Billionaire Investor Carl Icahn Officially Relocates Icahn Enterprises From Manhattan To Sunny Isles Beach

Billionaire investor Carl Icahn has reportedly officially finalized the move of Icahn Enterprises from New York City to South Florida. Icahn Enterprises has moved into their 23,463 SF lease on the 12th floor and penthouse of Milton Tower, located at 16690 Collins Ave. in Sunny Isles Beach. The firm previously was located in the General Motors Building in Manhattan. Icahn is the latest ultra high-net-worth investor to relocate his firm from high tax northern-states such as New York to more tax-advantageous states such as Florida.

Milton Tower was completed in March 2020 and was developed by J. Milton & Associates. The office tower spans 102,000 SF, rising 12-floors with 6-floors of parking. Office spaces are customizable and range from 3,000 square feet to 13,900 square feet and feature floor-to-ceiling glass windows offering views of the Atlantic Ocean, Intracoastal and Sunny Isles skyline. Milton Tower offers first-class amenities include 24/7 access and security, a gym, ground-floor cafe, wifi-connected common areas, electric vehicle charging, emergency power, outdoor terraces and parking.

Leasing was launched in 2019 and the building is currently 50% occupied with tenants including family offices, law firms, investment companies and hedge funds. Much like Icahn, there is reportedly strong interest from firms relocating from the Northeast.

The Estate Companies Acquires Former Ramada Hotel in Hialeah for $15.25 Million

The Estate Companies (EIG), a leading developer of luxury multi-family projects throughout South Florida, has announced the $15.25 million acquisition of a five-acre site occupied by a former Ramada Hotel at 1950 W. 49th St. in Hialeah. The closing took place August 7th with $11.5 million in financing arranged by LV Lending, a local private lender. The loan was facilitated by Camilo Niño, Ricardo Uribe and Alen Hernandez of LV Lending on behalf of 1950 Hialeah Holdings, LLC, an entity of The Estate Companies (EIG). 

The non-operational 258-room Ramada hotel was originally constructed in 1970 with expansions completed in 1973, 1979 and 1988. The site is located directly adjacent to the Palmetto Expressway and the 103rd Avenue exit, providing extremely high visibility and accessibility.  

“We are thrilled with this acquisition as it presents a rare opportunity to own all the fundamentals we look for in an asset,” stated Jeffrey Ardizon, principal, The Estate Companies. “The site is situated on arguably the City of Hialeah’s busiest corridor and main artery. The City of Hialeah is a market with very high barriers to entry, strong demographic support and close in proximity to some of the largest employment hubs in South Florida. In addition, the area offers great walkability with a variety of social, dining and entertainment options, including the Westland Mall, just a short distance away.”

Ardizon added, “The distressed hotel sector has created investment opportunities that firms like ours are ready and able to capitalize on. Not all sites are created equal, and buyers need to be nimble and flexible in order to ensure repurposed assets meet the current market demands.” 

“We take our hats off to Camilo Niño and his team at LV Lending who arranged our financing in such a short period of time,” Ardizon added. “They were seamless in their execution and a pleasure to work with on this transaction.” 

PROFILE Exclusive: Developing The Three Pillars Of Metropica With Joseph Kavana

Our first in-person interview and building tour since the COVID-19 shut-down was with Joseph Kavana, developer of $1.5 billion, 65-acre master-planned Metropica project which recently received TCO for its first residential offering, ONE Metropica Residences, design by YOO. Kavana’s vision for Metropica will transform Sunrise, FL with approximately four million square feet of development adjacent to Sawgrass Mills Mall, which is the 11th largest mall in the United States. Metropcia’s masterplan will consist of residential condominiums, apartments, boutique hotels, commercial office space, expansive green spaces and a burgeoning world-class culinary, retail, entertainment and lifestyle experience for residents and visitors to enjoy.

