Construction Powering Forward At Finvarb Group's Thompson Hotel South Beach

Construction is powering forward at Thompson Hotel South Beach which is being developed by Finvarb Group, led by Ronny Finvarb, and Chahine Investment Corp. The mixed-use project is designed by world-renowned French architect Rudy Ricciotti and is being developed on a .7 acre site at 1685 Washington Ave. When complete the building will feature a 150-room hotel which will be branded as a Thompson Hotel by Hyatt, with a rooftop restaurant and pool deck, as well as ground-floor retail.

In late May the project secured $44.6 million in construction financing. Since securing the financing construction teams have passed the 5th floor for the building which will rise 8-stories when complete. Ortega is the general contractor.

In addition to the Thompson and other projects in different stages, Finvarb Group owns 13 hotels and restaurants in Florida, Texas and Arizona, including the Kimpton Palomar South Beach and Osteria Morini, the Residence Inn by Marriott South Beach, and the Courtyard by Marriott South Beach, which they developed. In Miami, Finvarb Group also owns the Landon Bay Harbor boutique hotel, including The Palm restaurant, which they acquired for $10 million in November 2021.

Chahine Investment Corp. is a family office subsidiary managed by Agathe Chahine that focuses its investments on office buildings, luxury hotels with the historic Palacio Ludovice in Lisbon that just opened, private equity, and financial markets.

THE SOUTH BEACH SEAFOOD FESTIVAL CELEBRATES THEIR 10TH ANNIVERSARY

South Florida’s highly anticipated South Beach Seafood Festival is back for its 10th anniversary with a celebration that is gearing up to be the best yet with special programming, including a $10,000 chef prize and popular live musical guests. From Wednesday, October 19 through Saturday, October 22, the four-day festival is a curated culinary showcase that couples South Florida’s bounty of seafood with the region’s most notable chefs and restaurants.

The South Beach Seafood Festival, which also kicks off Miami Beach’s famed stone crab season, consists of four separate ticketed events taking place throughout the week. The festival begins on Wednesday, October 19th with “An Evening at Joe’s Stone Crab.” The already-sold-out five-course meal showcases Executive Chef Andre Bienvenue’s cuisine paired with fine wines curated by master sommeliers.

Next up, “Crabs, Slabs & Cabs,” takes place the following evening and offers a formal sit-down, five-course dinner highlighting ‘Surf n’ Turf’ reimagined by some of the Magic City’s leading chefs. The event is hosted by GOYA Foods’ Executive Chef Fernando Desa and includes participation from celebrated restaurateur and Pubbelly Sushi partner José Mendín; Fiola Miami’s Executive Chef Danny Ganem; Meat Market Executive Chef and Owner Sean Brasel; and a final chef to be announced on July 1st. On Friday evening, the gloves come off as 16 of Miami’s top chefs go head-to-head in eight competitive seafood rounds during the annually sold out “Chef Showdown,” coined the ultimate beach bash on South Beach.

To commemorate the festival’s 10-year anniversary, one participating chef with the most points of the night will take home a grand prize of $10,000. The series of nightly events builds up to the main celebration, the “South Beach Seafood Festival,” an all-day affair taking place on Saturday, October 22, showcasing a selection of pop-up-cafés by prominent South Florida restaurants, complimentary open bar stations, and packed with live musical performances, interactive experiences, and much more for guests to enjoy.

“It’s a momentous 10-year celebration for the South Beach Seafood Festival, and we are grateful for the opportunity to continue to support and shine a spotlight on South Florida’s talented chefs and restaurant community every year,” said Valerie Roy, Director of Marketing and Client Strategy at CI Management, the team behind the South Beach Seafood Festival. “We are amplifying our programming and doing things in a more significant way for year #10 to celebrate the heart of what makes South Florida a not-to-be-missed culinary destination, highlighting local culinary talent in a unique manner, adding a $10,000 prize for one lucky chef champ of our Chef Showdown event, as well as bringing in some amazing entertainment to ensure this is our best festival yet.”

