Take A Look Inside Aviation Resource Group's New KoDA-Designed Headquarters in Dania Beach, Florida

KoDA (Kean Office for Design and Architecture) is a Miami Beach-based practice designing with ambition for its clients and optimism for the world. KoDA architects and designers are experts in connecting architecture with nature and finding radical solutions to sea-level rise and other environmental concerns. Led by Principal and Founder Wesley Kean, the award-winning KoDA uses analysis and research to inform the design of highly distinctive buildings, landscapes, interiors and experiences. KoDa is bringing nature into the workplace for the design of the new headquarters for Aviation Resource Group, a company that provides a unique portfolio of aviation services. Located in Dania Beach, KoDA’s design breaks from corporate tradition and creates a space that promotes productivity, collaboration and well-being.

“Research shows that incorporating nature within workplace design improves employee productivity, health, and well-being. Aviation Resource Group’s new office building reexamines the importance of enjoying time spent in the workplace,” said KoDA Principal and Founder, Wesley Kean.

“KoDA took the time to understand our business and our needs, and that is completely reflected in the design they have created for our new space,” said Aviation Resource Group Founder and CEO, Milan Rakic. “We immediately fell in love with the way the indoors and outdoors blend together, and we’re excited to see our office come to life.”

The design of the 3,300 SF building connects and enhances the abundance of existing sub-tropical landscape. A combination of Gumbo Limbo trees and century-old Oaks contrast the building’s rigid, steel structure. Contained within two horizontal planes, KoDA designed various functions of the space around a central courtyard, which allow for maximum daylight, transparency, and visual connectivity throughout. The building’s outdoor spaces are activated through a combination of private and public functions including an entry plaza for special events and sequestered gardens, which serve as break-out areas for a collaborative work environment. KoDA enclosed the building’s private offices within darkened wood-clad volumes, while the public areas like the kitchen and reception are defined by expansive glass walls. The design also features screens made of re-purposed helicopter rotor blades that divide the open workspaces.

“Green elements were incorporated from the inside out to truly create a sustainable building that serves staff and the environment,” added Kean. “The result will be a building that exemplifies what celebrating nature in design means for both well-being and productivity in the workplace.”

Article by Stephanie Warren

One CocoWalk Signs Creative Coworking Pioneer & Operator Spaces As Anchor Tenant

As the redevelopment of CocoWalk continues, the joint venture behind the project, comprised of Federal Realty Investment Trust (NYSE: FRT), Grass River Property and Comras Company, has announced that it has signed its anchor tenant, co-working company Spaces, to occupy 42,883 SF at the new Class A office building One CocoWalk. Spaces’ long-term lease is comprised of 2,029 SF on the building’s ground floor and 40,854 SF on the second and third floors. The anchor tenant brings the 5-story centerpiece office building to 50% leased, with other leases in advanced negotiations. Spaces is an international creative coworking company operating over 160 locations in 80 countries worldwide. This deal marks the third location for Spaces in South Florida. Randy Carballo and Gavin Macphail of JLL in Miami represented the tenant, Spaces, in the lease transaction while the landlord, One CocoWalk, was represented by Tere Blanca, Danet Linares and Juan Ruiz of Blanca Commercial Real Estate.

“As new ways of doing business emerge, the flexibility coworking facilities offer is gaining popularity. Spaces is a great fit for freelancers, energetic entrepreneurs, mobile workers and startups as well as project teams or regional headquarters of well-established companies,” said Jan Sweetnam, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Federal Realty Investment Trust. “Coconut Grove, renowned as Miami’s bohemian enclave since the 1960s, appeals to the nomadic, non-traditional mindset of the millennial generation now comprising the lion’s share of the workforce, making it a perfect site for Spaces.”

“South Florida is experiencing an entrepreneurial surge and Coconut Grove is quickly becoming one of the area’s premier destinations for startups to call home,” said Michael Berretta, Vice President of Network Development for IWG, which owns Spaces. “It’s an exciting time to be entering the market and One Cocowalk was a natural choice for our next Spaces location within the region. It embodies the vibrant spirit and ethos of our brand and provides the amenities and type of neighborhood environment that will help further foster our members’ growth and creativity.”

The coworking concept offers tenants a variety of workspace options, from dedicated desks to traditional office configurations to open areas that foster collaboration, on flexible contract terms. Special events and other perks conspire to create a shared work environment that is fun, efficient, inspiring and productive.

