

Developed by MV Real Estate Holdings (MVREH) in conjunction with Driftwood Capital and Merrimac Ventures, the 10-story, 200,000-square-foot project will be the defining development for Miami’s Downtown core as a city-within-a-city, all-encompassing destination for unparalleled entertainment, exceptional dining and world renowned hotel accommodations. It will encompass a highly amenitized, 165-key Dream Miami luxury hotel, a world-class 30,000-square-foot nightclub and rooftop day club, a high-energy 12,000-square-foot event hall and mezzanine, as well as The Wharf Miami’s expansion. The property has been designed by Jon Cardello of Cube3 Architects, with interior designs by world-renowned iCrave and landscape design by Savino-Miller Design Studio.

“As Miami locals, it has been incredible to watch our city grow and experience The Wharf Miami’s evolution over time. The Wharf Miami has truly put the Miami River District on the map as a world-class entertainment destination. We are excited to begin the development of Riverside Wharf in this special location. This project will become a landmark property for Miami's Downtown core and provide a never-before-seen experience to our community, as well as will bring The Wharf Miami back as a permanent establishment on the waterfront,” said Alex Mantecon, CEO of MV Real Estate Holdings.

Dedicated to improving the neighborhood and giving back to the community, the developers of Riverside Wharf will construct a new public riverwalk along the development site as well as a state-of-the-art sea level rise initiative that will include building a new seawall. The project also will pay homage to the neighborhood’s historic fishing culture with a permanent Garcia’s Fish Market, where locals can get the freshest catch daily.

Last August, City of Miami’s referendum item #152 was passed after being unanimously supported by the Miami City Commission. This referendum added 50 years to Riverside Wharf’s current lease of a city-owned parcel of land which will be part of the development site, paving the way for Riverside Wharf to become a longstanding part of the Miami River community. This vote allows Riverside Wharf and its development partners the ability to provide the community with more jobs, commit more money to the City of Miami, improve the riverwalk and public areas near the property as well as improve the conditions of the aforementioned surrounding seawall.

The Wharf Fort Lauderdale will remain open and operational, alongside Breakwater Hospitality Group’s additional concepts which include recently opened, open-air waterfront venue Regatta Grove in Coconut Grove; beloved Irish pub JohnMartin’s on Miracle Mile in Coral Gables; seafood-forward restaurant concept Rivertail in Downtown Fort Lauderdale; and open-air gathering spot Carousel Club at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach.

MV Real Estate Holdings and Driftwood Capital Announce JV On $185 Million Riverside Wharf Featuring Dream Hotel On Miami River

Miami Developer Alex Mantecon of MV Real Estate Holdings (MVREH), in conjunction with Driftwood Capital, one of the country’s leading hospitality sponsors, has revealed plans for the Riverside Wharf, a hospitality-driven entertainment complex situated along the historic Miami River that will push the limits of what is known today as hospitality in Miami. The 200,000-square-foot, two-tower development will offer a fully immersive Miami experience anchored by the highly amenitized 165-key Dream Miami luxury hotel. The complex will feature the rebirth and expansion of The Wharf Miami, 16,000 square feet of signature restaurants, a 12,000-square-foot event hall, a world-class 30,000-square-foot nightclub and rooftop dayclub, and a private deep water marina capable of accommodating megayachts.

“Riverside Wharf will be a destination for entertainment unlike any Miami has seen, bringing together world-class entertainment and hospitality offerings to a unique waterfront destination with direct Intracoastal access to the ocean,” said Mantecon. “We are excited to finally bring to fruition the dream and vision Miami has had for its riverfront entertainment district which until now has historically sat vacant and underutilized.”

Added Carlos Rodriguez Jr., COO of Driftwood Capital, “As Miami continues to attract new capital, new world-class tech and financial firms, and new talent from other parts of the country, the demand for one-of-a-kind destinations combining elements of luxury, nature, outdoor adventure and unique dining experiences is poised to escalate rapidly. We’re pleased to be able to contribute several decades of hospitality development and operational expertise to this truly unique development which will enhance Miami’s skyline and elevate the entire Miami River District.”

“Miami is a top international destination for world-class hospitality and entertainment, and continues to set the bar with exciting new experiences for travelers unlike anything else in the world,” said Mayor of Miami Francis Suarez. “Dream Miami at Riverside Wharf will be an unparalleled development in the heart of Miami for visitors and locals alike, and I couldn't be more excited to see it launch."

At 10 stories, the $185 million mixed-use development will rise on the current site of The Wharf Miami and the abutting vacant parcel. The 1.5-acre assemblage is the culmination of the vision established in the City of Miami’s 2016 voter referendum approval, obtained by MVREH, for the development of food and beverage establishments along the waterfront. The roughly 600 linear feet of water frontage will provide for the continuity of the publicly accessible Riverwalk, seamlessly connecting Riverside Wharf between Downtown Miami and Brickell. Riverside Wharf will take on the benefits of MVREH and Driftwood Capital’s best-in-class partners, including Dream Hotel Group’s growing success in highly amenitized luxury food and beverage oriented hotel properties, and Breakwater Hospitality Group’s ongoing success of high-volume entertainment venues.

“There is a natural synergy between Dream Hotel Group and the city of Miami,” said Dream Hotel Group CEO Jay Stein. “Our leading lifestyle brand Dream Hotels continues to expand quickly, just like Miami, offering international hospitality, vibrant entertainment and one-of-a-kind experiences sought by local residents, as well as business travelers and pleasure seekers from across the globe. We are thrilled to take part in this extraordinary project and can’t wait to open our doors in 2025.”

Riverside Wharf will transform the storied Miami River district while paying homage to the historic fishing culture of the neighborhood by celebrating the area’s beloved Garcia’s Fish Market with a pop-up seafood market on the grounds, where locals can get the freshest catch daily.

The development is slated to break ground in 2022 and be completed by 2025. It is designed by Jon Cardello of Cube3 architects with landscape design by Savino-Miller Design Studio.