Despite the need for masks and social distancing, we were able to tour ONE Metropica Residences in person with Kavana to see the upscale finishes and attention to detail not-yet seen in Sunrise. While there we discussed the three pillars of Metropica, where Kavana draws his inspiration from as a developer and what is next for South Florida.  

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PROFILE: How did you get into real estate development? What is your background?

Joseph Kavana: I began developing in the 1980’s as a sideline to my Automotive business. We had a sizeable business working with major auto manufacturers and retailers, when I began investing in industrial properties and doing land development in South Florida. In the 1990’s, I participated in the purchase of thousands of rental apartments in Texas. I then moved into the international arena and developed in Punta del Este, Uruguay and Nordelta, Argentina.  I did not begin as a real estate developer, but that certainly became my passion.

PROFILE: When did you start developing in the United States? How is developing in the US different from other countries?

JK: As I mentioned, I began developing select projects in the 1980’s, but moved into the arena on a full-time basis starting in the 1990’s. As to what is different in the U.S. versus other countries, I would have to say that, in the U.S., the pace of development is much faster. There is simply no room for error from beginning to end. You need to have clear and concise planning, knowing that mid-flight adjustments are challenging -- and generally costly.  In other countries, you may have more time to plan and execute. There is more flexibility when it comes to changes and adjustments.

PROFILE: As a developer where do you draw your inspiration from?

JK: I would say it’s a combination of two things. First, you need to look at the land, see a need, and have a specific vision for the area. What is the best use? How do I make this happen? Once you decide, then the inspiration is what you want it to look like, what do you want it to be. It’s a very personal process for me. Once I’ve decided on the best use, I then look at what others have done that will help shape my inspiration. A visit to the ‘best of’ is what I would call it. That process -- part cerebral, part emotional -- is how I draw my inspiration. 

PROFILE: Did you have any mentors that helped shape your life or career?

JK: While I did not have any specific mentors in my industry, my overall mentor was definitely my father. He instilled in me that the way you conduct yourself in life is key. That your word is your bond, far better than any paper or contract you may sign.  He taught me that when you tell someone that you are going to do something, it must be done, no excuses. That has been my personal philosophy throughout my career. 

PROFILE: When did you start building and investing in Sunrise? What was the attraction to the area? 

JK: We originally purchased the land that would become Metropica in 1995.  A couple of years before that, in 1993, we developed a small shopping center on the land that is very close to where Metropica is now.  That was basically the beginning of Sunrise.  Sawgrass Mills opened in the late 1980’s, followed by the very first IKEA in Florida, and that is when we began to see the enormous potential of Sunrise. It evolved quickly, of course, including the construction of what is now the BB&T Center, followed by numerous, large corporate entities moving into the area -- such as AMEX, which has established a significant presence in the city.  Sunrise had land, access to major thoroughfares, and all within minutes of downtown Ft. Lauderdale and a short drive from Miami-Dade.  As the area evolved, what was missing also became clear, and that became the vision for Metropica. 

PROFILE: Where did the concept for the Metropica master plan come from?

JK: Once we realized what was missing in the area, we decided to build a multi-use community, which, in my mind, is different from a traditional mixed-use community.  We wanted to build something that would specifically fit the needs of the evolving area. The key was in the residential. We wanted tenants to be able to experience city-center life, but still maintain the benefits of a suburban experience. To us, it meant creating some separation between the residential, retail, and office space components – hence, multi-use versus traditional mixed-use. Everything was close by, but they were still separate components…no retail at the ground floor of residential, for example. Once we came to that conclusion, we then set out to see who had built in a similar manner.  What we found were developments around the country that had elements of what we wanted, so we took best-practices from that and melded the different pieces together.  And as life would have it, in an era of COVID, our masterplan offers a best-of-all-worlds scenario for our residents – key benefits of city-center living, coupled with access to larger spaces and nature that would not be possible in a true urban location.

PROFILE: What are the 3 pillars of Metropica and what are residents buying into?

