Waterford Corporate Centre Trades For $16.9 Million, To Become New Worldwide HQ For Benitez & Company CPA

The Waterford Corporate Centre, a multi-tenant office property which was renovated in 2019, ha sold for $16.9 million. The property is located at 5835 Blue Lagoon Drive, Miami, FL 33126 and spans 61,194 SF. The Waterford Corporate Centre was 97% leased at the time of sale and the tenant list includes The United States Department of Commerce, The State of Florida Department of Education, Volvo Group North America and World Trade Center Miami. The building will be the new worldwide headquarters for Benitez & Company CPA.

The buyer is Juan & Maria Benitez of the Benitez & Company CPA who was represented by Manny Chamizo III with ONE Sotheby's International Realty, while the seller was Blue Lagoon Investment, LLC who was represented by Cary Cohen with Blanca Commercial Real Estate.

The Waterford Corporate Centre was recently renovated in 2019 and features an impressive and elegant double-height lobby, tenant conferencing facility, and a rooftop helicopter landing pad.

"Despite changing market conditions, office buildings are continuing to transact in core markets," said Chamizo. "Miami’s momentum remains solid and South Florida based companies are reaping in the benefits - with many searching to expand their teams and offices. We are happy to have found the Class A space our client was looking for, the helipad was an attractive bonus.”

This property conveniently situated within the corporate-campus style Waterford Business District, fronting beautiful views of Miami International Airport and immediate access to the Dolphin Expressway. The prime location also connects the campus to several major Miami neighborhoods, including Doral, Coral Gables, Brickell, Downtown Miami and Wynwood.

Images attached. Credit for the building pictures goes to Cary Cohen.

Chicago White Sox Outfielder Louis Robert Breaks Weston Record With $12.3 Million Mansion Purchase

Chicago White Sox outfielder, Luis Robert Moiran has purchased a waterfront mansion at 3030 Meadow Lane in Weston for a record $12.3 million. Moiran, who is professionally known as Luis Robert, made his Major League Baseball debut with the Chicago White Sox as an outfielder in 2020. The Cuban-born 25-year-old signed a six-year, $50 million contract with the team that year, according to published reports. The sale of the waterfront property far outscores any other current listings in Weston. The next highest listing is $8 million.

Senada Adzem of Douglas Elliman had the listing, and Sara Bartman with 643 Realty Group LLC brought the buyers.

Touted as the “Monarch Estate” was listed with Senada Adzem of Douglas Elliman, the sprawling estate encompasses nearly 1.5 acres, the grounds at 3030 Meadow Lane in Weston, Florida are as well thought-out and cared for as the home itself.

Cast upon more than an acre and a half within The Windmill Ranch Estates community, the impeccable landscaping of this property has been both thoughtfully designed and meticulously maintained. The verdant outdoor living space features a stunning butterfly sanctuary, many Floridian flowering plants, as well as sheltering bushes and shrubs, have been carefully chosen to create an ideal environment for all types of butterflies to flourish, including the homes namesake: Firebush, Lantanas, Firecracker plant, Texas Sage, Pentas, Mexican Heather, and Jatropha.

The exterior is an oasis unto itself anchored by a striking 93-foot-long heated infinity edge pool, as well as an in-ground spa with room for 12 people. The multipurpose sports court features a glass-backboard basketball hoop, but it’s also designed for pickleball and other activities. The spacious outdoor setting also boasts a summer kitchen and dining area; a separate entertainment space, with a fireplace and flat-screen TV; and a dramatic fountain just off the pool with three stone-filled square fire bowls.

Windmill Ranch Estates, constructed around the waterways that distinguish the landscape in this coveted part of west Broward County, provides an idyllic setting for this beautifully rendered seven-bedroom sanctuary by renowned architect Randall Stofft. Designed on a canvas bathed in brilliant, invigorating whites—like the custom cabinetry in the chef’s kitchen and master bathroom, or the Turkish Carrara marble flooring in the dining area and formal living room—and complemented by rustic earth tones, the layout carries a thread of clean sophistication throughout its two floors. The home is being sold fully furnished and is built for entertaining as evidenced by the 2,000 square feet of family room/kitchen living space—part of a sprawling interior that encompasses nearly 12,000 square feet.

