Life Time Coral Gables Opens 1.2 Million SF Live, Work, Play, Athletic Resort Mixed-Use Multifamily Development

Life Time Coral Gables has officially opened in Coral Gables, bringing a 1.2 million SF luxury athletic resort with elegant co-working and exquisite residences to The City Beautiful. Conceptualized by Life Time, the nation’s premier healthy lifestyle brand, the more than $500 million, 14-story, 1.2 million SF development seamlessly integrates where consumers live, work, play and stay as a first-of-its-kind destination centered around the company’s iconic athletic resort.

Life Time Coral Gables is now welcoming new members to the expansive destination at 237 South Dixie Highway. The development features an 80,000 SF luxury athletic resort, a 25,000 SF Life Time Work and 495 luxuriously appointed residences, including studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom, and penthouse units. Directly adjacent to Shops at Merrick Park, and minutes from downtown Coral Gables and Coconut Grove, the project’s soon-to-open retail component will feature a Trader Joe’s, locally famed Argentinian restaurant, Graziano’s and other offerings.

“I could not be more excited about the completely new concept we’re bringing to The City Beautiful—and North America—as our first combined Life Time Athletic, Life Time Work and Life Time Living destination. Never has a development been designed with such a comprehensive healthy way of life in mind, body and soul—centered around our iconic athletic resort,” says Gino Santia, director, Life Time Coral Gables. “For nearly 30 years, we have operated premier athletic resorts and, for the first time, “second home” has a new meaning as members truly can live, work, exercise and play in this amazing development offering a full healthy way of life experience.”

Life Time’s athletic resort and spa offers more than 70 classes weekly across its dedicated yoga, barre, Pilates, cycle and group exercise studios; more than 400 pieces of cardio and strength-based equipment; small group and 1:1 personal training; a Kids Academy featuring dedicated kids programming and classes; LT Recovery featuring compression, massage and physical and chiropractic therapies; an outdoor, resort-style, rooftop beach club; and, a full-service LifeSpa and fast casual LifeCafe.

The fully integrated, 25,000 SF Life Time Work provides members with elegant workspaces and flexible monthly memberships; lounge, dedicated desk and private offices; conference rooms, quiet rooms, and call booths; Herman Miller furniture, high-end, exquisite finishes throughout; copying, scanning and shredding services, unlimited Wi-Fi and more.

Life Time Living residences range from 436 SF studio units to 1,539 SF, 3-bedroom units. Penthouses are available up to 2,252 SF Resident benefits include a premier, Diamond Life Time athletic resort membership with access to all Life Time destinations throughout the U.S. and Canada, along with preferred Life Time Work access pricing. Grocery store tours, healthy meal planning and delivery from the on-site fast-casual restaurant LifeCafe, and access to a registered dietitian to stock your kitchen also are available.

Life Time Coral Gables is a collaboration between Life Time and Nolan Reynolds International (NRI), a recognized leader in real estate investment, development and hospitality operations.

Additional Life Time locations in Florida include Boca Raton and Tampa, along with locations under development in Palm Beach Gardens (mid-2022) and The Falls in Miami (opening early 2023). Life Time also owns and produces the Miami Marathon.

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Images via Life Time Coral Gables

Five New Wellness And Beauty Retailers Sign Leases At CocoWalk In Coconut Grove

Five new retailers focused on health, wellness, and beauty have signed leases at CocoWalk, the newly reopened lifestyle destination in Coconut Grove. Inspired by residents’ focus on health and wellness, the ownership hand-picked these new retailers to cater to all the lifestyle and beauty needs of area residents and the surrounding communities.

The latest brands to sign retail leases are GlossLab, a hygiene-first, membership based nail studio from New York that is opening its first Miami location and has hospitality entrepreneur David Grutman as one of its investors set to open in summer 2022; Antidote Wellness Labs, a boutique fitness studio that focuses on High Intensity Interval Training, nutrition, and holistic wellness;  chic jewelry brand hailing from Saint-Tropez, Gas Bijoux; Skin Lab by Barba Skin Clinic founded by Harvard-educated dermatologist Dr. Alicia Barba, who has partnered with Skinceuticals; and 3D Brow Studio, specializing in curating perfect eyebrows.

Antidote Wellness Labs will occupy about 2,577 SF on the second floor, accompanied by Barba Skin Clinic with about 2,181 SF and 3D Brow Studio with 1,062 SF. Gas Bijoux will be located on the first floor with 562 SF facing the open-air plaza.