Touted in previous years by USA TODAY as one of the “Top 5 Specialty Festivals in The Country;” by Forbes as the “Top 5 Things to Do This Fall;” and by the Travel Channel as the “Best Seafood Festival in the US,” the South Beach Seafood Festival is the place to be for the ultimate ‘sea foodies’. In addition to celebrating regional culinary talent, the festival annually supports CI Foundation’s EAT SMART program, a 501 ©(3) nonprofit program that provides healthy meals and nutritional guidance to the local community and Florida’s youth through programs in Miami-Dade County public schools.

Miami Restauranteur George Sezgin Opens KÓMMA Mediterranean Kitchen & Bar In Miami Beach

On July 1, 2022 Miami-based restaurateur and visionary hospitality veteran, George Sezgin, unveiled KÓMMA, a genuine Mediterranean kitchen and bar concept that is poised to bring an entirely unparalleled celebratory culinary experience to the enthusiastic Miami Beach neighborhood. ‘κόμμα’ (KÓMMA) in Ancient Greek dialect translates to: ‘celebration,’ ‘gathering,’ ‘revelry.’ The highly-anticipated dining destination will offer the ultimate extension of Mediterranean revelry, blending indulgent gastronomic excellence with joyous bespoke gatherings for friends and families alike.

“We are thrilled to share the flavors of the Mediterranean married with top-tier service to offer Miami locals and visitors alike an unforgettable experience,” says KÓMMA owner and longtime restaurateur, George Sezgin. “KÓMMA will serve as a gathering spot for families, business partners, and friends and we look forward to delivering the flavor and ambiance that makes for great memories.”

KÓMMA’s menu embraces Mediterranean provenance, fusing its influence with fresh, regional ingredients and a creative culinary approach. Diners are stimulated to savor the rich flavors of the Mediterranean from the freshly-baked, fire-roasted Greek dips (Melitzanosalata, Hummus, Tzatziki, Kommammara, Skordalia, Crete Feta, etc.) and signature Chicken Kebab, to the house-made Seafood Youvetsi, Grilled Branzino, and KÓMMA Shrimp specialties. With Chef Sebastian Forero at the heart of the kitchen, diners can anticipate unrivaled personalized service and offerings. Premium meat and fish family-style dishes (serves 4-6ppl) will be delivered and prepared tableside by Chef personally, adding to KÓMMA’s signature guest experience.

Spanning three uniquely defined spaces, KÓMMA invites guests through a sensory journey through its decadent Mediterranean dining room, intimate cocktail-driven lounge area, and delicately veiled outdoor garden oasis. The design takes its cues from European cafes and highly sought-after coastal destinations. Each space was thoughtfully designed to create the perfect spot for family gatherings, a quaint date night, brunch with friends, or a celebratory night out on the town.

Led by Jordan Cohen, KÓMMA’s not-to-be-missed cocktail program is tailored to indulge each guest’s individual palate. The playfully flavor-focussed yet sophisticated cocktail menu highlights specialty favorites such as the KÓMMA Salud; Tequila, jalapenos syrup, mango puree, and lemon juice, Nona Moves to Miami; Olive oil infused Vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, balsamic vinegar, basil leaf, strawberry, and soda, and A Smokey Lemonade; Mezcal, lemon juice, simple syrup, amaro, grapefruit juice, spiced bitter, to name a few. The ambiance encompassed by KÓMMA’s uniquely devised indoor/outdoor venue lends to the perfect spot for guests looking for a delectable pre-dinner or pre-night out on the town cocktail at the bar, in the restaurant’s lounge area, or within the dim-lighted garden courtyard.

KÓMMA is located at 560 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139. Restaurant hours of operation are as follows: Monday-Sunday, 12:00PM - 12:00AM.

