Pininfarina Wins Red Dot Award For Design Concept of 2019 For Pininfarina Bus Shelters For City Of Miami Beach

Internationally-renowned Italian design studio Pininfarina has received the Red Dot Award for Design Concept of 2019 with their Pininfarina Bus Shelter for the City of Miami Beach. Seeking to enhance the transit experience and improve the quality of existing architecture and functionality, the City of Miami Beach proposed to adopt a new bus shelter design for city commuters, with the City Commission unanimously selecting Pininfarina’s boundary-pushing concept design as the winning bid. Beginning in 2005, The Red Dot Awards recognized the need to identify and celebrate new design concepts and innovations, the precursors of tomorrow’s great products.

“We are delighted to receive this award for the City of Miami Beach,” said Paolo Trevisan, Head of Design for Pininfarina of America. “Our bus shelter system is the solution to the City of Miami Beach’s transportation needs, and we’re honored to be part of the evolution of the city’s identity.” 

Drawing inspiration from the City of Miami Beach’s playful, dynamic and energetic atmosphere, Pininfarina’s shelter design is inspired by natural shapes and a color palette that captures the vibrant personality of Miami Beach. The bus shelters feature innovative modular designs and contemporary technology that highlight Pininfarina’s goal of creating a modern, airy, accessible and comfortable user experience, where beauty is never sacrificed for functionality. The bus shelters feature state-of-the-art technology and amenities that enhance the passenger experience, key design highlights include a solar panel system, estimated bus and trolley arrival signs, passenger security systems, and a tempered glass frame with additional awning to protect customers from the elements. 

“Our bus shelters will display the highest design quality and functionality,” expressed Dan Gelber, Miami Beach Mayor. “This prestigious award represents the ultimate seal of approval when it comes to an exquisite design, enhancing our Miami Beach brand worldwide.” 

“If cities are to increase public transit ridership, its leaders must strive to improve every aspect of the experience,” added Ricky Arriola, Miami Beach Vice-Mayor. “Pininfarina’s iconic bus shelter design contributes to our mission of sustainability by taking what is typically a drab infrastructure afterthought and transforming it into a functional, artistic masterpiece that will entrance drivers away from their pollutive commutes.” 

13th Floor Investments & Adler Group Break Ground On The Transit Oriented Link at Douglas

13th Floor Investments and Adler Group have broken ground on one of Miami’s most anticipated transit oriented development, Link at Douglas. The development team is beginning site work this month and vertical construction of the development’s first phase is expected to begin this summer (2019). The 7- acre development will redevelop Miami’s Douglas Road Metrorail station and will be comprised of rental units (including workforce housing), retail and office space, and a public plaza. The project will deliver privately-funded infrastructure upgrades at a critical connection point within the County’s transit system and is expected to generate $500 million in new revenue for Miami-Dade County. The development team has also pledged over $17 million in public infrastructure improvements including $1 million for The Underline linear park.

Link at Douglas is set to be built in phases over the next five years and will include 1,500 residential units including a workforce housing component, 25,000 SF of retail space, a 250,000 SF office building, and a public plaza that connects with The Underline, a 10-mile-long linear park running from Downtown Miami through neighborhoods to the south. The development’s first tower, designed by Corwil Architects and comprising 312 apartment units and 6,000 SF of retail in 22-stories, will break ground in July. The development of tower two, a 36-story building designed by Arquitectonica including 421 apartment units and 17,000 SF of retail, will begin in October. Approximately 100 of the 733 units will be designated as workforce housing units.

“As Miami-Dade’s population experiences rapid growth, we need to come up with forward thinking ways to reduce road congestion and that begins with connecting people with alternative forms of transit,” said Arnaud Karsenti, Managing Principal of 13th Floor Investments. “Link at Douglas will set a new standard for urban living in this part of Miami-Dade County, improving access to jobs, attainable housing opportunities, everyday amenities, retail and office space for our residents and neighbors.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Miami Dade County in further enhancing the community through this pedestrian and transit-oriented development,” said Michael M. Adler, CEO of Adler Group. “By focusing on design, public spaces and the connection to transit we feel that this project will enrich all of Miami Dade County.”

