Talent Hub Agency Acquires Ground-Floor Retail Suite At Merrick Manor In Coral Gables

Merrick Manor in Coral Gables has announced the sale of a ground-floor retail condominium to Talent Hub Agency, where the firm will open their new Miami headquarters following the acquisition. Merrick Manor is a mixed residential and commercial luxury condo building developed by the Henry Torres-led Astor Companies. The condominium offers nearly 20,000 square feet of prime retail space on the ground floor neighboring the Shops at Merrick Park. Manny Chamizo III, the Global Commercial Director of ONE Sotheby’s International Realty, arranged the sale of this Class A retail space to Talent Hub.

“With interest rates low, prospective commercial tenants are realizing they can buy their own spaces at prices on par with market rents and take advantage of appreciation while building equity,” Chamizo said. “Talent Hub’s purchase at Merrick Manor underscores how this building offers an unparalleled opportunity to buy Class A commercial product within a brand-new luxury mixed-use building just steps away from the world-class Shops at Merrick Park.”

Talent Hub is co-owned by Puerto Rican actor, singer and songwriting Carlos Ponce. The agency represents many A-list influencers and celebrities which will add even more character to the already existing and diverse mix of retailers and businesses at Merrick Manor. Existing businesses include Anaïs Nails & Spa, Body Details, Elegance Beauty Salon, Sweat 440, Trésor and a substation for the Coral Gables Police Department. Coral Gables business district is the perfect location for many businesses as it is easy to commute from Downtown Miami and Miami International Airport. This central location is even walkable to Miracle Mile.

“Merrick Manor is an ideal location for Talent Hub’s Miami headquarters,” Ponce said. “The quality of the building is impeccable. We look forward to helping our talented members realize their vast potential in our new home.”

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty is the exclusive residential sales and marketing representative at Merrick Manor located at 301 Altara Avenue in Coral Gables.

JDS Development Group Reveals Plans For 1 Southside Park In Brickell

JDS Development Group, led by Michael Stern, has revealed plans for 1 Southside Park designed by SHoP Architects, ODP Architecture and Design as well as James Corner Field Operations. The mixed-use project is a redevelopment of an existing fire station at 1105-1133 SW 2nd Ave.

1 Southside Park will rise 64-stories and span 2.48 million square feet of total development. The project will feature 1,175 multifamily units, 200 hotel rooms, 6,000 square feet of event space, 200,000 square feet of office, 100,000 square feet of health and wellness, 11,000 square feet of restaurant space, 1,000 parking spaces and a 32,000 square foot fire station.

In order to make the project possible, JDS Development will purchase transfer of development rights from the City of Miami from Southside Park and First Miami High School. This will allow the developer to boost the density of the project and in return JDS Development will pay for improvements to the park as well as fire station.

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.

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.

MiamiCentral Station Reveals Stantec Interiors for Park-Line Miami Residences By Brightline

MiamiCentral Station has revealed the new Stantec-designed interiors of the new two-tower, 816-unit Park-Line Miami Residences by Brightline. The globally-acclaimed architecture and design firm Stantec designed the lobby interiors of the north tower plus the amenity spaces, corridors, and unit finishes of both 30-story towers, located above Brightline’s MiamiCentral passenger rail station.

“Our vision for the design concept was the refined tailored traveler that resides in the heart of the city and travels the world,” said Raed Alawadhi, senior designer at Stantec. “We incorporated dark colors found in tailored suits and the brown tones of antique leather luggage and travel bags along with warm woods, creamy neutral tones, and deep blues to create the timeless sophisticated interiors.”

The lobby interiors feature wood ceilings, herringbone stone tile flooring, and warm wood with metal accents. Open seating areas are anchored by custom leather wall panels and a dramatic chandelier with shimmering mesh metal fabric that illuminates the room. A green wall at the end of the entrance creates a focal point and brings a touch of nature to the space. The lobby lounge, which is decorated with natural hues and textures and complimented with luxury fabrics, leads into the valet waiting area, where TV screens let residents know when their car will arrive. Residents are also an elevator ride away from the train station, where they can access service to Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, with service to Aventura and Boca expected in late 2021 and to Orlando in 2022.

