Berkowitz Contemporary Foundation Reveals New Rene Gonzalez-Design Coming To Edgewater

The Berkowitz Contemporary Foundation has revealed new plans for their proposed Edgewater location at 2626 Biscayne Blvd., replacing a previous Arquitectonica-design with one by Rene Gonzalez Architects. The 45,000 SF foundation, which will be open for free public access, will feature its contemporary art collection on display in addition to a selection of sculptures indoors and in the outdoor plaza. The building will be built from cast concrete with a modern, cantilevering design. On display with be Richard Serra’s 180-foot-long “Passage of Time,” which will be placed in the outdoor plaza and will be visible to pedestrians and motorists. The building is also specially designed to house James Turrell’s “Aten Reign” light sculpture with uses a skylight above. The Berkowitz Contemporary Art Foundation is still in talks with the city and plans have not yet been submitted for review following the city’s rejection of the Arquitectonica-design on the grounds it did not adhere to Miami 21 Zoning Codes. A tentative groundbreaking is slated for 2020 with completion in 2023.

“The Berkowitz Contemporary Foundation’s announcement signals Miami’s ongoing evolution into a world-class destination for art and culture,” said Miami Mayor Francis Suarez. “This innovative space will serve as a valued addition to Miami’s rich creative landscape, and make extraordinary works of art accessible to the community.”

Check Out The Newly Released Video Of The 3 Acre Park Coming To Alton Road As Part Of Deal With Russell Galbut

Miami Beach has struck a deal with Crescent Heights co-founder Russell Galbut to bring a 3 acre park to Alton Road in exchange to allow Galbut to up-zone the old South Shore hospital site in South Beach. Commissioners approved a tower height increase to 519’, in exchange Galbut will fund and develop the 3 acre park which will be connected to the baywalk which wraps around South Pointe via a taxpayer funded pedestrian bridge. Galbut will have 6-months after the appeal periods to demolish the vacant South Shore Hospital and must complete the park within 8 years after the construction permit for the tower is issued. Should Galbut wish to flip the property he must retain 10% ownership. A subsequent hearing will take place in December.

Inside The PROFILEmiami Fall Real Estate Showcase & Forum 2018

PROFILEmiami, Miami's leading real estate news platform, hosted its first annual PROFILEmiami Fall Real Estate Showcase & Forum on November 13, 2018. The evening was filled with education and networking, bringing together Miami’s local real estate leaders: top architects, brokers, developers, investors, real estate professionals, luminaries and government officials. The forum featured four informative topic panels including Miami’s Private Use of Public Land, Opportunity Zones, Sustainable Development as well as The Tokenization of Real Estate.

“We choose topics to explore that are having a major effect on Miami real estate today,” said Demetri Demascus, Founder & Publisher of PROFILEmiami. “Our goal is to provide an atmosphere of education where the general public and real estate professionals can learn from some of the leaders in their field as well as have the opportunity to connect with them in person.”

Our panelists for Miami’s Private Use of Public Land featured John Greco, Deputy City Attorney - City of Miami, and Xavier E. Albán, Assistant City Attorney - City of Miami, who explored the process that the city, state and county take when it comes to private developers approaching them about operating on public land.

An Exploration Into Opportunity Zones featured Thomas Volpe, CEO of Sikari Fund, Sheri Colas-Gervais of the Beacon Council, and Miguel Pinto, President & Managing Broker of Apex Capital Realty. The panel introduced the economic incentives of investing in Opportunity Zones in Miami and how to find opportunity zone properties and the tax advantages.

The Sustainable Development panel brought together Jon Cardello, Vice President at Stantec, Martin Pinilla, Managing Partner of Barlington Group, and Jeremy Waks of Oak Ventures and developer of Arbor Coconut Grove, to explore sustainable technologies and design in Miami real estate.