Miami Developer Gregg Covin Announces Plans For Fairmont Hotel Branded Residences

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, part of world leading hospitality group Accor, in partnership with Gregg Covin, notable Miami real estate developer, announced the signing of definitive agreements for the development and management of the first luxury branded residential offering in the Blue Ridge Mountain region of North Carolina - Fairmont Heritage Place - The Cedars, Hendersonville. Set to debut in 2025, the residences will build upon The Cedars’ legacy as a significant landmark while ushering in a new era of contemporary design, outstanding amenities and engaging service infused with local culture and premier hospitality.

Fairmont Heritage Place - The Cedars, Hendersonville will join an exclusive collection of extraordinary Fairmont-branded residences worldwide, offering private ownership with the option to participate in a rental program. Owners will enjoy all the benefits of owning a home with singular access to luxurious amenities and world-class services at Fairmont’s legendary hotels and resorts.

“We are pleased to announce the addition of Fairmont Heritage Place - The Cedars, Hendersonville, the first Fairmont-branded residences in North Carolina. For over a century, Fairmont has been intrinsically tied to the communities the brand calls home and committed to the stewardship of landmark hotels, restoring and preserving historic buildings with great care,” said Heather McCrory, CEO, Accor North & Central America. “A rare opportunity to own a piece of one of the Blue Ridge Mountain region’s most celebrated national buildings, The Cedars will be the most luxurious branded residential offering in the state. We are proud to add The Cedars iconic landmark to our rapidly growing luxury portfolio and continue its legacy for years to come.”

Fairmont Heritage Place – The Cedars, Hendersonville, a 127-unit luxury residential community, is set to transform the mountain city that has become the preferred second-home destination for generations of South Floridians and Northeasterners, due to its central East Coast setting and friendly outdoor culture. The 3.55-acre development includes a magnificent restoration of the original Antebellum grand hotel, which sits on the National Register of Historic Places, as the focal point. Two new six-story, mid-rise buildings will be comprised of studios, 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units and stunning penthouses, all with sprawling terraces and impressive mountain views. Prices are expected to range from USD $400,000 to USD $3.8 million.

The Cedars hotel was originally built in 1914 in Neo-Classical Revival style for Jeannie Bailey, whose husband, railroad tycoon J.W. Bailey, headed Southern Railway at the time. Just a few years prior, Theresa Fair Oelrichs and her sister, Virginia Fair Vanderbilt, debuted the first Fairmont hotel in San Francisco in honor of Nevada Senator and mining magnate, James Graham Fair. The historic similarities made for a harmonious union between The Cedars and Fairmont brand.

In 1976, the property was acquired by Clifton Shipman, great grandfather of Gregg Covin’s children. Covin began exploring the property’s potential in 2018 and has since partnered with the Shipman family and Brian M. Gaines to make his vision a reality.

“My family grew up at The Cedars and there is no better time to welcome the next generation to discover and feel at home in Hendersonville. Fairmont brings decades of experience restoring historic properties to their former grandeur and will deliver a level of sophistication the market has been waiting for while complementing the region’s inviting culture,” said Gregg Covin, Developer. “Fairmont Heritage Place - The Cedars responds to increasing desires for second-home ownership in Western North Carolina. Market studies show less than two months’ supply of available housing inventory, with demand outnumbering supply”.

The property will bring a new level of luxury, unforgettable experiences and outstanding service to the Blue Ridge Mountain region known for its beautiful scenery, rich culture and history, and welcoming community. Situated two blocks from the historic Main Street, the residences will be the new home to many of the area’s five-star amenities, offering an exceptional cuisine and beverage program appealing to owners, guests and locals, including a signature restaurant, a lobby bar and a specialty café. Additional property features will include flexible meeting and events space; an expansive wellness center with spa, multiple swimming pools and fitness center; a cooking school; a multifunctional family room; and retail space. Residents and guests have access to nearby private club with Tom Fazio-designed Champion Hills Golf Club. All of the area’s popular destinations are located within a 30 minute radius of Hendersonville, including Downtown Asheville, The Biltmore Mansion, the Asheville Regional Airport, the Blue Ridge Parkway and both Pisgah National and Dupont State Forests.