JK: The three pillars are happiness, nature and wellness. The most important is happiness, with the other two playing into that concept. People want to be happy, which was already increasingly challenging, even before COVID.  The residential component is key. That is why we built the initial residential tower first. If we can help people be happy where they live, then we’ve accomplished a wonderful feat. We believe that everything built within Metropica should contribute to people’s happiness. The other two pillars support that. Access to nature is a key component of happiness. People crave that. That’s why the residential tower has wonderful view corridors of the Everglades and of the Central Park which will be part of our community. The third pillar, wellness, will be realized through our walking trails, bicycle paths, and all of the amenities that are part of Metropica, such as tennis courts, a spa, pool, and, eventually, an entire wellness center. Every Metropica buyer I have spoken with truly values our three pillars and appreciates the effort we have made to achieve those goals. 

PROFILE: Why did you elect to build ONE Metropica Residences first? What are some of the features that make the building unique?

JK: We began with the initial residential tower instead of any other component because we firmly believe that the lifestyle component we are looking to achieve begins with residential.  All other facets of Metropica will stem from residential. To that end, we went to Chad Oppenheim of Oppenheim Architecture + Design. Chad is globally recognized for socially and environmentally conscious architecture. He’s an incredibly selective individual, so we were very pleased with his ability to capture our vision for Metropica as a whole, and specifically for ONE Metropica, since that building was going to set the tone for the rest of the development. We coupled Oppenheim’s expertise with YOO Design Studio, and their combined skillsets allowed us to develop a building that is a true masterpiece. It has exceeded even our greatest expectations. The design and attention to detail is impeccable.  The building’s common areas are exemplary. From literally the ground-up, the building has set a standard for the area that will be revolutionizing high-rise living in the suburban market.

PROFILE: You mentioned that you have worked with Yoo Design Studio in the past, how did the relationship develop?

JK: This is actually our fourth project with YOO Design. Our first project with them was in Punta del Este in Uruguay and then Nordelta, adjacent to Buenos Aires, Argentina. We then worked with them in Atlanta and developed YOO at The Park, a high-end rental and now Metropica.   

PROFILE: How did you decide on Oppenheim for the architecture of ONE Metropica Residences? Will he be involved in the rest of the Metropica masterplan?

JK: As I mentioned, he has a well-established reputation, and we found a common vision for openness in the design. Oppenheim was involved with the master plan and the residential component of Metropica and of course, the first building. Once he saw the land and had an understanding for what was “missing” in the area, Metropica began to take on a life of its own. Chad’s (Oppenheim) vision was instrumental in the development of what is now one of the largest under-construction mixed-use communities in the nation.  

PROFILE: Where do you see the future of South Florida development? What does the South Florida metro-area lack?

JK: I am extremely bullish about the future of South Florida development. We are very fortunate to have one of the last large parcels of land (60+ acres), which is allowing us a truly unique vision. But I see a number of land assemblages where good developers are re-purposing outdated properties and bringing new life to an area.  When one looks at the many advantages of Florida, from weather to tax-friendliness, it is no surprise that our net-migration is almost 1,000 per day -- with a significant percentage to South Florida. There is no other place in the world I would rather live, and in spite of COVID, our future is extremely bright. 

PROFILE: Any last words?

JK: I think it is important to acknowledge the municipality of Sunrise and its leadership for the manner in which they have nurtured the area’s growth.  So many large companies now call Sunrise home. We used to call this area a ‘hidden gem,’ but it is no longer hidden. This is a special place.                

CMC Group Reveals Multi-Million Dollar Art Collection At Brickell Flatiron

Milan-born developer and CMC Group founder Ugo Colombo recently completed the installation of a multi-million art collection at his newly opened Brickell Flatiron tower in Miami’s Brickell neighborhood. The privately commissioned permanent collection features a series of exclusively produced large-scale paintings and sculptures by New York artist Julian Schnabel, as well as signature pieces by Italian artist Carlos Battaglia and Italian photographer Marco Glaviano, which are displayed throughout the 64-story building’s grand lobby and public amenity spaces. Works by Battaglia and Glaviano add to Brickell Flatiron’s Italian sophistication and are complemented by the building’s sleek interiors and custom-designed furnishings created by Italian design architect Massimo Iosa Ghini.

