Wanted To Start A Thread On Midtown Miami And All The Projects North Of The Interstate 836 Hope Everyone Cooperates And Posts Pictures and Renderings On Buildings.

Please Revisit This Thread And Post New Information.

Here is a list of projects going up between the 836 and the Design District from south to north. sorry i coulndt get aound to posting any images of these buildings but you can find some on prior threads.

UPTOWN

Opus - 57 floors
Parc Lofts - Lowrise high-end lofts
Opera Tower - 56 floors
1800 Club - 40 floors
Quantum - 51 and 44 floors
Cite village on the bay - 15 floors
Uptown Lofts - between 20 floors
Star - 27 floors
Onyx - 30+ floors
Ice - 30+ floors
Ice 2 - 57 floors
Platinum - 22 floors
Blue - 30+ floors
Aria - 15 floors

There is a new project on 24th street as well although i'm not sure of the height.

Midtown Miami is a revolutionary billion dollar mixed-use project--the largest of its kind in the region--creating a city within a city effect. The Shops at Midtown will have national retail stores and restaurants, and potentially a large cineplex. The developers are currently raising government funds for the development of livable infrastructure on the currently uninhabitable site. 3000 units are planned for the mixed use project. It will set an unparalleled precedent for development along the interior of the Biscayne Corridor, and future interior development will follow its footsteps.

i think opus is 60 stories, or maybe it was changed to 57

the new project is paramount on the bay and is i believe 57 stories, according to rx,

Did you see the sign for city24miami,I think thats what its called across the street from Cite'.www.city24miami.com
Here is a picture:
http://www.city24miami.com/images/City24Animation/Wire32.jpg

http://parclofts.com/main.htm
http://www.operatower.com/
http://1800clubmiami.com
http://quantumcondos.com/intro.html
http://citecondos.com
http://uptownloftsmiami.com/
http://starlofts.com/
http://onyxmiami.com/
http://www.icemiami.com/
http://www.icemiami2.com/
http://platinumcondo.com/
http://bluecondos.com/
http://www.city24miami.com

Sounds like Havok100 works for City24miami...he is posting the building on just about every message thread. Personally I hate the location...biscayne blvd has a long way to go before I would live there.

Sounds like Havok100 works for City24miami...he is posting the building on just about every message thread. Personally I hate the location...biscayne blvd has a long way to go before I would live there.
Actually I do not work for the company, just saw the ad and since its a new development thought some people might be interested. The area has cahnged dramatically in the last year. It is just amazing to see so much development. :)

So Why Did you post City24 Like A Million Times on Here? Once Would Have Been Enough.

Ok time to move on. I went by the "Something about Mary" where the older lady was tanning on the second floor, LOL, house the other day. It is just North of Cite. Do they plan on tearing down the house and the others nearby? They are amazing and give the neighborhood some character.
Also the building just north of Citibank-anyone have a name for it.

dont hate on havok, i always post things in a million places lol in ssp and ssc,

lol if it was like a 60 story tower, then ill post it all over the place, lol but its just a 10 story little building.

anyways, biscayne blvd corridor will be like brickell avenue with these towers,

its MANHATTAN MIAMI!

Here's a map of the biscayne corridor were all these projects convene


http://miamirealestatetrends.com/Images/StarterImages/Uptown-Miami.jpg

and check out this rendering of the BLUE project...Awesome!



http://miamirealestatetrends.com/Images/StarterImages/Blue.jpg

Nice rendering. Blue will be great and an amazing showcase building for the new miami. drive in from airport or from beach on 195 and Blue greets you (and easy access if you're lucky enough to live there).

Will really stand out because i heard no building above 9 stories can be built north of it (can someone confirm this). supposedly Blue will even make an impact from the air as from above it will resemble a famous painting by Miro called "Blue 2". and will it really have a laser beam shooting up into sky. rock and roll!!

You are correct, there has been a moratorium on the height of buildings north of 36th street. In fact, developers are all scrambling to get plans approved now because it's getting even tougher to get anything through these days.

The House On Biscayne Will Be Preserved And Converted To A Restaurant The Condo That Will Go Beind It And Take Up The Whole Block Will Be Called Paramount And Its Around 50-60 Stories Tall....

News And Renderings Where Out The Other Night On Channel 7,10, And 39 News In South Florida.

Anyone seen the Ocean Drive ? Onyx2 appears to be around 50 stories !

http://www.onyx2miami.com/

WOOW, this is amazing, yet ANOTHER mamoth to go up!

http://www.onyx2miami.com/pressarchive/community-news-8-14-04.jpg

Onyx 2 is definitely better than Onyx on the Bay ...so tall and slender...the back view of the scraper looks kinda similar to the new millenium tower.. :eek2:

Here are two renderings of Opera tower

http://preconstruccion.com/images/opera_tower_miami.jpg

http://preconstruccion.com/images/opera_tower.jpg

Posted on Thu, Jul. 22, 2004



R E L A T E D L I N K S
• Plan for PAC not backed



DOWNTOWN


PAC site may get 58-story neighbor

A proposed 58-story condominium planned next to the Performing Arts Center could cause problems for the facility, as well as get in the way of highway improvements.

BY MICHAEL VASQUEZ AND CHARLES RABIN

mrvasquez@herald.com


Miami Mayor Manny Diaz looks at the corner of Biscayne Boulevard and Interstate 395 and envisions an entirely different highway, one that better lets in the sun and unites, not divides, downtown.

Miami's arts community gazes hopefully at the same intersection, waiting for the long-delayed opening of the Performing Arts Center, replete with world-class events and bay vistas for its attendees.

Sandwiched between these two visions -- and now threatening to complicate both of them -- is the proposed site for a 58-story condo.

Dubbed Opus Towers, the 408-unit complex would sit on a small, triangle-shaped piece of property adjacent to Interstate 395. State transportation engineers say its presence would derail any effort to create the kind of highway Diaz wants.

The building would also block part of the view from the Performing Arts Center.

The project could receive final approval from the Miami City Commission today.

Opus developer Paul Murphy has future plans to build three other high-rise towers in the same vicinity, creating what Performing Arts Center leaders fear will be a virtual fence of concrete that replaces views of Biscayne Bay and the downtown skyline with condominium parking garages.

Murphy said he would like to preserve some of the current view for arts center patrons, but to do so would require some sort of land swap with Miami-Dade County, which also owns property in the area that is slated to become a park.

''It's a simple solution,'' Murphy said. ``If everybody would stop crying.''

A disappointed Parker Thomson, chairman of the Performing Arts Center Trust, cited Opus as just one more example of what he believes is the city's widespread overdevelopment. ''Typical Miami,'' Thomson said.

If the city approves Opus, FDOT says it could still use its governmental power of eminent domain to force the developer to sell, thereby preserving the Interstate 395 overhaul. But getting land that way isn't cheap, meaning taxpayers would foot the bill for eminent domain court proceedings and other expenses.

''We may end up having to pay a lot more for that property, and demolishing whatever's been built so far,'' said Javier Rodriguez, project director for FDOT. ``That's what we're trying to avoid.''

FDOT is expected to ask the Miami City Commission today to delay a final decision so the state can try to negotiate a purchase of the all-important piece of land.

Last year, local architect and activist Jorge Espinel urged FDOT to begin buying this property and others necessary for a new, improved 395 as soon as possible. Rodriguez acknowledged that prices in the area are ''skyrocketing'' but said his agency didn't want to start snatching up land until there was consensus on how exactly Interstate 395 will be rebuilt.

An agreement on how to design the highway should be reached within six months, Rodriguez said, enabling FDOT to now look more seriously at the land it will need.

Diaz said the current version of Interstate 395 has discouraged redevelopment in parts of downtown, and needs to be replaced. ''If you've driven under 395 in the Overtown area, you can see the tremendous adverse impact,'' Diaz said. ``It makes a huge difference if we can come up with something we're happy with and the neighbors are happy with.''

The mayor said he understands the Opus developer has property rights, but is also aware of FDOT's concerns, and hopes any conflicts can be resolved.

The two main options for Interstate 395 are raising its height to allow more sunlight or replacing it with a below-ground, open-air expressway.

Several Miami leaders predicted the city commission today will postpone final approval of Opus in hopes that FDOT can convince the developer to sell.

''It's very far from a done deal,'' Miami City Manager Joe Arriola said of the proposed condo. ``Contrary to what some people think, we're not all about development, we're also about quality of life.''

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/9211305.htm?ERIGHTS=-3728394740411289098miami::modockalt@yahoo.com&KRD_RM=7onsvpoupunqtvvonqnnnnnnnn|J|N

Posted on Thu, Jul. 22, 2004




MIAMI-DADE COUNTY


Plan for PAC not backed

A key Miami-Dade County committee refused to recommend a proposal by County Manager George Burgess to complete construction of the over-budget Performing Arts Center.

BY CHARLES RABIN

crabin@herald.com


Miami-Dade commissioners on a key committee, frustrated and angered over delays and skyrocketing costs for the Performing Arts Center, refused on Wednesday to recommend the county manager's plan to complete the structure to the full county commission.

The Recreation and Cultural Affairs Committee, made up of county commissioners, took no action after a 90-minute presentation that requested an additional $67.7 million of tax money and promised completion by August 2006, almost two years later than originally projected.

The proposal goes before the county commission on Tuesday.

Some commissioners were so incensed they threatened to fire the entire project work force.

''If this doesn't work, I'm going to make a move to fire everybody,'' said Committee Chairman Javier Souto.

Said Commissioner Dennis Moss: ''I'm at the last straw. It's unacceptable. I'm with you,'' Moss said looking directly at Souto. ``I'm ready to fire everybody.''

The construction project at Biscayne Boulevard and 14th Street, initially expected to cost $169 million, has been beset by delays and changes that have driven the price up to $411.9 million.

County administrators demoted project manager Gail Thompson in June, and she later resigned. Thompson was replaced by Ronald M. Austin, a principal with a construction firm that has completed two performing arts centers with Cesar Pelli, the architect of Miami's PAC.

On Wednesday, Austin, County Mananger George Burgess and Asst. County Manager Bill Johnson outlined new plans to get the PAC in order that included paying subcontractors more than $30 million in claims, shifting around workers, and increasing the current ratio of onsite management from one supervisor for four workers now, to one for every 16.

The plan also calls for a $15 million contingency fund that Commissioner Sally Heyman thought excessive -- especially since the project is about half done and only needs another $130 million in work.

All the money would come from Convention Tax revenue -- the tax charged to anyone who rents a bed in any hotel in Miami-Dade.

''We're past paying for mistakes we've learned from,'' Heyman said.

Countered Burgess: ``I wish I had a larger contingency.''

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/9211310.htm

good articles, hope they make a deal wih opus

Opus Tower was Applying for A Multi Use Special Permit Today and was defered until October 28th by then there should be a decision by FDOT to purchase the property for the reconstruction of i395.

the 3 towers proposed by opus are huge and would block out the performing arts center views. that was one ofthe points brought up another was access to the site and the third was the fdot's plans to reroute i395

They're planning 3 towers? No wonder this is such an issue.

Where'd you hear about this, Rx?

Opus Tower was Applying for A Multi Use Special Permit Today and was defered until October 28th by then there should be a decision by FDOT to purchase the property for the reconstruction of i395.

the 3 towers proposed by opus are huge and would block out the performing arts center views. that was one ofthe points brought up another was access to the site and the third was the fdot's plans to reroute i395

Opus has already started their reservations...what do you think may happen if people start giving deposits then the government takes over?