Link at Douglas marks the second transit-oriented development spearheaded by 13th Floor Investments and Adler Group. Motion at Dadeland, a 294-unit rental community adjacent to the Dadeland North Metrorail station, opened to residents in April 2019.

MSC Cruises Reveals Supersized Arquitectonica-Designed Cruise Terminal In PortMiami

MSC Cruises has revealed a new supersized Arquitectonica-designed cruise ship terminal coming to PortMiami. The terminal will be the largest in PortMiami at 350,000 SF, nearly double Royal Caribbean’s 170,000 SF Crown of Miami Terminal. The MSC Cruises terminal will be able to host 2 ships at a time and will be able to process 28,000 passengers per day. The terminal will also house its own parking with 2,000 parking spaces within the structure. Arquitectonica designed the terminal by drawing inspiration from Italian yachts, paying homage to MSC’s Italian heritage. Construction is expected to start in early 2020 with completion estimated for late 2022.

Virgin Continues Push Into South Florida, Reveals New PortMiami Terminal For Virgin Voyages

Just days after Virgin Trains USA announced it had taken a minority stake in Brightline and presented plans to the Securities and Exchange Commission for permission to conduct an initial public offering of stock, Richard Branson has continued his push into South Florida as Virgin Voyages prepares to launch. Virgin has now revealed a new $150 million terminal in PortMiami for Virgin Voyages whose first ship, Scarlet Lady, will launch in 2020. The new 2-story terminal is being designed by Arquitectonica and will be made of storm resistant glass which will resemble a palm tree. Virgin is currently awaiting approval from Miami-Dade commissioners before breaking ground.

Wynwood BID Study Reveals Wynwood-Edgewater Needs Train Amid Fast-Rising Density

The Wynwood BID has completed a study which reveals that amid fast-rising density, Wynwood-Edgewater is more in need of a train station than Midtown Miami-Design District. The Wynwood-Edgewater area is looking at nearly 65 million square feet of new development according to urban planner Cesar Garcia-Pons, who conducted the study and is a former Deputy Director of the City of Miami Planning & Zoning Department. The Wynwood proposed Tri-Rail train station would be near 29th street while the planned Midtown Miami-Design District station would be located at 36th Street under the I-195 overpass. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has agreed to provide funding for half of the Midtown Miami-Design District station with the additional funds covered by the city and county. The Wynwood BID will now share the results of the study with City of Miami of elected officials, as well as members of the City administration for their consideration. The Wynwood BID initially endorsed the Tri-Rail station concept by way of resolution in May 2018, expressing willingness to work side by side with Tri-Rail, as well as City of Miami and Miami-Dade County leaders, to bring the service to the area with a centrally-located station.

“The Wynwood BID prides itself on implementing forward-thinking urban planning concepts in our growing district – and that includes doing our part to find solutions to Miami’s growing traffic challenges,” said BID Board Member David Polinsky. “We hope that our City of Miami and Miami-Dade County partners will take note of this new study and work with us to ensure that the booming Wynwood-Midtown-Edgewater area houses a permanent Tri-Rail station.”

“From an urban planning perspective, it’s important that any new transit stations in Miami’s urban core not only be located near vibrant, mixed-use residential and commercial communities, but also within a neighborhood or area that has the greatest potential for residential and employment growth,” said Garcia-Pons. “The results of the study make a compelling case for siting a commuter transit station a bit further to the south.”

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.

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.

MiamiCentral Featuring Brightline Tabs Tony Cho’s Metro 1 Commercial As Exclusive Retail Brokerage For Development

Florida East Coast Industries (FECI) has hired leading commercial brokerage firm Metro 1 Commercial, LLC to spearhead retail leasing efforts for the state-of-the-art development, MiamiCentral, Miami's most connected, mixed-use transportation hub. Metro 1 will target approximately 130,000 SF of MiamiCentral’s newly constructed retail space, with a focus on food & beverage, health & wellness and other lifestyle-driven tenants.

Andres Nava, VP of Commercial Leasing and Grace Chance, a leasing associate who recently joined Metro 1 after several years leasing Brickell City Centre, will lead efforts on behalf of Metro 1. Metro 1 Commercial’s emphasis on transit-oriented development (TOD) and proven track record for successfully utilizing retail to differentiate and elevate emerging neighborhoods played a key role in the firm’s selection.