“Brickell Flatiron’s signature art collection complements the building’s timeless elegance and sophisticated Italian style,” said developer Ugo Colombo, founder of CMC Group. “We’ve spared no detail or expense to deliver a memorable product for our residents, offering the highest caliber of quality and design that will withstand the test of time.”

Highlights from the collection include two dynamic pieces by Italian painter Carlo Battaglia: Visionario, 1968 and Visionario 7, 1969. Born on the Sardinian island of La Maddalena, Battaglia is best known for his abstract paintings from the 1960s, rich seascapes from the 1970s and ‘80s, and watercolor sketches of New York City made in late 2001.

A standout among Julian Schnabel’s custom prints and pastel-colored paintings at the tower is the iconic Sawtooth Lamps sculpture from his 2014 collection, fashioned from cast and plate bronze. The American painter and filmmaker’s large-scale pieces are materially and thematically monumental, drawing on a wealth of influences from Cubism to the practice of Cy Twombly and themes such as sexuality, obsession, suffering, redemption, death, and belief.

Italian photographer Marco Glaviano also exhibits two framed prints at the luxury condominium, including Dizzy Gillespie in the 27th st. studio in New York, 1992 and Sonny Rollins at Umbria Jazz in Perugia,1998. The Sicily-born photographer and architect pioneered digital photography as the first to publish a digital picture in American Vogue in 1982 and worked for leading fashion magazines and brands across the globe.

Brickell Flatiron’s architectural design is the brainchild of architect Luis Revuelta, who is behind many of Miami’s iconic high-rises including CMC Group’s Bristol Tower, Santa Maria and EPIC Residences & Hotel. On the inside, master Italian design architect Massimo Iosa Ghini uses inspiration from Revuelta’s curved façade to outline the tower’s sleek interiors and public amenity spaces, creating a seamless transition from exterior to interior.

The tower’s 64th-floor rooftop amenities encompass a Sky Spa, Sky Pool and Sky Gym with 360-degree panoramic views of the bay and downtown Miami’s glimmering cityscape. Residents have access to a host of therapeutic services and other offerings including private steam, sauna and locker facilities, a 6,300 square foot state-of-the-art fitness center with Pilates, spin and aerobics studios. Additional features include a resort-style lap pool and separate children’s pool on the 18th floor, private movie theater with stadium seating, billiards room and lounge, clubroom, full-time concierge and 24-hour valet parking, on-site vehicle washing and detailing, and electric car-charging stations.

Residences at Brickell Flatiron range from one-to-five bedrooms, with a limited collection of penthouses that include two-story duplex and three-story triplex units. Each unit comes equipped with the finest materials from around the world, soaring ceilings with recessed lighting, energy-efficient windows, and elliptical glass balconies.

Approximately 98% of the development’s 527 units have already been sold, which were originally priced from about $500,000 to $15.5 million. Remaining residences are available from $1.175 million to $2.35 million, and one upper duplex penthouse for $9.4 million.

License Agreement Ends Between Brightline And Virgin Trains USA Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

The partnership between Brightline and Virgin Trains has been terminated amid the COVID-19 pandemic and South Florida’s new commuter train service will go back to using the Brightline brand. The train service which runs between Downtown Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, has not run since March 25 and has laid off 250 employees. Virgin Trains USA was expected to make a minority investment into the Brightline train system which was set to complete their rebrand to Virgin Trains by mid-2020. Brightline and Virgin Trains had signed a Licensing Agreement in November 2018 although Brightline’s parent company, Fortress Investment Group, reportedly sent a termination notice in July of this year.