One CocoWalk is one of three office buildings under development for the first time in 30 years in the Coconut Grove office market. All three buildings are experiencing strong leasing activity that has solidified the Grove’s position as a highly desirable location for companies seeking class A office space. Amenities at the 85,762 SF One CocoWalk will include dedicated elevators connecting office users with private parking, 24/7 security, and a visitor entrance and lobby as well as access to a full-service gym inside CocoWalk. Perhaps the most unique amenity for tenants will be One CocoWalk’s rooftop terrace and event space, an urban oasis overlooking Coconut Grove’s lush tree canopy and historic brick sidewalks.

The transformation of CocoWalk will create a premier lifestyle destination with experiential retail, dining and entertainment spaces along with public spaces for the community to enjoy. When complete CocoWalk will be home to a total of 100,000 SF of office space and 150,000 SF of experiential retail, dining and entertainment space, along with welcoming public spaces throughout. Completion of the retail and office components are slated for the first quarter of 2020.

“In addition to offering entrepreneurs a fully-amenitized co-working space in the heart of Coconut Grove, the arrival of Spaces will bolster the Grove’s fast-growing daytime population, driving even more foot traffic to area shops and restaurants with CocoWalk at the center of this action. This is a big win for Coconut Grove,” said Tom Roth, principal of Grass River Property.

The upscale shopping center, which first opened in 1990, was purchased in 2015 by Federal Realty Investment Trust (NYSE: FRT), Grass River Property and Comras Company. The JV is now under construction with a redevelopment plan that will enhance CocoWalk’s connection to surrounding streets, aligning the property with the area’s changing demographics and revamping its commercial offerings.

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

APEX Capital Realty Signs First Two Tenants At URBAN 75th STREET In Little River

APEX Capital Realty, led by Miguel Pinto, has just signed the first two tenants at URBAN 75th STREET, an innovative warehouse complex located at 300-320 NE 75th Street in Little River. PIXIE Market, a Los Angeles-based fashion e-commerce company, signed a 5-year lease for 3,500 SF in the 320 building and plans to move in January 2019. PIXIE Market relocating its LA operations to Miami and selected the industrial space to expand its e-commerce business. Marvol JPS , a Miami-based mobile phone equipment and supplies company, has also signed a 5-year lease for 2,500 SF space at the 320 warehouse building and plans to move in January 2019.

APEX Capital Realty recently acquired the 71,200 SF warehouse complex, located at 300-320 NE 75th Street in Little River, and developed the space focused on a flexible business space concept. Little River has been a hotbed for commercial development as prices in Downtown neighborhoods such as Wynwood continue to rise. URBAN 75th STREET is an innovative warehouse complex that has been redeveloped into a flexible multi-business space concept offering 24 industrial spaces which range from 2,500 SF to 3,350 SF and primed for tailored tenant build-outs which can be curated to meet the different workspace needs of each tenant and their diverse businesses. Each space offers an open loft style format, each division equipped to function as a live/work space as well. The leasing prices start at $19 SF modified gross lease. Perks for tenants include an on-site gated parking and state of the art 24/7 voice control security monitoring.

For more information about URBAN 75th STREET, private showings or leasing information please fill out the form below:

Gensler-Designed Wynwood Office Project 545Wyn Gears Up To Break Ground In January

The Chicago-based Sterling Bay is gearing up to break ground in Wynwood on their Gensler Architects-designed 545Wyn office project. Groundbreaking is set for January 2019. When complete, the development will be the biggest office building to launch in Wynwood rising 10-stories and bringing 298,000 SF of office space along with 26,000 SF of retail to the neighborhood. 545Wyn will also feature an 8,000 SF park, outdoor space on each floor and 442 parking spaces. Sterling Bay received a demolition permit in early December 2018 to demolish the existing buildings on the site which is located at 537 NW 26th Street, which is now underway.