The evening capped off with The Tokenization of Real Estate, which brought together Kim Prior of Shutts & Bowen, Peter Debs of Bitfinance, and Jorge Guerra, President of Miami Association of Realtors; together they explored how tokenizing real estate assets can make access to capital and equity easier, while unlocking secondary liquidity and value for investors. The panels were moderated by Demetri Demascus, Founder & Publisher of PROFILEmiami as well as Katya Demina, Editor of PROFILEmiami.

Thank you to our partners Tesla, Apex Capital Realty, RealDax, BB Capital Group, Hallandale Beacon, Miami Design District, Game Day Skincare and our panelists.

SkyRise Miami Set To Begin Construction in Q2 2019

SkyRise Miami, the proposed 1,000’ entertainment and observation tower which is poised to become the tallest tower in Florida, is gearing up to break ground in Q2 2019. The entertainment and observation tower is being designed by Arquitectonica and under development by Berkowitz Development Group, who have retained Plaza Construction as the contractor on the project. The project was first proposed in 2013 before being derailed by lawsuits and contested use of public subsidies. In 2015 the Florida Supreme Court put a stop to challenges by community activists who aimed to stop development of the project. SkyRise Miami is expected to be completed in 2023.

SkyRise Miami will featured an indoor controlled free-fall system, a “drop tower-style” ride which will hit speeds of 95 mph and a selection of observation decks overlooking Biscayne Bay, PortMiami, Miami Beach, Key Biscayne, the Atlantic Ocean and the Miami Skyline. In 2016 Berkowitz Development Group inked a deal with Legends Hospitality Group for day-to-day management, guest interactions, sales and marketing, as well as food and beverage operations.

Miami-Dade Commissioners Vote To Award $14.3 Million Construction Contract For Underline's Brickell Backyard

Miami-Dade commissioners have voted to award a $14.3 million construction contract to build the Brickell Backyard portion of the Underline. The 1/2 mile project will start at the Miami River and will continue through SW 13th Street under the Metrorail and Metromover, helping to bring green vegetation and park space to the dense, urban Brickell neighborhood. Brickell Backyard will feature dedicated pedestrian and bicycle trails, lush landscaping, a gym area with basketball courts and gym equipment, space for group fitness classes and recreational activities, a staging area for concerts and movies, dining areas and a game area with fixed tables and chairs. The project will also include the reconfiguration of the existing bus stations and intersections along the path. Brickell Backyard will be the first portion of the planned 10-mile Underline. Completion is expected in 2020.

FPL To Build Solar Ring In Downtown's Bayfront Park

Miami commissioners have awarded Florida Power & Light a no-bid contract to build a solar ring which consists of solar panels with a retractable Amphitheater roof in Downtown Miami's Bayfront Park. The entire cost of construction will be shouldered by FPL with operation and maintenance costs covered by the public Bayfront Park Management Trust budged at $40,000 annually. FPL will pay the city a $10 annual license fee but the power generated via the solar panels will go to FPL's grid. Completion is expected by 2020. 

“The installation of the [solar ring] will pique the curiosity of the City’s residents and visitors of all ages, encouraging discussion about sustainability and inspiring them to learn more about the benefits of solar energy,” Annie Perez, Procurement Director, City of Miami.

Crescent Heights Strikes Deal With The City Of Miami Beach To Build A 42-Story Tower On Alton Road

According to new reports Crescent Heights has finally struck a deal with the city of Miami Beach to redevelop the former South Shore Hospital site, the three-block lot between Alton and West Avenue from 5th to 7th streets, into a 42-story tower. The tower, which will be located on 5th Street, is designed by Arquitectonica and will feature a 13,900 SF floor-plate. Crescent Heights has agreed with the city to limit the residential unit count to 400 as well as reduce the commercial intensity by 50%. The proposal includes a single story commercial plaza on the Alton Road side of the 6th street parcel which would feature retail, cafes, etc., as well as parking. The commercial structure would buffer the park which in exchange to build a high-rise, Crescent Heights will donate a 2.5-acre street-grade park to the city. Original proposals included parking to be located under the park. The developer will also give an easement on 5th Street for the city to build a pedestrian walkway over 5th Street as well as build an extra turning lane.