Opus is 60 stories.
Do you have any other info on paramont on the bay...this is the project located between 7th and 8th on biscayne?

i think opus is 60 stories, or maybe it was changed to 57

the new project is paramount on the bay and is i believe 57 stories, according to rx,

the news was in the scheduled city meeting held today on chan 31 on comcast cable its a miamidade chan on cable tv.

by opus getting thier approval the tax payer would have to pay much more to aquire the land or the process would end the reconstruction of i395 where
this is an eyesore and one of the reasons overtown is the way it is today. by rebuilding this expressway the land around it would be of much more value and the scenic view would increase dramatically so alot more towers would rise along the new i395 sort of what happened with the fort washington way in cincinnatti....

below in the first link is how it was built then the second link is the new fort washington way it was new and improved and alot of construction went on around it and new parks where built on old reclaimed land. the third link you can see the pictures of who the below grade highway looks and how the buildings now look from the expressway and the line of sight is no longer interrupted by an elevated expressway.

http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/transeng/pages/-7194-/

http://www.cincinnati-transit.net/fww-airtour3.html

http://www.cincinnati-transit.net/fww.html

i sure hope we get our new i395 in the future...

Thanks RX for the info


the future looks very dim for opus....I hate to lose a tower but a below-grade expressway would be cool...and it would certainly enhance the value of the area...and that might open the door for other new projects...are there any other examples of cities with below-grade expressways right next to their downtown?? (and the status of the surrounding area?)

I don't know how old this pic is...but hopefully we do better than chicago!

http://www.illinoisleader.com/content/img/f11192/nw-kennedy.jpg

Cincys expressway is one of the best examples of below grade expressways.

there are a few in dallas, but dallas seems to have more expressways then population its covered in roads and covered in bumper to bumper traffic....

i wish someone would post the pics on that website i posted. its great examples of before and after and alot of land was reclaimed. the overall effect is beautifull.

Here ya go...

http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/transeng/images/transeng_img7187.jpg
Picture taken late 1950's. Future Fort Washington Way is located in upper right hand corner of picture.


http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/transeng/images/transeng_img7192.jpg
FWW Under Construction

http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/transeng/images/transeng_img7193.jpg

http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/transeng/images/transeng_img7188.jpg
FWW November, 1961

http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/transeng/images/transeng_img7189.jpg

http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/transeng/images/transeng_img7190.jpg
FWW June, 1991

http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/transeng/images/transeng_img7191.jpg

http://www.cincinnati-transit.net/zfww-air5.jpg
July 2000 -- work well underway on new 2nd St. and extensions of
Elm and Race St. (right).

http://www.cincinnati-transit.net/zfww-air6.jpg
October 2000 -- Expressway is 95% complete. 3 lanes open in each direction.

http://www.cincinnati-transit.net/fww-2001-1.jpg

http://www.cincinnati-transit.net/fww-stultz2.jpg
The original Ft. Washington Way, circa 1991.

http://www.cincinnati-transit.net/fww-stultz1.jpg
Another early 1990's view

http://www.cincinnati-transit.net/fww-air16.jpg
Construction of the Broadway Overpass in early 2000

http://www.cincinnati-transit.net/fww-2001-2.jpg
The new Ft. Washington Way trench in June 2001, looking east from Elm St.

Of all the options I've heard for I-395 this one seems to be the best. Raising or widening it is the LAST thing that shoule be done.

It would suck to lose a new tower (or 3) but in the long run it's for the better. Besides, I don't think we'd really lose any towers because of this. Sooner or later something will be built on the new land that's gained.

Hasn't there been talk of a land swap ?

A tunnel would be nice, something like the bigdig in Boston, but that went like 13 billion over budget...probably not the best example.

Here are two renderings of Opera tower

http://preconstruccion.com/images/opera_tower_miami.jpg

http://preconstruccion.com/images/opera_tower.jpg

I really like the vertical strip of glass in the top perspective.

yeah I really like this project...it will look great next to the similar design of quantum....so smooth

http://www.analar.com/preconstruction/preImages/quantum.jpg

Opus has been posponed until Nov. They are now excepting letters of intent rather than reservations. If the gov. takes the land they will build the same structure somewhere downtown....


Opus Tower was Applying for A Multi Use Special Permit Today and was defered until October 28th by then there should be a decision by FDOT to purchase the property for the reconstruction of i395.

the 3 towers proposed by opus are huge and would block out the performing arts center views. that was one ofthe points brought up another was access to the site and the third was the fdot's plans to reroute i395

If the gov. takes the land they will build the same structure somewhere downtown....

Is this verified?

Is this verified?Yes

A tunnel would be nice, something like the bigdig in Boston, but that went like 13 billion over budget...probably not the best example.
Isn't the city of downtown miami considering a proposal to provide an additional $67.7 million for the performing Arts Center project...seems like they are already underfunded for this project...wonder that will happen with 395...

Yes

Well, this is good news, even if we have to wait a bit longer. Maybe they'll even go taller. :)

Yes

Cool.

Out of curiosity, where'd you hear this?

i 395 would not create a problem the land that would be recouperated after the demolision of the old i395 would equal about 14 acres at 10million an acre at what seems to be going rate now. this project would indeed pay for itself all thats needed is the necessary studies for the rerouting of the railline...

also while its being built traffic would not be interrupted which is a big plus...

the tunnel theory would leave even more land available and would make the parcels near i395 very expensive because there would be parks ontop of the tunnel sections being that no structure could be built ontop of these. the city would beautify itself with this aquisition of land....

Cool.

Out of curiosity, where'd you hear this?
Friends with people involved building it

Well, this is good news, even if we have to wait a bit longer. Maybe they'll even go taller. :)

We will find out soon what's happening...Oct 28th is the city meeting...Oh by the way Opus is back to reservations again with $10,000 deposits.
Pricing similar to 900 Biscayne Bay.

Anyone know how far along 900 Biscayne is ?

I know it just got it's major use permit within the last couple of weeks & the site it's gonna be on is at least partly cleared. There were 3 trailers on the site (probably for the sales center) but last time I checked two of them were moved off.

BTW, it ws approved at 65 stories!

I know it just got it's major use permit within the last couple of weeks & the site it's gonna be on is at least partly cleared. There were 3 trailers on the site (probably for the sales center) but last time I checked two of them were moved off.

BTW, it ws approved at 65 stories!

Yes, I saw that ! And with a decorative crown, it might be 650-675 ft. or more !

http://www.multihousingnews.com/multihousing/reports_analysis/feature_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000519122

Researchers Fear Miami Bubble May Burst

JUNE 01, 2004 -- Despite Miami developers' belief that overbuilding is not a significant concern in the condo marketplace, some are warning it probably should be. According to Greg Willett, vice president of research products at M/PF Research Inc., a number of factors within the Miami market are quite troubling.

"We actually have significant concerns that the Miami multifamily sector is getting overheated. While significant demand from retirees and households seeking second homes is not dependent on job growth, the economy isn't expanding at a rate that suggests absorption should be anywhere close to the figures seen currently," he said.

Willett added that the market could quickly get in trouble if, as reported, many of the condos are being purchased by investors, rather than owner-occupants. "Those condos could end up as rental stock very easily, either because the owners are trying to generate some income or because they are unable to resell the units a few years down the line," he said.

Also, the prices being paid for rental product by condo converters are too high for the fundamentals to work if condo sales cool and those projects have to revert back to apartments, Willett said.

"Miami could be one of the country's riskiest markets right now," he added. "The potential reward is great if everything falls into place, but the danger of a bubble there looks much greater than elsewhere."

Yet despite these assertions, players here are confident the market has no need to fear the specter of overbuilding.

"For the last two years, people have been throwing out the word 'bubble' and have had some concerns about the market, but condos, whether they are new construction, conversions or existing units, seem to be selling at a very good pace," said Michael Mulhall, director of Florida development for GDC Premier Communities.

Believe it or not, the Miami area would be seeing even more development on the condo front than it already is—if not for a number of factors keeping everyone who wants to build from doing so.

For one, the surge in condo development has tied up the area's good general contractors and subcontractors, creating a squeeze on the construction end. And construction costs have jumped significantly. As China continues to gobble up the world's supply of steel, prices for the common building material have skyrocketed.

"We've heard that as much as a 35 percent increase in hard costs over the last six months has been noted by developers," said Marc deBaptiste, a principal with Apartment Realty Advisors in the national brokerage firm's Boca Raton, Fla. office.

Further restricting additional building from developers who believe the market could still absorb many additional new condos: Land prices now range from $50,000 to $150,000 per unit.

"Are there worries of oversupply? Yes, but there are a lot of factors that help mitigate that. Namely the constraint on good sites, the constraint on good general contractors and the constraint on good [land] prices," Mulhall said. "Those factors make it tough to get too many deals out there done now."

With the cost of land and materials high and headed higher, developers have had to push up per-unit prices on condos. But even in a market so filled with construction cranes, the market has been accepting of this upward shift.

"Luckily, unit pricing has been able to move up to keep things going [despite higher land and construction costs]," said Mulhall. "There doesn't seem to be a ton of resistance to increases right now."

Case in point: GDC's 193-unit Alaqua, construction of which will begin in June, has already sold 145 of its units priced from approximately $350,000 to $500,000.

The article mentions on of my biggest pet peeves, and that is the term real estate "bubble". Real estate moves in cycles, and doesn't burst in 3 of 4 days like the Internet Bubble in the stock exchanges. Highly unlikely that real estate values will fall 25% in a week.

It would be very hard to locate the words "Bubble" and "Real Estate" in any article prior to that famous NASDAQ crash, but somehow the phrase is making it's way into the media and in investment discussions.

If there is overbuilding, then we go from seller's market to buyer's market. The big question is if there will be overbuilding. I don't think so, but who has a crystal ball?

The article touches on something very important, especially for buyers, and investors, and that is that some of the projects being marketed will not be built. Many developers have and will miscalculate costs and profits and the projects will die (for now). Caveat Emptor. Choose good projects and reputable developers. Reputable developers wouldn't think of hiring sub par construction companies.

41-Story Condo Tower Breaks Ground in Miami’s Arts District
By Melissa Bogdany
Last updated: Monday, August 30, 2004 01:22pm

MIAMI-BCOM Inc., a locally based development company, has broken ground on 1800 Club, a 41-story, 469-unit luxury residential condominium project here. It is slated for a 2006 completion.

The 1800 Club is rising on 18th Street and North Bayshore Drive, the former site of its namesake--a popular restaurant and gathering place that celebrities, politicians, newspaper reporters and athletes frequented. BCOM bought the restaurant in 2002 from the family of Bill Ader Jr. and demolished the building shortly afterward to make room for the condo tower.


The project’s one-, two- and three-bedroom residences are priced from a little less than $200,000 to $2 million. The residences, located along Biscayne Bay in the city’s growing arts district, will feature views of Biscayne Bay, Miami Beach and Downtown. With many new residential developments going up or planned, the arts district is a rapidly growing area, according to Edgardo Defortuna, president of Fortune International, the exclusive brokerage handling sales and marketing for the 1800 Club.


Brett Chwick, director of multifamily brokerage for locally based Terranova Corp., says population growth is driving the boom in condo activity in the area. “As long as you have positive population growth and a healthy interest rate environment, the strong market will continue,” he says. This is due to the lack of available single-family land. “For the most part, Miami has very little single-family home land left,” he says. Developers can’t build to the west of Krome Avenue or the Turnpike, he points out. “New homes have to be density construction. The place to build high rises is the city center area.”


The demand is apparent, he adds. “They keep selling them (condos),” he says.


“This neighborhood is quickly becoming recognized as a very popular place to live and play,” Defortuna says in a statement. “The fact that the developers are keeping the name of the landmark club adds to its allure.”


The tower’s amenities include a pool deck overlooking Biscayne Bay, a fitness center, a two-story recreational floor with a bay-front veranda and 24-hour security. Units will have hurricane-resistant, floor-to-ceiling windows, balconies, marble flooring in bathrooms, full-size washers and dryers, and walk-in closets.


The architectural firm Bermello, Ajamil & Partners Inc. designed the 1800 Club and received the Society of American Registered Architects award for their work on the project.

Posted on Sat, Oct. 02, 2004

REAL ESTATE

There's something about downtown

A Boca Raton-based developer has begun razing homes in Miami's Edgewater neighborhood to make way for town houses, condominiums, restaurants and shops.

