Healthy Sales Reported at One River Point

Sales at the pre-construction mega-project One River Point have been healthy as the project is now 26% sold according to developer Shahab Karmely of Kar Properties. Recently the market has been hot with nearly $26 million since the beginning of July. The Next Miami is reporting that according to broker Micael Light, reservations and deposits for 16 units at an average of $1.6 million to bring the total closed to 100 of 386 units. Groundbreaking for the project is expected in mid-2017. 

One River point will include twin high-rise luxury resort style residential towers connected by a 3-story "skybridge" Sky Club. Amenities also include 2 restaurants, a cigar lounge, cocktail bar, wine cellar, 25 club suites for guests, an 85 foot waterfall and pool deck. Units start at $750,000 - $12 million. 

Liquid Lofts is Finally Approved in Downtown Miami

Siegar Suarez's Liquid Lofts are ready to break ground after Miami's Planning Department approved the plans on July 18. Liquid Lofts will be a 866 foot tall building consisting of 482 apartment units over 78 units. The project also includes ground floor restaurant and commercial space as well as walking distance to the Metromover. The development will be built at 35SW 1st St. in Downtown, which required setback waivers to construct the tall building on such a small, .48 acre lot. Charles Sieger had initially purchased liquidloftsmiami.com in December 2013, but the city stalled on approvals. He is serving as both the developer, equity holder and architect.  The property is adjacent to Downtown's Macy's location which sold to Aetna Realty Group in 2013. 

World Trade Center of the Americas Approved For Downtown Miami

Brazilian developer Gilberto Bomeny and Regalia develper Louis Montello have teamed up and are moving ahead with the World Trade Center of the Americas at 340 Biscayne Blvd. after completing a sale and 99 year leaseback of the property and obtaining financing. They purchased the property which is currently the Holiday Inn Downtown in November 2015 for $65 million. 

The World Trade Center of the Americas will be a 77-story mixed-use development that will rise 969 ft. The FAA and city approved the height, which will continue to push Miami's skyline higher. The mixed-use project will include 1.4 million SF of space including 400 residential units, 100 hotel rooms, 250,000 SF office space and 516 parking spaces. The total sell-out is expected to exceed $1 billion. Ground breaking is expected to come around late 2018 with an expected completion of 2022. 

MiamiCentral Station & Brightline Construction Update

Construction is progressing at the Downtown Miami site of the future MiamiCentral Station, which is part of the railway initiative to connect Forida's metropolitan cities. MiamiCentral Station will service both the Tri-Rail and Brightline train paths. The Next Miami has reported that All Aboard Florida is on track to begin Tri-Rail service soon and Brightline passenger train service between Miami and West Palm Beach at some point in 2017. 

Photo via Phillip Pessar and The Next Miami

The Brightline will travel at speeds of up to 125 mph by train between Miami and Orlando, connecting the Eastern coast of the state of Florida like never before. The $2.5 billion, privately funded Brightline will soon provide easy access for residents of South Florida to Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando.  All three South Florida stations are currently under construction as this project inches closer to reality. 

The Brightline will feature everything that the modern traveler needs, including free Wi-Fi and charging stations at the seats. There will also be food and beverage service aboard. There will also be designated pet areas and three ticket options at all different budgets and privacy allotments. As opposed to the standard steel cars that have moved people for over a century, Brightline will feature a Floridian spin, with passenger cars being an artistic pink, red, orange, green or blue. Designer David Rockwell has said that he wants to keep the train cars and station design transparent and welcoming, which led to the moniker "Brightline." Matched with the massive amounts of development going on in South Florida, the Brightline should further help connect the people and economies in South East Florida.

Alta Developers Move Ahead with Quadro Mixed-Use Project Next to Design District

Alta Developers is moving ahead with its Quadro mixed-use project at 3900 Biscayne. They plan to build a 198-unit mixed use apartment building with 28,000 SF of commercial space in close proximity to Design District and Midtown. Alta Developers purchased the site for $18.36 million last year. Leasing for the commercial space is already underway. Revuelta will be the architect and Banco de Crédito e Inversiones of Chile will finance the project. Quadro will be 13 stories and will be delivered in 2018. 

Regalia Sunny Isles Penthouse to List Near $40 Million

Photos of the highly anticipated "The Penthouse" at Regalia have been released, first reported by Curbed Miami. Designed by 5 time Architectural Digest AD100 interior designer Charles Allem, the first photos show finishes of clean opulence and luxury. Although pricing has not be released the unit is expected to fetch close to $40 million. The unit itself is 16,805 SF and 3 floors including a private rooftop pool and 360 wraparound terraces. It also features 6 bedrooms, oversized kitchen with custom stonework, a wine cellar, theater room, game room and unmatched master bathroom.

Photo via Brosda and Bentley

Regalia is a 47 story, 39 unit ultra-luxury condo tower designed by Miami powerhouse Arquitectonica and located at 19575 Collins Ave. in Sunny Isles. The "Beach House" condo in Regalia listed in May for $35 million. The building is unique in there is only 1 luxury residence per floor and wraparound 10 ft deep balconies. Units range from $9.6 million to $35 million and 12 units are currently available. The building features a library with humidor room, beautifully landscaped pool deck and oceanfront jacuzzi, five star full service staff, smart building technology, state of the art fitness center and resort style spa and access to a chef's kitchen with lockers for each unit. Regalia is a true luxury, skyline changing addition to Sunny Isles.  Photos via Curbed & Claudia Uribe.

