Robert Rivani's Black Lion Investment Group Acquires SLS Brickell Restaurant Space For $10 Million

Black Lion Investment Group, the Miami-based real estate and hospitality developer led by Robert Rivani, has added yet another trophy property with the acquisition of the trophy restaurant space at SLS Brickell for $10,000,000. The restaurant space is approximately 13,500 SF of indoor / outdoor space and was previously Bazaar Mar by Chef Jose Andres which closed in 2019. The sellers were members of the Qatar’s ruling royal Al Thanis family who acquired both the hotel and restaurant space for $43 million in 2014.

The deal was brokered by Fabio and Sebastian Faerman of FA Commercial, who represented Black Lion while Jordan Karp of Jordan Karp, LLC. and Andrew Dicky of JLL represented the seller in the transaction.

Black Lion intends on bringing yet another one of a kind concept to Brickell’s already spectacular restaurant scene with a proven track record of restaurants like Gekko at SLS LUX, Catch and Continuum, Philippe Chow, Amara at Paraiso, Delilah and Wynwood Jungle.

The 52-story SLS Brickell is an over-the-top, chic residence and hotel tower developed by Related Group located in the heart of Brickell, just a walking distance from Brickell City Centre. The tower hosts 453 contemporary residences and hotel suits with panoramic views of the Miami skyline and Biscayne Bay.

PORT 32 Marinas Acquires Lighthouse Point Marina

PORT 32 Marinas, LLC (PORT 32) has acquired Lighthouse Point Marina, which is situated on the Intracoastal Waterway just minutes from the Hillsboro Inlet. Located at 2831 Marina Circle, Lighthouse Point, FL, the marina is one of the area’s most coveted destinations in the heart of the “Yachting Capital of the World.”

PORT 32 is a leading owner, operator, developer, and acquirer of a growing collection of irreplaceable marina assets in nine premier markets across both coasts of Florida. The purchase of Lighthouse Point represents the first marina acquisition by the new PORT 32 leadership team, which joined the company in late 2022. With the addition of Lighthouse Point, PORT 32 seeks to grow its family of marinas within Florida and to expand strategically into new markets along the Atlantic Coast and Gulf of Mexico.

“Lighthouse Point Marina is a special lifestyle property in an extraordinary location, tucked just inside the clear Atlantic waters of the Hillsboro Inlet. Here at PORT 32, we love cruising with friends and family, saltwater fishing, and ice-cold drinks on the waterfront, which makes Lighthouse Point a perfect fit for our growing portfolio of premier coastal marinas,” said Austin Schell, CEO of PORT 32 Marinas. “After almost 60 years of unbroken family ownership, we are thrilled the Spiekers chose PORT 32 Marinas to carry on their legacy as the first non-family owner of Lighthouse Point. To all our Lighthouse Point Marina members and the surrounding community, we look forward to introducing you to our leadership team and hope to meet you on the docks, at the Nauti Dawg restaurant, or on the saltwater sometime soon.”

CBRE’s Julie Fisher Berry and Sheila Roux represented the seller, Lighthouse Point Marina Inc., in the transaction. Led by Julie Fisher Berry, CBRE’s Marina and Shipyards brokerage team in South Florida has transacted over $1.5 billion in marina and shipyard sales.

Featuring 102 wet slips that can accommodate 25- to 80-foot vessels, the 4,410 total linear footage marina had been family owned and operated for over 50 years and had never been offered for acquisition previously. Located less than ½ nautical mile from the Hillsboro Inlet, Lighthouse Point Marina provides immediate access to the ocean, a significant feature for sportfishing enthusiasts. Amenities, such as the fuel dock, the live bait station, the popular Nauti Dawg restaurant, the ship store, and other features make this one of the most desirable marinas for boaters.

Featuring a beautiful waterfront location and stunning Intracoastal views, the 2,271-square-foot Nauti Dawg restaurant, a long-standing favorite among locals, is open six days a week (closed on Tuesdays) for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests can enjoy weekly live entertainment and music and relax in a friendly and welcoming ambiance. With 90 seats in an indoor and outdoor setting, the restaurant also features six dedicated transient slips.