BY MATTHEW HAGGMAN

mhaggman@herald.com

Workers finished knocking down on Friday two of the three old Mediterranean-style homes on a block made famous in the 1998 film There's Something About Mary to make way for a waterfront condominium development.

One house on the quaint stretch of North Bayshore Drive between Northeast 21st Street and Northeast 20th Terrace was spared: the one in which Mary lived in the comedy starring Cameron Diaz and Ben Stiller.

The Boca Raton-based developer Royal Palm Communities plans to use the house for a restaurant and café in a newly created neighborhood square at the foot of a 46-story luxury-condo tower. The development is to be called Paramount at Edgewater Square.

The project is the latest in an unprecedented wave of condo and retail development to transform the Edgewater neighborhood. Blocks are being demolished to make for new buildings.

Immediately south of Paramount is Cite, a recently completed apartment project converted into condos. And on the next block south, which sits aside Margaret Pace Park, there are plans for a string of condo towers, including the 1800 Club and Quantum on the Bay. The under-construction Performing Arts Center is two blocks further south.

''North of us, there are even more infill deals,'' said Daniel Kodsi, president and CEO of Royal Palm Communities. ``There are going to be 8,000 to 10,000 people within walking distance of our site.''

Paramount at Edgewater Square is on the only block stretching from Biscayne Boulevard to Biscayne Bay, Kodsi said. A shorewalk with 12-foot sidewalks, including park benches and lampposts, is planned.

Town houses are planned on Northeast 20th Terrace and Northeast 21st Street. The Cactus Bar & Grill, a landmark gay bar since the 1950s at the corner of Biscayne and Northeast 20th Terrace, is expected to be razed soon to make way for Paramount.

Retail outlets will line Biscayne Boulevard. In the middle of the block will be the condo tower and parking garage.

''Virtually every new urbanist principle has been instilled in this project,'' Kodsi said. ``We have retail on main streets, residential on side streets. The garage can't be seen from the street. The entire square is along the water.''

POOR NEED NOT APPLY

As with the vast majority of condos sprouting up across South Florida, the project is geared to the wealthy buyer. Units start at $500,000.

Kodsi said that it had not received its major-use special permit, required for such large-scale developments but that he expects it to win approval by the end of the year and to break ground next summer. He predicted a finished project by fall 2007.

Kodsi's company, Royal Palm Communities, has developed properties throughout the state but is new to Miami. It has ambitious plans for the city.

PARK WEST NEXT

The development company also owns a prime parcel across from the AmericanAirlines Arena, on the 700 block of Biscayne Boulevard.

It plans to build a 27-story office condo at 1001 North Miami Ave., in the Park West area of downtown Miami.

''It is amusing that the last place to be developed in Miami-Dade county is the best place,'' Kodsi said of downtown's central location and proximity to the water.

I don't like that they keep tearing things down to built up, that was a nice block.

I'm gittyy...hehe....I wish I could fast forward time!! :) :) :)

I don't like that they keep tearing things down to built up, that was a nice block.


trust me, that place wasn't a nice area....some of the homes are quaint and add character to the neighborhood...but alot of them also had 70's/80's staleness to them!

VERY TRUE STREET, the area of Edgewater was a bad area 5 years ago, it was scarey at night to leave your car even at a Mcdonald's at 34th St and Biscayne bulvd. ( US 1 ), hookers walking up and down , No police around even tho there is a SUB-Police Station at 31st Street. GRAFITTI and BREAK-INS everywhere, Bars on windows, Residents could'nt even walk at night without getting mugged. This area needs a workover, and to knock these two story apartments that hold 400 a month renters with drop-out teens in them , its a PLUS to see them moved out and the old torn apartments be knocked down and replaced by these WONDERFUL CONDO TOWERS, its going to IMPROVE THIS WHOLE AREA in JUST THREE YEARS. GO FOR IT !!!

I'm not talkign about the whole neighborhood, which yes, leaves much to be desired, but if I'm not mistaken, these few homes were worth saving, because as much as I like height, height doesn't equate to character. Tearing down 70s cheap crap is one thing, but pre-1920s med. revival is another.

Yeah...there is always a place for nostalgia in your heart when some older neighborhoods transform. If you really want to freak out, go pick up the book, "Miami: Then and Now" by Arva Moore Parks and Carolyn Klepser. The book has a picture from then on the left, and the same camera angle and shot from Now (2002). One of my personal favorites is a photo of "Point View", one of Miami's most exclusive neighborhoods. It's now called Brickell Bay Drive. There used to be a couple dozen mansions with nice sized lots and bay views. Now there are a couple dozen tall building with a few thousand of people enjoying bay views.
The other amazing part of the book are the photos of the buildings that have endured over the years. It's really a great one to have on the coffee table!
Here is the Amazon link Miami: Then and Now (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/002-5053853-2813648)

Yeah...there is always a place for nostalgia in your heart when some older neighborhoods transform. If you really want to freak out, go pick up the book, "Miami: Then and Now" by Arva Moore Parks and Carolyn Klepser. The book has a picture from then on the left, and the same camera angle and shot from Now (2002). One of my personal favorites is a photo of "Point View", one of Miami's most exclusive neighborhoods. It's now called Brickell Bay Drive. There used to be a couple dozen mansions with nice sized lots and bay views. Now there are a couple dozen tall building with a few thousand of people enjoying bay views.
The other amazing part of the book are the photos of the buildings that have endured over the years. It's really a great one to have on the coffee table!
Here is the Amazon link Miami: Then and Now (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/002-5053853-2813648)



I know...I've seen that book, and actually have pics of some of the pages!

there's one in the South beach forum!

that is an amazing book, ive seen it

Opus is Awesome in my opinion...the view isn't really that impaired..I love it


OPUS


http://www.markzilbert.com/images/condo_pix/opus/zilbert_opus.jpg


http://www.markzilbert.com/images/condo_pix/opus/photo2.jpg


http://www.markzilbert.com/images/condo_pix/opus/photo_1.jpg


http://www.markzilbert.com/images/condo_pix/opus/big_map.jpg


http://www.markzilbert.com/images/condo_pix/opus/big_map2.jpg


A Great Add for the area

TRUE STREET and Great Pics again :) , And Just think and Imagine THE 53 Story OPERA CONDO TOWER Being Built By TIBOR HOLLO famous Builder of ALL OMNI Area TOWERS just two blocks North of the Performing Arts Center ( PAC ), THIS Area will CHANGE FOREVER !!!, its Awesome alright its FANTASTIC, I can't WAIT ! :cheers:

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/BallinBoi316/1019/midtown1.bmp http://mywebpage.netscape.com/BallinBoi316/1019/midtown2.bmp http://mywebpage.netscape.com/BallinBoi316/1019/midtown3.bmp

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/BallinBoi316/1019/opus.bmp

^^Aren't one of Mitown Miami's condo towers (probably Two Midtown Blvd) supposed to break ground sometime this week!


and in the opus pic...I think it's cool that you can see the huge vacant lot for Midtown Miami in the top left corner, what a huge project it will be!

PS...I thoroughly support the rising of Opus!

i think you're right about the first midtown tower going up this week, street. i just read that somewhere.

as for opus, i love the design, but i'm torn as to whether it should be built there or not. i want the area around the pac to be urbanized, but i don't really want to see a 10 or so story podium right in front of one of the pac buildings, you know what i mean? if opus were to rise out of the ground at street level, i don't think it would be as obstructive.

but, like i said, i'm torn. it may not be that bad. one way or another i think it will be built, even if it's on another lot.

YES DAVE and STREET, :) I work very close to MIDTOWN MIAMI on N.W. 36th Street, AND Yes theres' a BIG Crane at Two Midtown Blvd, and REBARS being placed Together on the SITE, YES, its Breaking Ground, and in 2 years, Late 2006 Completion Date is EXPECTED !, Yes, This is Great and I heard its SOLD OUT, WOW ! :cheers: ALSO GREAT PICS MIAballinboi !!!! :)

what's the time frame for all of midtown miami being built, chuck? how much are they gonna stagger the construction of the towers?

what's the time frame for all of midtown miami being built, chuck? how much are they gonna stagger the construction of the towers?
DAVE, :) TRUE, I ask them that same Question, I was amazed at the Start of Construction EVEN before they had an Official Ground Breaking, THIS PROJECT is Going to be AWESOME, its true over 10 Towers will be Built here in a Time FRAME of 12 YEARS !!!, WOW, So I said to them , OKAY its almost 2005 NOW, SO I added in my head, LOL, and thaT Comes to 2017, hehe. And GUESS WHAT DAVE !!, I got good News, I just saved 15% on my Car Insurance by Switching to GEICO !!! :cheers:

Developer may build parking for Performing Arts Center

By Samantha Joseph

The parking void in the Performing Arts Center plans may be filled by a New York group pledging to invest $1 billion in Miami-Dade County.Officials from Leiev & Boymelgreen Developers confirmed Tuesday that they had met with Miami's Downtown Development Authority to discuss the possibility of building a 1,500-space parking area to serve the center under construction on Biscayne Boulevard.


The company is part of a partnership that in July committed to build about 3.5 million square feet of residential, commercial and parking projects in Miami and Miami Beach and purchase 25 lots in the two cities.
"What we've done is made it clear to the (Downtown Development Authority), who is actively trying to reach a workable solution, that we are absolutely interested and willing to do anything that we can to help," Mark Armstrong, Leiev & Boymelgreen's director of construction, said Tuesday.
The Community Redevelopment Agency and the Miami-Dade School Board are involved in the effort and plan to issue a request for proposals from interested developers.

The center's original planning appears to have overlooked the need for parking.The oversight is one of several that have plagued the $370 million project under construction in the Omni area between 13th and 14th streets.
As of March, the center was nearly two years behind schedule and $70 million to $90 million over budget because of delays.Last summer, center president and CEO Michael Hardy detailed a $27.3 million deficit and said the project needed at least $19.4 million for buildout, equipment and other expenses to meet its goal of opening by May 2006.Planners and city promoters are working on a deal that have a developer covering costs of providing parking.


"There are several moving parts that need to be evaluated in order to come up with a win-win solution," said Dana Nottingham, the Downtown Development Authority's executive director.In September, the development authority hired a consultant to examine parking options and create a business model and strategy. Within about five weeks, the consultant should produce a report that would be the basis for structuring the request for proposals, Mr. Nottingham said.


"We're halfway into that process," he said. "The next step would be to come up with some alternatives for the stakeholders to review."One option, according to Mr. Hardy, is a plot of land west of the planned ballet opera house.The school board and Leiev & Boymelgreen Developers jointly own the parcel that spans the 1300 block of Northeast First Court.Leiev & Boymelgreen envisions a mixed-use project on the land - an idea that center officials welcome. Said Mr. Hardy: "What we hope will happen on the site is a 1,500-car garage with retail and residential development."

please put the website addresses
http://www.miamitodaynews.com/news/041021/story1.shtml

more renderings thnx to rx
http://mywebpage.netscape.com/BallinBoi316/1020/onyx201.jpg
http://mywebpage.netscape.com/BallinBoi316/1020/onyx202.jpg

I have a bigger version :tongue3: lol...j/k


http://img98.exs.cx/img98/8676/rend6.gif

^such a phallic building. i like it, though.

but not because it's phallic.