WeWork Leaves Lincoln Road Location As Landlord Seeks $19.5 Million In Unpaid Rent

WeWork’s trouble’s due to COVID-19 continue as the landlord of their 350 Lincoln Road location has sued the co-working giant in Miami-Dade Circuit Court. SML 350 Lincoln Inc., an entity controlled by Shaul Levy and Meir Levy, alleges that WeWork breached their lease by failure to pay rent in April, May and June while occupying the 40,000 square foot space and now owes in-excess of $19.5 million in back-rent and legal fees. WeWork said in a statement that the lawsuit is without merit and will continue to work with the landlord to resolve the situation in a mutually beneficial fashion. WeWork’s 16-year lease at 350 Lincoln Road began in November 2014 and runs through October 2030.

WeWork will close the Lincoln Road location on August 14 and has also moved to consolidate its Miami Beach members to 429 Lenox Avenue. Last month we reported that Goddard Investment Group has moved to evict WeWork from the Lenox Avenue location, but the two parties were reportedly able to resolve their differences.

WeWork, which is now led by CEO Sandeep Mathrani, still has locations in Downtown Miami, Brickell and Coral Gables. Times have not been good to WeWork following its failed IPO in 2019. The coworking giant recently announced that it will being closing its first location to ever open in New York City and saw its valuation slashed from over $47 billion to $2.9 billion.

In May 2020, a group of WeWork’s members moved toward suing the co-working giant demanding that WeWork cease collecting rental fees. Many tenants had already requested rent relief, cancelled their leases or stopped paying, which put over $5.5 billion of CMBS loans backed by WeWork occupied properties at risk. Some of the CMBS loans back WeWork flagship locations in New York and San Francisco. WeWork has retained Newmark Knight Frank and JLL to try to renegotiate leases and negotiate concessions from landlords at some of their properties as the firm try to stave off a potential bankruptcy.

WeWork’s problems do not end there. Former CEO and co-founder Adam Neumann is reportedly under investigation for self-dealing by the New York State Attorney General. In addition, the Tokyo-based SoftBank led by Masayoshi Son and a special committee of WeWork board members have been locked in a legal battle after Softbank walked away from a $3 billion tender offer in April 2020 which was part of the $9.5 billion bailout package SoftBank signed with WeWork following WeWork’s failed IPO.

Multiplan Real Estate Asset Management Celebrates Top Out Of 57 Ocean on Miami Beach's Millionaire's Row With Giant Sandcastle

57 Ocean, an ultra-luxury residential project on Miami Beach’s Millionaire’s Row, has officially topped off construction at 18 stories. The project is being developed by Multiplan Real Estate Asset Management, who celebrated the milestone in tandem with the boutique oceanfront project’s exclusive sales broker, Fortune Development Sales, and the general contractor, Moss Construction. 57 Ocean broke ground in April 2019 and is on-schedule for next fall’s projected delivery date.  

“This is a triumphant day for us,” said Marcelo Kingston, Managing Partner of MultiplanREAM.  “Our team has worked tirelessly to ensure that all deadlines were met and expectations of our buyers are exceeded.  The global response to our project has been overwhelming.  To be more than halfway sold, with dozens of new prospective buyers reaching out to us daily -- recognizing the unmistakable value of a project of this size, scope, and setting -- is a point of pride to us, as well as to our founder, Dr. José Isaac Peres.”

 “We are proud to be celebrating this milestone today ahead of schedule -- a testament to the leadership, expertise, and excellence that have guided 57 Ocean and its rise,” said Scott Moss, CEO of Moss Construction.  “This is an absolutely beautiful project that is going to be a huge point of pride for Miami Beach and South Florida, as a whole.  The attention to detail is profound -- from the unique undulating façade of the building to the stackable sliding doors that seamlessly draw the outdoors in, and the wood-accented ceilings.  57 Ocean is truly a first-of-its kind project for the area with details that will set it apart from all other luxury buildings.”

