Urbanica Closes on Two New Lots In Edgewater For Hotel Development Project

Urbanica has recently acquired two new properties located in Edgewater as part of a land assembly that they started two years ago. The two purchased properties are next to each other and located at 237 NE 32 ST and 229 NE 32 ST, the closing price was $1.57M and $1.7M respectively. The transaction was overseen by Stefano Santoro of Current Real Estate. Urbanica now owns four lots for less than $10M in the same area, as they are planning to develop a full-service hotel featuring 12 stories and 200 rooms. The hotel will also include two floors dedicated to parking with 150 spaces, a Japanese Restaurant with 4,000 SF, 7,000 SF dedicated to event space with a banquette kitchen, and different amenities including a rooftop pool, gym, lobby and a game room on the ground floor.

The project is estimated to break ground in the second quarter of 2021, and the grand opening is planned to occur by the end of 2022. Urbanica started as a development company that grew its operations into real estate investment management, vertically integrating its company structure. Last summer, they also bought a site for $38M in Miami Beach. Urbanica currently owns multiple properties in Buenos Aires and the Miami area, including Urbanica The Meridian Hotel, Urbanica Euclid Hotel and Urbanica 5th, all of them located in Miami Beach.

By Eduardo Cohen

AMS Hospitality Led By Allen Morris Company And Stormont Hospitality Group Partners With Black Salmon To Launch $300 Million Joint Venture

AMS Hospitality, a joint venture between The Allen Morris Company and the Atlanta-based Stormont Hospitality Group, has teamed up with the Miami-based Black Salmon Capital to launch a $300 million initiative to acquire hospitality assets across the United States within the next 18 months.

In December the JV closed on its first acquisition, The Pelham Hotel, a 65-key boutique hotel in the heart of New Orleans. The Pelham Hotel is designated a historic landmark and ideally set adjacent to the vaunted French Quarter, within the city’s Central Business District. The property will undergo a complete, multi-million dollar renovation of the ground-floor lobby, public areas, and guest rooms in order to modernize its design and enhance the guest experience. New Orleans-based HRI Properties has been selected to provide property management services for the hotel

“The capability of this partnership to acquire and transform a hospitality asset is compelling,” said W. Allen Morris, Chairman & CEO of The Allen Morris Company. “This initial acquisition of The Pelham is an ideal of example of how we envision leveraging all facets of our varied strengths.”

The partnership between AMS Hospitality and Black Salmon leverages the key strengths and expertise of both firms across the disciplines of acquisitions, asset management, and capital raising. The JV will seek hotel properties that have undergone a price reduction from pre-pandemic values.

AMS Hospitality was formed earlier this year, joining The Allen Morris Company, one of the largest, diversified real estate firms in the southeast and Stormont Hospitality, a highly acclaimed hotel developer and asset manager.

Black Salmon Capital has acquired nearly $500 million of prime office buildings and senior housing assets across the United States, including US Bank Center in Phoenix, Arizona. It is a strategic partner of TSG Group, a developer of multifamily and offices. Black Salmon Capital’s investment strategy focuses on acquiring stabilized assets, in addition to value-add opportunities, in high growth markets with an educated workforce, a robust technology industry, and strong market fundamentals.

“We are delighted to mark Black Salmon’s foray into the hospitality industry with this deal,” said Jorge Escobar, CEO of Black Salmon. “Through our partnership with AMS, we will further our reach into the hospitality sector and generate new opportunities for our investors.”

“We are truly pleased to have partnered with a group of such consummate professionals across these various disciplines,” concludes Jim Stormont, co-founder of Stormont Hospitality Group, and President of AMS Hospitality. “We look forward to expanding our relationships and our portfolio within this sector while creating landmark assets.”

Royal Palm Companies Acquires 1.53-Acre Future Site of Legacy Hotel & Residences In Miami Worldcenter For $33.9 Million

Miami Worldcenter Associates, the master developer behind Miami Worldcenter, the $4 billion, 27-acre mixed-use development under construction in the heart of Downtown Miami, has sold a 1.53-acre parcel to Royal Palm Companies (RPC). The transaction includes 66,656 square feet of developable land that was sold for $33.9 million. The property, which is situated at 942 Northeast First Avenue, will be home to the Legacy Hotel & Residences, a 50-story mixed-use tower with 274 branded residences atop a 256-room hotel. The Cushman & Wakefield team of Robert Given, Troy Ballard and James Quinn represented the seller, Miami Worldcenter Associates, in the transaction.

Legacy Hotel & Residences’ developer, Dan Kodsi of RPC, previously partnered with Miami Worldcenter Associates developers, led by Nitin Motwani and Art Falcone, on the newly completed Paramount Miami Worldcenter luxury condominium tower, which opened to residents in 2019 across the street.