DAVE, :) TRUE, I ask them that same Question, I was amazed at the Start of Construction EVEN before they had an Official Ground Breaking, THIS PROJECT is Going to be AWESOME, its true over 10 Towers will be Built here in a Time FRAME of 12 YEARS !!!, WOW, So I said to them , OKAY its almost 2005 NOW, SO I added in my head, LOL, and thaT Comes to 2017, hehe. And GUESS WHAT DAVE !!, I got good News, I just saved 15% on my Car Insurance by Switching to GEICO !!! :cheers:

if it's not interest.com it's the geico joke. we really gotta get you some new lines, chuck.

so midtown is gonna take 12 years to build out? if that's the case then i wouldn't expect it to ever be finished. how can they project that buyers will still be there in 12 years? seems like wishful thinking to me.

i really am totally against opus, as great a building it is, if its not built here, its gonna get built somewhere else

and the performing arts center really is a great building, and i feel that having the massive parking garage of opus next to it is gonna take a away from it alot... also, you wont be able to see it fully from the highway anymore, robbing citizens of a quick, frequent view of wat will soon be one of the county's jewels... as much as i hate to go against my sn and b a nimby, the fact that his project can easlily be built somewhere else, and they just arent, kills me, and i think this should die

I doubt opus will be built They just want approval to make more $$$$ when they sell the property to the city

i thought the county gave up on that idea a while ago didnt they?

WoW, And I thought I was informed.. Man, I love this website just joined today but been visting for a while, I hope to be an urban developer/politician when I grow up which is why I'm always so interested in new developments..

Hey anybody got a site or any renderings for 900 Biscayne and Paramount on the Bay? Also, I saw a rendering of the Marina Blue project with the south tower lit up green and the north tower lit up blue. Is that gonna happen for real cause that would be awesome..

WoW, And I thought I was informed.. Man, I love this website just joined today but been visting for a while, I hope to be an urban developer/politician when I grow up which is why I'm always so interested in new developments..

Hey anybody got a site or any renderings for 900 Biscayne and Paramount on the Bay? Also, I saw a rendering of the Marina Blue project with the south tower lit up green and the north tower lit up blue. Is that gonna happen for real cause that would be awesome..
:) WELCOME ONE and ONLY CUBAN, Make sure you VOTE for your Favorite City on the POLL :) , Thread at the middle of the Florida Forum Here, okay !!, and Welcome again, AND YES, THE MARINA BLUE CONDO TOWER will have THE LIGHTS on the Tower South With Green Lites and North with Blue Lites, ITS THE MAGIC CITY !, and go to www.interest.com For even more Good News, Interest Rates are down again, which means BUY A CONDO NOW !!! :cheers:

That guys hilarious.. That building's gonna be awesome..

heres the site for 900 biscayne http://www.900biscayne.com/ i dont know where the one is for paramount, actually, i havent heard about that project in a while, i forgot which one it was, but the name rings a bell, any1 no the site?

didnt no the lights on marina blue were actually gonna b like that... thought it was just on the model... most of the renderings ive seen have just had it wit blue glass... course those were day, so i guess the lites r at nite (woooo, lites at nite, dont that one make sense, wow!, aite, even i gotta make fun of myself for that)... thatll b amazing, i luv this building!

although i do believe that this is the midtown/performing arts district forum, so lets try and get bak on topic

THANKS NIMBY :) , That 900 BISCAYNE Is MY TOWER, I'm going to WIN THE LOTTO this weekend and BUY the TOP floor of This Tower, ITS AWESOME, and Guess What, ITS Definitely GOING UP, and at 65 STORIES , Its the TALLEST of ALL 4 TOWERS in the Same FOUR BLOCKS of Biscayne Blvd. at 712 FEET, This Is " MY TOWN ", Was that by ALAN JACKSON, lol. :cheers:

Posted on Sat, Oct. 02, 2004




REAL ESTATE


There's something about downtown

A Boca Raton-based developer has begun razing homes in Miami's Edgewater neighborhood to make way for town houses, condominiums, restaurants and shops.

BY MATTHEW HAGGMAN

mhaggman@herald.com


Workers finished knocking down on Friday two of the three old Mediterranean-style homes on a block made famous in the 1998 film There's Something About Mary to make way for a waterfront condominium development.

One house on the quaint stretch of North Bayshore Drive between Northeast 21st Street and Northeast 20th Terrace was spared: the one in which Mary lived in the comedy starring Cameron Diaz and Ben Stiller.

The Boca Raton-based developer Royal Palm Communities plans to use the house for a restaurant and café in a newly created neighborhood square at the foot of a 46-story luxury-condo tower. The development is to be called Paramount at Edgewater Square.

The project is the latest in an unprecedented wave of condo and retail development to transform the Edgewater neighborhood. Blocks are being demolished to make for new buildings.

Immediately south of Paramount is Cite, a recently completed apartment project converted into condos. And on the next block south, which sits aside Margaret Pace Park, there are plans for a string of condo towers, including the 1800 Club and Quantum on the Bay. The under-construction Performing Arts Center is two blocks further south.

''North of us, there are even more infill deals,'' said Daniel Kodsi, president and CEO of Royal Palm Communities. ``There are going to be 8,000 to 10,000 people within walking distance of our site.''

Paramount at Edgewater Square is on the only block stretching from Biscayne Boulevard to Biscayne Bay, Kodsi said. A shorewalk with 12-foot sidewalks, including park benches and lampposts, is planned.

Town houses are planned on Northeast 20th Terrace and Northeast 21st Street. The Cactus Bar & Grill, a landmark gay bar since the 1950s at the corner of Biscayne and Northeast 20th Terrace, is expected to be razed soon to make way for Paramount.

Retail outlets will line Biscayne Boulevard. In the middle of the block will be the condo tower and parking garage.

''Virtually every new urbanist principle has been instilled in this project,'' Kodsi said. ``We have retail on main streets, residential on side streets. The garage can't be seen from the street. The entire square is along the water.''

POOR NEED NOT APPLY

As with the vast majority of condos sprouting up across South Florida, the project is geared to the wealthy buyer. Units start at $500,000.

Kodsi said that it had not received its major-use special permit, required for such large-scale developments but that he expects it to win approval by the end of the year and to break ground next summer. He predicted a finished project by fall 2007.

Kodsi's company, Royal Palm Communities, has developed properties throughout the state but is new to Miami. It has ambitious plans for the city.

PARK WEST NEXT

The development company also owns a prime parcel across from the AmericanAirlines Arena, on the 700 block of Biscayne Boulevard.

It plans to build a 27-story office condo at 1001 North Miami Ave., in the Park West area of downtown Miami.

''It is amusing that the last place to be developed in Miami-Dade county is the best place,'' Kodsi said of downtown's central location and proximity to the water

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/2004/10/02/business/9814600.htm

THANKS NIMBY :) , That 900 BISCAYNE Is MY TOWER, I'm going to WIN THE LOTTO this weekend and BUY the TOP floor of This Tower, ITS AWESOME, and Guess What, ITS Definitely GOING UP, and at 65 STORIES , Its the TALLEST of ALL 4 TOWERS in the Same FOUR BLOCKS of Biscayne Blvd. at 712 FEET, This Is " MY TOWN ", Was that by ALAN JACKSON, lol. :cheers:


u guys r lucky, theyre that slim slim chance that u could win the lottery and live in this amazing building, i cant even think about my own place till about 2012, stupid high skol, curse my young age!

that building is so amazing, that stretch of bisayyne is gonna b so great wit the 4 towers all in a row, gonna extend the skyline so much

if i could live in one place in the world (well, one place in miami), i would live in one of those four building when they get built, gonna b such an amazing place, a block south of the pac, across the street from museum park, across the street from aaa, a block from the metro, wat more could u possibly ever want!

take advantage guys, those are gonna sell for millions by the time i can ever get one

midtown miami

midtown miami
YES JOHNNY :) , And WELCOME to the Florida Forum !, MIDTOWN MIAMI will Break Ground on the long awaited TWO MIDTOWN which if you were working like me down N.W. 36th St. and watching them dig up the ground at TWO MIDTOWN for the last couple of months, ITS going to be a nice 40 Story high Condo tower. And FOUR MIDTOWN will start Selling UNITS right After TWO Midtown Starts, But to tell you the Truth Johnny :) , the WHOLE MIDTOWN Project has a 12 to 14 YEAR BUILDOUT PLan, and Hopefully by 2017 It will be Completely Finished. :cheers: Make Sure you VOTE on the POLL for Favorite CITY and POST Your Opinion in there too on the City you voted for. AGAIN , Johnny, Welcome to the Florida Forum :) .

Here's another rendering of Platinum


http://www.resionline.com/megatemplate/uploads/preconstruction/5172004153329923.jpg

PAC


http://img74.exs.cx/img74/7364/performingarts.jpg

Excellent photo!!!!
Very nice.

see it is our very own sydney opera house (in miami)
BUCK Opus they can build somewhere else....

STREEEEEEET!!!, Let me Guess, You own a BOAT now, first it was a plane, a Limo , now your on a boat, Did you hit the LOTTO ? GREAT PICS AGAIN :) , STREET.
AND YES OPUS CONDO TOWER can be Built Anywhere in MIAMI , ther's plenty of room for that TALL SKINNY Tower. :cheers:

STREET :) , I went by THE PLATINUM SITE Today, ITS Started and the Foundation is in, all the REBARS are sticking out of the Ground at 1st floor level. Its on 30th St.off Biscayne Blvd.to the east, Just look for a LIQUOR Store on the corner and its there down the street, lol.
On the Same Street is THE YORKER LOFTS at 10 Stories, Its almost Finished, TOpped off and a nice balcony design on each level.
I went by ICE and its still sitting there untouched since two months ago when I was there, Therre's an Old Crane sitting there with the foundation done and waiting for something to start, I found out inside the sales Office that ICE 2 at 56 stories will be built directly accross the street from ICE 1 , starting in LATE 2005, because there's still tenants in the old apartment building with leases till May, 2005. So thats going to be delayed a bit. Both are being built on N.W. 31st St. off Biscayne Blvd and the BAY. :cheers:

Wow...that area is going to have it's own little (or big) skyline soon....and Onyx and 2 other buildings are only a few blocks south while Blue is only a few blocks north....plus you can't forget the buildng density that's already there!

YES STREET :) , and I don't believe OPUS CONDO TOWER 1 will Block the Performing Arts Center that much from I-395, Because its SO SKINNY and TALL, You can Still See the P. A. C. with NO Problem, They need to knock down some of those OLD -UGLY BILLBOARDS :bash: blocking the VIEW of the PAC , Before worrying about the OPUS blocking any VIEW, thats my opinion I drive by there everyday , and the BILLBOARDS SUCKS !!! especially the TWO BILLBOARDS on top of that old UGLY Building :bash: sitting there EMPTY at the corner of N.E. 12 Street and BISCAYNE BLVD, Next to I-395 YOU Can't Miss those BILLBOARDS facing the Interstate on TOP of that Building, Opposite Side of the I-395 From the OLD HOWARD JOHNSONS HOTEL, its SICK -looking :bash: , they also Removed BILLBOARD CORNER, its ALL CLEARED, GONE !!! :cheers:

anyone have info on what happened to kubik at morningside

Opera tower


http://newspaperads.miami.com/p2_images/26/SS/10045/SectionAds/253395.jpg

watever hapnd to cubix or cubik or something, i 4get wat it was called, it was the most amazing building ever, i only saw one picture of it a while ago, did that fall through?

Great news, another tall one :cheers:

50-Story Condo Project To Rise Along Biscayne Bay
By Melissa Bogdany
Last updated: November 3, 2004 10:26am

MIAMI-A small tract of local land--0.6 acres--has been sold, and a 50-story, $80-million-plus, 320-unit condominium project is in the preliminary planning stages for the property, near Margaret Pace Park and along Biscayne Bay.

Cameo Apartments Ltd. of Miami Beach bought the 28,000-sf site for $4.5 million. The seller was Ader Properties. Madison Capital Group LLC arranged the sale of the development site, at 1825 and 1837 N.E. 4th Ave.

In the early planning stage, the project is yet unnamed, according to Frederick A. Neustein, director of Madison Capital Group in Miami. It would be “a very unique building,” as the site on which it will be developed is small, and would rise 10 stories above Quantum on the Bay, a 750-unit, two-tower, $90-million luxury condominium project Terra Adi International Developments is developing immediately to the east.