57 Ocean, located at 5775 Collins Ave., is now approximately 60% sold. Just this month the sales team announced the purchase of a $7.8 million Sky Residence to a Miami Beach resident, who singled-out the project for its new construction, amenities, and oceanfront setting. In addition to 20 flow-through Sky Residences, starting at $6.95 million, 57 Ocean has one remaining penthouse, priced at $35 million. 

57 Ocean was designed by Arquitectonica with interiors by Patricia Anastassiadis of Anastassiadis Arquitetos. The waterfront building offers 71 residences as well as a selection of five-star, Blue Wellness-inspired amenities and designs. 57 Ocean will offer two- to four-bedroom residences, starting at $1.5 million, with sizes ranging from 1,245 to 3,474+ square feet. The well-appointed homes will feature expansive terraces, each stretching up to 12 feet deep, as well as contemporary Italian kitchens and baths by Poliform.

Amenities feature a holistic spa with products by One Ocean Beauty, a wellness pavilion with a thermal suite and relaxation areas, meditation and hanging gardens, poolside treatment cabanas, etc. Additional amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness center with top-of-the-line MyIsle training equipment by MyEquilibria, and an indoor Technogym fitness center. There will also be a children’s activity room, 24-hour concierge services, pool and beachfront concessions and attendants, direct access to the adjacent Miami Beach Walk, and more.  

“57 Ocean is unlike anything that’s currently on the market in Miami Beach,” said Edgardo Defortuna, founder and CEO of Fortune Development Sales.  “Our buyers know that this project is rare, offering a lifestyle that surpasses all wants and needs – especially in the wake of COVID-19.  These huge interiors, large terraces, the connection to the water, and focus on health and wellness are a winning combination that simply cannot be overlooked.”

In the face of the COVID-19 outbreak, the development, sales and construction teams took the opportunity to forego a traditional celebratory event by building a massive, six-foot-by-20 sand sculpture on the beach, adjacent to the site.  The sculpture, featuring a relief of 57 Ocean’s iconic undulating exterior, designed to resemble waves on the water, calls attention to the project’s ongoing support of the Oceana organization, which works to protect the world’s oceans. 

The public will be able to admire the whimsical piece while remaining socially distant while wearing complimentary 57 Ocean-branded masks.  57 Ocean’s developers will additionally host a beach clean-up with the Miami chapter of the Surfrider Foundation once coronavirus cases subside; the beach clean-up event was initially slated to take place the week of the topping-off.

Le Sirenuse Restaurant & Champagne Bar at The Surf Club The Latest Permanent Closure Due To COVID-19

COVID-19’s impact on the restaurant industry and commercial real estate is beginning to show its ugly face. Just several years after their well received March 2017 opening, Le Sirenuse Restaurant & Champagne Bar at The Surf Club has permanently closed its doors citing the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Surfside location was the first Le Sirenuse location outside of Positano, Italy, where the original restaurant is located at Hotel Le Sirenuse. Le Sirenuse Restaurant & Champagne Bar at the Surf Club was located in The Four Seasons Hotel & Residences at The Surf Club, at 9011 Collins Ave. The ultra-luxury hotel-condo development was developed by Fort Partners, led by Nadim Ashi and delivered in 2017. The Surf Club Restaurant by Thomas Keller, which is also located at The Four Seasons Hotel & Residences at The Surf Club, remains open.

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. The Four Seasons branded redevelopment led by Fort Partners broke ground in March 2014. The building features a 77 room hotel and 150 residences across three glass towers, two of which are residential and one hotel.

Swire Properties Sells Two Brickell City Centre Office Buildings For $163 Million Amid Pandemic

Swire Properties has sold Two Brickell City Centre and Three Brickell City Centre for a combined $163 million, $630 per square foot, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Each Class A Office building is roughly 130,000 square feet with the pricing broken down by $80.3 million for Two Brickell City Centre and Three Brickell City Centre sold for $82.7 million. The buyer was reportedly the Santa Monica-based Northwood Investors. Tenants of the office buildings include the law firm Akerman LLP, McKinsey & Company, and WeWork. The properties were first marketed for sale in January 2020.