“Lighthouse Point Marina is one of the most coveted marinas in South Florida due to its location near the Hillsboro Inlet and the surrounding area of Lighthouse Point. The owners have built a loyal customer base by providing great service, operating an excellent restaurant, and keeping the marina in impeccable condition,” said Julie Fisher Berry, a senior vice president with CBRE in Fort Lauderdale. “CBRE is honored to have represented the owners and identified the buyer of this high-profile marina property. After a strategic offering process, PORT 32 Marinas emerged as the perfect buyer. CEO Austin Schell and his team have engaged with the owners and staff for a smooth transition that will continue the successful legacy that the Spieker family built.”

“Lighthouse Point Marina has been owned and operated by one family, the Spieker family, for over half a century. As second-generation owner-operators, it was important for us to find a buyer that will respect what we have created and retain our staff and family culture with the intention of maintaining and even improving the site with time. We believe we have found that buyer with PORT 32 Marinas. On behalf of owners, Debbie Edwards, Christian Spieker and myself, we feel the Lighthouse Point Marina and Nauti Dawg Marina Café are being left in good hands, and we look forward to watching both entities blossom under the new leadership of PORT 32 Marinas,” said Maureen Canada, former president of Lighthouse Point Marina.

Images via Smith Aerial

The Continuum Company Acquires North Bay Village Development Site For $35 Million

New York based development firm The Continuum Company has closed on the purchase of 1755 Kennedy Causeway, a 1.34-acre site in Miami’s exclusive North Bay Village. Samuel Heskiel, CEO and Co-Founder at Beachfront Realty was the land broker for this deal, which was purchased by the firm for $35,000,000.

This land purchase marks the latest in Miami for New York developer Ian Bruce Eichner, who is well known for developing the Continuum South Beach in Miami’s South of 5th neighborhood, as well as launching their latest project La Baia. The site plan approval allows the firm to build a 31-story, 201-unit luxury condominium with a 13,415 square foot waterfront restaurant with over 45,000 square feet of resort-style amenities.

“With astonishing views, access to the beach and mainland, and a private island community, this was an obvious choice for our second-ever Continuum-branded project,” said Alexandra Eichner, President of Continuum Florida.

The firm plans to come to market with their second ever Continuum-branded project in South Florida Q4 of 2023.

“We envision North Bay Village the same way we once envisioned South of Fifth – with enormous potential for growth,” said Ian Bruce Eichner, Chairman and CEO of Continuum Company. “We believe the neighborhood is primed to undergo a radical transformation and we are excited to lead the way. We are bullish on North Bay Village and excited to continue to be a developer that ushers in a new era for the community.”

Set for a dramatic transformation, North Bay Village serves as a small enclave encompassed by two small islands between Miami Beach and the mainland of Biscayne Bay. With the neighborhood itself separated from the bustle of the nearby metro of Miami, the city's numerous attractions are still within a short drive including premiere shopping and the beach, showcasing the best of both worlds.

North Bay Village went almost a decade without any new developments, featuring more single-family homes than high-rises to keep a quaint community feel. According to Miami-Dade records, by 2025 five new condo developments are expected to be delivered. Pacific & Orient Properties recently broke ground on 7918 West Drive, a waterfront luxury condo development, and Shoma Group is developing Shoma Bay with a Publix and Shoma Bazaar food hall.

The Continuum Company experienced great success with La Baia South, which launched sales in October and sold out in under six months. Well known for producing visionary real estate developments, Bruce has an array of projects headlining his portfolio, including Madison Square Park Tower, City Spire, One Broadway Place, The Manhattan Club, The Royale and Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights, the Continuum South Beach and the Cosmopolitan Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas strip.