The Cameo Apartments Ltd. project would have unobstructed views to the north and south, Neustein says. Currently, the project--which has a development potential of approximately 500,000 gross sf--was beginning the master use special permit process, which typically takes six to 10 months in Miami, Neustein says.

Although the area is home to several projects under development, Neustein says the demand is there. “I think Miami is one of the hottest markets in the country right now,” he says. “Every day, we have between 800 and 1,000 people move to Florida.

“While there is significant supply in the development pipeline for Miami, this market is quite unique by virtue of the fact that there are so many different dynamics involved…between the snowbirds, retirees, Europeans, Latin American Investment [flight capital when times are bad and investment capital when times are good]. Miami is the gateway to Latin America. Many Latin investors would prefer to own an empty condo unit here instead of investing in the stock market.”

The recently refurbished, eight-acre Margaret Pace Park, just to the east of the site, will provide additional amenities to the planned project. The park features new public tennis courts, pedestrian promenades, playgrounds, and soccer, baseball and cricket fields.

is there space just east of the park? i'll have to check out a map cause with quantum & the 1800 club, i can't think of where it would fit. interesting news, though.

Its actually not "on the bay", its on the Biscayne Blvd side of Quantum, the back side.

Dave do you have a map of the area. Is it the block thats next to Cite, where an old house sits? There are several big empty blocks in that area that are prime for development. I hope this new building has a great design. Ten stories taller than Quantum, WOW!!!!!

man, can u imagine wat the park is gonna b like once this all gets done, the bay on one side wit great views, and all these towers on another, its gonna b packed all the time... this area is gonna be amazing in a few years... now we gotta get the miami street car to run rite through it... imagine the amenities, a public transportation station rite there, a park rite there, and the density and amount of ground floor retail is gonna make this a great urban area...

true,but i doubt that whole streetcar thing will happen unfortunatly

hey, its miami, not dade county, it has a chance, lol

they got the money from the half cent tax, their municipal portion of it, and wat else they gonna do wit it? do like the gables or miami beach or hialeah and have their own buses? nah

the money is there, and miami is a much more efficient government than dade thanks in some part to manny... i got hope in this one, its baylink i dont think will ever hapn

woow another amazing project, and itll be 10 stories taller than quantum

great news,!!!

thanks for finding the article miami1

Here is an image showing which property this is. I got this from the Miami-Dade County property appraiser web-page, you can look up the ownership info of any property there by the way. It is going up on this property and the one directly south of it. Quantum is the property just to the east of if on Bayshore, and 1800 Club is just south of that. Opera Tower will be in the parcel just to the south of that tall apartment building. The link to the property appraiser page is http://gisims2.co.miami-dade.fl.us/myhome/propmap.asp there is a help page (the button with the little question mark) to show you how to use it.

http://img127.exs.cx/img127/4537/cameo.jpg

WOW DAVE :) , Excellent NEWS, This Tower will be at least 10 stories Higher Than QUANTUM, Wow, I can't wait Now till 2010, Its MIAMI, The Magic City. :cheers:

this is gonna be the greatest neighborhood!

TRUE NIMBY :) , I HAVE TO AGREE With YOU, GO CRANES !!! :) , This TIME Next Year, Could you Imagine NOW Just How many TOWER CONSTRUCTION CRANES are Going to be in THIS AREA Alone. I'm Counting at LEAST 46 CRANES Just in the MIDTOWN MIAMI-OMNI-BISCAYNE PERFORMING ARTS DISTRICT, WOW :) , ITS Fantastic, I LOVE THIS PLACE, :) MIAMI IS FOR ME and YOU !!! :cheers:

AGAIN ALL :) , I 'm Counting 46 TOWER Construction CRANES , JUST in the CITY of MIAMI DOWNTOWN-BRICKELL-UPTOWN AREA :) , This TIME, November, 2005, !!!. :cheers: 2, 4, 6, 8, Who do we apreci " ATE ", GO CRANES !!! :)

ARIA CONDO Site is Starting, ITS Going to be a Reality with Full Construction Force by Christmas.

ok i was checking emporis (http://www.emporis.com) and i found these two projects i had never heard of 330 biscayne and 1825ne 4th street both are suppose to be 50 stories,i guess 1825ne 4thst. is the one next to quantum but i don't have a clue of the 330 biscayne.

ok after finding out info on 330 biscayne i foundout its a block away from everglades on the bay before the percel was sold it was on route to being developed into twin 56 story 658 ft office towers but is now is expected to become a 50 story condo.at first i thought they may be talking about 50 biscayne but i don't think so because 50 biscayne is on 540 biscayne blvd.while this new development is expected to be on 330 biscayne.also its not marinablue,900,or ten mus.so what is it?

I have to admit, I'm stumped. I know I've heard of 330 Biscayne before but all I could find online was that an office building was set to go up there in 1994 but never did for some reason. Its a big property that stretches from Biscayne Blvd all the way west to the metro-mover tracks.

twin 650 footers, now the condo boom is giving us in a way a negative thing by stealing all the land for the GIANT and TALL office towers and putting them into Shorter condos!!

noo twin 650 footers would be nice

they had been planning those office towers for years,doubt it would of happened

first i thought they may be talking about 50 biscayne but i don't think so because 50 biscayne is on 540 biscayne blvd.while this new development is expected to be on 330 biscayne.also its not marinablue,900,or ten mus.so what is it?
Hey Uptown, with all due respect, 50 Biscayne isn't located at 540 Biscayne or they may have changed the name. It is located at 50 Biscayne.
Not coincidently, 900 Biscayne is located at 900 Biscayne and 10 Musueum Park is located at 10th and Biscayne.
Just for kicks, could you create a graphic signature of 50 Biscayne instead of Espirito Santo? :)

Everyone :) , I hate to say this , BUT that address 330 Biscayne Blvd,. I went by there with MY Vehicle on Friday, November 12th, That Building has just been Renovated and its Not going anywhere, Not for Sale, and Nobody's going to build anything there for a very long time. ITS almost LIKE NEW ! :cheers:

darn could you imagine if one miami,wachovia,50 biscayne,evgd on bay,marinablue,900biscayne,ten museum,marquis,and 330 biscayne,met,dupont would all of been built biscayne blvd would of become one of the hottest roads ever.well it still going to be great because the only one not getting built would 330.

i believe they have an empty parking lot where the development is going i know theres a tower going up behind the holiday inn near the mdc wolfson college

loft 2

loft 2
TRUE Uptown-Midtown :) , LOFT 2 CONDO TOWER, I can't WAIT to see HOW :) they are going to build THIS HIGH Tower over the METROMOVER :bash: .
I MEAN :) , The METROMOVER is going to GO Through IT, THIS is going top be a MAJOR PROJECT and How long can they Keep Metromover OPEN when they BUILD over IT.
THIS I have To SEE, WOW !!, MIAMI IS FOR ME :) , And YOU !!! :cheers:

but what was the final design because there 2 different ones

but what was the final design because there 2 different ones
Uptown-Midtown :) , ITS the One thats About 35 Stories HIGH and Right OVER the METROMOVER going Right Through IT. Its Wild and its OFF N.E. 2nd Avenue. :cheers:

yea but there are 2 different designs theres one where it look exactly like loft1 but with the hole and then there one with a wierd thing on the roof and the hole.i'll post the 2 different ones later.

yea but there are 2 different designs theres one where it look exactly like loft1 but with the hole and then there one with a wierd thing on the roof and the hole.i'll post the 2 different ones later.
GREAT Uptown-Midtown :) , I'll be looking for those two PICS, THANKS, More INPUT, Nore INFO, lol. :cheers:

This one would be HUGE. Totally changing the Performing Arts District ---The Herald is selling their land!!!! The article says its enough land to build 6 highrises.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/business/10204014.htm

Herald parent selling 10 acres surrounding newspaper

Knight Ridder, parent company of The Herald, plans to sell the property surrounding the newspaper's building on Biscayne Bay.

BY MATTHEW HAGGMAN

mhaggman@herald.com


Responding to Miami's unprecedented development boom, the owner of The Herald will sell the nearly 10 acres that surround the newspaper's bayfront headquarters.

Knight Ridder, The Herald's San Jose, Calif.-based parent company, will announce today that it plans to sell land now occupied by surface parking lots and the two-story Boulevard Shops fronting Biscayne Boulevard.

The asking price for the property: $150 million.

But The Herald offices and printing plant are not for sale. ''Our operations will continue to function much as we have for the last four decades at 1 Herald Plaza,'' Knight Ridder Vice President Larry Marbert said in a statement.

After the company received several inquiries about the property, Marbert said, ``We finally determined that the most sensible thing for us would be to consider divesting it.''

The decision comes as Miami is being remade in a dizzying spate of new construction. Real estate prices have skyrocketed, prompting land owners to consider cashing in.

The owners of the Sheraton Biscayne Bay on Brickell Avenue, for instance, recently signed a contract for about $100 million to sell the 4.7-acre site to developer Jorge Perez, who plans to raze the hotel and build 1,800 condo units there.

REDEVELOPMENT

The neighborhood surrounding The Herald ranks among Miami's most active areas of redevelopment. A bevy of new condominium towers, the Performing Arts Center, a relandscaped Bicentennial Park and two museums are slated for the area.

From west to east, the parcel stretches from Biscayne Boulevard to Biscayne Bay. It extends north to south from Northeast 15th Street to the Interstate 395 off-ramp.

Real estate broker Edie Laquer, tapped by Knight Ridder to sell the property, said it could accommodate six condo towers and an office building.

Such a project would include 3,000 residential condo units, 450,000 square feet of office space, and 150,000 square feet of retail space, she said.

Besides Laquer, Knight Ridder has also hired attorney Chava Genet of Stearns Weaver in Miami.

Laquer has hired Arquitectonica architect Bernardo Fort-Brescia and Greenberg Traurig land use attorney Lucia A. Dougherty to develop ideas to present to prospective buyers.

ATTRACTIONS

Fort-Brescia said he envisions a densely populated neighborhood with ground-floor retail shops and high-rise buildings. He called the area unique because few other properties will have the same cultural attractions ``on its front door.''

''You will be able to walk to the opera and walk to the museums,'' he said.

The Performing Arts Center is currently under construction. On Nov. 2, voters approved a $2.9 billion general obligation bond that includes funding for the construction of an art museum and science museum in 29-acre Bicentennial Park, directly south of The Herald property. Before the election, The Herald published an editorial in favor of the bond issue.

Herald Publisher Alberto Ibargüen said Knight Ridder hopes the development reflects Miami planners' design strategies and ``takes into account the Performing Arts Center.''

But he said Knight Ridder does not have a preference about whether the development is residential, commercial or mixed use. ''That is something others will decide,'' he said.

Yet, any buyer must address two issues. It must provide 740 parking spaces for Herald employees and space for trucks preparing to deliver the newspaper, Laquer said.

Over the past year, Ibargüen has had dozens of meetings with 17 different parties that expressed interest in the property, he said. Knight Ridder contemplated developing the property itself, doing a joint venture, or selling some or all of the land.

A DIFFICULT SALE

But a sale of the entire parcel, including The Herald's offices and printing operation, would be difficult. Six years ago Knight Ridder completed a $120 million project to install five new printing presses on the property. Moving them would be expensive.

The Herald built and moved into the building in the early 1960s.

The headquarters of Knight Ridder, which publishes 32 daily newspapers, were also there until 1998, when the corporate office moved to San Jose, Calif.

The decision to sell The Herald's surrounding property comes as other newspapers have decided to sell their home offices.

Earlier this month, The New York Times agreed to sell its Manhattan offices for $175 million and will move into a new office tower in New York City in mid-2007. Last month, developer Donald Trump began demolishing the former Chicago Sun-Times building to make way for a 90-story condo and hotel tower.

Laquer predicted that The Herald property will attract attention.

''I think it will sell quickly,'' she said. ``They are not making any more land. They certainly aren't making any more property of this caliber.''

Wow This has alot of potential to be big....Oh God I can't wait to see Miami in 2008!! Gosh!!