Swire Properties plans to use the proceeds to fund future development, they have Brickell City Centre’s Phase 2 planned in partnership with Carlos Mattos to build a 100,000 SF expansion with a 54-story, 588-unit residential tower, and a 62-story, 384-unit residential tower with commercial space and additional parking.

Two Brickell City Centre and Three Brickell City Centre are located at 78 Southwest Seventh Street and 98 Southeast Seventh Street. Brickell City Centre was completed in 2016 and designed by Arquitectonica. The development features an opener shopping mall anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue, Casa Tua Cucina and CMX Theaters, the Rise and Reach condo towers and the East Hotel.

Terra And Crescent Heights Break Ground On Canopy Park In South Beach

Terra and Crescent Heights, along with development partner New Valley, have broken ground on Canopy Park, located at the gateway to South Beach at after winning approval from the Miami Beach City Commission last year. The developers are building a three-acre public park, named Canopy Park, alongside a new residential tower at 500 Alton Road. Terra is led by David Martin and Crescent Heights is led by Russel Galbut, both longtime local Miami-based developers.

The three-acre park, located between the 600 and 700 blocks of Alton Road, will include open green-spaces shaded by native tree species, pedestrian and bike paths, an outdoor gym and dog run, a MONSTRUM-designed children’s playground, and public art displays. Canopy Park will be connected to the South of Fifth neighborhood and the Miami Beach baywalk via a new pedestrian bridge over I-395. The pedestrian bridge was designed by artist Daniel Buren and has been dubbed the Miami Beach Canopy. Construction of Miami Beach’s newest world-class city amenity is now underway, with completion estimated for Summer 2021. Canopy Park is located at the site of the former South Shore Hospital which the developers recently demolished.

“Canopy Park will be a gateway for the City of Miami Beach, a destination for visitors, and an everyday amenity for residents, so we’ve taken the time to assemble a team of design, art and planning visionaries who have led some of the most transformational projects in the world,” said David Martin, President of Terra. “The end result will be an active park and design experience that rivals public spaces in the world’s greatest cities.”

“World class cities and neighborhoods are defined by their public spaces, and Miami Beach is home to some of the most desirable parks and open spaces anywhere,” said City of Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber. “Our City’s newest public green space, Canopy Park, will quickly become a welcomed amenity for nearby residents and a favorite gathering spot for our entire community.”

The development team has enlisted an ensemble of artists, designers and architects who will bring the park to life, including architects Bernardo Fort-Brescia & Raymond Fort of Arquitectonica; landscape architect Laurinda Spear of ArquitectonicaGEO; design advisors Daniel Vasini of West 8, Anda Andrei of Anda Andrei Design, and Michael Gabellini and Kim Sheppard of Gabellini Sheppard Associates; and art advisor Lisa Austin. 

A major design component of Canopy Park will feature a “natural play” playground by Danish design firm MONSTRUM, which is famous for creating artistic and architectural playscapes around the world. Standout elements of the playground will include a giant butterfly, a mangrove forest and a caterpillar slide enabling children to jump, climb, balance, and express their inner imaginations.

The Miami Beach Canopy pedestrian bridge, subtitled Walking Under, Along, and On the Colors: work in-situ by Daniel Buren, will complete the Miami Beach Baywalk, creating a safe and seamless connection running from Southpointe Park north to the Lincoln Road District and east to the beachfront. The Canopy will become an instant icon for Miami Beach and a beloved work of public art that guides pedestrians along a rainbow of colorful shadows. Completion of the Miami Beach Canopy pedestrian bridge is anticipated for 2022.

Plans for Canopy Park also include an array of sustainability and resiliency features, including habitat restoration, vegetation, biodiversity, native plant communities, irrigation, water conservation and rainwater management. The park will also serve as an educational resource to inform and inspire the public about resilience and sustainability efforts being made by the city.