The currently approved project on the site rises 5-7 stories and features 510 apartments. Mayor Dan Gelber worries about congestion due to an influx of new residences in addition to a "wall effect" that is created by the low-rise buildings. With a high-rise condos, a selection of owner-occupants will not live in Miami full-time while apartment rentals would be operating at near 100% occupancy.   

The terms are still under negotiation and the plans have not yet been approved by the city. Mayor Gelber plans to ask the City Commission to pursue a development agreement and draw up a term sheet for Crescent Heights's proposal. Should the proposal be approved the timeframe of the project is expected to be 2 years. 

Downtown Miami's $800 Million Signature Bridge Awarded Notice To Proceed By FDOT

Florida Department Of Transportation (FDOT) has awarded the Archer Western-de Moya Joint Venture, the contractors for Downtown Miami's $800 million Signature Bridge, a Notice To Proceed. The final chosen design known as The Fountain and will be the new gateway to Miami Beach, transforming I-395 and the entry to MacAruthur Causeway. The initiative will build a 55-acre park, known as Heritage Trail, under the bridge, as well as changes to State Road 836 including adding a lane and building Miami's first double-deck highway. The construction timeline is 4 years.

The Signature Bridge project has had its fair share of drama. In an April 2018 hearing, the State of Florida Division of Administration Hearing ruled in favor of FDOT after bridge advocate and former Miami City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff filed a lawsuit alleging that FDOT violated their 2013 settlement agreement via their handling of bids to design and build the bridge by manipulating scoring to allow the Archer Western and The de Moya Group's proposal to win. In May 2018 a Judge ruled in favor of FDOT to allow them proceed with the winning design.

Moishe Mana's Pedestrian Friendly Vision For Redeveloping Flagler Street Unveiled

Construction has been stopped on Downtown Miami's redevelopment of Flagler Street, a project which has seen over 7 years of planning, to discuss pivoting to a new plan proposed by Moishe Mana. Mana, one of Downtown Miami's major land holders, has proposed a new for the the transformation of Flagler Street. Mana is calling for a "curbless" street  with no raised sidewalks in addition to the removal of on-street parking. The changes would allow for a pedestrian friendly outdoor, high-street retail concept with outdoor restaurant seating and entertainment. The streets would also include lush landscaping and bollards for pedestrian safety. Changes to the original plan would cost Miami-Dade tax payers $6 million with funding coming from city, county, DDA and private investors but should the project get delayed county funding may be pulled. Construction is anticipated to take between 36-42 months. 

Inside PROFILEmiami's Art in Public Places Panel Event Featuring Leaders from City of Miami, A+E District, Design District and Wynwood

Real estate news platform PROFILEmiami hosted a thought-provoking symposium about Miami’s Art in Public Places program. The special panel event, which took place in downtown Miami’s Arts + Entertainment District in the CANVAS condominium tower, being developed NR Investments, put a spotlight on future development in the city and explored best practices for the ongoing incorporation of works of art in real estate projects. 

Moderated by PROFILEmiami publisher Demetri Demascus, the event featured a display of autos by Prestige Imports.  Panelists included Jeremy Calleros Gauger, Deputy Director of the Planning Department for the City of Miami; Dacra COO Steven Gretenstein; Wynwood BID Board Member and Chairman of the Planning & Transportation Committee David Polinsky; TILIA Companies Principal Gary Ressler; and NR Investments Principal and A+E co-founder Nir Shoshani. 

Guests, who were treated to cocktails and hors d'oeuvres by PROFILEmiami, additionally had a question-and-answer session with the panelists, getting the opportunity to delve into important topics and gain insights regarding unique initiatives unfolding within the city.  Before the panel began, CANVAS and NR Investments also hosted hardhat tours of the property, showcasing several of the condominium building’s 170-foot interior wall murals – all of which are being painted by urban contemporary artists from around the world.