Nice.. Keep us posted Dave..

this is great i wish the herald would of done the same thing as the new york times,but this is great and guess whos on the job its arqititectonica

great news, cant wait for the renderings,

Now all the herald needs is to redo the facade of that hideous building they operate from.

oh man, thats amazing, thats another 6 or 7 towers with a shitload of units so close to keep the attendence numbers at the pac and museum park nice and high... this is the best news in a long time... and arquitetonica on the job, this is gonna b great

First off, its a pleasure to read what fellow Miami skyscraper enthusiasts have to say. I'm a buyer at quantum with south east views. I'm a bit concerned about the plans for the tall condo tower behind us blocking some portion of our city views, and i cant quite understand why they want to develop a condo tower with blocked views. What are their selling points? Ammenities with no views? the project is not on the bay and will not have bay views, and with all the empty parcels of land along biscayne blvd between 17th an 19th streets, we can surely count on more high rise projects blocking that project's existing city views. That new project is going to be a hard sell. I've always considered the land in question to be ideal for commercial use or mid rise residential use. Concerning the land being offered by the HErald, WOW! Its about time. This is going to revolutionoze uptown. lets just say that someone or various people are going to jump on that opportunity, and the outcome is going to be dramatic. the area along the bay between the Macaurther and Julia Tuttle causeways is going to develop into a dramatic yet compact skyline that when combined with the rest of the Miami skyline, will rival any great skyline in the country, except NYC and Chicago, for now.

^^So tru...so great!!

good point

2. Consideration of a Major Use Special Permit for the Onyx 2 Project located at approximately 421-455 NE 28th Street and 460-462 NE 28th Street.No.: 2004-072 Applicant: Adrienne Pardo, on behalf of 02, LLC, owner.
Consideration of a Resolution approving with conditions a Major Use Special Permit pursuant to Articles 5, 9, 13 and 17 of Zoning Ordinance No. 11000, as amended, the Onyx 2 Project located at approximately 421-455 NE 28th Street and 460-462 NE 28th Street, Miami, Florida, to construct a 543-foot, 49-story, high structure to be comprised of 117 total multifamily residential units with recreational amenities, and 163 total parking spaces.

3. Consideration of a Major Use Special Permit for the Gallery Art Condominium Project located at approximately 317-333 NE 24th Street and 402 NE 25th Street. No.: 2004-068 Applicant: Gloria Velazquez, on behalf of Gallery Art Condo, LLC. Consideration of a Resolution approving with conditions a Major Use Special Permit pursuant to Articles 5, 9, 13 and 17 of Zoning Ordinance No. 11000, as amended, the Gallery Art Condominium Project located at approximately 317-333 NE 24th Street and 402 NE 25th Street, Miami, Florida, to construct a 199-foot, 17-story high mixed use structure to be comprised of 164 total multifamily residential units, seven office live/work units, and 208 total parking spaces.

4. Consideration of a Major Use Special Permit for the Avant Towers Project located atapproximately 234-272 NE 34th Street.No.: 2004-061 Applicant: Ben Fernandez, on behalf of Avant Towers, LC. Consideration of a Resolution approving with conditions a Major Use Special Permit pursuant to Articles 5, 9, 13 and 17 of Zoning Ordinance No. 11000, as amended, the Avant Towers Project located at approximately 234-272 NE 34th Street, Miami, Florida, to construct a 17-story mixed use structure consisting of 114 total multifamily residential units, approximately 12,900 square feet of commercial use, and 194 total parking spaces.

5. Consideration of a Major Use Special Permit for the SoHo project, located at approximately 601, 611, 613, and 615 NE 23rd Street. (Wynwood/Edgewater NET District) No.: 2004-091 Applicant: Vicky Garcia-Toledo, Esq., on behalf of Loft Development, Ltd., now known as SoHo Development, Ltd. Consideration of a Resolution, approving with conditions, a Major Use Special Permit pursuant to Articles 9, 13 and 17 of Zoning Ordinance No. 11000, as amended, for the SoHo project located at approximately 601, 611, 613, and 615 NE 23rd Street, Miami, Florida, to
construct a 202-foot, 16-story high residential structure to be comprised of approximately 95 total multifamily residential units with recreational amenities, and 142 total parking spaces.

6. Consideration of a Major Use Special Permit for the Paramount at Edgewater Square project, located at approximately 317, 341, 345, & 363 NE 20th Terrace; 2040, 2066, & 2072 North Bayshore Drive; 348, 340, & 338 NE 21st Street; and 2075 Biscayne Boulevard. (Wynwood/Edgewater NET District) to construct a 562-foot, 47-story high mixed use structure to be comprised of approximately 369 total multifamily residential units with recreational amenities, approximately 45,781 square feet of retail space, and 690 total parking spaces.

LOL...where are all these unheard-of projects coming from?

Paramount at Edgewater Square ---562-foot, 47-story high

SoHo---202-foot, 16-story

Gallery Art Condominium Project --- to construct a 199-foot, 17-story high mixed use structure to be comprised of 164 total multifamily residential units, seven office live/work units, and 208 total parking spaces.


This one's in the Design District ---closer to Aria and Cube

Avant Towers----to construct a 17-story mixed use structure consisting of 114 total multifamily residential units!

What exactly are these towers, maybe I messed something, but I don't know anything about them...does anyone have any renderings!

avant towers is next to the motel 8 on biscayne and 34th if im correct

paramount is north of cite on the bay the whole block is being demolished except one house which is from the somehthing about mary movie and historic so it will be preserved and converted into a restaurant and the tower will build around it

Thnx For Those Height Updates!

no renderings yet

I saw a rendering of it in a report on WSVN regarding the house where "Something About Mary" was filmed and from what I saw the Paramount is going to be huge.

I have a few questions concerning some building heights, and also some projects that i've only recently heard of.
1. Streetscapeer mentioned a project called "Cube" in the DEsign District, what's the info on that?
2. Also, on Emporis, Quantum is placed at 52 stories and 554 feet (169m), which makes it taller than the 56 floor Opera Tower and the Santa Maria. Is this accurate? I've always known quantum to be 51 floors.
3. Near Blue there is a sign on an empty plot of land for a seemingly tall residential project called "5th Avenue Lofts", does any one have height info on that, or a website one could look at?
Thanks

quantum is 51 stories

allthough you also have to remember that sometimes the 13th floor is counted and the pool deck isnt either at times so it could be 50 floors or 52 floor depending on how they count there floors...

http://quantumcondos.com/home.html

Thanks for the info. Let's hope its not really 50. That would suck. The sales center people aren't as informative, in that sense, as one would want them to be. In the building model in the sales center, though, there seems to be a hidden floor above the 51st floor penthouse. The additional floor is seperate from the pentouse at the top and has its own large window. Not sure if that's the floor being included on Emporis, or if its just part of the building's crown.

I've found that the average person (people not on this newsgroup and non-engineers and non-construction types and non-architects, etc...) don't really give a crap to know EXACTLY how many floors a scaper is going to be, or how many feet tall its going to be. They have no frame of reference in building heights, so it means nothing to them. That's why its hard to get accurate info. I, on the other hand, along with some of you all, suffer from a psychosis which i can't seem to snap out of- I need to know all the details, plain and simple. :)

A one or two floor difference, or height details about the building's crown or pinnacle, the lobby's height, even the average ceiling heights of each floor are crucial to consider when evaluating a high rise project. Not only is it important for scraper enthusiasts like us, in order to compare one bldg to another, but its important for buyers who are speculating about their views--especially if there is a tall building as your neighbor (Like 1800 Club & Quantum), and your view may or may not be blocked by the bldg. ITs easy to find info on the amount of floors in a given bldg, but when u start searching for the meter or feet info, it becomes difficult. I'm not sure how reliable Emporis is, or whether there exists a local government database that contains height info--from, say, the DDA--; But, take the Opera Tower for example, it has 56 floors, but at 8 feet 8 inches in ceiling height per floor, minus high-ceiling loft units in the lower floors, the Opera tower is going to fall short of the 51 story quantum south tower in height. The amount of floors means little to me without the actual building-height in feet or meters, or at the very least, ceiling height info. Another thing, i've been hearing conflicting reports on the height of the 1800 Club. On their sales pamphlet they list it as both 41 and 42 stories, yet Emporis lists it at 40 stories. What's going on? And are they offering high-ceiling loft units on the lower floors of the project, which would make it quite taller?

well i would trust the pamphlet more than emporis

quantum is 51 stories

allthough you also have to remember that sometimes the 13th floor is counted and the pool deck isnt either at times so it could be 50 floors or 52 floor depending on how they count there floors...

http://quantumcondos.com/home.html
TRUE RX :) , and ALSO, I was at the Site of the QUANTUM Condo Tower, True its 51 Stories, BUT they told me the Height is going just a little over 550 FEET, Higher than the ONXY 2 Condo Tower And Taller than the 52 Story ICE 2 TOWER. THIS IS GREAT :) , So many Towers going up IN THE SAME DECADE :) , Wow, I LOVE THIS CITY !!! :cheers:

wish i would be like this forever,but it seems to be slowing down

Why do you say it's slowing down ?

Great news regarding Quantum's height. However, I think rather than slowing down, the developments are settling down, so that they can go up--that is, go vertical. Projects need to start getting built. We have enough proposals. It seems like every week there is a new bldg being proposed. They might seem amazing, but renderings, and websites mean nothing. Cranes, construction workers, and ribbon cutting ceremonies are what matter. It may be difficult to consider the Miami development scene to be "slowing down" with the presence of over 30 to 40 cranes (2 per project) moving simultaneously in the Financial, Parkwest, and Uptown districts alone, or the presence of more construction workers than ordinary pedestrians. What we are going to witness will not soon be forgotten by anyone for a long time to come. IT is only now beginning to come to fruition.

does anybody know if the Opera Tower has broken ground yet? The web site lists it as under construction.

There's activity on the site, but they have yet to break ground. It seems like they're clearing up the site.

well i agree

lofts at midtown
quantum
operatower
1800 club
have all begun sometype of work on thier sites

if you go towards the cbd
museaum park
900 biscayne
marina blue
lofts downtown
and met 1
have all begun to do foundation work and clearing out

one miami is almost topping off just a few more floors to go
should reach about the 3rd window of that citigroup tower

and towards brickell
neovertika
latitude
on the river have begun foundation work also

and brickell on the river is topping off and soon to start on second tower
also parkplace is topping off and moving on to second tower
mary brickell village is moving towards the 65% mark
then theres sail emerald and solaris which are under construction allready

so i think they have started the slow vertical climb towards the sky so they can make a difference come 2007

ps there aint no stopping us
miami still has 2 more commision meetings left this year so we might still see 2 new projects come online for xmas,hanukah, kwanza

whoa, great summary Rx of projects that are already u/c

what are the "lofts at midtown"??

maybe someone can make a list of projects that soon to break ground-- the very-soon ones, I mean. Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb. In other words, What can we expect to be already underconstruction when March rolls around?!!

In the PAC District, Quantum, and 1800 Club should be going vertical by March. I believe that the Opera Tower would then soon follow. Most of the developers are slating completion for late 2006 or early 2007, and that includes the Onyx and Ice projects, along with Star. I have yet to see any major activity on the Platinum property. The Uptown Lofts project is going vertical; presently at around the 3rd floor. The Yorker, Cite, and Blue are nearing completion. And, there is a relatively tall rental tower, at about 15 to 20 stories (it has yet to top off), on Biscayne and 18th street. They are installing the remainder of the glass facade on the PAC, and its gonna look awesome, and the other night I was driving by it and it was lit up in multiple colors. I see this being a trend in the area, with many of the new buildings following suit. It would make sense, being the ARTS DISTRICT to have many objects be illuminated. Also, i never thought my girlfriends fashion magazines would serve my scraper fascination, but on In Style magazine, I found out that PEdro MArtin (developer of Quantum, Metropolis, and 900 Biscayne) sponsered P Diddy's MTV VMA Bash called the Fabulous 50 at his star island home. The list of invitees included Bruce Willis, and a host of other famous celebs. I find it fascinating how, at least Pedro Martin, is directly targeting celebrity buyers, and guess what, its likely to work!