CocoWalk has several more restaurants nearing opening including the highly anticipated Botanico Gin & Cookhouse, which is slated for opening later this summer. Marking the first establishment in Miami to embrace gin’s international resurgence, Botanico will incorporate modern American cuisine with a bar focused on gin cocktails and Mediterranean cuisine led by Mexican Executive Chef and Co-Owner Gerardo B. De Negri.

Sunset Harbour sushi outpost Sushi Garage is also expected open at CocoWalk this fall. Sushi Garage is owned and operated by The Juvia Group and will honor Japanese traditional cuisine utilizing the freshest ingredients in the setting of a contemporary designed space that will make for a unique dining experience.

Following CocoWalk’s multi-million-dollar renovation, the open-air lifestyle center features 150,000 SF of prime retail space in the heart of Coconut Grove, one of Miami’s premier neighborhoods. The property’s ownership group is comprised of Federal Realty Investment Trust (NYSE: FRT), The Comras Company and Grass River Property.

“We’re incredibly excited to welcome these four new retailers and to increase CocoWalk’s health, wellness, and beauty offerings to the community,” said Michael Comras, CEO and President of The Comras Company. “Our goal with the newly renovated CocoWalk is to reinvigorate the lifestyle destination and offer a more curated experience to those who live, work, and play in Coconut Grove. These brands and our upcoming restaurant openings will further enhance the lifestyle, dining and shopping experience the new CocoWalk has to offer.”

The new retailers join an already impressive line-up of curated national, regional, and local concepts already open on property. Restaurants currently serving up delicious eats at CocoWalk include PLANTA Queen, Mister 01Extraordinary Pizza, Sweetgreen, and Salt & Straw. Businesses currently providing unique retail offerings and other services include Bluemercury, FP Movement, Edward Beiner, Europann, Edite Mode, Late Night Gypsy, The Spot Barbershop, and School of Rock. 

The Residences at Uptown Boca Trades For $230 Million In Florida's Largest Multifamily Deal In 2021

The developers of Uptown Boca, Boca Raton’s first new retail and Class-A multifamily project to open in West Boca Raton in over 20 years, have sold The Residences at Uptown Boca to the Atlanta-based multifamily real estate investment, development and management company, Cortland for $230 million. The project was developed by Giles Capital Group, Rosemurgy Properties and Schmier Property Group, in partnership with Wheelock Street Capital. This transaction marks Florida’s largest multifamily deal in 2021 and the highest price per square foot for a garden-style product in Florida, to date. Cushman & Wakefield’s South Florida Multifamily Institutional Properties Group, led by Robert Given, Zach Sackley, Troy Ballard and Neal Victor, brokered the transaction.

“As lifelong Boca Raton residents and local developers, it has been truly special to create such a unique project for our local community. Our team devoted countless hours and meticulous attention to detail in developing what we consider to be one of South Florida’s premier mixed-use communities,” said Alex Rosemurgy, CEO of Rosemurgy Properties. “The Residences at Uptown Boca provides an unparalleled living experience that includes best-in-class amenities and a carefully curated restaurant and retail component just steps from our residents’ front door. Our lease-up success represents the distinct quality of the project in the South Florida market.”

The Residences at Uptown Boca, which opened in 2020, is a seven-building multifamily development managed by Park Partners Residential. Offering 456 Class-A luxury rental apartments, the development features one, two, three and four-bedroom units ranging in size from 718 SF to 1,737 SF. Just steps from The Residences, Uptown Boca’s retail component provides 179,000 SF of shops and fifteen different dining retailers. The developers of the project will remain the owners of the retail component of Uptown Boca.

"We have experienced incredible leasing performance as demand for high quality apartments in south Florida has never been higher. Our leasing team did a phenomenal job in getting the property leased up in record time, and as a result the Uptown Boca ownership team determined that this is the right time to sell," said Rick Giles, president of Giles Capital Group. "We have made every effort to create great experiences for our residential and retail customers, and we wish continued success to the new owners of this unique development."

Located at 9560 Glades Road on the corner of Glades Road and 95th Avenue South, just east of US441/SR7, Uptown Boca is a 38-acre project bringing a curated “shop, dine, live” experience to the area. The development provides residents with walkability to dining, entertainment and living options all within one vibrant local destination.