In addition to the lobby, Stantec designed the interiors of the amenity decks located on the seventh floor of both towers. The interiors of the north tower feature stylish lounge areas,  intimate lighting, and  dark blue and green velvet and leather furnishings. A gaming area offers foosball, shuffleboard, and a pool table while the entertainment space has a dining area and wet bar. There’s also a private meeting room and co-working space available for residents. 

The south tower’s amenity level includes a reception desk with a custom woven screen wall, a 3,500 square-foot gym, a fitness lounge with sofas, med spa and massage rooms, and a dog spa. The yoga room is surrounded by windows with views to the outside deck, known as SkyPark, which sits between the two towers.

Park-Line Miami has a total of 816 residences that include studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. The units have floor-to-ceiling windows, walk-in closets, bathrooms with chrome fixtures, and kitchens with modern Italian cabinetry, quartz countertops, and subway tiling. 

“Park-Line Miami’s thoughtful design and finishes combined with our multitude of modalities allow us to offer a living experience unlike anything Miami has ever seen,” said Najam Syed, head of asset management at Brightline Trains. “The almost two-acre private park-like setting with an outdoor track, a world-class fitness facility, and forward-thinking live, work, and play amenities make Park-Line Miami a truly unique asset. We are proud to have partnered with Stantec in bringing our vision of Transit Oriented Development to life.” 

Stantec is ranked among the top 10 architecture firms by Architectural Record. The firm has designed numerous prominent projects throughout Florida, including Solitair Brickell; YotelPAD Miami; Luma at Miami Worldcenter; Yard 8 in Midtown Miami; 17 West in Miami Beach; Avalon Doral; and Wynwood Square. Stantec trades on the TSX and the NYSE under the symbol STN.

Urban X Group Celebrates Grand Opening Of River Landing Shops & Residences On The Miami River

Urban X Group and the Toronto-based H&R Real Estate Investment Trust have officially celebrated the grand opening of River Landing Shops & Residences, located at 1400 NW River Drive along the Miami River. The announcement comes on the heels of the projects completion earlier this year where the first phase of retailers were allowed to open in May 2020. The ownership team delayed the official grand opening for the project until retailers were more comfortable with the economy in the post-COVID-19 world. The project originally broke ground in March 2017 and cost roughly $425 million to develop.

River Landing Shops & Residences brings in excess of 2.2 million SF of total development to the Miami River including 528 market-rate apartments; 135,000 square feet of office space; 345,000 square feet of retail; and, 2,200 parking spaces. The retail component of the project is currently 70% leased. Retail tenants include Publix, Chase Bank, Planet Fitness, TJ Maxx, AT&T, West Marine, Ross Dress For Less, Burlington Stores, Chick-Fil-A, Old Navy, Ficellas Bakery, Five Below and a Hobby Lobby. The project will also bring a 50’ wide linear park designed by Savino & Miller Design Studio, who is the landscape architect for the project.

Leasing for the office component at River Landing Shops & Residences launched in August 2020 with the first residents moving into the residential component in October. The residential component is managed by Lantower Residential, a subsidiary of H&R REIT.

Taurus Investment Holdings To Redevelop Civica Center Into Medical Space

The Boston-based Taurus Investment Holdings has acquired the Civica Center for $30.5 million in Miami’s hot Allapattah neighborhood. The Civica Center is located at 1050 NW 14th Street at the entrance to Miami’s Health District, which is home to a large concentration of medical firms and institutions including the University of Miami Leonard Miller School of Medicine. The Civica Center broke ground in 2014 and was developed by the Swerdlow Group. The two-story retail property was sold with an adjacent parking lot and the deal also included a small office building. The Dallas-based Rockpoint Group was the seller.

Tenants at Civica Center include 7-Eleven, Au Bon Pain, Burger King, Chicken Kitchen, Dunkin’ Donuts, Flavors, Food Court, Gateway Dental, Jimmy John’s, La Estancia, Optical Boutique, Panera Bread, Pasha’s, Quest Diagnostics, Salsa Fiesta, and Smoothie King, amongst others.

Taurus has been agressively acquiring life-sciences and medical buildings and plans to convert the 0.77-acre parking lot into a giant 460,000-square-foot medical office building. It also plans to expand the existing 47,000-square-foot retail building into a 62,500-square-foot retail and medical office property. Taurus expects to start work on the redevelopment in the next 24 months.