Rilea Group Acquires Final Parcels To Complete Assemblage for Mohawk Wynwood

Rilea Group has closed on an expansion of its assemblage for its rental project Mohawk at Wynwood for $5.7 million, represented by Alfredo Riascos of Gridline Properties. The seller was represented by Alfonso Jaramillo of Fortune. The purchase brings Mohawk’s site to 78K square feet, which sits adjacent to its short-term luxury rental property, The Rider Wynwood. Rilea Group is now transforming 2.5 acres, nearly an entire block, at NW 29th St. and the Florida East Coast Railway line. Rilea Group is a multi-faceted real estate development and management company that has developed over 9,500,000 square feet in South Florida.

The expanded footprint will add 34 new units, including 20 New York style, two-story lofts at Mohawk, underscoring the company’s confidence in the market’s growth at the border of Midtown and Wynwood neighborhoods and demand for unique rental real estate.

Over the past 10 years, Wynwood has experienced significant growth, as have its property values. It continues to emerge as one of South Florida’s hottest, upcoming areas for new residential and office developments.

“Wynwood is on a meteoric rise and we’re thrilled to be a part of fomenting its growth,” said Diego Ojeda, president of Rilea Group. “We have put together a standalone team that through our unparalleled architecture and interior design, we will bring a unique concept which will be like nothing seen before in the neighborhood. Mohawk at Wynwood’s punk rock theme and our neighboring project, The Rider’s ‘easy-rider’ persona, will be sure to attract a great crowd to the market.”

Realty Mogul, an innovative crowdfunding platform for commercial real estate investment, is the largest fundraising partner for Mohawk at Wynwood. It is expected to launch a fresh raise of additional capital in the coming weeks for the project’s continued expansion and future construction, slated for later this year.

Mohawk at Wynwood will feature 260 residential units and 31K square feet of ground floor retail, 335 covered parking spaces with 25 percent dedicated to electric vehicles, 1,500 square feet of private offices for residents in a 12-story building covering a total of 78K square feet of land. Mohawk’s amenities will include a dazzling rooftop pool, game room, state-of-the art gym, outdoor and indoor yoga studios, owner’s lounge and bar, outdoor and indoor kid’s room, a large private park, dog park, two pickleball courts, and more.

The Rider at Wynwood will have 131 apartment-hotel luxury units for short-term rentals, 6,500 square feet of ground floor retail, a rooftop pool for residents and a speakeasy-concept rooftop bar in a 12-story building. The buildings’ architecture will feature Chicago-brick facades coupled with aged metal accents throughout.

Rilea Group’s acquisition of the initial assemblage began in June 2021 when Alfredo Riascos of Gridline Properties represented buyer Rilea Group / Alan & Diego Ojeda and seller David Lombardi in Rilea Group’s $22 million acquisition of the adjacent 65,700-square-foot site at 56 NE 29th St., Miami, FL 33137, also part of the Mohawk at Wynwood assemblage. In addition, in October 2021, Gridline Properties represented the Rilea Group / Alan & Diego Ojeda in its purchase of the adjacent 31,358-square-foot property at 100 NE 29th St., Miami, FL 33137 for $12.25 million, slated for The Rider at Wynwood site. The seller was Jeffrey Miller.

Limestone Asset Management and Orion Real Estate Acquire Pinecrest Retail Center For $70.5 Million

Miami-based Limestone Asset Management, via a joint venture with Orion Real Estate Group, has acquired Colonial Palms Plaza, a retail center located in the Pinecrest area at 13601–13621 S Dixie Highway, Miami, FL, 33176, for $70.5 million on Dec. 23, 2022. Eric Williams of JLL represented the seller, MetLife Investment Management. Goldman Sachs is providing financing for the purchase.

The 188,389-square-foot property encompasses seven buildings and 29 tenants, including Marshalls, HomeGoods, PetSmart, Old Navy, Party City, Five Below, Visionworks, CycleBar, Panera Bread, Miller’s Ale House, and more.

“With the purchase of Colonial Palms Plaza, we are pleased to continue expanding our holdings in the upscale area of Pinecrest,” said Ibrahim Al-Rashid, chairman of Limestone Asset Management. “This purchase confirms our commitment to the South Dixie corridor.”