“Metro 1 has been a catalyst in the evolution of South Florida’s most engaging projects and neighborhoods,” said Tad Templeton, vice president of retail leasing for FECI. “We are eager to have Tony and his team on board and look forward to working together in delivering that same dynamic to MiamiCentral.”

Located in the heart of Downtown, MiamiCentral aims to address the steady increase in demand for walkable, retail-driven centers caused by the area’s sharp increase in population. A recent report published by Miami’s Downtown Development Authority shows a nearly 40% increase in Downtown residents since 2010, with an average of 1,500 new residents per year. This growth not only positions MiamiCentral as the focal point for downtown commerce, but also primes the project to have far-reaching effects on the entire district.

“More than a leasing agreement, we see this as an opportunity to play a key part in downtown’s rebirth,” said Tony Cho, Founder and CEO of Metro 1 Commercial. “Finding retail partners who bring something new and exciting to an area while staying true to its historic identity is a unique challenge, but one that inspires our entire team. We’ve had incredible results throughout neighborhoods like Wynwood and Magic City, and look forward to bringing our unique approach to MiamiCentral.”

"MiamiCentral is poised to become one of Miami’s most connected, mixed-use hubs featuring transportation, retail, residences and offices. Its status as one of the city’s most high-profile transit-oriented projects, the built-in rental units and, of course, the thousands of people already using Brightline, makes this a dynamic property with huge potential,” said Nava.

MiamiCentral represents the city’s most central, multimodal transportation center considering its  proximity to I-95 within the Central Business District and several key neighborhoods including Park West, Biscayne Corridor, Arts and Entertainment District, Brickell and the Health District. In addition to its connection to Metromover and Metrorail, MiamiCentral serves as Brightline’s southern terminus featuring inter-city, express passenger rail service between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Future mass transit expansion plans and upcoming developments—including Brightline’s Orlando service, integration of Tri-Rail’s Downtown Miami Link within MiamiCentral and the delivery of the Miami Worldcenter Marriott Marquis World Convention Center Hotel. Additionally, MiamiCentral will house Downtown Miami’s only food hall, Central Fare, set to feature unique and authentic vendors and well-crafted experiences focused on bringing food and beverage concepts that build community.

Brightline to Kick Off Service To Miami Via MiamiCentral Station May 19

Brightline will officially begin passenger service from Fort Lauderdale to Miami on May 19. Tickets are now on sale for the rail service connecting West Palm Beach to Downtown Miami, priced from $10 for Smart Service which offers 19' seats; and $15 for select service, which features 21' seats, more leg room, complimentary snacks and beverages as well as access to premium select lounge. West Palm Beach to Miami is available from $15 for smart service and $25 for select service. A grand opening weekend is already nearly sold out with tickets priced from $3 to $5. Brightline MiamiCentral Station is located at 600 NW 1st Avenue and features CentralFare, a 50,000 SF food hall slated to open fall 2018 complete with Einstein's Bros. Bagels, Joe & The Juice and Starbucks. 

Brightline is setting the new benchmark for travel by train in America with express inter-city passenger rail service connecting Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, with future service to Orlando. Providing a travel option that lives at the intersection of transportation and hospitality, the service is expected to reduce traffic and provide South Floridians with a simple and intuitive experience from door to destination, and foster new opportunities to explore more of Southeast Florida. Brightline will be the only privately owned, operated and maintained passenger rail system in the United States. 

Judge Rules Florida Department of Transportation Can Proceed With "The Fountain" Signature Bridge

A judge has ruled to allow the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to proceed with the winning design for Downtown Miami's proposed $802 million Signature Bridge. The winning design is known as "The Fountain" designed by Archer Western and The de Moya Group. In an April 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. Another design by contractors Fluor, Astaldi and MCM, which finished in second, was allegedly the favorite design by community representatives. The court ruled that Fluor-Astaldi-MCM failed to prove that "The Fountain" was chosen due to corruption. The legal action delayed the groundbreaking which was supposed to commence in 2017 and be completed in 2022. The Signature Bridge is expected to cost $802 million with $626 million in funds provided via the State of Florida including state motor fuels tax, vehicle license fee, and documentary stamp collections; and $186 million being funded via MDX toll revenue bond proceeds.