For more information about 545Wyn or purchasing/ leasing information please fill out the form below:

Metronomic Reveals $74 Million Mixed-Use Transformation of Grand Avenue in West Coconut Grove

West Coconut Grove, one of the hottest neighborhoods for development in Miami that has seen a massive transformation over the past 3 years, will be getting a massive new mixed-use project on the Grand Avenue corridor. Metronomic is under contract to purchase a 12 property assemblage at 3280-3461 Grand Avenue for $25 million with a closing date set in mid-February 2019. Metronomic, led by Ricky Trinidad, has proposed a $74 million, 297,000 SF mixed-use development that would feature luxury apartments, affordable housing, retail, office space, community parks, public parking and a 44-key hotel. Trinidad hopes receive FAA approval to build a rooftop helipad. The project is designed by Pablo Burgos of Burgos Lanza & Associates and Carl Levin of CLAD Architects.

The project would be built in multiple phases with the first being Metronomic Place, which will feature a boutique office building and the hotel component at 3280 Grand Avenue. Metronomic expects to break ground on Metronomic Place before the end of 2018 after locking down a $6.8 million construction loan financed by Fuse Funding. Metronomic Place will rise 5-stories and will feature the 44-key hotel, 5,000 SF of Class A Office Space, 3,200 SF of ground floor retail. Phase 2 would begin in March after the closing and would include the build-out of the rest of the project to be completed within 2 years. Phase 2 will include 38 furnished micro units, 82 luxury apartments rentals and 40 affordable housing units along with a public area for farmers markets and stage for live performances.

Jo Palma Tabbed To Design The Basel Miami, Reveals New Renderings Of Proposed 36-Story Tower in Downtown Miami

Sean McCormick, whose family has owned 111 SW 3rd St. in Downtown Miami since 1970, has tabbed Jo Palma to design the new 36-story tower that will replace the existing warehouse on the property. Palma was behind the design for Cayan Tower in Dubai which is currently the tallest twisting tower in the world. The new building will be known as The Basel Miami, and will rise 36-stories with over 234,000 SF of total development. The Basel Miami will feature office space, a boutique hotel, private residence on the upper floors and retail on the ground floor which is expected to feature a Modern Art Gallery. McCormick is looking for a joint venture partner and an established, signature luxury hotel brand to operate the hotel. The project has an expected cost around $100 million to develop. 111 SW 3rd St. is in an Opportunity Zone and is located across the street from Adler Group’s Miami Riverside Center, which is currently under development.

Voters Approve David Beckham's $1 Billion Freedom Park By Waiving Competitive Bidding On Election Day

Miami-Dade voters have approved a referendum waiving competitive bidding for the right to redevelop Melreese Country Club into a $1 billion mega-project complete with office, retail and commercial space and a soccer stadium.

The referendum allows the negotiation and execution of a 99-year lease with Miami Freedom Park, LLC. for 73 acres of the Melreese Country Club site at 1400 Northwest 37th Avenue. Miami Freedom Park, LLC. is comprised of David Beckham, Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure, and brothers Jorge and Jose Mas. As per the agreement, the group will pay an annual rent of at least $3.6 million, or fair market value as determined by two independent appraisals, plus $20 million to fund construction of a 58-acre public park, paid in annual installments of $666,667 for 30 years.

The Arquitectonica-designed proposal includes 400K SF of office space and 600K SF of restaurant, retail and entertainment space; along with 750 hotel rooms and a 25,000 seat soccer stadium with only 3,750 parking spaces. The city will be on the hook to redevelop and maintain the remaining land at the site at the expense of tax payers.

City National Bank & UBS Lease 142,000 SF Of Office Space Valued At $75.1 Million At Miami Tower

City National Bank of Florida and UBS have inked deals to lease 142,000 SF of office space valued at $75.1 million at Miami Tower, a 47-story, landmark office skyscraper at 100 SE Second St. in Downtown Miami. The leases bring Miami Tower to 94% occupancy, outpacing Downtown Miami Class A office space market. The transactions were overseen by Transwestern’s South Florida Agency Leasing Team with Transwestern Managing Director Glenn H. Gregory and Vice President Christopher Dubberly provide leasing services on behalf of Miami Tower ownership.

City National Bank, the third-largest Florida-based bank, signed a long-term lease renewal and 57,000 SF expansion for a total footprint of 105,000 SF at Miami Tower. Upon its purchase of TotalBank in June 2018, City National Bank made the decision to expand within the building to accommodate its new headquarters, which the Transwestern team expedited. Matthew Goodman and Jeff Gordon of JLL represented the tenant. In addition, multinational investment bank and financial services company UBS renewed its 37,000 SF lease. Tony Jones of Cushman & Wakefield represented the tenant in the long-term lease.

