At The Heart Of It All. Downtown Miami's Metamorphosis Into Global Hub Accelerates

Today, Miami’s Downtown neighborhood may be one of the world’s great cosmopolitan centers, but even just a few years ago, the area was a ghost town by nightfall. According to Sonia Figueroa, Senior VP for development powerhouse Related Group, “Offices would close, and a mass exodus would begin, with thousands commuting to residential areas like Coral Gables or Brickell. By 5 o’clock the streets would be totally deserted. It’s incredible to see how things have changed.” 

This transformation has been years in the making, requiring significant investments across countless sectors. “There wasn’t a single catalyst,” adds Figueroa. “It was many different things coming together that really drove the change. The opening of the Brightline’s MiamiCentral Station, the progress on Miami Worldcenter and, of course, the huge influx of corporations and new residents from across the country, all became a kind of perfect storm.” 

The data backs up the idea of a seemingly overnight transformation, with a recent report from Miami DDA showing a 40 percent surge in population in the downtown area since 2010 – and a 56 percent increase since 2000. 

Often the best-attuned to neighborhood trends, Miami’s developers were among the first to recognize just how quickly the area was changing. And the residential demand that would soon come.  

According to Figueroa, “Downtown Miami always had incredible potential. It’s right by the bay, it’s seconds from our best museums, our stadium, transportation options – everything. The only thing missing was residential product that could live up to those kinds of surroundings.” 

Where old, dilapidated buildings once stood, now live dozens of sleek condominiums, trendy restaurants and bars and an ample selection of retail boutiques. In fact, rental inventory in Downtown Miami has more than doubled since 2012. More than 5,900 apartments have been completed in the last two years, and another 5,900 units are under construction. 

Developers like Related Group are betting big on the future of the so-called “New Downtown.” In 2021 alone, the company announced plans for three luxury condo towers in the neighborhood, including District 225 and The Crosby – two short-term-rental-ready projects – and Casa Bella Residences by B&B Italia, a project Related believes will speak to Miami’s growing numbers of high-design aficionados. 

Built in partnership with Alta Developers, the 55-story condo looks to take a significantly more upscale approach than its neighbors, especially when it comes to its interior and exterior designs. The property is the first residential partnership for famed Italian design house B&B Italia, known around the world for its high-end collaborations with brands like Rolex, Hermès, and Rolls-Royce.  

The project’s approach to amenities is another indicator of its high-end focus. “We wanted to offer something for every lifestyle,” says Figueroa, lead developer on the project. “Entertainers will have many indoor and outdoor lounges at their disposal. Fitness and wellness enthusiasts will be able to enjoy a world-class fitness center and spa. As for those residents who love to soak up the sun, the renowned landscape designer Enzo Enea created a breathtaking pool deck complete with private cabanas and a poolside bar.”  

During the project’s launch in late 2021, Related President Jon Paul Pérez said, "We are in the middle of one of the most robust markets in Related’s history, a trend we expect will pick up further with the launch of Casa Bella.” And indeed, it did. Just weeks after launch, Casa Bella has already accumulated over $100 million in reservations. 

While still early on in its reimagining, the overwhelming demand for residential units in Downtown Miami has made one thing clear: the neighborhood is ready for its moment in the sun. 

Units at Casa Bella by B&B Italia range from $650,000 to $3.7 million for non-penthouse floorplans. For more information or to arrange a tour of the sales gallery, please visit CasaBellaResidences.com or call 305-290-1008.

This article was produced in partnership with Related Group

Related Group And Merrimac Ventures Launch The Crosby Miami Worldcenter Condo With No Rental Restrictions In Downtown Miami

A joint venture between Related Group (Related), one of the nation’s most prolific developers, and Merrimac Ventures, a leading South Florida-based real estate investment and development firm, have launched sales of The Crosby Miami Worldcenter (The Crosby). The 31-story tower set within Downtown Miami’s $4 billion 27-acre Miami Worldcenter mixed-use development will deliver 450 turn-key residences, free of rental restrictions. Groundbreaking is targeted for the first quarter of 2023 and delivery in the first quarter of 2025.

“The sales launch of The Crosby comes during a period of immense activity for Miami’s real estate market, with Downtown Miami one of the key beneficiaries,” said Nick Perez, SVP of Related. “Buyers are looking for multiple ways to live and invest, and The Crosby allows them to do both within the city’s most notable address, Miami Worldcenter.”

The Crosby is aimed at a new generation of buyers seeking attainable, flexible living in the core of one of the world’s most sought-after cities.

“Our vision for The Crosby at Miami Worldcenter will capture significant appetite among domestic and international buyers in the market for residential product in the heart of Downtown Miami,” said Nitin Motwani, Managing Partner of Merrimac Ventures. “Our team at Merrimac is looking forward to joining forces with Related on what will be a transformative residential development at the center of Miami Worldcenter’s ‘city within a city’ setting.”

The Crosby was designed as a collaboration between South Florida-based architecture firm CFE Architects, and New York-based interior designers AvroKO. Together, the duo created an urban oasis that that balances the calmness of a retreat with the energy and vibrancy of its surroundings.

Residence floorplans are designed to fit a range of lifestyles, spanning studio, one- and two-bedroom residences, which range from 350 to 825 square feet. Each turn-key home curated by AvroKO comes complete with open living areas, gourmet kitchens with state-of-the-art appliances, a spa-inspired master bath and smart home technology including keyless entry. Balconies feature 180- and 360-degree views of Downtown Miami.

Owners have access to over 22,000 square feet of amenity spaces spanning multiple floors. Amenities include a fitness and wellness center with saunas and plunge pools and a dedicated space for yoga and mat workouts; a spacious coworking center designed for solo or group work; and a clubroom featuring billiards, a theater and a private dining area for exclusive chef events and tastings. The Crosby will also feature museum-quality art in nearly every space, indoor and out.

Outside, owners and residents will enjoy a resort-style rooftop pool deck with a jacuzzi, poolside chaises, an Italian-inspired trellis garden and outdoor grills.

Pricing starts in the $300,000s with OneWorld Properties, led by CEO Peggy Olin, as the exclusive sales partner for The Crosby.

“OneWorld Properties has sold over 1,500 units in Downtown Miami alone, so we’re extremely in-tune with the market and the wants/needs of those looking to live and invest there. The Crosby checks all the boxes and more, so we look forward to working with Related and Merrimac to deliver a successful sellout.” Said Olin.

The Crosby is the latest residential offering within Miami Worldcenter, the $4 billion, 27-acre mixed-use development transforming the heart of Downtown Miami. As the second largest urban development in the U.S. after Hudson Yards, the ‘city within a city’ features a diverse mix of residential, commercial and hospitality uses complemented by approximately 300,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and entertainment space.

Miami Worldcenter occupies 10 city blocks within walking distance of the city’s top museums, parks, sports venues, dining and various other entertainment options, including Museum Park, home to the Pérez Art Museum Miami and the Frost Museum of Science; FTX Arena; the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts; and Miami Dade College’s Downtown Miami campus. It is also adjacent to Brightline’s MiamiCentral Station, which offers direct train service to Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach – together with access to TriRail, the Metromover and the Metrorail – making Miami Worldcenter the largest and most connected transit-oriented development in Florida.

For more information about The Crosby Miami Worldcenter, private showings or purchasing/ leasing information please fill out the form below: