Plans for Waves Dania Beach Mixed-Use Project Approved by City Commission

Waves Dania Beach, two tower mixed-use project, has announced that its site plans were passed by the Dania Beach City Commission on Tuesday, January 12, 2020. The approval paves the way for the developer to move forward with planning the two tower development located at 90 N Bryan Road along the waterway. Waves Dania Beach is being developed by Dania Beach Marina Corp. and RJ Marina Holdings and is designed by architectural firm Nichols Brosch Wurst Wolfe. The project is represented by Renee Marie Smith, Esq. of Smith/Barbara. The development site, 90 N Bryan Road, currently houses the Dania Beach Offshore Marina, South Florida’s premier full-service marina and Paradise Tiki of Dania Beach, a family-friendly Hawaiian and Caribbean-influenced restaurant and tiki bar.  

“We are incredibly excited about bringing Waves to Dania Beach. Our team is proud to have been part of the Dania Beach community for over a decade and to have witnessed the community’s incredible growth,” said Renee Marie Smith, Esq. of Smith/Barbara. “Dania Beach is a city on the rise and we’re looking forward to continuing that growth and bringing Waves to the waterfront area.”  

Waves Dania Beach will feature two towers, one tower at 90 Wave and one tower at 70 Wave. Each tower will rise fifteen stories and feature both multifamily residential and commercial units. Each tower spans 651,388 square feet and will feature 380 residential units as well as 19,700 square feet of ground floor commercial space. The residential units range in size from studio to three bedroom residences and the project also offers a unique live/work unit option of office space for residents working remotely. Each tower will also feature two floors of parking for residents and visitors for a combined total of nearly 1,400 spots and the towers will be joined by a ground floor breezeway. Upon completion, the project will offer a blend of dining, shopping and entertainment options in an upscale environment and scenic waterfront experience. 

The project is designed by renowned architectural firm Nichols Brosch Wurst Wolfe (NBWW) architects. NBWW is a world renowned firm internationally recognized in the planning and architectural design of mixed-use centers and world-class hotels and resorts and high-end residential, commercial and retail. NBWW’s project experience includes resort and urban hotels, condo hotels, office buildings, high-rise residential, retail facilities and mixed-use developments. 

The 5.8-acre development site for Waves Dania Beach is nestled along the Dania Beach waterway and offers convenient access to the Intracoastal, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and the Atlantic Ocean. The development is also just steps from Dania Pointe, a bustling hub of shops, restaurants and apartments. The passage of Waves Dania Beach marks an important step in the continuing development of the city’s residential and commercial scenes and in addition to Dania Pointe, Dania Beach is home to several other major corporations including Spirit Airlines future headquarters and pet superstore Chewy. 

Aman Miami Wins Approval For Versailles Hotel Restoration In Miami Beach’s Faena District

The Miami Beach Historical Preservation Board approved the Aman Miami development by OKO Group’s plan for the restoration of the historic Versailles Hotel. This a big step forward for the art deco building in Miami Beach’s Faena District. Aman Miami will consists of 56 hotel rooms within the restored Versailles Hotel along with 23 boutique residences located in a new tower next door. The residences in the new tower will be designed by Kengo Kuma with the HP board vote of the proposed residential tower design coming up in February. Once the design is approved OKO Group can proceed with permits and construction.

The vote to approve OKO Group’s plan for restoration of the Versailles Hotel was supported by community members including Craig Robins of Dacra, Wendy Kallergis of the Greater Miami and Beaches Hotel Association, Tom Stern the Faena House Board President, and more. OKO Group also released a statement reacting to the vote:

“We appreciate that the Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board took time to understand how our vision for Aman Miami will benefit the Faena District and preserve the iconic Versailles Hotel while contributing to the local economy and elevating Miami Beach’s status as a global destination. The board’s favorable vote is consistent with the widespread support that Aman Miami has earned in the neighborhood and the Miami Beach community.

The development of Aman Miami will infuse the City with hundreds of millions of dollars in private investment, resulting in more than 400 new jobs for the community and millions of dollars in new property and resort tax revenues each year. Aman has a proud history of delivering high-end, low-impact properties which are respectful of their physical surroundings and the history and culture of their communities – including 13 resorts bordering UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

We will continue this tradition in Miami Beach as we restore the Versailles Hotel to greatness. We thank the members of the Historic Preservation Board for supporting what will surely become the most preeminent hotel and residential development in Miami Beach.”

East End Capital Receives Approval For Kobi Karp-Designed Co-Living Project, FOYER Wynwood

East End Capital, led by Jonathan Yormak, received approval from Miami’s Planning & Zoning Department for FOYER Wynwood on December 1. FOYER Wynwood is a co-living, mixed-use project at 2400 North Miami Ave. which is now pending a construction permit and demolition permit for remaining structures on the site. FOYER Wynwood is designed by Kobi Karp Architecture & Design and when complete will feature 375,000 SF of total development splits between 236 apartment units, 12,528 square feet of retail, 7,497 square feet of restaurant space and 400 parking spaces.

FOYER Wynwood will feature affordable co-living and micro-unit options in the apartment portion, together with co-workspaces and other amenities. In conjunction with the development, East End has launched the new “FOYER” brand to operate and manage this project as well as all the other co-living apartment projects in its pipeline.

All FOYER projects will include high ratios of furnished micro-units and co-living bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, together with traditional studio, one- and two-bedroom units. Monthly rents for co-living bedrooms at FOYER Wynwood, which include the furnishings, electricity, common area cleaning, and WiFi, are expected to start around $1,500 per month.

FOYER Wynwood will also offer an abundance of shared amenity space, including a gym focused on functional training, a juice and coffee bar, an expansive pool deck, a chef’s kitchen and entertainment space, collaborative co-working and art studio areas, and state-of-the-art podcast and green-screen studios.

FOYER Wynwood will continue the renaissance occurring along North Miami Avenue, and is located near notable attractions such as Veza Sur Brewery, The Wynwood Arcade, Oasis, The Salty, and the planned Arlo Hotel. Construction is expected to commence in early 2021.

Robert Finvarb's Arquitectonica-Designed Mixed-Use Development Approved In Miami Beach

Robert Finvarb has secured approval for a mixed-use development proposed for the North Beach Town Center from the Miami Beach Design Review Board. As part of the approval Finvarb will build a 20’ bioswale to catch and purify rain water. The multi-phase development, located at 71st St. and Abbott Ave., includes a 14-story building with ground floor commercial space, 232 upper level residential units, and amenity space at the 5th-floor podium and rooftop levels. The residential portion includes a mix of 139 co-living units with studio and 1-bedroom floor plans in addition to a selection of 1- and 2-bedroom private residences. Amenities will include a 5th floor amenity deck featuring indoor and outdoor fitness space, spa services, outdoor kitchen and lounge areas. There will also be a rooftop dog walk and soccer field.

North Miami Beach Finally Approves Dezer Development's Proposed Redevelopment Of The Intracoastal Mall

The third time was the charm for Gil Dezer as the North Miami Beach City Commission has finally approved Dezer Development’s planned $1.5 billion redevelopment of the Intracoastal Mall into a mixed use mega-project named Uptown Harbour. The North Miami Beach City Commission voted 4 to 3 to approve the development agreement and zoning amendments. The Intracoastal Mall is located at 3501 Sunny Isles Blvd. on a 29.1-acre site. Dezer Development is seeking Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) approval to build a new entryway as construction teams will not be able to use the NE 35th Ave and the developers must widen the entrance at NE 36th Ave. In October, just one week after Dezer Development won approval from the North Miami Beach City Commission to redevelop the Intracoastal Mall, the Commission and Mayor Anthony DeFillipo called for a revote as one commissioner fell asleep and another left early from the initial vote. The issue at hand was tied to two ordinances including zoning amendments and a 30-year development agreement.

Uptown Harbour will feature condos, retail, offices and hotels complete with a waterfront promenade with restaurants and retailers. When complete, the mixed-use development will bring over 2,000 residential units, which will be split between 1,750 for-sale condos spread across five towers, 200 rental apartments and 50 townhomes. Uptown Harbor will also feature 250 hotel rooms, 375,000 square feet of retail, and 200,000 square feet of office to the area. Of the retail component there will be a 280,000 square foot shopping center, 50,000 square foot supermarket and 45,000 square foot gym. Additionally, Dezer Development will fund public improvements including building a police department, fire station, community center, a 6-acre park and infrastructure as part of the proposal. Towers will have a maximum height of 40-stories. Uptown Harbor is designed by Zyscovich Architects.

Metro Edgewater Gearing Up To Break Ground In Edgewater's Paraiso District

Colombian developer Carlos Ortiz is gearing up to break ground on his planned rental apartment building, Metro Edgewater, which will be located in Edgewater’s Paraiso District. The project recently received FAA approval and is expect to break ground in January 2021 pending the issuance of building permits. Metro Edgewater will rise 32-stories, 373’, and will feature 279 rental units targeted at millennials and young professionals. The project will also feature 4,063 square feet of ground floor retail and a pedestrian promenade along NE 31st Street with lush landscaping and street furniture, designed to act as a gateway for pedestrians from Biscayne Boulevard into the Paraiso District. The parking platform will feature a metal louver screen adorned with geometric artwork by the Miami-born artist Johnny Robles. Metro Edgewater is designed by Pablo Burgos of Burgos Lanza Architects & Planners with landscape architecture by James Socash, all in collaboration with David Polinsky’s Fortis Design + Build. Metro Edgewater will be located at 433-449 NE 30th Terrace and 430-452 NE 31st Street.

Wynwood Norte Takes A Step Towards Approval After Rezoning Approved By Miami City Commission

Wynwood Norte is one step closer towards approval after the Miami City Commission voted unanimously to approve the rezoning of the area just north of Wynwood to allow mid-rise development for infilled housing. The community plan still needs to be reviewed by state officials. The zoning changes included relaxing the parking requirements for both residential and commercial properties and allowing development up to four floors for projects with 20% affordable housing. In the development area on NW 36th Street and North Miami Avenue mixed-use projects can now rise up to eight stories and residential projects can now rise five stories. Miami-Dade County will also partner with developers to redevelop roughly 1,400 units on county owned land. The revitalization plan was organized by the Wynwood Community Enhancement Association and planned by PlusUrbia. The Wynwood Community Enhancement Association is made up of a mix of local residents, property owners, community organizations and local businesses who recognized that the current zoning stifled development in the area.

City Of Miami Approves Wynwood Streetscape Mater Plan Designed by ArquitectonicaGEO

City of Miami Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the ArquitectonicaGEO-designed Wynwood Streetscape Master Plan. The approval follows over two years of public hearings and community workshops. The construction will begin immediately and is funded by the Wynwood Business Improvement District (BID) as well as local property owners. The streetscape will feature the conversion of three streets to Woonerfs, which open up space for pedestrians while also allowing car access. It will also feature a green half-mile pedestrian and bike trail; landscaping designed to help combat climate change by capturing stormwater runoff, as well as reintroduce native plant species and provide shade via tree canopies; additionally, the installment of safety and mobility improvements such as new crosswalks, widened sidewalks, updated signage and protected bicycle lanes.

Vladislav Doronin and Len Blavatnik Receive Approval For Aman Hotel & Residences In Miami Beach's Faena District

Vladislav Doronin and Len Blavatnik have received approval from Miami Beach City Commissioners to build Aman Hotel & Residences in Miami Beach’s Faena District. The developers will build a new 250’ tall tower adjacent to the historic Versailles Hotel located at 3425 Collins Avenue, in addition to restoring the Versailles Hotel back to its former splendor. Aman Hotel & Residences Miami Beach will feature a 56-room hotel and 23 condominiums.

The approvals required a zoning change for height increase from the permitted 203’ to the proposed 250’. The height increase had been met with community opposition from several Historic Preservation Board members, including chairman Jack Finglass, as well as residents of the King David Condominium across the street. The final plans still must be submitted and approved by Miami Beach’s Historic Preservation Board.

Len Blavatnik is an American industrialist and philanthropist whose firm, Access Industries, owns a diverse portfolio of over 6 million square feet across iconic hotels and other commercial and residential properties in the United States, Europe, South America, and the Caribbean. Along with Alan Faena, Blavatnik developed the neighboring, ultra-luxury condo tower, Faena House.

Aman Hotel & Residences Miami Beach would be the first Aman Resort in South Florida. Vladislav Doronin is the chairman of Aman Resorts, in addition to being CEO of real estate development firm OKO Group. OKO Group’s Miami portfolio also includes luxury waterfront residential towers; Missoni Baia and Una Residences; and 830 Brickell, Miami’s first new office skyscraper in over a decade

Miami Heat Star Udonis Haslem And Magellan Housing Score Approval To Build Wynwood Works On City Owned Land

A partnership between Haslem Housing Ventures, led by Miami Heat star Udonis Haslem, and the Coral Gables-based Magellan Housing, have received approval from Miami’s Omni Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) to build Wynwood Works, a 12-story mixed-use apartment project in Wynwood. Wynwood Works will be built on city owned land at 2035 North Miami Avenue.

The development partnership will receive a land grant from the CRA valued at $6.5 million at no charge and a contribution of $9.9 million cash grant in exchange for 50 years of income restrictions on the apartments. The total project costs are estimated at $39.9 million and with the grands provided by the CRA the development partnership will not need to seek Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC). In 2018 the Omni CRA committed $100 million to the development of affordable housing. The development partnership will restrict 10% of the units to those earning up to 30% of the area median income (AMI), an additional 10% of units to those earning up to 50% of AMI, another 10% to those earning up to 80% of AMI, 25% up to 120% of AMI and the remaining 45% for those earning up to 140% of AMI. The partnership will also share 45% of the annual rental income from the ground-floor retail.

Wynwood Works will rise 12-stories and will feature 104-units of mixed-income apartments on a 20,238 square foot site. The project is designed by MC+G Architecture and will feature a mural designed in partnership with the Miami Light Project and Bakehouse Art Complex. Wynwood Works will also feature 6,711 square feet of ground-floor retail, 102 parking spaces and a sixth-floor amenity deck which features a fitness room, co-working space, a community room and a garden. Apartments will range from 405 square foot studios to 1,150 square foot 3-bedroom layouts. The unit mix will be broken down by 42 studios, 43 one-bedroom units, 12 two-bedroom units and 7 three-bedroom units.