Other indoor highlights include Savant Smart Home technology (with automated control of everything from lighting and audio to fans, security, and the thermostat); a commercial grade elevator; a butler’s pantry; a multitiered cinema room; authentic Jerusalem stone; state-of-the-art appliances in the double-island kitchen; a home gym; and a surround-sound system comprised of some 100 combined indoor/outdoor speakers

Images via Douglas Elliman

Robert Rivani's Black Lion Acquires Restaurant Space at Zaha Hadid's One Thousand Museum For $6.4 Million

Black Lion, led by real estate investor Robert Rivani who specializes in ownership of flagship restaurant properties, has acquired the ground floor restaurant space at the iconic One Thousand Museum by Zaha Hadid for $6.4 million. Rivani’s off-market purchase marks Black Lion’s first deal in the Downtown area, adding to a portfolio of trophy retail properties spanning from Wynwood and Brickell down to Miami Beach.

Spanning 6,500-square-feet of interior space, this is the only restaurant space in the celeb favorite residential high-rise, home to high profile owners including David and Victoria Beckham, David Grutman, Marc Anthony, billionaire Anthony Hsieh and actress Sela Ann Ward to name a few.

“One Thousand Museum is one of the most iconic and architecturally significant buildings in all of Miami. I knew we had to have a piece of it,” said Robert Rivani, President of Black Lion. “Our objective at Black Lion is to curate transformative lifestyle experiences and we plan to do just that with this property–bringing in a world class restaurant or hospitality group to operate out of the space will be a key investment for our Miami expansion.”

Founded in 2014, commercial real estate investment company Black Lion has transacted more than $500 million in deals across the United States. Helmed by President Robert Rivani, the company has transformed properties across the country into thriving retail, entertainment and hospitality destinations, with a portfolio including restaurants, nightlife venues and retail power centers. Black Lion presently focuses on hospitality ventures, as South Florida’s social scene continues to expand. The company’s recently announced projects include high profile restaurant spaces at both the Marea and the Continuum high-rises in Miami Beach, Amara at Pariso, an iconic waterfront restaurant in Miami's Edgewater neighborhood led by a James Beard Award-winning chef, and an immersive jungle experience in Wynwood, Miami’s famed creative hub, to name a few.

Ronny Finvarb and Joseph Chetrit Acquire Macy's Property Near Miami Beach's Lincoln Road For $15.5 Million

Bay Harbor Islands-based Finvarb Group, led by developer and hotelier Ronny Finvarb, in partnership with Joseph Chetrit, have acquired the Macy’s property off of Lincoln Road in Miami Beach for $15.5 million, $152 PSF. The iconic building, which is located at 1675 Meridian Ave., was developed in 1953 and is one of the oldest retail buildings in Miami Beach. The building spans 102,009 SF on a 1.15 acre lot. The seller was the San Antonio-based Terry Emanuel and the deal included $9.3 million in seller financing.

Ronny Finvarb is currently developing the nearby Thompson Hotel South Beach and other projects in different stages. Finvarb Group owns 15 hotels, restaurants and other properties in Florida, Texas and Arizona, including the Kimpton Palomar South Beach and Osteria Morini, the Residence Inn by Marriott South Beach, the Courtyard by Marriott South Beach, and the Courtyard by Marriott Jupiter Palm Beach, which they developed. In Miami, Finvarb Group also owns the Landon Bay Harbor boutique hotel, including The Palm restaurant, which they acquired for $10 million in November 2021. The Finvarb Group also recently acquired mixed-use properties in Deerfield Beach, including JB’s on the Beach oceanfront restaurant property.

Lynd Living Locks Down $22.75 Million In Financing For Miami Worldcenter Site Acquisition

Lynd Living has acquired Block 23 at Miami Worldcenter for $30 million, financed by a $22.75 million acquisition land loan. Block 23 is located between NW 9th and NW 10th Street on North Miami Avenue and is one of the last remaining land sites within Miami Worldcenter, the 2nd largest master planned community in the country, behind New York City’s Hudson Yards. The transaction closed on August 26th.

Concord Summit’s Managing Director Kevin O’Grady and Director Justin Neelis represented Lynd on the senior acquisition land loan and represent Lynd as the exclusive advisors to place construction financing for a mixed-used project. Concord Summit was also the sales broker for the land sale. Concord Summit’s next step is to secure the construction financing for the project for Lynd. Miami Worldcenter is no stranger to Concord Summit Capital, who had also arranged the construction financing and equity for Paramount Miami Worldcenter for Encore Capital.