In addition to onsite privileges, Fairmont-branded residence owners are invited to join the Accor Ownership Benefits Program, presenting them with an invitation to join Diamond status in ALL-Accor Live Limitless, with access to a VIP reservation desk, and special residence owner rates at more than 5,000 Accor hotels and resorts worldwide.

Established in 1907, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has built beacons of hospitality, magnificent architecture and service in extraordinary destinations; playing a significant role in shaping the social fabric of each location. Renowned for creating unforgettable grand hotels and residences in the heart of each destination, Fairmont was a natural match to continue the next era in The Cedars’ longstanding history. With more than 80 locations around the globe, and several under development, the Fairmont brand boasts some of the most renowned hotel and residential addresses in the world, such as The Plaza, a Fairmont Managed Hotel in New York City, The Savoy in London, Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont Banff Springs in Canada, Fairmont Heritage Place Mayakoba in Mexico, and the recently reimagined Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles, among others.

Fairmont is part of Accor, the second-largest operator of luxury hotels in North America and a leading hospitality group worldwide. Fairmont Heritage Place - The Cedars, Hendersonville joins an expanding list of highly anticipated openings in Accor North & Central America’s growing portfolio, including Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo Panama in 2022, Raffles Boston Back Bay Hotel & Residences in 2023, Fairmont La Paz Puerta Cortés Resort and Residences in 2023, Mayaliah Tulum Hotel & Residences – MGallery Hotel Collection in 2024, Fairmont Orlando and Fairmont Phoenix in 2025, among others.

PMG and Greybrook Launch The Elser Hotel & Residences In Downtown Miami

National investment and development firm PMG (Property Markets Group), alongside Toronto-based real estate private equity firm Greybrook, have launched The Elser Hotel & Residences, a 49-story new construction luxury condominium located at 398 NE 5th St. The newly completed tower offers 646 fully furnished residences, over 19,000 square feet of curated amenities and 5,000 square feet of prime retail space. PMG Residential is the exclusive sales team for the property, with residences priced from the $600Ks or the equivalent cryptocurrency exchange rate.

“Downtown Miami is the city’s most desirable location for luxury real estate, resulting in high levels of demand met with record-low inventory,” said Ryan Shear, Managing Partner of PMG. “On the heels of an incredible response to our recent pre-construction developments, Waldorf Astoria Residences Miami and E11EVEN Hotel & Residences, PMG continues to meet the demands of Miami’s evolving real estate market by now delivering a new, move-in-ready luxury residential tower to the heart of Downtown with The Elser Hotel & Residences.” Contributing to its growth, Miami has also experienced a flurry of notable corporate relocations from prominent financial institutions over the past two years including Citadel, Blackstone and Thoma Bravo, among others.

Offering sweeping views of Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline, The Elser Hotel & Residences Miami is designed by Sieger Suarez Architects with interior architecture and design by Cotofana Designs. The fully-furnished residences range from studios to three-bedrooms spanning 404 to 1307 square feet. Managed by industry-leading management company Highgate, the property will allow owners to enter a short-term rental program with daily rental options through The Elser Hotel & Residences Owners Program.

“With historically low resale inventories and long lead times for new projects under development to be completed, we are very excited to be launching The Elser Hotel & Residences Miami, together with PMG, in order to capture the strong demand for move-in ready residences in the Downtown Miami market,” said Peter Politis, CEO of Greybrook Realty Partners. “The short-term rental optionality available to owners, coupled with the high caliber of finishes and offerings, will continue to serve the city as it experiences a population, tourism and corporate relocation boom.”

Amenities at The Elser Hotel & Residences include a double-level amenity deck spanning over 19,000 square feet which overlooks Downtown Miami and Biscayne Bay, a 132-foot resort-style pool with private lounge areas and a 16-foot poolside screening LED wall. Additional amenities include co-working spaces, oversized modern gyms and fitness studios with frequent group classes, multiple lounges, smart package lockers, bike storage facilities, and a yoga lawn overlooking Biscayne Bay, among others. The property will include a new lobby cocktail bar and restaurant by the creators of Jaguar Sun as well as a coffee lounge by Cafe Domino.