Melo Opens Miami Plaza Tower In Downtown Miami's Arts & Entertainment District, Marking Milestone 2,300+ Units Completed In 5 Years

Melo Group, one of Miami’s most active residential development firms, has transformed and activated Downtown Miami’s Arts & Entertainment District with attainable, transit-oriented multifamily product for local residents. The firm has officially completed Miami Plaza, its newest transit-oriented 36-story rental tower which is now open for occupancy. Miami Plaza is situated adjacent to the Miami-Dade Metromover School Board Station at 1500 Northeast Miami Plaza and is comprised of 425 rental apartments catering to the growing influx of young professionals in Downtown Miami seeking walkable live-work-play lifestyles without the commute. The development also includes approximately 8,000 square feet of ground-floor retail/restaurant space available for lease. 

Apartments at Miami Plaza feature expansive balconies with bay and city views, floor-to-ceiling sliding doors, energy-efficient tinted glass, European-style kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, granite countertops, double door refrigerators, stainless steel appliances, spacious living and dining rooms, imported ceramic tile and laminated wood flooring, and full-size washer and dryers. Residences at Miami Plaza apartments range from one- to three-bedrooms measuring between 700 to 1,400 square feet. Monthly rental rates start at approximately $1,680 for one-bedroom units; $2,100 for two-bedroom units; and $2,640 for three-bedroom units. 

Building amenities include a large 70-foot swimming pool, a fully-equipped fitness center, a café social lounge, 24-hour concierge/security, and a multi-level secured garage with valet service.

“Art Plaza completes our vision for the transformation of the Arts & Entertainment District – an area of Downtown Miami that has been residentially underserved for years – into a true live-work-play neighborhood,” said Martin Melo, principal of the Melo Group. “Our transit-friendly location, with convenient access to the Metromover, Metrorail and Miami Trolley, gives residents convenient everyday access to public transportation and will hopefully help reduce traffic congestion in Downtown during the workweek.”

Miami Plaza marks the fourth multifamily development, and sixth tower, that Melo Group has delivered in the Arts & Entertainment District since 2016 and completes the final phase of the firm’s plan to bring more than 2,300 transit-oriented rental units to the growing neighborhood. The firm’s previously completed developments in the area, all of which are clustered around the Miami-Dade Metromover School Board Station within a few blocks of each other, include the 497-unit Melody Tower, which delivered in 2016; the two-tower 710-unit Square Station, which delivered in 2018; and most recently, the two-tower 667-unit Art Plaza, which delivered in 2019.

“The demand for highly-amenitized, well-built attainable rental units within walking distance of our city’s transit systems, prime retail and entertainment venues is strong,” added Carlos Melo, principal of the Melo Group.

Melo Group has helped activate Downtown’s Arts & Entertainment District bringing a total of more than 45,000 square feet of new retail and restaurant space at the base of their apartment buildings to serve tenant’s everyday needs. Some of the community’s newest tenants include Bunbury, Bistro Café, Tapout Fitness, My Salon, Spot Barbershop, Shine Nail Salon, New York Roma Pizza and Testa Wines. Melo is also gearing up for the debut of “Art Kitchen,” an indoor/outdoor dining promenade at the base of the firm’s Art Plaza towers that will feature ten different restaurant concepts with cuisines ranging from Indian, Peruvian, Mexican, Japanese, Italian and more.

Melo Group’s father-and-sons team, led by Jose Luis Melo and his two sons Carlos and Martin Melo, has been a driving force behind Miami’s real estate resurgence since 2001, with the firm recognized today as one of the region’s preeminent developers of high-end residential developments in Downtown Miami. Miami Plaza is Melo’s 16th residential building delivered in the Greater Downtown Miami area, bringing the firm’s portfolio to more than 5,000 total condo and rental units completed with another 2,000+ units in the works.

Melo Group’s next residential project, Downtown 5th, is now under construction at 55 NE 5th Avenue in Downtown Miami’s Central Business District. With completion slated for 2021, the luxury apartment complex will include twin 51-story towers with 1,042 rental units and more than 5,000 square feet of ground-floor retail/restaurant space.

