Home Of Miami Heat AmericanAirlines Arena Renamed FTX Arena Following 19-Year $135 Million Naming Rights Deal

AmericanAirlines Arena, home of the NBA’s Miami Heat in Downtown Miami’s Park West neighborhood, has officially been renamed the FTX Arena. The American Airlines signage has now been removed following the Heat’s Round 1 playoff loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. The name change is part of a 19-year, $135 million naming rights deal with cryptocurrency exchange FTX which was approved by Miami-Dade County Commissioners in March 2021.

As per the agreement the Heat, who have 19-years remaining on their lease with the arena, will receive an annual payment of $2 million for the naming rights from Miami-Dade County. FTX branding will also be placed on the Miami Heat’s website and digital platforms, promotions, contests and community engagement. American Airlines will retain a marketing agreement with the Heat.

Miami-Dade County has also entered into a partnership with FTX to collaborate on technology and Fintech education and has committed an additional $5 million in contributions to the county. Miami-Dade County must also reserve a portion of the naming rights deal proceeds to help combat local gun violence and poverty.

The deal represents the first partnership between a cryptocurrency company and a major American professional sports franchise. The partnership further advances Miami quest to be a cryptocurrency and blockchain hub and the Cryptocity.

AmericanAirlines Arena is located at 601 Biscayne Blvd. and first opened on New Years 1999 after the Heat moved from the Miami Arena. The arena was designed by Arquitectonica and 360 Architecture and had a total construction cost of $213 million. The spectator capacity for a basketball game is 19,600. The Miami Heat have appeared in five NBA Finals since 2010 and have won three NBA Championship titles since they were founded in 1988.

FTX US is a US-regulated cryptocurrency exchange led by CEO Sam Bankman-Fried. FTX operates two different exchanges, FTX (ftx.com) and FTX US (ftx.us). FTX is an international cryptocurrency exchange that is does operate in the US and supports more cryptocurrencies than FTX US. FTX offers innovative products including industry-first derivatives, options, volatility products and leveraged tokens. FTX pursues its mission, led by philanthropic founder Sam Bankman-Fried, to turn revenue into charitable giving which led to the launch of the FTX Foundation in which 1% of all FTX net fees are donated to select charities. FTX US supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, Sushi, Tron, Tether, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash and other cryptocurrencies.

Miami has quickly become the Cryptocity, and is becoming a cryptocurrency and blockchain hub led by Mayor Francis Suarez. Mayor Suarez’s goals include turning Miami into a Bitcoin mining hub by using the city’s nuclear power capability. He is also working towards allowing the use of Bitcoin to pay for tax and public services, as well as a salary option for city employees. Mayor Suarez set his focus on a Miami tech boom following the COVID-19 pandemic and has been working to attract the top tech and investment firms from San Francisco, Silicon Valley and New York City. The effort has paid off shown by taxable property values in Miami having doubled over the past decade as high-paying jobs have been attracted to the weather, beaches, restaurants, nightlife, low-tax and high-quality of life.

For a background on cryptocurrency and blockchain and its application to real estate check out the PROFILE Insider: The Crypto Revolution Versus The Evolution of Blockchain Part 1.

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Over 6 Months Terra Signed Nearly 60,000 Sq.Ft. In New South Florida Retail Leases

Terra has been one of South Florida’s most active in real estate development through the pandemic. Within the last 6 months Terra has signed nearly 60,000 sq.ft. in new retail leases across Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. Newly signed tenants include Verizon Wireless, AT&T Wireless, Mister 01 Pizza, Panda Express, Pilates Zone and more. Terra is a residential and commercial development firm and investment company that enhances neighborhoods to connect people and better the community. Courtelis Company oversees the leasing and property management for Terra’s portfolio. 

“Because COVID-19 has made a tremendous impact on the economy and will continue to reshape the market as we know it, we are committed to listening to our neighbors, collaborating with partners, and creating developments that are naturally woven into the community,” said David Martin, CEO of Terra. “We anticipate a continued need for lifestyle-centered developments that will serve at the pulse of South Florida’s neighborhoods featuring restaurants and retailers, as well as essential services such as grocers and local businesses that cater to the everyday needs of surrounding residents.” 

 “In addition to signing new leases, we’re focused on helping consumers navigate our retail centers in a responsible and efficient manner,” said Rod Castan, president of leasing and management for Courtelis Company. “We’ve provided tenants with access to take-out/short-term parking spaces, ample outdoor seating, cueing areas and temporary signage to increase tenant visibility. Although it’s been a challenging year, the hands-on approach has remained the best way for us to conduct business and maintain relationships with our retailers.”

Terra’s newly signed leases at retail developments in South Florida include: 

• 16000 Pines Market: A 135,000 sq.ft. mixed-use retail development that is now underway and is located in the City of Pembroke Pines. Publix Super Markets is the anchor tenant and has signed a 23,168 sq.ft. lease. Additional leases are signed by Verizon Wireless and Everglades Family Dental.

• Doral Square: Located in the City of Doral is the 150,000 sq.ft. retail center. Ross Dress fo Less is the anchor tenant and has signed a 24,147 sq.ft. lease. An additional lease is signed by Panda Express.

• 2811 Coral Way: Located in Miami is the newly completed mixed-use retail/self-storage development. Businesses with finalized retail leases include Pilates Zone, La Roche Beauty Salon, AT&T Wireless, and dental orthodontics laboratory Arcadlab.

• Pines City Center: Located in the City of Pembroke Pines is the 150,000 square foot mixed-use lifestyle development that spans across 47-acres and is opening their second phase of retail. A 1,525 sq.ft. lease is signed with Mister 01 Extraordinary Pizza that represents the modern pizza chain’s first Broward County location. The development’s first phase included a a Publix Supermarket.

Wynwood Norte Takes A Step Towards Approval After Rezoning Approved By Miami City Commission

Wynwood Norte is one step closer towards approval after the Miami City Commission voted unanimously to approve the rezoning of the area just north of Wynwood to allow mid-rise development for infilled housing. The community plan still needs to be reviewed by state officials. The zoning changes included relaxing the parking requirements for both residential and commercial properties and allowing development up to four floors for projects with 20% affordable housing. In the development area on NW 36th Street and North Miami Avenue mixed-use projects can now rise up to eight stories and residential projects can now rise five stories. Miami-Dade County will also partner with developers to redevelop roughly 1,400 units on county owned land. The revitalization plan was organized by the Wynwood Community Enhancement Association and planned by PlusUrbia. The Wynwood Community Enhancement Association is made up of a mix of local residents, property owners, community organizations and local businesses who recognized that the current zoning stifled development in the area.