Kevin Sanz, president of Orion Real Estate Group, led the buyer group, Orion Colonial Plaza LLC. “Colonial Palms Plaza is located in a strong submarket with incredibly high barriers to entry,” Sanz said. “This was an amazing execution by our team, and we are excited to acquire this high-performing center with a superior national tenant roster.”

In March 2021, Limestone and Orion closed on Pinecrest Town Center, approximately one mile away from Colonial Palms Plaza for $32 million. Located at 12651 South Dixie Highway, Pinecrest, FL 33156, Pinecrest Town Center is a mixed-use retail and office property. In September 2022, Limestone began a $4 million renovation of the property, with a slated completion date of Q2 2023.

Pinecrest is a suburban village in Miami-Dade County, located south of downtown Miami and Miami International Airport. It is one of Florida’s most affluent neighborhoods. More than 101,670 residents, with an average household income of $149,442, reside within a 3-mile radius of the property. The average home listing price for Pinecrest/Palmetto Bay is $1 million+. With a high quality of life and vast acre lots, major business executives and professional athletes have long been attracted to Pinecrest with many new Florida residents flocking to the area since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brick & Timber Collective Acquires Wynwood Office Building Cube Wynwd For $62 Million

Brick & Timber Collective has acquired Cube Wynwd, an office building in Miami’s hot Wynwood neighborhood, from Tricera Capital and Alex Karakhanian’s LNDMRK Development for $62 million. The transaction closed on December 13 and Tricera and LNDMRK retained an undisclosed ownership stake in Cube Wynwd. Tricera and LNDMRK originally acquired the 100,000 SF office building, which includes ground-floor retail, rooftop space and parking, for $28 million in an April 2021 off-market deal. Tony Arellano of DWNTWN Realty Advisors represented both buyer and seller in the transaction.

Berkadia’s Scott Wadler and Mike Basinski secured a $36.18 million loan on behalf of the buyer Brick & Timber Collective. This is the second time in 20 months the property has traded and been capitalized by Berkadia. The Berkadia team also lined up $27.5 million in senior and mezzanine financing when Tricera Capital and LNDMRK acquired the property in April of 2021. JP Morgan provided the balance sheet $36.2 million five-year fixed-rate loan with full term interest only.

The Tricera Capital and LNDMRK Development partnership acquired Cube Wynwd in 2021 from Red Sky Capital when Scott Sherman was still with firm. Sherman has since left and founded Torose Equities. The Class A office building was developed in 2019 by Redsky Capital in partnership with JZ Capital Partners and was financed by Bank OZK and Lionheart Strategic Management.

“We are thrilled with the execution of our business plan for Cube Wynwd, culminating in this significant disposition,” Tricera Chief Financial Officer Christian Ramirez said. “This investment underscores the depth and versatility of Tricera 2.0, as we tapped into our robust acquisitions and asset management divisions, top-tier leasing professionals, team members with development experience and real estate finance experts. We look forward to replicating the model at our many other investments and developments.”

Prior to completing the disposition, the Tricera and LNDMRK partnership finalized a five-year lease with Boston’s Northeastern University to occupy the 10,976 SF fifth floor of the 222 NW 24th St. building. Northeastern plans to operate a brand-new graduate degree program tailored to working professionals in Miami’s rapidly growing fintech industry.

The Northeastern deal maintains Cube’s 100% leased status, as investment firm Schonfeld Strategic Advisors is set to relocate from Cube to The Dorsey, a Wynwood mixed-use building Tricera and LNDMRK partnered with The Related Group to develop. Schonfeld is expected to move to The Dorsey in early 2023.

“Northeastern’s lease at Cube is yet another example of where Wynwood’s office market is headed and reinforces the building’s incredible tenant mix,” Tricera President/Head of Leasing Dustin Ballard said. “It is exciting that local fintech professionals will have an opportunity to pursue a graduate degree from a renowned university. That will help take the fintech sector – and the City of Miami – to build upon the accomplishments and growth of the past few years.”

