Terra Closes on $127 Million Refinancing Loan for Natura Gardens Development

Terra and New Valley, the development partners behind Natura Gardens, a new multifamily community in Northwest Miami-Dade County, have secured $127 million in permanent financing for the development. The loan, issued by an affiliate of MF1 Capital, will be used to pay off and refinance an existing $65 million construction loan, which was provided in 2021 by Bank OZK. Completed in Summer 2023, Natura Gardens includes 460 garden-style rental apartments across 23-acres in Miami’s West Hialeah neighborhood.

At more than 97% leased, Natura Gardens’ one- to three-bedroom apartments measure between 727 and 1,603 square feet in size, with rental rates ranging from approximately $2,000 to $3,350 per month.

“Our ability to refinance Natura Gardens reflects the leasing success we’ve experienced at the property as well as the increasing demand for market-rate rental housing in the West Hialeah area,” said David Martin, CEO of Terra. “Natura Gardens continues to fulfill an unmet need for quality suburban living for thousands of working families seeking to minimize their daily commutes.”

Walker & Dunlop’s New York Capital Markets team, led by Keith Kurland, Aaron Appel, Jon Schwartz, Adam Schwartz, and Michael Diaz arranged the loan proceeds to refinance the existing construction loan of Natura Gardens.

Situated along NW 170th Street between I-75 and Florida’s Turnpike, Natura Gardens is located immediately south of the planned American Dream retail and entertainment complex, and a short drive from several large employers, including Boeing, Royal Caribbean International, Preferred Freezer Services, and The Home Depot.

Natura Gardens was designed by Pascual, Perez, Kiliddjian Architecture (PPK), with the development’s clubhouse and model units imagined by tennis champion Venus Williams’ design firm V Starr Interiors.

 Apartments have high-end finishes and fixtures, expansive balconies, custom shaker-style kitchen cabinetry, spacious built-in pantries, kitchen islands with breakfast areas, stainless steel appliances, full-size washer and dryers, spacious living and dining rooms, walk-in closets, and en-suite bathrooms.

Amenities at the gated community include a two-story clubhouse with a resort-style pool and spa; a covered kitchen prep area and grilling station, sink and refrigerator; outdoor tiki hut areas with hammocks, tables and umbrellas, and lounge chairs on comfortable beach sand; a media room, billiards and children’s playroom; a sophisticated lounge with a bar and kitchen; a state-of-the-art fitness center with yoga, aerobics and spinning studios; a business center with co-working spaces and a coffee bar; a children’s tot-lot with recreational equipment and electronic car charging stations, and a residents-only dog park.

Inspired by the area’s natural surroundings, the community features lush landscaping, open lawns, lakes and preserves. Residents also have access to lush, green spaces with sitting areas and mobile device charging stations throughout the entire community.

Natura Gardens is the latest among Terra’s portfolio of newly completed multifamily developments across South Florida, which includes Grove Central, a transit-oriented mixed-use development with residential and retail uses in Coconut Grove; and Pines Garden at City Center, a garden-apartment community in Broward County’s City of Pembroke Pines. Terra is also currently developing CentroCity, which will include up to 1,200 apartments as part of a larger 38-acre mixed use development in central Miami-Dade County, just west of Little Havana; and Upland Park, which will include up to 1,700 apartments as part of a 47-acre mixed use transit-oriented development at the Miami-Dade County Dolphin Park-and-Ride Station.

Terra And New Valley Break Ground On Natura Gardens Multifamily Development In Northwest Miami-Dade

Terra and New Valley have broken ground on Natura Gardens, a 27-acre multifamily development encompassing 460 garden-style rental apartments. The news comes approximately one year after the partnership finalized the purchase of a 72-acre development site in northwest Miami-Dade and as the joint venture also completes the sale of the parcel’s remaining 45 acres to Butters and Greystar for $53.5 million. Site work at Natura Gardens is currently underway, with vertical construction expected to take place in Spring 2021. Delivery is anticipated in early 2022.

“Northwest Miami-Dade is experiencing a surge of demand for new residential and commercial development, which is why we initially zeroed in on this parcel as a prime development site,” said Terra CEO David Martin. “Shortly after our JV announced plans for Natura Gardens, we were approached by several developers that shared our vision for bringing new housing options and infrastructure to this part of the County, and that opened the door to selling our originally planned second and third phases of the development site to Butters and Greystar. This is a good example of how forward-looking development that meets market demand can serve as a magnet for new investment in underserved areas.”

Situated along NW 170th Street between I-75 and Florida’s Turnpike, Natura Gardens is located a short drive from several of South Florida’s largest employers, including Boeing, Royal Caribbean International, Preferred Freezer Services, and The Home Depot.

“We were excited to have worked with Terra to complete the vision for this magnificent site and create a balanced sustainable development that will benefit the residents as well as Miami Dade County,” commented Butters Construction & Development, President, Malcolm Butters.

Designed by Pascual, Perez, Kiliddjian Architecture (PPK), Natura Gardens will range from one- to three-bedrooms, measuring between 727 and 1,476 square feet in size. Amenities will include a two-story clubhouse with a resort-style pool and spa; a media room, game room and kids playroom; a children’s tot-lot play area with recreational equipment and electronics charging stations; a state-of-the-art fitness center with yoga, aerobics and spinning studios; co-working spaces and a coffee bar; and a residents-only dog park with site furnishings. Inspired by the area’s natural surroundings, the community will feature lush landscaping, open lawns, lakes and preserves. Residents will also have access to a dedicated walking/running trail throughout the community.