For more information about The Elser Hotel & Residences, private showings or purchasing/ leasing information please fill out the form below:

The Standard Residences, Midtown Miami Now 70% Reserved, Hosts Cocktail Celebration At Sugarcane

The Standard Residences, Midtown Miami is now 70% reserved and celebrated in style overlooking the building’s future site from SUGARCCANE raw bar grill. The exclusive cocktail event was hosted by developer Carlos Rosso, Urban Robot Associates’ Giancarlo Pietri and Naturalficial’s Andres Arcila, showcasing the energy, culture, community and style that The Standard brand is known for. The evening was attended by top real estate and hospitality leaders in Miami who enjoyed The Standard’s custom cocktails, sushi and hors d'oeuvres.

The Standard Residences, Midtown Miami is the first true pied-à-terre-style project to be developed in Miami. The project is being developed by hospitality and real estate pioneers Standard International and Rosso Development, in collaboration with Midtown Development. The 12-story property blends culture, community and style with the world-class design, amenities and service that The Standard brand is known for–which to date has only been available at its hotels.

Located in the heart of Midtown, Miami’s most walkable neighborhood, the building is centrally positioned between The Design District and Wynwood and will feature 228 pied-à-terre-style residences ranging from studios to two bedrooms. The Standard Residences, Midtown Miami has tapped the industry’s best talent for this debut, including architecture by award-winning Arquitectonica, interiors by Urban Robot, and Naturalficial for landscape design.

In step with other Standard properties, residents will enjoy thoughtfully designed social spaces and amenities spanning 34,000 square feet across five floors including a lushly landscaped rooftop with a 60-foot, resort-style sunset pool, and signature rooftop restaurant and bar reminiscent of the vibe The Standard pioneered from LA to New York to London. Wellness offerings include a state-of-the-art sweat room and fitness center, an infrared sauna, an indoor pickleball court, and yoga and stretch studios. A social floor features a karaoke bar and screening room, while co-working spaces include a private boardroom and zoom rooms. A pet spa rounds out The Standard Residences’ anything but standard amenity package. Residents will also gain access to The Standard’s “Friends with Benefits” program, which earns them preferred pricing at all The Standard hotel properties around the world.

First Look Inside MAJOR, Major Food Group and JDS Development's Residential And Hospitality Supertall Tower Coming To Brickell

Major Food Group (MFG) and JDS Development Group (JDS) have revealed the first images of MAJOR, the highly anticipated 90-story residential and hospitality tower, located at 888 Brickell Avenue. MAJOR will feature 259 custom residences conceived as fully hybrid layouts. Each Major Residence is designed to enable the seamless conversions into Major rooms and suites for guests while offering the most robust collection of food and beverage amenities and hospitality of any building in Miami.

A unified vision of four industry titans, Major Food Group, JDS Development, Studio Sofield, and Ken Fulk, MAJOR ushers in an unprecedented chapter of lifestyle-driven hospitality and exceptional residential design for Miami. The first ground-up, hybrid hotel and luxury condominium project from MFG, MAJOR is led by creative forces and Co-Founders Mario Carbone, Jeff Zalaznick, and Rich Torrisi, the team behind some of America’s most celebrated restaurants. The group is partnering with JDS Development Group, led by Chief Executive and Founder Michael Stern, the powerhouse developer and builder responsible for some of the most dynamic new skyscrapers in New York City and Miami.

Rising high above the recent renaissance of development in Brickell, the striking and bold MAJOR will soar to an impressive 1,049 feet tall—marking a new record height for Miami. The tower, designed by William Sofield, features an elegant and restrained façade of ivory travertine and high-gloss steel columns to express enduring weight and substance while giving a defined graphic, vertical appearance, setting it far apart from its glass and stucco neighbors. The notable crown is wrapped with a filigree of gold spheres and punctuated by extraordinary sculptures in the manner of Italian Futurism on each corner.