CBRE’s Eric Groffman, Cameron Tallon, Emily Brais and Randy Carballo served as landlord representatives in the Northeastern lease. Colliers International South Florida Stephen Rutchik and Tyler de la Peña and Colliers International Greater Boston’s John Carroll represented the tenant.

Additional Cube tenants include Blockchain.com, Ecuadorean fintech firm Kushki, Shaolin Capital Management, Brazilian footwear manufacturer Grendene, office supply and furniture online retailer Poppin, tech firm Transmit, and more.

Image via Richard Novak

Robert Rivani's Black Lion Investment Group Expands South Beach Holdings With One Ocean Acquisition For $12.25 Million

Real estate investor Robert Rivani’s Black Lion Investment Group has expanded their South Beach holdings with the acquisition of the ground floor restaurant space in One Ocean, a 50-unit luxury condominium building in Miami Beach’s exclusive South of Fifth neighborhood. Rivani paid $12.25 million for the space which offers an indoor area of 10,404 SF and an outdoor area of 3,588 SF. The property is at the intersection of South Pointe and Ocean Drive, surrounded by high-end retail and residential towers including Continuum South Beach and Apogee. Additionally, the property is just a short walk from the South Pointe Park and the beach, with restaurants like Planta, Nikki Beach, Pura Vida, Carbone, Joe’s Stone Crab, Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay, Milos, Jia, Intimo, Fogo de Chao, Papi Steak, and Prime 112 just steps away. The transaction was overseen by Fabio and Sebastian Faerman of FA Commercial who represented Black Lion. Rivani plans to bring a world-class restaurant from a global hospitality brand to the space.

“South of Fifth is one of the hottest neighborhoods in the world and we wanted to own another piece of it,” said Robert Rivani. “I have assembled a powerhouse portfolio of fine dining hospitality locations along South Pointe Drive totaling over 50,000 square feet. Our vision is to impact the industry with our foothold in the market and proven track record for conceptualizing unique lifestyle experiences and bringing in global brands–kickstarting a domino effect that will set the precedent for future cities to follow.”

Rivani now controls what he has dubbed “Restaurant Row” on South Pointe Drive which includes roughly 19,000 SF at the nearby Marea which he acquired for $19 million and the 12,000 SF restaurant space at Continuum South Beach for $11.5 million, which announced Catch as their future tenant today.

Rivani specializes in acquisition and ownership of flagship restaurant properties, having quickly expanded his South Florida holdings with the acquisition of over $100 million in commercial real estate assets across South Florida. Black Lion’s recent acquisitions include the restaurant space in Marea which features Kosushi and RED Steakhouse as tenants, the restaurant space in One Thousand Museum, SLS LUX’s restaurant space which now features Gekko by David Grutman and Bad Bunny, Continuum South Beach which today announced Catch as its future tenant, the Amara at Paraiso space which features the bayfront Amara restaurant operated by Chef Michael Schwartz, Wynwood Jungle which will soon welcome Fables Supper Club and the soon-to-open Delilah at the Brickell Bay boardwalk.

Development Site In Miami's Little River Neighborhood Trades For $13.3 Million

Little River has been a hotspot for investment and yet another significant transaction has as an undisclosed buyer acquired a development site for $13.3 million. The sale included 2.2 acres on NE 2nd Ave in the northern section of Little River, located at 8038 NE 2nd Ave. Gridline Properties’ Broker and Principal Alfredo Riascos represented the seller, Thomas Conway of Conway Commercial Real Estate. Tony Arellano of DWNTWN Realty represented the buyer. The buyer nor its plans were disclosed citing confidentiality.

“Developers are recognizing the growth and the emergence of strong fundamentals, finding opportunities to appeal to the creatives and curators in Miami that are in search of the unique neighborhoods and experiences that Little River offers,” said Riascos.

Creative neighborhoods like Little River have been the focus of a lot of attention and recent capital inflows. DWNTWN Realty Advisors and Gridline Properties worked together seamlessly on a complex transaction that will have a positive impact on Miami and the Little River neighborhood. Population and job growth are fueling the demand for housing and neighborhoods as the City of Miami continues to grow. Despite the economic headwinds, Miami seems to be positioning itself as a safe haven for capital investments and quality of life upgrades for employers and individuals.