“Legacy Hotel & Residences is one of our most anticipated developments. The project’s iconic architecture and state-of-the-art amenities featuring a world-class restaurant and medical facility are just some of the components that will make it a standout addition to our city-within-a-city at Miami Worldcenter,” said Nitin Motwani, Managing Partner of Miami Worldcenter Associates. “We’re committed to working with best-in-class developers to create a diverse and vibrant eco-system for the ultimate live, work, play Miami experience, and our recent collaboration with Dan Kodsi on Paramount is a testament to that vision.”

Legacy Hotel & Residences will feature first-of-its-kind amenities and offerings, including a sophisticated members-only international business lounge, a dramatic Singapore-inspired cantilevered pool, downtown’s largest hotel pool deck set on one acre, a highly-anticipated 100,000 square foot medical and wellness center, and stylish microLUXE residences – all topped with the project’s signature amenity: the city’s first enclosed rooftop atrium, taking up the top seven floors of the tower.

“We are looking forward to breaking ground in early 2021 on what we expect will be one of the iconic centerpieces of Miami Worldcenter,” said Dan Kodsi, CEO of RPC. “Legacy Hotel & Residences is setting the stage for the future of mixed-use developments and branded-residences that prioritize health and wellness without sacrificing luxury lifestyle experiences and resort-style amenities that discerning homeowners and travelers are accustomed to.”

The Miami Worldcenter master plan, delivering in phases, features an array of residential, commercial and hospitality uses. These include approximately 300,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and entertainment space; the 60-story Paramount Miami Worldcenter condominium tower; Caoba, a 444-unit apartment tower that opened in 2019; a 348-room CitizenM hotel which is now under construction; and Bezel, a 434-unit rental tower by ZOM Living which is also underway. In addition, Hines is preparing to build a new tower that will comprise up to 500,000 square feet of Class A office space and MDM Group is planning a 1,700-room Marriott Marquis hotel and adjacent 600,000 square foot expo center.

Miami Worldcenter occupies 10 city blocks within walking distance of Museum Park, home to Perez Art Museum Miami and the Frost Museum of Science; AmericanAirlines Arena; the Adrienne Arsht Performing Arts Center; and Miami-Dade College’s Downtown Miami campus. It is also adjacent to Virgin Trains’ MiamiCentral station, which will soon offer direct train service to Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando, together with access to TriRail, the Metromover and the Metrorail, making Miami Worldcenter the largest and most-connected transit-oriented development in Florida.

Italian Luxury Brand Bulgari Reveals Bulgari Hotel Miami Beach At The Site Of The Seagull Hotel

Italian luxury brand Bulgari and Blue Horizon Group, led by Nabil Kobeissi, have revealed Bulgari Hotel Miami Beach. The hotel will be the brand’s first hotel in Miami and 11th location worldwide. The developer will renovate and restore the existing 7-story Seagull Hotel, located at 100 21st St., adjacent to The Setai Hotel & Residences and W South Beach. The hotel is expected to open in 2024.

“We are particularly proud to have secured such an extraordinary location for the new Bulgari Hotel in Miami,” said Bulgari Hotels & Resorts CEO Jean-Christophe Babin.

The Seagull Hotel was developed in 1950, designed by Albert Anis. The restoration will be overseen by Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel. The existing building currently has 178 hotel rooms which will be transformed into 100 hotel rooms. The redevelopment will include a new pool, spa, fitness center and restaurant led by Chef Niko Romito.

Blue Horizon Group acquired the Seagull Hotel from Lionheart Capital and Actium Development Co. for $120 million in January 2020. The sellers had acquired the hotel, which sits on a 1.34 acre property, in an auction for $31.1 million in December 2017.

Check Out The Newly Revealed Renderings Of Norman Foster-Designed Drivers Club Miami

New renderings have been revealed of Drivers Club Miami, a Norman Foster-designed private driving club with resort on 160-acres in Carol City, a neighborhood of Miami Gardens. The project was approved in 2018 although groundbreaking has been delayed by zoning agreements, environmental testing, design meetings and construction-preventing covenants. The project is being developed by 13 Pista LLC, led by Carlos de Narvaez Steuer and is estimated to cost $100 million.

Drivers Club Miami will feature a race circuit with 2.3 mile track in addition to a luxury resort with hotel, retail and restaurants which will be open to the public. The Miami Drivers club track, clubhouse and vehicle storage and maintenance facilities will be private for members only.

Miami-Dade County signed a $33.4 million, 30 year lease for 140 acres of land below-market rate at 20000 NW 47th Ave. for the project. The lease began on August 1, 2018 and has two 30-year extension options. The county will also provide $2 million to the developer via subsidies in order to help the project create 220 jobs on the property. In exchange for waiving the competitive bidding process, the developer will build public improvements for Miami Gardens including a new public bicycle course and capital contributions to support a new on-site fire station and Florida Memorial University. The entire project is estimated to cost roughly $100 million.