“The sale of The Residences of Uptown Boca culminates years of planning and execution by our partners Giles Capital, Rosemurgy Properties and Schmier Property Group. We are extremely proud of the community they have developed and the results for our investors,” said Hunter Jones, Principal for Wheelock Street Capital.

The Residences at Uptown Boca offers a number of amenities including a 24-hour fitness center with TRX and an indoor/outdoor CrossFit area, a yoga, spin and stretching room, a 24-hour business center that includes 3 private conference rooms, and 24-hour package pick-up lockers and cold storage. The project also includes a resident theater and entertaining lounge, a kids’ gaming and activity area, rideshare pick-up lounge, 3 dog parks, as well as a soccer field and customized 9,570 SF playground.

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TriStar Capital and RAL Development Acquire Final Piece Of Wynwood Assemblage For $13 Million

David Edelstein’s TriStar Capital and RAL Development, led by Robert Levine, have closed on the final piece of their 72,000 SF Wynwood assemblage where an office campus is planned. The development partnership paid $13 million for a 31,250 SF site at 2701 NW 5th Ave., financed by a $12.1 million mortgage provided by Comerica Bank. The property currently has a 20,239 SF building that will be demolished to make way for an office campus that includes the adjacent 39,732 SF lot at 2661 NW 5th Ave. which TriStar Capital acquired in 2018 for $18 million. Combined the assemblage totals 70,932 SF and cost $31 million.

The developers are planning to build a modern, technologically advanced office campus targeted at Miami’s fast growing tech sector. The campus will feature two Arquitectonica-designed mixed-use 8-story office towers with roughly 300,000 SF of Class A office space.

Images via TriStar Capital

Multifamily Development Site For Approved M Tower Sells For $10 Million In Downtown Miami

The New York-based Lions Group has acquired a development site in Downtown Miami for $10 million which has a project known as M Tower approved to be built. M Tower is planned to rise 53-stories and offer 440-unit apartment units, located at 56 SW 1st St and 65 SW 2nd Street. Colliers' Urban Core Division Executive Managing Director Mika Mattingly and Associate Cecilia Estevez represented the seller, the Aventura-based S2 Development, and EP Realty’s Estrella Perez represented the buyer, Lions Group, in the transaction.

“The downtown Miami market has never been more active than it is right now,” Mattingly said. “This market is poised to see the largest influx of investors ever from other states and this transaction highlights that trend. New York-based Downtown 1st Street LLC’s purchase of this development site proves that the migration from the Northeast has only accelerated as the vibrant downtown neighborhood continues to evolve.”

M Tower will consist of 622,783 SF of gross building area, with 25,732 SF of office space and 1,089 SF of retail. The development site also includes a parking garage owned by the Miami Parking Authority (MPA), located at 70 SW 1st St. The 16,718 SF site includes air rights, waivers, and the ability to build residential units over the adjacent parking garage. The proposed units are targeted toward students and young professionals looking for a connected urban experience, currently the largest market of downtown residents.

The project has Urban Development Review Board (UDRB) approval, which it obtained through an extensive RFP process. The entitlement provides additional air rights, waivers, and the ability to construct a residential tower over the adjacent Miami Parking Authority (MPA) garage.

Downtown Miami continues to experience robust demand as it attracts a younger, wealthier and more educated population. Downtown is the largest employment center in Miami-Dade, with more than 175,000 employees and a day-time population of 235,000. The city is home to the highest concentration of banks and financial institutions outside of Manhattan, and tourism is at an all-time high with more than 6 million visitors per year. M Tower stands to benefit from the area’s rapid population growth. Since 2010, the population of Downtown Miami has increased approximately 52% and is expected to increase another 16% by 2024.

Beach Towing Purchases Sunset Harbour Commercial Property For $6.5 Million

Longtime Sunset Harbour tenant Beach Towing has acquired a commercial property South Beach’s Sunset Harbour neighborhood for $6.5 million. The property is located at 1349 Dade Boulevard in Miami Beach and consists of a 2,600 SF building and a 17,932 SF lot.

The transaction was overseen by Colliers Urban Core Division led by Colliers' Executive Managing Director Mika Mattingly and Associate Cecilia Estevez, who represented the seller Festa Family Trust. Eric A. Gonzalez of Roca Gonzalez, P.A. was legal counsel representing the Festa Family Trust in the sale of the property.