“The transactions with City National Bank and UBS represent tenants’ ongoing attraction to Miami Tower as a preferred location, boasting nearby amenities and direct access to Interstate 95,” said Dubberly. “City National Bank had multiple options for where to place its headquarters, from owned to leased space, and, ultimately, Miami Tower’s attributes and the nimbleness of our team secured the deal.”

Transwestern was retained to lease Miami Tower in January 2017 when the building was 80.8% occupied. The team has since increased the building’s occupancy rate to 94.2 %, which significantly outpaces the downtown Miami office market’s average Class A occupancy, which is currently 78.3%. According to research by Transwestern on the two Miami Central Business District submarkets, Class A rent in downtown Miami averages at $44.97 per square foot, compared to Brickell’s $51.21 per square foot.

“With one of the lowest vacancy rates in downtown, Miami Tower stands out as a market leader on par with Brickell’s more expensive Class A office options,” said Gregory. “While Brickell has a Class A vacancy rate below 10 percent, compared to that of downtown at nearly 22 percent, it’s worth noting that more than 60 percent of downtown’s vacant space is contained within just two buildings. As those buildings compete for new leases, we’re pleased that Miami Tower is in such a positive position.”

Miami Tower is one of the tallest buildings that illuminates Miami’s skyline. Centrally located in Downtown, the LEED Gold building features a state-of-the-art conference facility, fitness center, the only on-site Metromover station in Downtown, and access to many restaurant, retail, and hotel options.

For more information about Miami Tower, private showings or leasing information please fill out the form below:

Starwood Capital Group Proposes Gensler-Designed Office Building On Collins Avenue in Miami Beach

Barry Sternlicht’s Starwood Capital Group has proposed a 6-story office building designed by Gensler Architects on Collins Avenue in Miami Beach. The proposal calls for 136,342 SF of Class A Office Space and 8,088 SF of retail as well as 305 parking spots. There will also be a 25’ pedestrian paseo connecting Collins Avenue and Liberty Avenue which will feature restaurants and retail. The rooftop will offer flexible outdoor working space for use of penthouse office tenants. The building will be located at 2340, 2322 and 2318 Collins Avenue, on 52,725 SF of land which North Bay Owner Holdings LLC purchased for $22 million. The project will seek LEED Platinum and Wellness certification. As the project is in excess of 50,000 SF it is currently awaiting approval from Miami Beach’s Planning Board and a hearing is schedule for November 27.

For more information about office space on Miami Beach, private showings or purchasing/ leasing information please fill out the form below:

Developer Celebrates Plans to Revitalize Coconut Grove with Groundbreaking at Metronomic Place

Miami-based development company Metronomic Inc., led by Ricky Trinidad, broke ground last Thursday for the new, mixed-use office, retail and hotel project on Grand Avenue in Coconut Grove. The groundbreaking ceremony for Metronomic Place was attended by commissioner Xavier Suarez and is set to spearhead the long-awaited revival of this corridor.

The five-story building will have about 5,000 square-feet of Class A office space, 3,200 square-feet of ground floor retail space, and a 44-key boutique hotel. The lobby and hotel interior was developed by local firm One Design Build. Designer Hugo Mijares combined metal, concrete, wood and other raw elements to create a modern industrial design with Old American style. It will also feature an activated “green” rooftop with a pool and garden area that echo the natural aura Coconut Grove in known for. Metronomic Place has an estimated completion date of Winter 2019.

Ricky Trinidad, President of Metronomic, Inc., is a developer and resident himself in West Coconut Grove, and has deep roots to the community. He hopes the project will enhance the vitality of Coconut Grove’s commercial and entertainment core.

He also just closed on a 7,200 square-foot site at 3110 Commodore Plaza called Commodore Place. The boutique hotel will offer loft-style, short-term suites with attractive amenities, a rooftop pool and garden deck area, and a two-story duplexed retail venue on the first floor.

Miguel Pinto of Apex Capital Realty brokered the deal and represented Metronomic Inc. Like Ricky, Miguel is focused on working on projects and deals that enhance communities and positively impact the commercial real estate industry.

As part of Metronomic’s larger plan to revitalize Grand Avenue, they also have over ten new construction projects in the works in Coconut Grove. This includes a large-scale comprehensive development of multiple properties of mixed-income, affordable housing, retail, office, park plazas, and sustainable living concepts.

Article by: Katya Demina