TimeEquities Launches Leasing For Resort-Style Development CasaMara In West Palm Beach

Global real estate firm Time Equities, Inc. (TEI) has officially launched leasing at CasaMara, a mixed-use, resort-style development located in the heart of the El Cid neighborhood and the Antique Row District in West Palm Beach, Florida. The project features a total of six low-rise buildings made up of 300 class-A apartments, a 16,000-square-foot clubhouse, as well as an additional 16,000 square feet of retail shops called The Plaza at CasaMara, all of which will spread out over 10 acres of land.

Construction is well underway at 3111 South Dixie Highway and is slated to deliver completed homes in three phases. The first 100 units along with the clubhouse, which houses many of the amenities offered at CasaMara, will be completed by early fall 2020. The following two phases will be completed in winter 2020 and spring 2021, respectively.

MSA Architects are responsible for both the site planning and the distinct Spanish-Eclectic style architecture of the development. ID and Design International designed clean, stylish home interiors with modern finishes such as bright kitchens, large balconies, smart home features, and full-size washers and dryers. Kitchens have been furnished to have white quartz countertops, white subway tiles backsplashes, and stainless-steel Samsung appliances. Other home features include oversized showers and windows, elevators in buildings, access-controlled building systems, and best-in-class acoustics designed with noise reduction.

Units range from studios to three-bedrooms, with pricing starting at $1,726. Lincoln Property Company, the second-largest multifamily management company, is handling CasaMara’s leasing and marketing.

“We currently have over 700 prospective renters on our VIP list thus far, and we are very excited about the incredible interest we’re seeing in the project,” said Stefane Spano of Lincoln. “This development offers an unmatched amenities package for the marketplace and is located in an exceptional, convenient area that is minutes away from Downtown West Palm Beach.”

CasaMara’s amenities, also designed by ID and Design International, were created to give tenants a luxury lifestyle experience. These include a resort-style pool with private cabanas, a pool pavilion building with grilling stations and a 60-foot water wall, a Jacuzzi with therapeutic jets, a co-working lounge with private offices and complimentary WiFi, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a bark park, a game room with billiards and Wii Stations, a club room with art lounge and fireplace, dining facilities for private parties. There is also a full suite of children’s amenities including a kids pool, an air-conditioned playroom, and an outdoor playground.

“CasaMara presents an opportunity for residents to have everything at their fingertips – resort-style amenities, shops, and restaurants, all steps from their front door,” said Robert Singer, Director of Development at Time Equities. “We are offering an all-inclusive, unparalleled living experience in an area that continues to evolve with exciting cultural additions and modern retail and office complexes.”

The Plaza will provide an inviting environment for the community and shoppers alike with its on-street parking, wide sidewalks with shade trees, lush landscaping, outdoor seating, and a corner park with fountains. Avison Young will be handling the retail leasing and marketing for The Plaza, which is set to open in spring 2021.

CasaMara is conveniently located approximately 1.5 miles south of Downtown West Palm Beach and offers easy access to I-95, Palm Beach International Airport, and all the other splendors Palm Beach and Palm Beach County has to offer.

By Isabella Zimmermann

CitizenM Coming To 1212 Lincoln After Acquiring Hotel Piece From Crescent Heights

CitizenM is coming to South Beach after the Dutch hotel group purchased the hotel portion of Crescent Height’s 1212 Lincoln at the junction of Lincoln Road and Alton Road in South Beach. CitizenM paid $9 million for the 50 room hotel which is a part of the 1212 Lincoln mixed-use project which also includes over 70,000 SF of retail and 400 parking spaces. PROFILEmiami first reported that Crescent Heights was looking to bring in CitizenM to the 1212 Lincoln project in September 2017. CitizenM also has two other hotel locations under construction in Miami including Brickell and Miami Worldcenter in Downtown.

1212 Lincoln was designed by Perkins + Will and Plaza Construction is the general contractor on the project. The hotel portion rises 12-stories and the project will also include a 5-story parking garage and a Wells Fargo Bank. Crescent Heights has proposed a rooftop movie theater which is being reviewed by the city. Newmark Knight Frank is overseeing leasing for the retail component of the project. Completion is expected by 2022.