Lennar CEO Aims to Build One-Of-A-Kind Mega-Mansion at 11 Star Island

11 Star Island is set for a major upgrade. Lennar CEO Stuart Miller has submitted plans to the Miami Beach Board of Adjustment to build a 70K SF+ development with over 45K SF under A/C. Only a height variance stands in the way as the board approved most of the variances earlier this summer. The mansion will include a lagoon surrounding the main house, lush gardens and landscaping, a dock, guest house and underground parking for 32 cars designed by DOMO Architecture. Miller is also building another mansion at 22 Star Island, and the community has seen a great deal of major luxury-housing development in recent years. 

Four Seasons Surf Club Condominium & Hotel Resort Nears Completion

The Surf Club has been an integral part of the cultural history of Miami Beach since its inception as a private social club in the 1930's. Since ground breaking in March 2014, The Four Seasons Surf Club Condominium & Hotel Resort in Surfside has quickly become an iconic redesign of a historical landmark on Collins Ave. The building will feature a hotel and residences across 3 glass towers, 2 of which are residential and 1 hotel including 150 residences and 77 hotel guest rooms. The newly restored development will include full five star amenities including oceanfront dinging, spa, gym, shopping, private and hotel pools and beautifully landscaped gardens. Residences come in one-to-six bedroom plans ranging from 1,800 SF to 7,800 SF and 11-foot deep balconies. The Four Seasons Surf Club is a truly exciting new building to shake up North Miami Beach as the towers are completed and construction teams put the final touches before landscapers can finish off. Keep an eye out for late 2016 opening. 

Abae Hotel Nears Completion on West Ave.

West Ave. in South Beach has a new boutique apartment-hotel opening its doors just as the summer comes to a close. Abae Hotel South Beach will be a boutique hotel-residence targeted at young, modern, technology seeking guests. The hotel is full of modern features including state-of-the-art computer systems, automized reservation system, security door, etc. Abae Hotel claims “We’ve Cracked the Code to Comfort & Glamour." The contemporary building is nearing completion and plans to open by the end of August and is across the street from the Mondrian South Beach, which recently became part of Menin Hospitality's portfolio.

L'Atelier Residences

A new glass condo building will be coming to 6901 Collins Ave. thanks to a joint effort by three development groups. Given the moniker L'Atelier Residences, the all-glass building will rise 18 stories above Miami Beach. SMG Management, Shamrock Holdings and W Capital Group had a groundbreaking ceremony last week as construction commenced with an expected opening of 2017. 

L'Atelier will replace the Golden Sands Hotel, but will still preserve the hotels historical 3-story facade and incorporate it as part of the new building's design. The building will feature 22 residences in 3 and 4 bedroom formats and will range from 2,300 SF to 4,600 SF. Entry level units starting at $3.6 million with an 8,000 SF penthouse priced at $25 million. Each unit includes massive balconies, outdoor jacuzzi and Poliform kitchens with Gaggenau appliances. Sales started in February 2015. The building will feature amenities by HOLLY HUNT and Enzo Enea including a private beach area with attendants, infinity swimming pool, upper deck lap pool, 24 hour valet, Spa and state-of-the-art gym. This exciting building is sure to shake up the aging area between lower Miami Beach and Bal Harbor. 

Menin Hospitality to Open Al's Diner in Iconic Former Firestone Service Station

Menin Hospitality continues to grow its footprint on Miami Beach as it has added yet another project to its rapidly growing portfolio. Al's Diner, a 24 our eatery with gourmet treats will replace the iconic Firestone service station at 1500 Alton Road that opened in 1939. The shop opperated as a car service station until early 2016. The announcement brings Menin to 15 projects under operation. Late July, the Miami Beach City Design Review Board approved a variance to convert the properties' zoning to mixed-use retail/ restaurant with outdoor café seating as well as take-out window. ARRP, an affiliate of Crescent Heights will fully restore the iconic cantilevered porte-cochère and the Firestone roof sign.

Spring Chicken coming to 1439 Alton Road

The popular new eatery Spring Chicken in Coral Gables is coming to Miami Beach. John Kunkel will open his new location in 1439 Alton Road, as will Lulu's Nitrogen Ice Cream Shop. Kunkell was able to get a 15 year master-lease on the 3 units in which he previously operation his BTW and Lime concepts. Kunkell calls Spring Chicken "Shake Shack meets Chick-fil-A." He will develop the property into a fast-casual haven complete with shared courtyards to eat. The restaurants should open in late August and early September. Spring Chicken has also recently opened in Fort Lauderdale as well.   

$150 Million of Condos Hit Market in Faena House

Will Miami's luxury condo market get a jolt from Faena House? Time will tell, but $150 million of units are back on the market as investors seek to flip their investments, which sold-out at $407 million. The last developer unit closed in May to Paul Cejas, who purchased a unit for $20 million. Hedge funder Ken Griffin purchased the double penthouse units for $60 million and has listed them at $55 million and $18 million a piece. It can be typical for units 10% to 20% of units to hit the market after a building is delivered, which is right where Faena House is at 9 of 44 currently listed. Despite that some units have been listed for close to a year. Currently listed units range from, $3.7 million to Griffin's $55 million and sellers plan on holding firm on their pricing.

Faena Versailles Classic

Faena Versailles Classic will bring new world luxury to old world art-deco style. Faena Group has transformed the Versailles Hotel on 35th St. and Collins Ave. Miami Beach into a 22 luxurious units by William Sofield. The renovation has preserved the 1940's facade, grand lobby, terrazzo flooring among other features in it's historic art-deco style. Units range from 1 to 4 bedroom at 1,034 SF to 2,753 SF with two duplex penthouse units at 7,300 SF each with their own pool. The residences already include luxurious, Miami style features including the classic terrazzo floors and custom lighting. Additionally high-end Italian kitchens and stone counters add to the quality of the residency. Amenities include pool, fitness center, 24 hour security and valet, stylish club rooms and access to the entire exclusive Faena neighborhood.  

3900 Alton

3900 Alton, designed by Ricardo Bofill, is a timeless vision that strikes a delicate harmony between nature and art. Its 78 residences feature ten foot floor-to-ceiling windows that capture and mimic the beauty of living on Biscayne Bay, while bathing living areas in natural light. Each unit has an overview of the cascading pool and surrounding lounge seating, that is nestled amongst a landscape designed by the visionary behind Soho House and founder of Naturaficial, Andres Arcila. 3900 Alton has a personally curated collection of art, designed by Loris Cecchini and Fernando Mastrangelo, unique to each unit and also in the lobby. Equipped with 24 hour concierge, a state-of-the-art gym, business center, children’s playroom, and even a Tesla house car, this building is the epitome of easy, luxurious living. Located in the heart of historic Mid-Beach this sophisticated boutique residence offers a seamless transition between modern and organic living with its lush oasis and artful collaboration.

One Ocean

From Related Group, the developers that brought you the Murano, W South Beach, and Apogee, comes the new One Ocean South Beach: a peaceful oasis in the heart of South of Fifth that rivals its sister properties with its modern glass facade. The building will have 46 residences and four oceanside villas with unique living spaces that incorporate nature and art created by architect Enrique Norten. 
Typical units will include oversized balconies, private elevators, and an exclusive beach club membership. Residents can enjoy looking out at the zen garden from the state-of-the-art fitness facility or relax in private cabanas at the Infinity Edge pool. One Ocean South Beach is being designed so that every unit will have a unique, flow-through floor plan, so each will be a one-of-a-kind. The building offers three to five bedroom options which will typically be around 3,000 SF starting at $1000/SF.