“David Lynd is a visionary and an incredible developer who I’m confident will bring a whole new level of residential living to Miami Worldcenter that the market has not seen before,” O’Grady said.

Miami Worldcenter is a $4 billion, 27-acre mixed-use development transforming the heart of Downtown Miami. Several phases of the project have already been completed, including three residential towers – PARAMOUNT Miami Worldcenter, Caoba, and Bezel Miami – and approximately 175,000 square feet of retail space. Coming up, a 351-room citizenM hotel is expected to open at Miami Worldcenter by the end of the year, along with another 125,000 square feet of retail space. Additionally, construction is underway at the 52-story Miami World Towers, which will comprise 550 apartment units; at Legacy Hotel & Residences, a 50-story mixed-use tower with 310 branded residences atop a hotel and 50,000 square feet of medical office space; and at the second phase of Caoba, which will encompass an adjacent 40-story tower with 420 apartments.

Planned developments include The Crosby, a 450-unit turn-key condominium by Related Group and Merrimac Ventures; a pair of “supertall” residential towers by New York-based Naftali Group; and a three-tower mixed-use project by The Witkoff Group, which will include up to 2,000 residential units as well as 550,000 square feet of office space and another 50,000 square feet of retail.

Complementing Miami Worldcenter’s open-air retail will be World Square, a 20,000-square-foot public plaza and park. Designed as a central gathering place and outdoor event space, World Square will serve as the heartbeat of the development featuring an abundance of shade trees, works of art by local and international artists, and oversized, pedestrian-friendly sidewalks lined with dining, entertainment, and retail concepts.

Swiss Real Estate Firm Empira Group Acquires Rare West Brickell Development Site In 'The Roads'

As institutional capital flows into Miami from around the world, a Switzerland-based real estate investment firm has acquired a rare development site west of Brickell. Empira Group plans to develop a mid-rise multifamily project in the neighborhood called ‘The Roads’ to help meet the area’s rising demand for housing fueled by an influx of business relocations to Miami’s urban core. Due to Empira´s conviction in the continued growth of Miami, the firm is looking to own the property as part of its portfolio for the long-term after its projected completion in 2025. The transaction closed yesterday, Aug. 29. This asset will expand Empira’s real estate portfolio with assets in Europe and in the US.

JLL Capital Markets brokered the transaction on behalf of the seller, an investment group from South America. The JLL Capital Markets Investment Advisory team representing the seller was led by Directors Max La Cava and Simon Banke, with support from Analyst Danielle Fernandez.

“Empira Group is very excited to close a unique acquisition in Miami,” said Rafael Aregger, Empira’s Head of Investments US. “The city is benefitting from a strong in-migration from other states and all over the world, and we have a very positive outlook on the future of Miami and its population’s growth. Centrally located, the upscale boutique project will cater to professionals and families who want to be close to Miami’s largest employment centers, including Brickell, downtown Miami, Coral Gables and Coconut Grove. The building was designed to offer residents highly attractive living space and amenities that promote a healthy lifestyle.”

Designed by award-winning Revuelta Architecture International, CoralGrove Brickell is planned to include 85 units, consisting of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. Some of its amenities include a fitness center that incorporates spaces for yoga and spinning, a rooftop resort-style pool overlooking the city, a gourmet kitchen and a game room. The ground floor will have about 900 square feet of retail space. The building’s architectural style is aligned with the Coral Way Beautification Master Plan since the project sits on the Coral Way corridor, connecting Coral Gables to the Brickell area. Empira plans to start construction of CoralGrove Brickell in the second half of 2023.

Empira’s new development site sits in The Roads, a residential neighborhood with one of the highest barriers to entry. The 0.53-acre site consists of two vacant aged apartment buildings at 3025 SW 3rd Ave. and 3051 SW 3rd Ave. Demolition of the structures will take place later this year.

CoralGrove Brickell, which is a five-minute walk from the Viscaya Metrorail Station, will promote walkable urban living. Future tenants will be able to trade their cars for the Metrorail to travel around the tri-county area. That is important for Empira, whose institutional investors are committed to the highest ESG standards for their developments in Europe and the US. CoralGrove Brickell will be LEED certified which promotes not only more sustainable buildings from an environmental perspective but also a healthier living environment for the building´s users.