Conway recently sold the neighboring Ebb & Flow retail strip center comprised of two buildings on two lots for $18.15 million in July 2022. Riascos represented Conway in the Ebb & Flow transaction as well. The all-cash deal marked one of the largest single transactions in Little River for value-add creative retail.

“In recent months, the Northeast Second Avenue corridor of Little River has received remarkable attention from investors and developers seeking to capitalize on the emerging retail and development taking place between 79th and 84th Street," said Riascos. “This property may be one of the last remaining sites that offers institutional size and scale for future development along NE 2nd avenue. We are excited to be part of the tremendous growth and continued success of Little River.”

A hub for re-adapted industrial buildings, Little River has attracted an array of creative and design-oriented businesses that have identified the surrounding neighborhood as one of Miami’s most up-and-coming districts. It is home to a wide variety of businesses, tenants, and owners that have transformed one of Miami's oldest industrial areas into a neighborhood that promotes creativity, design, and innovation.

Alchemy-ABR Investment Partners Close On Wynwood Development Site For $18 Million

Alchemy-ABR Investment Partners, a fully integrated New York based real estate development and investment firm, have closed on a development site at 18 NW 23rd Street in Wynwood for $18 million. The property spans 36,079 SF and the acquisition represents Alchemy's first residential project in Florida. Israel Discount Bank provided financing for Alchemy-ABR Investment Partners to purchase the vacant lot from The Salvation Army, which is located across the street from The Salvation Army Family Store and Donation Center’s Wynwood location.

The mixed-use site will be developed into a 12-story luxury residential building with 186 units, multiple retail spaces, and a parking garage. Local architects Arquitectonica and MKDA have been commissioned to design the building with construction commencing in 2024.

“We are thrilled to announce that 18 NW 23rd Street will be our first residential development in Miami, Florida. Alchemy-ABR has a strong presence in the commercial real estate market in South Florida and we are looking forward to bringing our years of real estate expertise to the residential market, which is currently facing great demand. We are looking to design and build a best-in-class mixed use project that will add to the fabric of one of the most dynamic walkable neighborhoods in the Southeast,” said Joel Breitkopf, Co-Founder & Partner of Alchemy-ABR Investment Partners and Brian Ray, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Alchemy-ABR Investment Partners in a joint statement.

Waterford Corporate Centre Trades For $16.9 Million, To Become New Worldwide HQ For Benitez & Company CPA

The Waterford Corporate Centre, a multi-tenant office property which was renovated in 2019, ha sold for $16.9 million. The property is located at 5835 Blue Lagoon Drive, Miami, FL 33126 and spans 61,194 SF. The Waterford Corporate Centre was 97% leased at the time of sale and the tenant list includes The United States Department of Commerce, The State of Florida Department of Education, Volvo Group North America and World Trade Center Miami. The building will be the new worldwide headquarters for Benitez & Company CPA.

The buyer is Juan & Maria Benitez of the Benitez & Company CPA who was represented by Manny Chamizo III with ONE Sotheby's International Realty, while the seller was Blue Lagoon Investment, LLC who was represented by Cary Cohen with Blanca Commercial Real Estate.

The Waterford Corporate Centre was recently renovated in 2019 and features an impressive and elegant double-height lobby, tenant conferencing facility, and a rooftop helicopter landing pad.

"Despite changing market conditions, office buildings are continuing to transact in core markets," said Chamizo. "Miami’s momentum remains solid and South Florida based companies are reaping in the benefits - with many searching to expand their teams and offices. We are happy to have found the Class A space our client was looking for, the helipad was an attractive bonus.”

This property conveniently situated within the corporate-campus style Waterford Business District, fronting beautiful views of Miami International Airport and immediate access to the Dolphin Expressway. The prime location also connects the campus to several major Miami neighborhoods, including Doral, Coral Gables, Brickell, Downtown Miami and Wynwood.

Images attached. Credit for the building pictures goes to Cary Cohen.