“Sunset Harbour has undergone an incredible transformation,” said Mattingly. “This is the first neighborhood I farmed, selling a good chunk of the market’s available land at the time. The area has exploded with development since then.”

Beach Towing has operated an automobile storage and towing company at the property since 1986. The towing company began operations when the property was within an Intensive Commercial District (C-6), which grandfathered the company in when the zoning was changed three years later to Commercial Medium Intensity (C-5). Beach Towing operates as a legal, non-conforming business.

Sunset Harbour has been one of South Florida’s most in-demand neighborhoods in Miami. Miami Beach developer Ronny Finvarb recently acquired a 10,200 SF Sunset Harbour site at 1790 Alton Road for $4 million. Down the road Eighteen Sunset, a mixed-use residential and commercial building featuring office space and an ultra-luxury penthouse, is currently being developed by Deco Capital Group.

Modern Chinese Dinner Club Concept Jia Opens in Miami Beach's South of Fifth Neighborhood

A brand new modern Chinese Dinner Club bringing elevated Cantonese-style cuisine and eclectic elegance has opened in Miami Beach’s South of Fifth neighborhood in South Beach. Led by local restaurant veteran and hospitality entrepreneur, Ken Ray, Jia, is the first concept to introduce elevated Chinese cuisine to the area, spearheaded by award-winning internationally renowned Executive Chef Weng Choon “William” Lai, with notable expertise in the Modern Cantonese Culinary Arts. Jia extends the ultimate upscale South Beach dining and nightlife experience, in a relaxed and welcoming setting that fuses high-style design with an edgy yet sophisticated ambiance.

“We are beyond thrilled to finally be able to open the doors to Jia and bring such a unique experience to the South of Fifth area – a genuine synergistic fit,” says Ken Ray, Owner of Jia. “From the very start, we let the neighborhood and space dictate the Jia concept. The South of Fifth community has the heart of a small island in the Pacific, and the vibrancy of an exceedingly electric city. There couldn’t be a more ideal spot for Jia’s introduction in Miami.”

Jia’s menu presents an elevated combination of authentic Cantonese-style Chinese dishes with a contemporary spin on the classics, that exudes an elegant fusion of ingredients and flavor profiles. The restaurant’s executive chef, Weng Choon "Wiliam" Lai, has earned him many awards, including the Gold Award at the Chinese Cuisine World Championship Competition (2016), the Gold Award at the 19th FHC China International Culinary Arts Competition (2017), and the Asian Gourmet Chef Individual Special Gold Award (2017). Having held lead roles in multiple prestigious restaurants in Beijing, Thailand, Cambodia, and Macau, including the Michelin guide-listed Pak Loh Chiu Chow restaurant in Macau, Jai’s culinary focus is poised to raise the bar for modern Chinese cuisine standards, beyond that of just South Beach.

One of Jia’s standout dishes is Chef’s Master Char Siew, an iconic honey-roasted pork dish representative of authentic Chinese BBQ culture, that has long been a staple of tradition in Chef Weng Choon’s hometown. Chef adds his own creative take to the dish by infusing white wine as the star ingredient, to replace the norm Chinese Rice Wine.

There is also a specialty late-night menu available Thursdays through Saturdays, from 11PM-1AM, featuring a diverse selection of delicious bites such as Edamame Dumplings, Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken, Prawn Siew Mai, and many more.

“Jia’s menu fuses authentic Chinese delicacies with a contemporary twist that emboldens each dish with a variety of seasonings and spices to create that strong depth of flavor,” says Chef Weng Choon “William” Lai, Executive Chef of Jia. “It’s a really exciting menu that doesn’t fall short on offerings for guests to enjoy from Jia’s Crispy Mushroom Salad, to Black Truffle Sticky Rice, Short Rib Dumplings, Pekin Duck, Alaska Crab Cream Egg, and so much more!”

Jia’s cocktail program is led by acclaimed local bartender and internationally-recognized Bartender of the Year Finalist at the 2013 United States Bartenders’ Guild and DIAGEO World Class U.S. Bartender Competition, Michael Parish. Having worked alongside some of the city’s top bartenders at two of Miami’s local’s favorite establishments, Broken Shaker and Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Co., Parish has designed a uniquely elevated cocktail menu to perfectly complement Jia’s signature Chinese cuisine.