“CoralGrove Brickell is one of the most exciting boutique residential projects in Miami,” said La Cava. “It is perfectly positioned to capitalize on the influx of high-paying tech and finance jobs moving from New York City, Chicago, and San Francisco. “Empira’s entrance to the Miami market is a big deal as they look to expand in South Florida and across the US.”

Since the onset of the pandemic, Miami has become the epicenter of the Great Migration and experienced a 16.8% year-over-year population growth. Miami-Dade County is projected to add approximately 175,000 new residents over the next three years.

South Florida’s booming economy and thriving job market have transformed the area into an economic powerhouse. Miami has attracted high-profile tech, private equity and finance firms from major high-paying employment hubs such as New York, Chicago, and San Francisco. Blackstone, Citadel, Google, Spotify, Thoma Bravo, Marsh Insurance and Goldman Sachs, among many others, have opened or significantly expanded their offices in Miami in recent months.

Ytech Acquires 1500 Brickell, One Of The Last Remaining Historic Estates On Brickell Avenue

Miami-based real estate development and investment firm Ytech have acquired a historic mansion located at 1500 Brickell Avenue. Ytech is completing a multi-million dollar restoration and renovation of the property which is slated for completion by Q1 2023. The property joins Ytech’s ownership portfolio of prime addresses in Brickell including 1428 Brickell Avenue, 1548 Brickell Avenue, and 75 Broadway, among others. Ytech was represented by Stuart Kapp of KappMorrison, LLP in the acquisition.

“The acquisition of 1500 Brickell Avenue underscores our commitment to the area which is the epicenter of growth in Miami,” said Yamal Yidios, CEO of Ytech. “The restoration will bring to life the significance of this historic property, which when complete will serve as a complement to our luxury residential development efforts in Brickell.”

Originally built in 1931, the property, referred to as “Château Petit Douy,” was designed to resemble the Priory in Saint Julian, France and reflects the period revival style of architecture common during the first half of the twentieth century. Located in what was then known as the Millionaires’ Row neighborhood, the home remains as one of the few historic mansions left on Brickell Avenue. The property gained its historic designation status in 1983.

Since 2006, Ytech has developed and redeveloped more than 7,000 apartments in 25 submarkets across the Southeast United States, involving over $2 billion in capital. In addition, the firm currently has a development pipeline of more than $3 billion in residential projects in the Brickell area.

Ken Griffin Expands Brickell Holdings As Citadel Leases 95,000 SF At 830 Brickell

The multi-billionaire hedge fund magnate Ken Griffin, who founded the Chicago-based Citadel Securities, has continued to expand his Brickell portfolio while Citadel signed a lease for 95,000 SF at OKO Group’s 830 Brickell office tower. Griffin announced earlier this year that both Citadel and Citadel securities will move to Miami from Chicago. Through an entity Griffin acquired acquired the adjacent 1250 Brickell Bay Drive and 1260 Brickell Bay Drive for $20 million, the lots total roughly 6,655 SF. The lots are adjacent to 1221 Brickell Avenue, which an entity tied to Citadel reportedly acquired in June 2022 for $286.5 million.

The assemblage of properties spanning from 1221 Brickell Avenue to 1250-1260 Brickell Bay Drive is across the street from 1201 Brickell Bay Drive, which Citadel was revealed as the buyer of after Tibor Hollo’s Florida East Coast Realty sold the 2.5 acre supertall development lot in a $363 million mega-deal also in April 2022. The price equated to $145 million per acre, $3,340 PSF dirt value. Citadel is planning to develop the property with the Chicago-based developer Sterling Bay.

The lease signing at 830 Brickell comes following the news of developers OKO Group and Cain International buying WeWork out of their 146,000 square foot lease covering 10-floors. WeWork was one of the first to sign a major lease at the Class A office tower in 2019 which was set to become their largest location Florida. Rents at 830 Brickell are now in excess of $125 PSF, representing a 42% rise year-over-year. Other top-tier office users who have signed leases at 830 Brickell include Microsoft, international law firm Sidley Austin LLP, New York-based insurance firm A-CAP, private equity firm Thoma Bravo, CI Financial, Marsh Insurance, AerCap, and others.

The news comes as the Miami office market continues to boast one of the lowest vacancy rates with absorption faring better than other competing markets across the U.S, according to the Miami Downtown Development Authority’s 2021 Office Market Report. In fact, Downtown Miami was the only major urban office market in the country to achieve net-positive absorption in 2021.