“MAJOR is remarkable,” stated Michael Stern, Founder & CEO of JDS Development Group. “This is the tallest, the most brilliantly designed, the best-in-class hospitality experience, with the best club, in the best city in the world.”

In a grand architectural gesture of artistry and craft, the porte cochere welcomes with an exuberant Gatsby-level energy and delight. Just off the corner of Brickell Avenue and 10th Street, residents and guests will arrive into a world trimmed in gold leaf and clad in monolithic slabs of travertine, paired with exquisite MFG hospitality and white glove service. Overhead, a grand gold-beaded screen emits a deep, warm glow—a signature beacon for the building. The tower celebrates the optimism of creativity and culture and elevates the inclusive spirit of Miami.

Each of the furnished residences in the condo-hotel, ranging from 1-to 4 bedrooms, is designed with custom furniture by Studio Sofield. The plans enable Major residences to seamlessly transform into rooms and suites for guests. Conceived as fully hybrid layouts, each Major Residence utilizes a “lockout” function, which allows for simple conversions between a private residence, suite, and/or guest room. In addition to this elegant solution for flexible living spaces, the excitement builds in the details and art, reflecting the mood of the city, the light, and the climate. With sophisticated internationalism and fantasy in mind, spaces such as the deep private terraces acknowledge shadow and shade, and still echo the expansive views of water and sky through the reflective sparkle of materials.

“With MAJOR, we honor the cultural heritage of this magnificent city, from the seductive to the sublime,” says tower designer William Sofield of Studio Sofield. “I am creating a tower that identifies with the hope and aspiration of those who live here, distinguished for quality craftmanship, contributing to the beauty of the skyline. I want to celebrate this sexy City with an indulgent swim in the only silver and gold pool in Miami.”

In signature MFG style, the project will offer impeccable service and unapologetically comfortable amenities as part of its creed to Live Major. With Studio Sofield and Fulk, Major Food Group and JDS Development conceived, designed, and programmed every inch of the 115,000 square feet of amenities throughout the property. The Food & Beverage program will include signature MFG brands and hospitality spaces and entirely new concepts exclusive to Major and feature the design of Ken Fulk. Spread over eight floors, Major will also feature amenities focused on entertaining, sports, leisure, wellness and fitness.

“The idea is to just show up, and everything is taken care of,” explains Jeff Zalaznick, MFG Co-Founder. “From the moment you wake up to the moment you go to sleep, every whim and desire is anticipated.”

MAJOR Residents will automatically become founding members of the exclusive Club onsite. The Club includes the elegantly designed Pool deck, an 80’ multi-level, terrazzo-clad sun deck and oasis, with private cabanas and poolside service through a signature Major Food Group restaurant.

Major marks a milestone in the evolution of Major Food Group, which currently operates a global portfolio of over thirty restaurants, hotels, and private clubs. MFG established roots in South Florida in 2021 with several smash successes: CARBONE and HaSalon in the South of Fifth neighborhood, Sadelle’s in Coconut Grove, the private membership venue ZZ’s Club in the Miami Design District, and the recently-opened Dirty French Steakhouse in Brickell. MFG will launch a range of additional projects in the region in the coming year, including several outposts of the brunch institution Sadelle’s. MFG will oversee all branding and hospitality programming at Major and operate the hotel.

Fulk, a longtime MFG collaborator, will be responsible for the food, beverage, and hospitality spaces at Major. Fulk has designed such atmospheric spaces as Carbone and ZZ’s Club in Miami and the new Crown Club at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, among other exceptional experiences for the swiftly expanding MFG brand family.