One of the menu’s headliner cocktails is the delicately crafted Jungle Bird, made with Baijiu, Mezcal, Strawberry-Infused Apertivo, Grilled Pineapple, and Fresh Lime. Guests can also look forward to a tableside cocktail service and an extensive champagne pairing program, available by the glass and bottle.

Jia’s ambiance embodies the playfully polished vibe of its South of Fifth neighborhood home, with a design that reflects Jia’s bold personality and inherent cultural definition of appreciation and affection. An inspired fusion of Chinese, Art Deco, and Tropical Flair, merge to emit a high-energy spirit that reflects edgy modern elegance throughout the 2,500 sqft. space. International design consultation firm, Casa Conde & Associates, worked hand-in-hand with Jia’s founder, Ken Ray, to conceptualize every minute detail of the venue, from the Chiang Mai Dragon veiled walls to the rustic natural wood accents and focal bamboo chandeliers.

At the middle of the dining room area lies an inviting 12 person seated wrap-around marble bar. Here, Ray tapped famed Miami Ink tattoo artists, Ami James and Morgan Pennypacker to create custom hand-painted Asian tattoo-styled murals to complement the bar’s Raffia backdrop adorned with vibrant detailed Chinoiserie decorative art.

The restaurant features a glamorously decorated private dining lounge and spacious outside dining patio. The private lounge area/dining room lives in the back of the restaurant, with seating for up to 25 guests, offering a closed-off space for exclusive dinner parties and elevated entertainment scheduling such as Karaoke night, which will soon roll out as one of Jia’s weekly night programs.

Jia is located at 808 1st St. in Miami Beach.

Images via World Red Eye/ Seth Browernik

One Of The Largest Multifamily Portfolio's Assembled In Miami's Little Haiti Trades For $11.6 Million In Off-Market Transaction

One of the largest multifamily portfolios ever assembled and sold in Miami’s fast-growing Little Haiti neighborhood has sold for $11.6 million. Secamar LLC sold Buena Vista Gardens, the 89-unit portfolio at 5601 NW First Ave., to Bowery Properties, led by Thomas Neary. The transaction was overseen by DWNTWN Realty Advisors Executive Skyler Marinoff who represented both the buyer and seller in the off-market transaction. City National Bank provided acquisition financing to the buyer which closed on July 23.

“I am thrilled to complete this transaction, which underscores our firm’s creativity, strong relationships and role as a market leader,” Marinoff said. “Little Haiti is seeing significant multifamily investment activity in conjunction with the neighborhood’s overall expansion. Large-scale development in the pipeline for Little Haiti and surrounding neighborhoods will further fuel investor interest.”

Singapore-Based PRIME US REIT Acquires One Town Center Office In Boca Raton For $99.5 Million

The Singapore-based Prime US REIT has acquired the One Town Center office building in Boca Raton for $99.5 million. The sale price equates to $520 PSF and a 5.8% CAP rate. The seller was a joint venture between the buildings developer, the Boca Raton-based CP Group, who is the property manager and developed the building under their former name Crocker Partners, and New York City-based Siguler Guff & Co. CP Group was represented in the transaction by CBRE Vice Chairman Chris Lee, EVP José Lobón, VP Amy Julian, financial analyst Andrew Chilgren, and associate Royce Rose. The California-based KBS assisted the buyer in procuring the deal.

CP Group will continue to manage the property which was over 95% leased at the time of sale. Prime US REIT plans to renovate the common areas, lobby and restrooms.

One Town Center is a 191,294 SF office building developed in 1991 by Thomas Crocker. and located at 5355 Town Center Road. It last traded in 2014 for $81 million but was only 34% occupied at the time of sale. One Town Center rises 10-stories and features 709-parking spaces along with tenant amenities which include a café, restaurant, full security system, balcony access and a fitness center.

Image via CP Group

Brightline Reveals New Renderings of Recently Approved Boca Raton Brightline Station

Brightline continues to cement their expansion connecting South Florida by rail after Boca Raton’s Planning and Zoning Board approved the proposed design for the Boca Raton Brightline Station. Brightline revealed new renderings of the station where preliminary work on the site is already underway. Construction on a community garden and temporary parking lot which will enable construction of the station are expected to be completed by August 2021. The project will have to go through a final vote by the Boca Raton City Council in August and a request for proposals will be issued to contractors for the station in the near future.

The Federal Railroad Administration is planning to award $16.5 million towards construction of the project. On July 7, 2021 a pre-award approval was issued to Brightline to begin to purchase materials for the project.