Gridline Properties Represents Seller And Buyer In Sale Of Ebb & Flow Retail Strip Center In Miami's Little River District

Ebb & Flow, a retail strip center in Miami’s Little River District, has sold for $18.15 million, marking one of the largest sales in the neighborhood, testifying to the areas growth the progress. Ebb & Flow is a unique retail strip center comprised of two buildings on two lots measuring 32,000 square feet and 81,224 square feet. The property closed on July 22 for $18.15 million and is located at 8200 NE 2nd Ave., and 201 NE 82nd St., Miami, FL 33138.

Both sides of the all-cash transaction were overseen by Gridline Properties Broker and Principal Alfredo Riascos. The seller was Thomas Conway of River Esquinas, LLC, and the buyer was Doug Levine, founder of Crunch Fitness and CEO of commercial real estate development firm Big Move Properties. Prior to the successful sale, Gridline Properties assisted the seller with leasing its retail spaces ensuring the property for future success.

The Ebb & Flow property sits in the heart of Little River’s Uptown District, one of Miami’s most exciting and emerging neighborhoods. The strip houses Primal Fit, Eyebrow King, La Santa Taqueria, Salon Dahlia, Tran An Vietnamese Eatery, and Off Site Nano-brewery & Kitchen—exciting tenants that have received culinary, fitness, and beauty recognitions. Additionally, the T6-8-O zoning for the property allows for the future development of 280 residential units offering the possibility of developing a mixed-use space.

“We are excited to be involved with transactions that continue to drive progress and innovation to Little River’s Uptown District, one of Miami’s most exciting neighborhoods," said Riascos. “Representing both the seller and buyer in this large of a sale proves to be as satisfactory as it is complex—yet both parties come out on top to serve this thriving community that we are honored to be a part of.”

A hub for re-adapted industrial buildings, the Little River Business District has attracted an array of creative and design-oriented businesses that have spontaneously identified the surrounding neighborhood as one of Miami’s most up-and-coming districts. It is home to a wide variety of businesses, tenants, and owners that have transformed one of Miami's oldest industrial areas into a neighborhood that promotes creativity, design, and innovation.

PPG Development Acquires Bay Harbor Towers For $32 Million

PPG Development, led by Ari Pearl, have acquired Bay Harbor Towers, located at 10141 and 10143 East Bay Harbor Drive. The 1.03-acre property sold for $32 million, which equated to a price of $1,066,667 per existing unit. The transaction was overseen by Cary Cohen of Blanca Commercial Real Estate and Deme Mekras of MSP Group.

Prior to the marketing of the site, the Board of Directors at Bay Harbor Towers designated a committee and instructed them to explore the sale, which led to their interviewing and receiving proposals from several brokerage houses, including some of the world’s largest firms. After a highly competitive interview process, the committee elected to have Cary Cohen of Blanca Commercial Real Estate along with Deme Mekras, of MSP Group, represent the many owners of Bay Harbor Towers. The duo signed exclusive listings with 100% of the 30-unit owners and commenced a far-reaching marketing campaign.

“Bay Harbor is no longer Dade County’s hidden treasure. Our extensive marketing process elicited global interest from numerous top-tier developers, as we expected, given the truly unique nature of this opportunity,” said the listing team. The duo shared that “Coordinating a sale of an entire association is one of the most rewarding transactions. It brings life changing wealth to so many people as the existing units traded for over 300% of their market value on an individual basis.” This rare, waterfront Bay Harbor Islands development site was highly sought after due to its immediate views of Biscayne Bay, Bal Harbor, Sunny Isles and distant views of South Beach, Edgewater, and Downtown Miami.

The buyer, PPG Development, LLC, led by Founder and CEO, Ari Pearl, is a commercial and residential real estate developer focused on the South Florida market, which has a substantial pipeline of development projects already underway, such as 700 planned multifamily units in North Miami Beach and the ongoing redevelopment of the Diplomat in Hallandale. PPG also has recent experience in Bay Harbor market with their purchase of The Altair Hotel.

“Development sites with amazing bay views rarely come to market anywhere in Miami, much less on coveted Bay Harbor Islands. Ultimately, a significant bidding war ensued leading to a $32 million sales price,” they continued, “and we firmly believe this was a win-win for both buyer and sellers,” said list agents Cary Cohen and Deme Mekras.