MFG’s sophistication and reputation for unparalleled food and beverage experiences combined with JDS’s track record for confident, monumental design of quality and craftsmanship, sets the stage for a project of perfectly-dialed maximalism. This is JDS Development Group’s fifth supertall skyscraper and a third project in the Brickell neighborhood. Composed of a team of innovators and builders, JDS is no stranger to large-scale urban development and constantly pushes the boundaries of design, gracing the new skyline as often as they add to the fabric of the city. JDS also co-developed the record-breaking Echo Brickell condominium project and recently broke ground on the large-scale mixed-use 1 Southside Park in Brickell.

For more information about MAJOR, private showings or purchasing/ leasing information please fill out the form below:

Hyatt and Gencom Propose Arquitectonica-Designed Mixed-Use Redevelopment To Activate Downtown Miami Riverfront

Hyatt has teamed up with Miami-based luxury hospitality and residential developer Gencom, with the goal of redeveloping Downtown Miami’s iconic Hyatt Regency Miami, improving access in and out of the urban core, and activating a key piece of Miami’s riverfront. The Hyatt and Gencom venture is proposing a privately funded redevelopment that will comprise a reimagined upscale Hyatt Regency hotel with 615 hotel rooms and premium meeting space, more than 1,500 residential apartments, and open-air public space along the Miami River.

The proposed development seeks to amend and restate the ground lease that ushered in development of the existing Hyatt hotel in the early 1980s to include, without limitation, an extension of the lease renewal term from 45 to 99 years. This summer, Hyatt and Gencom will ask the City of Miami Commission to place a referendum on the November 2022 ballot asking voters to approve the revised ground lease and the proposed development. If approved by a majority of voters, construction on the Hyatt Regency Miami site is expected to begin in 2025.

“The City of Miami had the foresight to designate this property for an upscale hotel and meeting complex that would establish Downtown Miami as a hub for tourism, business and major events. In the four decades since, Hyatt Regency Miami and the James L. Knight Center have helped fuel downtown’s rise as a thriving hospitality, residential and commercial district,” says Phil Keb, Executive Vice President of Development at Gencom. “Our team’s privately financed upgrades will help ensure the Hyatt hotel site remains a critical economic engine for decades to come, while unlocking benefits in the form of new public space along the Riverwalk, improved access, upscale housing, and increased revenue for the city.”

Designed by Miami-based Arquitectonica, plans for the site include three towers offering residents and hotel guests panoramic views of Downtown Miami and Biscayne Bay. Towers one and two, rising 61-stories, will include 682 multifamily apartments, a 615-room Hyatt Regency with over 100,000 square feet of meeting space, and 264 serviced apartments. The towers will be linked at the top by a Skybridge featuring an upscale destination restaurant and lounge perched 700 feet over the city. Tower three, which is anticipated to include 860 residential apartments, will become one of the tallest buildings in South Florida.

“The Downtown area where Hyatt Regency Miami is located represents a nexus between the Brickell Financial District and the Central Business District, and it sits at a vital entry point for many people entering the urban core,” adds Bernardo Fort Brescia of Arquitectonica. “Redeveloping this land is an opportunity to rethink the way people will access this site over future decades – by foot, bike, train, car, and boat. The new vision for this development will enhance the flow in and out of Downtown and create vital public space along the Miami River, which is growing in importance as more people take residence in the neighborhood.”

“This proposed redevelopment represents a strategic opportunity to thoughtfully reinvest in the Downtown Miami community, which we have proudly been a part of since Hyatt Regency Miami opened its doors in 1982,” said Pete Sears, Americas group president, Hyatt. “With Gencom, we remain committed to pursuing redevelopment plans that add value to the Miami community and demonstrate care for our guests, colleagues and customers.”

The development’s planned multifamily and hotel components will meet growing demand among new residents and visitors. Downtown Miami currently attracts six million visitors each year, more than 120,000 people now call the district home, and the neighborhood’s existing base of residential apartments is approximately 95 percent occupied, according to the Miami Downtown Development Authority.