:nono: ill never tell

Sorry, this is kinda off topic, but imagine what fortunate things One Miami will do for out skyline....


It'll form a grandeur entrace to the Miami river, and in this pic, the wachovia tower will rise above a wall of scrapers (seemingly)!


http://img45.exs.cx/img45/232/miami-skyline.jpg




One Miami will do wonders for this angle too, it'll essentially bridge the gap between the mainland towers and the Brickell Key towers....how magnificent!


http://img45.exs.cx/img45/88/DowntownMiami3.jpg

Why do you say it's slowing down ?


I'm saying its slowing down because condo sales are starting to drop 50 bis,met1, and others have been selling for a while but yet aren't soldout.maybe its just the appeal for certain projects because midtown1,plaza,soldout in days. you just don't know until its all done.but for some reason i just have a feeling its getting towards the end.as much as i wish this would last forever like in new york,and china i think its nearing the end.

great list rx and good pics!

youll never tell what rx??

hey guys groundbreaking is about to happen soon at the shops at midtown

What are the shops at midtown?

I'm saying its slowing down because condo sales are starting to drop 50 bis,met1, and others have been selling for a while but yet aren't soldout.maybe its just the appeal for certain projects because midtown1,plaza,soldout in days. you just don't know until its all done.but for some reason i just have a feeling its getting towards the end.as much as i wish this would last forever like in new york,and china i think its nearing the end.

Yes, it has to slow sometime you would think. But bear in mind that some projects like Plaza at Brickell are selling out overnight !

AREA REPORT:
Biscayne Boulevard:
The New Frontier
After living on South Beach for the past four years, Erik Larsen was ready for something new. This fall, the 27-year-old model is moving across the causeway to a one-bedroom loft-style condominium at Cité, one of largest of the residential developments underway on Miami’s Biscayne Boulevard corridor.
“It’s time to try something different,” Larsen says. “I already have some friends living there, and I think my new neighborhood is going to be great.”

With dozens of new residential, retail and restaurant projects planned or under construction, real estate developers are betting hundreds of millions of dollars that Biscayne Boulevard — from the American Airlines Arena to NE 87th Street — will be South Florida’s next trendy neighborhood.
“It’s the new frontier,” says Mark McClenney, general manager of OLA Miami, one of the latest upscale restaurants to open along the boulevard. “But, it’s a long-term play.”
The high volume of new construction, along with renovations of tattered apartment complexes, is breathing new life into the faded stretch of US-1, whose last glory days were during the 1950s. The trend began several years back with the revitalization of the upper-middle-class neighborhoods of Morningside, Belle Meade and Palm Bay, which run alongside the boulevard. Those now-upscale enclaves made a ready customer base for small retailers such as vintage clothing boutiques, take-out restaurants and a new Starbucks owned by basketball star Magic Johnson. They have begun to take root and supplant some of the seedy motels and open-air laundromats that are still common in certain stretches of the corridor.
Those vestiges are not likely to last. Beginning next year, the northern end of Biscayne Boulevard will receive a major facelift. To the west, the ambitious Midtown Miami development will be well on its way to becoming the corridor’s retail-residential hub. Along the southern stretch of the Biscayne Corridor, construction crews continue work on the Miami Performing Arts Center — whose expected positive impact on the adjacent neighborhoods is exceeded only by its ballooning price tag, which now is in excess of $400 million.
Still, the evolution of the Biscayne corridor from seamy tourist trap to the next Coconut Grove, Brickell Avenue or South Beach may take significantly longer than many developers, builders and buyers expect it to: Mortgage rates are slowly on the rise and experts worry that demand may not be strong enough to fill the thousands of new housing units expected to come online.
“It seems to me that everyone looking at the Biscayne corridor wants to see changes in the next 20 minutes,” says Michael Y. Cannon, managing director of Miami-based real estate consultancy Integra Realty Resources-South Florida. “But, it may take 10 to 15 years, or more, as has been the case with many urban redevelopment trends.”

The Next South Beach?
Many residential developers and buyers compare today’s Biscayne Boulevard to South Beach during the mid-1980s — an edgy, urban neighborhood transformed into a chic, desirable community by a flood of private investment.
“When I graduated from Miami Beach Senior High 14 years ago, Miami Beach was not a hot place to live — now you can’t afford a studio there,” says Lester Allen, a 35-year-old Miami real estate investor who purchased three units at the Cité condo. “I want to be on the ground floor of the next big wave.”
Allen, who is now renting just off the boulevard, says he enjoys the lifestyle the area affords, including attending Miami Heat basketball games, outdoor concerts, and nearby nightclubs. “I walked to the MTV Video Music Awards show from my apartment, and saw President Bush speak a few days later,” Allen says. “It’s exciting to live right near the hottest things going on in the country.”
The comparison with South Beach, however, may end there. South Beach continues to have world-class drawing cards that the corridor does not: the Atlantic Ocean and the string of unique Art Deco hotels and outdoor cafes along Ocean Drive. Condo owners or apartment dwellers all live within easy walking distance from both.
The new high-rise and mid-rise developments in the Biscayne corridor offer water views of Biscayne Bay, but to reach the beach residents will have to cross the bay on a causeway. Perhaps more important is the nature of the geography: Biscayne Boulevard is a 5.5-mile linear corridor within the city without a focal point for pedestrians. Neighborhood shopping centers are springing up, but corridor residents may still need to depend on their cars or ride public transportation to work in downtown Miami.
For city planners, builders and consumers alike, that knowledge brings up the question of how the area will accommodate the increased traffic generated by the thousands of new residents expected to jam into a four-lane stretch of US-1 that is already one of the prime commuting routes for people living in the northeastern suburbs.
Beginning next June, the Florida Department of Transportation plans two road improvement projects along the boulevard’s upper east side, from N.E. 37th street to Miami’s northern city limits. A new median will be added in some locations, while the entire stretch will receive new drainage, sidewalks, curbs, streetlights, traffic signals and landscaping. The sidewalks, too, in some places, will be designed to accommodate more pedestrian traffic.
But it will be many years before one of the corridor’s largest traffic problems is addressed: the removal or restructuring of the I-395 overpass that now divides the Performing Arts Center district from Bicentennial Park, where the city plans to relocate the Miami Art Museum and Miami Museum of Science and create a new Museum Park.
Two approaches now under consideration include putting I-395 below ground level with a bridge for Biscayne Boulevard, or designing a highly elevated new bridge that could provide a “visual signature” for the district, according to Michael C. Hardy, CEO of the Miami Performing Arts Center.
“By elevating it, you would open space under the bridge for parks and water features that would be very pedestrian friendly,” Hardy says. “It would also provide a link to Museum Park, which would help complete the transformation of the area over the next decade.”

A Strong Demand
Any renaissance along the corridor will depend heavily on just how many people move into the area. Buyer demand for condominiums, lofts and million-dollar penthouse apartments is strong, but how long that may last is the $64,000 question – though, for most developers, the stakes are hundreds of times higher.
Actual demand is hard to measure, say South Florida real estate analysts, because investors or speculators hoping to rent their units or “flip” them to other buyers for profit have snapped up many condo units. High-rise condo towers may take 18 to 24 months to complete, so a speculator can lock up units with a modest deposit and hope for prices to keep rising until completion.
That has been the popular investment formula in recent years as South Florida real estate prices climbed 10 to 20 percent annually. But if prices drop in reaction to a spike in interest rates, an international incident or a natural disaster, investors may walk away, forcing developers to re-sell the same units under more difficult market conditions, analysts say.
In general, there is less risk for lower priced condos, which appeal more to primary homebuyers who plan to live and work in the city.
A “back to the city” demographic shift is fueling an interest in the corridor and pulling in young professionals, empty nesters, same-sex couples, and adults without children.
Miami-based real estate consultant Lewis Goodkin says the city has “the nation’s most multi-faceted condominium market” including second-home buyers from around the world. “It has demonstrated the ability to generate growing demand and support impressive price appreciation.”
Still, Goodkin warns that speculative real estate investing in South Florida, including in the Biscayne corridor, is among the highest in the nation. “The higher the level of speculative purchases, the bigger the danger of a condo bubble,” he says. “The risk of an oversupply is now dangerously high. The obvious danger is thousands of these units will be completed in another 15 to 24 months, hitting the market like a giant margin call.”
Consultant Cannon is less concerned. He says more housing will be needed for the 20,000-plus people settling down in Miami-Dade County each year. Urban, high-density residential developments could absorb some of that demand, since there is little available land for single-family home development. “I don’t think anyone knows exactly what will happen on Biscayne Boulevard,” he says. “But, I don’t think all these new developments will be filled up overnight. The key is having good market and demographic studies, as well as architects who are designing for a niche in the marketplace.”

Performing Arts Center:
A Catalyst
Although completion of the Miami Performing Arts Center is still several years away, the massive cultural facility is already serving as a catalyst for redevelopment, according to CEO Hardy.
“We can already see the economic impact up and down Biscayne Boulevard, from Overtown to Biscayne Bay,” he says.
Located on Biscayne Boulevard between N.E. 13th and 14th streets, the PAC will consist of three performance facilities, totaling 570,000 square feet, which will be linked by a pedestrian bridge spanning the boulevard.
Hardy says the PAC will offer about 350 performances a year, as well as cultural programming, social events, business meetings and educational sessions. “Typically these centers do from 750 to 1,000 total events a year. In a district where there have been zero events, that will be a dramatic change, putting a lot of people in the streets.”
With several major new tower condominium projects, as well as smaller loft buildings planned in the nearby blocks, the PAC should spur demand for more restaurants and retail shops, Hardy speculates.
That may already be happening, according to Juan Porro, president of Cobalt Development, which is building Uptown Lofts, a 66-unit condo near the PAC. “This neighborhood will seem like a Greenwich Village in Manhattan,” he says. “It will be an important area to feed the growing business district of downtown Miami.”
The PAC district has the potential to become one of the most heavily built neighborhoods in South Florida. On the drawing boards nearby are several massive residential towers, including the 50-story Ten Museum Park, 50-story Paramount at Edgewater Square, 60-story Marquis, and the 56-story Opera Tower.
Hardy says the PAC staff spends a great deal of time tracking urban development issues. “A few blocks from us, you already have the nightclubs which are busy up to 4:00 in the morning. The PAC will be the site of afternoon and evening events, and the overall activity will just snowball.”
Miami’s experience, he adds, provides further proof that arts centers are good for the economy. “In the 1960s, Lincoln Center transformed New York’s Upper West Side into one of the city’s most energized and desirable neighborhoods,” he says. “Closer to home, new arts centers have revitalized communities including West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Tampa.”
A 2001 study conducted by Hamilton, Rabinowitz & Altschuler Inc., on behalf of the Performing Arts Center Foundation, projected a direct tax impact of $25 million to $30 million a year from the PAC, the creation of more than 4,000 jobs during the construction phase and more than 2,500 permanent new jobs.
The question remains: when will the PAC be completed and at what price? At its October 2001 groundbreaking, Miami-Dade officials announced that the PAC would be completed in three years at a cost of $255 million. Three years later, the completion date was pushed back another two years with an overall project cost of $419 million, including $300 million for construction.
The delays and cost overruns led County Manager George Burgess to reorganize the public-private construction partnership last July, with the county asserting greater control. Recently, Ron Austin, an Ohio consultant serving as director of construction for Miami-Dade County, says, “There is every belief that this project will be completed by the contractual completion date of Aug. 4, 2006.”
Through next year, construction crews will continue to put the “skin” on the building, along with glass enclosures and storefronts on ground level. The structure will be enclosed by early 2005 when work will shift to the interior, Austin says.
“This is going to be an unbelievable, attractive facility when completed,” he says. “I have worked on several projects and it is amazing how whole communities are revitalized by the completion of these facilities.”