Photo via Curbed & Claudia Uribe

Photo via Curbed & Claudia Uribe

Top 10 Hotel Pools in Miami

1. Mondrian South Beach Hotel & Residences

Hands down the best place to spend sunset in Miami with unobstructed views over Biscayne Bay to Downtown Miami. A full-size pool and a splash pool with hammocks and cabanas accompanied by a DJ make Mondrian South Beach a Sunday hot-spot.

2. The Delano

Capped off with the iconic garden table and chair in the shallow end of the oversized pool, Ian Shrager's design continues to live true. A classic Miami Beach setting with pool side cabanas, bungalows and a bar keep the Delano pool a lively affair. 

3. SLS South Beach

The SLS South Beach is one of the most style Art Deco updated hotels on the Miami Beach. The dual pools in the back are not exception. A calm, hotel style pool sits right behind the hotel, followed by the crazy Hyde Beach, which features real sand in the lounge areas and a party scene. 

SLS South Beach's Hyde Beach

4. 1 Hotel South Beach

1 Hotel features one of the best pool set-ups in Miami. Upstairs, one of the largest rooftop pools in North America is matched with a full-service lounge and a surreal atmosphere and views of the skyline and Atlantic Ocean. Downstairs a huge pool deck with cabanas and beach access make the resort a must see.  

5. The Standard Lido Beach Hotel & Spa

Another bayside hotspot, The Stand Lido Beach Hotel & Spa almost blends the bay with the pool. The buzzing atmosphere, luscious gardens and amazing sunset views make the hotel's pool a special place. A full-service experience is best capped off in the spa. 

6. The Setai

3 different pools with 3 different temperatures makes the pool experience at The Setai pure luxury. A 75 degree lap pool, 85 degree adults-only pool and a 95 degree family pool make sure everyone is covered. You can even order poolside service through their app to make sure you don't have to move a muscle as you relax. 

7. W Hotel South Beach

W Hotel South Beach

A true Miami Beach atmosphere a W Hotel South Beach. WET provides a full menu and all the rose and cocktails you could want. Cabanas, tropical landscaping and a DJ keep you comfortable as you enjoy the vibrant scene. Slip out to the beach if you want a change of scenery right to the back. 

8. The Four Seasons Hotel Miami

It might be right in the middle of Brickell, but The Four Seasons Hotel Miami makes you feel as if you are far from any city. A full-size pool and a wading pool let you choose how to spend your time. Hammocks, cabanas, lush landscaping and access to Equinox Sports Club keeps separate it from the rest. 

9. The Biltmore

One of the largest pools in the continental U.S. with over 600,000 gallons of water and 23,000 SF have kept The Biltmore's pool one of the finest in Miami since it rose to fame in the 1930's. The Biltmore doesn't have the party scene that the pools in South Beach have, so you can relax and escape in tranquility. 

10. W Hotel Miami

After recently transitioning from the Viceroy Miami to W Hotel Miami, Club 50 has never been better. The rooftop pool is one of the only in Brickell and has amazing views of the Brickell and Downtown Miami skylines. DJ's and full-service make Club 50's rooftop pool a perfect place to party. 

Gale Residences Fort Lauderdale to Break Ground Next Week

Newgard Development Group's 401 Bayshore Drive Gale Residences Fort Lauderdale Beach has reached over 70% sold and will break ground next week. The project is a 12 story, 129 unit luxury condo residence with a 96 unit boutique hotel, all operated under the Gale brand by Menin Hospitality. The construction will preserve the beachfront landmark structure from 1948.

Units in the residences range from 1 to 3 bedrooms and 800 to 2,100 SF. Opening price points are in the low $500,000s. The building will be modern and tech savvy, amenities include smart building technology, electric vehicle charging stations and electric bikes. There will also be resort style amenities, both shared with the hotel and private for residents. a state-of-the-art fitness center, outdoor fitness enter, rooftop pool and lounge.

Zumper Reports Only 43% of Miami Residents Can Qualify For & Afford Mortgage

Photo via Zumper

According to Zumper, an astonishingly low 43% of Miami residents can be approved for and afford a mortgage. Miami trails major cities including New York, Chicago, Dallas, Boston and Atlanta amongst others. Of the 15 major cities surveyed, Miami only beat San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Zumper conducted the survey amongst its user base. The state of Florida's high rate of unemployment reflects residents ability to own a home, as the survey also showed 93% of residents would like to own a home. The Miami real estate market continues to be driven by out-of-town buyers.

Biscayne Beach Construction Update

Biscayne Beach has topped off at 585 ft, the height approved by the FAA in 2015, as they cruise towards completion. The 52 story residential tower by Eastview Development & GTIS Partners with architecture by WHLC topped off officially on July 18. Construction started in the first quarter 2014 and is steadily cruising along with an expected completion date of late 2016.

via Facebook

Biscayne Beach will feature 399 one to four bedroom units with den as well as penthouses with private rooftop garden terraces. Units are priced between $445,000 and $7 million at an average price per square foot of $600. All units have semi-private elevators and oversized balconies with all units coming with water views.    

Biscayne Beach will also transform Edgewater into the beach. 335 linear feet of land will make up a man-made beach right on Biscayne Bay complete with a Beach Club and Beach Bar. There will be multiple pools including 6 private residents' pools, beach cabanas and lounge. The building will also have multiple tennis courts, fitness center, spa, and will feature fine dining and nightlife on the ground level. Biscayne Beach is sure to amp up the energy in Edgewater