SoLé Mia Debuts Largest Floating Pickleball Court in North Miami

Oleta Partners, a joint venture by leading developers LeFrak and Turnberry, have revealed SoLé Mia’s floating pickleball court located on its seven-acre Crystal Lagoon, marking the largest and first installation of its kind at a residential property. Custom-built by Inflatable Island, the leading designer and manufacturer of innovative aquatic entertainment and luxury floating structures, the SoLé Mia-branded court expands the 184-acre North Miami development’s outdoor lifestyle offerings and reinforces its position as a wellness-driven, walkable destination centered around recreation, connectivity and community.

“From the beginning, SoLé Mia has been designed to deliver a lifestyle that brings people outdoors and creates meaningful opportunities for recreation, wellness and connection,” said Mario Gaztambide, Senior Managing Director of Residential Properties at LeFrak. “This floating pickleball court is a natural extension of that vision, offering residents and visitors a truly unique amenity that activates the Crystal Lagoon in a new way and reinforces SoLé Mia as one of North Miami’s most dynamic lifestyle destinations.”

Spanning 69 by 33 feet, the court is located on Laguna SoLé, SoLé Mia’s swimmable, freshwater lagoon, and is available exclusively to residents and their accompanied guests. Open Friday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting, court access is offered on a first-come, first-served basis and managed by the property’s lifeguard team. Residents can enjoy one-hour sessions for singles or doubles play, with life jackets, paddles and ball provided.

The court features SoLé Mia’s signature branding directly on the playing surface, with vibrant blue coloring designed to complement the lagoon’s shimmering waters while creating a distinctive visual identity. For residents, the amenity provides a highly unique recreational experience, combining a regulation pickleball court with access to South Florida’s only Crystal Lagoon within a residential setting.

The debut builds on SoLé Mia’s broader commitment to outdoor connectivity, including the recent expansion of The Loop, its walking path network. The Loop now not only wraps around Laguna SoLé but extends throughout the property and connects residents to nearby Oleta River State Park and Florida International University’s Biscayne Bay campus, creating seamless access to more than 1,000 acres of green space, trails and active lifestyle destinations. Set between Biscayne Boulevard and Biscayne Bay, SoLé Mia brings together luxury residences, open space, recreation, shopping, dining and wellness offerings centered around its Crystal Lagoon and sandy beaches.

The new court and expanded walking paths arrive amid continued growth at SoLé Mia, where more than 1,000 residents already live across The Shoreline, Villa Solé, Villa Laguna, and ONE Park Tower. The $4 billion, 184-acre master-planned development also features a newly expanded half-acre park with Kompan-designed playgrounds; Reserve Padel at SoLé Mia, offering indoor and outdoor courts, a gym, sauna, steam room, cold plunges and an on-site Pura Vida; UHealth SoLé Mia, the University of Miami Health System’s 363,000-square-foot ambulatory medical facility; Sesame Bakery; a 17,500-square-foot dog park; and miles of jogging and bike paths across 37 acres of landscaped open space.

SoLé Mia will continue expanding with Mater Academy SoLé Mia, a K-5 charter school, as well as additional residential, dining and retail offerings underway, further advancing its vision as a walkable, wellness-driven destination for residents and the surrounding North Miami community.

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Oleta Partners Announces Free Construction Training Program with CBT College

Despite the high demand for commercial construction in recent years, contractors are coming up short on skilled labor due to an ongoing shortage. The low cost of capital and re-emergence of the commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) market have made lending easier and enabled liquidity, which has fueled the demand for sustainable developments.  

The lack of vocational training in high schools has led to a skills gap and a smaller number of younger students pursuing careers in construction. Project costs and availability of labor are the two most prominent concerns for builders according to members of the National Association of Home Builders. In anticipating an industry need, Oleta Partners announced its partnership with CBT College to offer free construction training to North Miami Senior High School seniors. Oleta Partners is currently developing the largest project in North Miami’s history, SoL Mia, a premier, master-planned community set on 183 acres of the last undeveloped land in South Florida east of Biscayne Boulevard. 

The program, which will be managed by SoL Mia’s Local Preference Office, officially kicked off on March 5th at an orientation with 20 participating students and their parents, CBT College faculty and staff members, Oleta Partners representatives and City officials. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S, added 210,000 new construction jobs in 2017. This program allows Oleta to support the local community and keep up with industry growth by providing a steady supply of labor and fostering the next generation of qualified construction workers. 

“The creation of workforce development programs allows us to positively impact this community long term,” said LeFrak’s Managing Director of Development & Acquisition, Michael Tillman. “This tailored program will equip students with the right skill sets to prepare them for a future career in construction.” "As an additional resource for students, Oleta Partners will also provide free transportation to and from CBT College."

The training will span seven months, beginning in March, during which time students will complete courses in Building Construction Technology and be introduced to different trades such as carpentry, masonry and plumbing. At least 50 percent of the learning will be hand-ons training geared towards providing real-world experience, taught by experienced faculty in the school’s laboratories. Throughout its five locations in Miami-Dade County, CBT College provides access to career training with a focus on technology and sciences. “We’re thrilled to be working with SoL Mia and supporting these students by giving them a leg up in the early stages of their careers,” said Luis Llerena, CBT College’s Miami Gardens Campus Director.

To reconcile the lack of vocational training and an unskilled workforce in the South Florida market, the private sector has taken the initiative upon itself to tackle this public issue. In order to address the gap on a macroeconomic scale, there would need to be a more balanced technical school curriculum, broader career guidance in schools, and a greater availability of training through apprenticeships. Introducing vocational training into the broader school curriculum and creating partnerships for apprenticeships would improve accessibility to training needed for certification, which is usually at least 2,000 hours. Albeit with good intention, parents and guidance counselors are pushing for academic prowess and college education, instead of adapting to rapidly changing technological changes. This leaves students with only two tiers of career options, while neglecting middle-class skilled jobs. College graduate employment rates are at an all time low, so a degree doesn’t guarantee a job anymore either. 

After successful completion of the construction training program, students would earn 21 college credits and would receive a diploma in Building Construction Technology. With their training and diploma, students will be better prepared for a potential future career in an industry that has potential for high wages, demand, and self-employment.

Article by Katya Demina