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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MIRAI Design District Secures $85 Million Construction Loan and Breaks Ground on Kengo Kuma’s First U.S. Mixed-Use Development

MIRAI Design District has secured an $85 million construction loan from Monroe Capital LLC, and has officially broken ground on the highly anticipated mixed-use development in Miami’s Design District.

Developed by Leviathan Development, Lionheart Capital, Well Duo, and The Lane Organization, MIRAI Design District will introduce approximately 41,000 square feet of Class A boutique office space and 16,000 square feet of luxury high street retail and hospitality space to the neighborhood, with completion anticipated in 2028. The project represents architect Kengo Kuma’s first mixed-use development in the United States, marking a significant milestone for the internationally acclaimed architect whose work is known for blending architecture, nature, and cultural experience.

“We’ve spent years building our position along Northeast Second Avenue because we believed in what this corridor could become, and MIRAI is the clearest expression of that conviction. Securing this financing and breaking ground is the moment the vision becomes real — and bringing Kengo Kuma’s first U.S. mixed-use project to the Design District reflects exactly the kind of opportunity Lionheart is built to identify and execute,” said Ophir Sternberg, founder and CEO of Lionheart Capital.

Located along Northeast Second Avenue, MIRAI reflects the next phase of growth in the Miami Design District, emphasizing architecture, hospitality, walkability, and curated commercial experiences. Designed as a “floating lantern,” the building features a transparent ground floor, layered façade screening system, lush central garden, and hospitality-driven public spaces intended to create a more intimate and experiential extension to the neighborhood.

The project’s boutique office component has been positioned to attract family offices, small and mid-sized funds, and design-led businesses seeking highly curated spaces that function as extensions of their identity. Due to strong demand and the project’s highly curated vision, leasing has remained in-house.

“MIRAI was conceived as something far more experiential than a traditional mixed-use project,” said Allison Greenfield, founder and managing partner of Leviathan Development. “The goal was to create an environment where architecture, hospitality, retail, and workplace culture feel fully integrated, reflecting how people increasingly want to work, gather, and spend time in Miami. More importantly, we wanted MIRAI to contribute something meaningful to the ongoing evolution of the Design District, creating a project that enhances the neighborhood culturally, architecturally and socially for both visitors and the local community.”

Designed by internationally acclaimed architect Kengo Kuma and Associates (KKAA), MIRAI continues the broader transformation of the Miami Design District into one of the country’s most architecturally significant luxury and cultural corridors. The project joins a growing concentration of globally recognized architects, hospitality concepts, and design-led commercial experiences reshaping the neighborhood, while helping position Northeast Second Avenue as the district’s next boutique luxury corridor. Future tenants are being curated around a shared emphasis on design, culture, hospitality, and lifestyle, with a focus on brands and businesses aligned with MIRAI’s highly experiential vision. Additional tenant announcements, hospitality partnerships, and cultural programming initiatives are expected to be unveiled in the coming months as construction progresses and leasing momentum continues.

“One of the most exciting aspects of MIRAI is the opportunity to curate a community of tenants that share a common appreciation for design, culture, and hospitality,” said Eduardo Pelaez, principal of Well Duo. “Rather than simply filling space, our focus has always been on bringing together businesses and brands that contribute to the character of the building and the broader neighborhood. That level of curation is what sets MIRAI apart.”

The project’s public-facing design and future experiential programming are expected to play a central role in MIRAI’s identity, including plans for a dynamic façade lighting program in collaboration with Viabizzuno, cultural activations, and hospitality-driven gathering spaces integrated throughout the development.

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