The three towers will sit atop a podium structure housing 190,000 square feet of Class A meeting space, representing a 50 percent expansion of the capacity currently available within the James L. Knight Center. The podium will include 12,000 square feet of space designated for food and beverage and retail uses, 1,100 parking spaces, as well as 20,000 square feet of coworking space. Outside, over 50,000 square feet of new public space will connect the Miami riverfront with family-friendly dining options located within the development.

In reconfiguring the existing site, the venture plans to improve access in and out of the property. A large arrival and drop-off area within the development’s footprint will alleviate vehicular congestion on surrounding streets. The development will complete a key portion of the long-anticipated Miami Riverwalk, creating a riverfront promenade spanning more than 480 feet in length. These improvements will create seamless connectivity with Biscayne Bay and Bayfront Park to the east, as well as the Metromover’s Riverwalk station to the west. An improved pedestrian bridge will offer residents, guests, and meeting attendees direct, covered connectivity to the Metromover’s Knight Center Station. Four zones within the site will be designated for bike parking. Additionally, the team is exploring further activation of a ferry dock along the riverfront which is presently used by a water ferry service between Downtown Miami and Miami Beach.

Renderings via Arquitectonica

The term “Hyatt” is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and/or one or more of its affiliates. The term “Gencom” is used in this release for convenience to refer to Gencom and/or one or more of its affiliates.

Owner Of The Versace Mansion Acquires 1930's Era Miami Beach Boutique Hotel For $6 Million

The Nakash family, owner of several Art Deco hotels and South Beach’s former Versace Mansion, has acquired a 1930’s era boutique hotel located at 1350 Collins Ave. in Miami Beach. Renowned architect Wallace Tutt, who designed the Versace Mansion a few blocks away, also designed the building’s three villas. The 6,340-square-foot boutique hotel is in the middle of South Beach’s hottest resort district. The transaction was overseen by Lee & Associates South Florida President Matthew Rotolante and Associate Rodrigo Calderon and closed on April 28.

Originally constructed in 1930, the gated hotel can also be operated as a private club or residence. Property amenities include a large, landscaped courtyard with lounge couches, dining tables and a covered pool; a two-car garage and a 24-hour security system. The hotel is steps away from the beach and the many nearby restaurants, nightclubs, shops and parks.

“This property provides the buyer with another beautiful Art Deco hotel to complement its existing neighborhood portfolio. Opportunities to acquire jewels in the heart of South Beach like this do not come around often.” Said Lee & Associates South Florida President Matthew Rotolante.

Urbanica Sells Meridian Hotel To Miami-Based Investment Firm

The Urbanica Meridian Hotel, located at 418 Meridian Ave on Miami Beach was recently sold by Urbanica, the group responsible for facilitating the revitalization of the dwindling Fifth Street Corridor through their development of staple lodging, food, and beverage establishments. The hotel sold to Miami-based investment firm, Cambridge Lansdowne, for $30.5 million. Paul Weimer and Christian Charre of CBRE represented both the buyer and seller.

The Urbanica ownership team, Charlie Porchetto and Diego Colmenero, are now focusing on their new flagship projects, the largest within their hotel portfolio, including Urbanica Beach located in the North Beach neighborhood at 6747 Collins Avenue. The development, which includes 200 rooms and two pools, will be home to multiple restaurants and entertainment facilities. Urbanica has also acquired a property in the up and coming Edgewater area of Miami, Urbanica Biscayne at 3200 Biscayne Blvd. The hotel also offers 200 rooms for guests, 7,000 square feet of event space, and a number of conference, dining, and leisure options.

“We had a great opportunity to bring Urbanica Hotels to Miami seven years ago and contribute to the revitalization of Fifth Street, and did so with our first location of Meridian Hotel,” says Charlie Porchetto. “We’re proud of what this location has done for the neighborhood, and are looking forward to stepping into Edgewater and North Beach with these new properties, areas that have the same potential for growth as we saw with Fifth Street on Miami Beach.”

In Miami, Urbanica continues to own and operate the Urbanica Euclid and Urbanica Fifth hotels, both located on Fifth street on Miami Beach.