Fontainebleau Miami Beach Reveals New Renderings Of NBWW-Designed Addition

Jeffrey Soffer’s Fontainebleau Miami Beach has revealed its proposed Nichols Brosch Wurst Wolfe-designed expansion across the street at 4360 Collins Ave, which is currently a surface parking lot. The buildings would be connected via a 90’-long pedestrian sky bridge that would cross West 44th Street. The addition would rise 5-stories and would feature convention space including two levels of ballrooms, a rooftop deck and three floors of parking offering 500 parking spaces. The parking lot to be developed at 4360 Collins Ave. was acquired by Soffer in 2005 for $15 million, the same year his family acquired the Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel.

The Fontainebleau Miami Beach opened in 1954 and was designed by architect Morris Lapidus. The property spans more than 15 acres with 11 pools, a 40,000 SF spa, and 12 different restaurants and bars including Hakkasan and LIV Nightclub. The hotel is made up of four towers including the Chateau and Versailles towers with 846 hotel rooms as well as the Tresor and Sorrento towers with 748 condo-hotel units. It was acquired by Turnberry Associates for $325 million in 2005 before undergoing a $650 million gut-renovation.

Fontainebleau Miami Beach Exits Special Servicing On $975 Million CMBS Loan

Jeffrey Soffer’s Fontainebleau Miami Beach has exited special servicing on its $975 million commercial mortgage-backed security loan (CMBS). When issued in November 2019, the loan was the largest CMBS hotel loan in South Florida. The loan entered special servicing on March 30 amid the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and following a modification request. The loan was returned to its master servicer on September 23 and payments reportedly remained current throughout the special servicing period, although as part of a forbearance agreement monthly reserve payments have been deferred to 2021; additionally, the hotel’s 2020 financials will not be used when calculating the property’s debt yield.

CMBS loans, which are secured by a mortgage on a commercial real estate property, are among the hardest to restructure as under the typical CMBS structure. A loan is transferred into a CMBS pool and a Master Servicer administers the loan. The Master Servicer is generally not permitted to enter into a loan modification or restructuring agreement and a Special Servicer is needed to potentially modify or restructure an individual loan in a CMBS pool. When loans are in special servicing the borrower cannot take out new debt or refinance their property.

South Florida’s hotels have bit hit with some of the hardest economic impact from COVID-19 where the industry must meet nearly $4.2 billion in CMBS payments. Miami Beach hotels, motels and short-term rentals were ordered shut on March 23 and have laid off thousands of employees. Fontainebleau Development also owns the JW Marriott Turnberry Miami, Turnberry Isle Marina, Turnberry Ocean Club and The Big Easy Casino in Hallandale Beach.

The Fontainebleau Miami Beach opened in 1954 and was designed by architect Morris Lapidus. The property spans more than 15 acres with 11 pools, a 40,000 SF spa, and 12 different restaurants and bars including Hakkasan and LIV Nightclub. The hotel is made up of four towers including the Chateau and Versailles towers with 846 hotel rooms as well as the Tresor and Sorrento towers with 748 condo-hotel units. It was acquired by Turnberry Associates for $325 million in 2005.

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

Ness Realty Proposes The Gateway Mixed-Use Project In Aventura

An entity tied to Raphael Ammar and Ness Realty have proposed The Gateway, a mixed-use project that would feature office space, retail and a hotel. The developer has filed an Administrative Site Plan Review Application with Miami-Dade County for the 1.35-acre site located at 2630-2600 NE 203rd Street. The developer is seeking a zoning change to move the property entrance from NE 203rd Street to NE 26th Avenue. The property sits across Biscayne Boulevard (US-1) from Aventura Mall, adjacent to Beacon Tower, and is located within the Ojus Urban Area District. There is currently an older office and apartment buildings on the site.

The Gateway is designed by International Design Engineering Architecture (IDEA) and would be built in two phases. The current proposal calls for 100,800 square feet of office space, 7,200 square feet of retail, 21,760 square feet of convention space, 167 hotel rooms and 492 parking spaces. Phase 1 would include the construction of the 6-story office building and Phase 2 would include the 12-story hotel. The Gateway is expected to break ground in Q3 2021 pending approvals and obtaining building permits.

ESJ Capital Partners Proposes 300-Room Hotel At Jungle Island Redevelopment On Watson Island

ESJ Capital Partners have proposed to bring a 300-room hotel designed by the Miami-based EoA Group to Watson Island as part of the redevelopment of Jungle Island. Voters approved the hotel development in August 2018 which will transform Jungle Island’s property including the parking garage and add an additional 12,000 square feet of meeting space while leaving the botanical gardens undisturbed. The hotel will rise 11-stories and will feature a 4-story parking garage with 787 parking spaces and 9,500 square feet of restaurant space. The lobby and porte-cochere will be located the 5th floor above the parking podium along with a restaurant, lobby, gym and pool deck with an outdoor bar and fire pits. The 10th floor will feature a restaurant and outdoor bar. Hotel rooms will range from 380 square feet to over 1,600 square feet. There is no time frame for a potential groundbreaking of the project.