Midtown Miami:
A New Center
Twenty blocks to the north of the PAC is Midtown Miami, a sprawling 56-acre mixed-use project on the site of the former Buena Vista rail yard. The site is bordered by in the north by N.E. 36th Street and in the east by rail tracks along N.E. 2nd Avenue. North Miami Avenue runs along its western border, and N.E. 29th Avenue is to the south.
Miami-based Midtown Group plans to build approximately 3,000 condominiums, 140,000 square feet of commercial space, and 150,000 square feet of office space on the site. “This will be like a city within a city,” says Michael Samuel, a Midtown partner. “You will be able to walk downstairs for coffee or a meal, with shopping, office space and a hotel within a few blocks.”
Midtown Group has reservations for all 339 units in its first residential building, Two Midtown Boulevard, and sales for its 379-unit Four Midtown Boulevard building are slated to begin in November. Both buildings will have ground-floor retail. Another building, Three Midtown Boulevard, is in the design stage.
“We have three top architects designing these buildings, and they will look very different,” Samuel says. “When someone walks down the street, the architecture and color schemes will change from block to block.”
On half of the Midtown site, Developers Diversified Realty, a Cleveland-based real estate trust, will build the Shops at Midtown Miami. The 600,000-square-foot retail center will have up to 900 rental apartments on its 26-acre parcel. Together, the total investment in Midtown Miami is expected to top $1.2 billion during the next seven years.
“The Shops at Midtown Miami and the adjacent mixed-use development will create more than 2,700 permanent jobs and will support another 1,485 jobs that will result from new employees shopping within the community,” says Orlando-based economist Hank Fishkind, a consultant on the project.
Developers Diversified broke ground this summer on the combination retail and garage structure that will be the first phase. “We are projecting a fall 2006 opening of the stores,” says Daniel M. Herman, the company’s director of development for the eastern US. “While there are no announcements so far, we are seeing strong interest among national regional and local tenants.”
The key elements of interest to tenants — the nearby neighborhood’s income and population demographics — will significantly rise during the next few years as more upscale residents move into the Biscayne corridor. “Midtown Miami will clearly have a significant impact on the neighborhood,” Herman says.
The shopping center will focus on retail stores and restaurants that serve the community, unlike Cocowalk in Coconut Grove, which has a movie theater and a comedy club and is designed to attract tourists and people from outside the neighborhood.
“We are planning a public plaza with kiosks and lots of open space. It will be very inviting to the public with a neighborhood feeling, rather than that of a massive power center,” he says.
While Samuel expects it will take five to seven years to complete development of the entire Midtown Miami site, the biggest changes may become evident by 2006, when a new street grid is completed and the shopping center opens its doors.
“Unlike today, where the railroad tracks form a long barrier, Midtown Miami will be connected to the west, east, north and south,” Samuel says. “We’ll be putting in a jogging track next to the [train] tracks, and there’s the potential for light rail connections.”

Small Business Growth
While construction crews are busy on new residential projects, there has been a quiet ground-level resurgence in the Biscayne corridor. Small service firms, clothing boutiques, new restaurants and nightclubs are springing up.
Reflecting that growth, the Biscayne Corridor Chamber of Commerce opened its doors in early 2004 with support from the Upper East Side Miami Council, a homeowner’s organization.
“Our overall vision is to make Biscayne Corridor the most prosperous locale in which to do business in all of South Florida,” says its president, John P. Meyer. “We’re a volunteer organization that is now organizing into committees, putting together action plans and stretching our resources far.” To date the chamber has hosted networking events for more than 40 members, civic leaders and area residents.
Following Mark Soyka’s trail-blazing Soyka’s Restaurant Cafe & Bar at Biscayne and N.E. 55th Street, new restaurants have opened along the boulevard during the past year: Glacier, a French café; El Fico; Casa Toscana; and Dogma, a popular outdoor hotdog stand where it is common to see business executives in suits sit next to tourists in flip-flops.
Undoubtedly the highest profile new establishment is OLA Miami — the name is an acronym for “of Latin America” — a new venture of chef Douglas Rodriguez, who is widely credited with popularizing so-called Nuevo Latino cuisine. OLA Miami was recently named one of the Top 66 new restaurants in the world by Conde Nast — a ranking that general manager McClenney hopes will help pull in the crowds.
“When this site was selected, we realized it would take longer than usual to establish itself,” McClenney says. “We felt it was worth the effort, and we have been pleasantly surprised by the performance.”

Diverse Residential Projects
While residential real estate developers are touting the strong demand for units up and down the Biscayne corridor, the density of the projects underway and in the pipeline will not hold much attraction for families who want a house with a backyard. Sellers are hoping that a combination of price and close proximity to jobs will stave off the desire for wide-open spaces.
Condo units in the lower price points seem to be the ones selling the best, say some realtors. At City 24, for example, Carson Realty broker Carlo Gambino reports that 100 of the project’s 119 units were sold within five weeks at prices from $215,000 to $589,000.
“About 75 percent are end-users and 25 percent are investors,” Gambino estimates. “We’re getting buyers from Miami Beach, as well as the suburbs, who work downtown. There are also buyers looking for a second home who are not willing to pay Miami Beach prices.”
The 6.5-acre, 436-unit Cité has more than 75 percent of its inventory sold with occupancy planned for this Fall, says Jennifer Arons, vice president of sales and marketing for developer Centrum Properties. “Being one of the first new developments has been an advantage,” she says. “Buyers who need something urgently can purchase here, rather than waiting 18 months or more.”
Loft residences with open floor plans are also a popular product at all price ranges, say developers.
“Our buyers are early adopters who enjoy finding new things,” says Henry Harper-McCausland, managing director of Miami-based Intrepid Real Estate Company LLC, which is building the 72-residence Parc Lofts near the Performing Arts Center. “We’re attracting all sorts of professionals and entrepreneurs — not international investors or speculators.”
Along Biscayne Bay, a stylish string of high-rise condominiums with one-word names are either planned or under construction: Blue, Sky, Ice, Platinum, Quantum, Onyx and Star.
“There is no question that water views, and waterside locations, are what people are looking for,” says Pedro Martin, president of Miami-based Terra ADI International Developments LLC, the company building Quantum on the Bay.
Also along Biscayne Bay, at N.E. 36th street, Miami-based Hyperion Development Group Inc. plans to break ground on its 36-story, 330-unit project Blue. The company is a partnership between local developer Paul Murphy; Jim Clark, the founder of Netscape Communications Corp. and Silicon Graphics Inc.; and Thomas Jermoluk, former president of Silicon Graphics.
Just south of Blue, construction began on Ice, a 36-story tower with 100 lofts, all of which are reserved. Meanwhile, Ice developer Majestic Properties says nearly 60 percent of the 88 lofts in the 56-story Ice II condo project are reserved, and will sell at an average price of $1.7 million, according to the Miami company’s president Jeff Morr.
“Our competition is Miami Beach waterfront,” says Morr, whose company is involved — either as its developer or sales arm — with half a dozen other Biscayne Boulevard projects. “Our buyers like the architecture and design – they would rather have a unique loft with an 18-foot ceiling than an apartment on South Beach. This is the new urban setting.”
Morr says about 60 percent of buyers in his projects are from South Florida, with the balance coming from New York, the Midwest, Latin America and Europe. “We don’t market to investors, but they constitute about 20 percent of our sales,” he adds. “
One clear symbol of the changing Biscayne marketplace: The former 1800 Club bar, frequented over the decades by celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Warren Beatty and Bill Clinton, was demolished in 2002 to make way for a new tower. Now, the 1800 Club will be a 41-story condo with 469 units rising along Biscayne Bay.
“This neighborhood is quickly becoming recognized as a very popular place to live and play,” says Edgardo Defortuna, president of Fortune International, the Miami company in charge of sales and marketing for the project.
To be sure, Defortuna, and others, have something to celebrate with the positive reception that most condo projects in the area have received from buyers. But the current condo frenzy could face a sobering reality relatively soon: rising land prices are making the barrier to entry in the market much higher than it was just a few years ago.
“Three years ago, people were not that excited about the corridor,” says Rosendo Caveiro, director of apartment brokerage for Miami-based brokerage and leasing firm Cushman & Wakefield. “At that time, land with Biscayne Boulevard frontage was priced in the range of $50 to $70 per square foot. Now, it’s up to $100 or more.”

Keeping Pace With
Development
Longtime residents of the so-called Upper East Side have raised concerns about the pace of new, higher-density real estate development along the Biscayne corridor and its effects on the quality of life in the area. This summer, neighborhood activists expressed their concerns to the City of Miami, which responded by passing new zoning rules that limit building heights along the boulevard between 36th and 87th streets. The rules also dictate the incorporation of pedestrian-friendly elements into building designs: for example, placing parking lots to the back of buildings rather than fronting Biscayne Boulevard.
“We anticipate this area will be as desirable, if not more so, than the Grove,” says Bob Flanders, vice president of the neighborhood group the Upper East Side Miami Council. “We are now improving Biscayne while preserving the city’s historic neighborhoods, which will only go up in value.”
Shutts & Bowen land use attorney Judith Burke says the corridor suffered years of neglect from investors and developers despite an extremely liberal zoning code that allowed high-rises without height restrictions. The more recent rush, however, has left the city trying to “catch its breath.”
“Looking along the boulevard, this is where development will be channeled,” says Burke. “But with so many projects already approved, it may take several years to see just how the boulevard turns out.”


Biscayne Corridor Area
Project List

PUBLIC

>> Miami Performing Arts Center
Location: Biscayne Boulevard between N.E. 13th and 14th streets
Description: three state-of-the-art theaters, an education center, an expansive outdoor plaza, and a 1929 Art Deco tower.
Status: Under construction, completion expected in late 2006 at a total cost of $412 million.
Developer: Performing Arts Center Trust, a Miami-Dade County public/private partnership


MIXED USE:

>> Midtown Miami
Location: 3110 NE 2nd Ave.
Description: 28-acre residential and retail development on the site of the former Buena Vista Ship Yards – the largest parcel of undeveloped land in Miami. The 18-block stretch will be anchored by the newly created Midtown Boulevard and East Coast Avenue. The project is expected to include 3,000 condo units, 900 rental units, office space, retail space, a hotel and a spa.
Status: Two Midtown Blvd., the project’s first phase (three buildings with 338 units) is sold out, with construction scheduled to begin this fall. Four Midtown Blvd., the second phase (379 units and ground-floor retail) begins sales this month. Three Midtown Blvd., the third phase, is now in the design stage.
Developer: Midtown Group, LLC, a partnership between Samuel & Co. and Midtown Equities LLC
Phone: 305-757-0001
Web Site: www.midtownmiami.com

>> The Shops at Midtown
Location: Between N.E. 28th and 36th streets along North Miami Avenue
Description: 580,000-square-foot shopping center and 394 rental apartments on 26 acres of land.
Status: First building under construction, completion expected in 2006
Developer: Developers Diversified Realty
Phone: 216-755-5500
Web Site: www.ddr.com

>> Kubik
Location: Biscayne Boulevard between NE 56th and 57th streets
Description: 12-story complex of 293 residential units, retail and office space
Status: Approved by city
Developer: LAB Group


RESIDENTIAL
(generally from south to north)

>> Marina Blue (formerly Mist)
Location: Near the American Airlines Arena
Description: 60 stories with 516 units
Status: Project is expected to be completed
in 2007
Developer: Hyperion Development Group
Web Site: www.hypdev.com

>> Ten Museum Park
Location: 1040 Biscayne Blvd.
Description: 50-story building with 200 residential units
Status: Broke ground in October 2004
Developer: Gregg Covin, Chad Oppenheim, Armin Matti and Michael Capponi
Phone: 305-573-2025
Web Site: www.tenmuseumpark.com

>> Opera Tower
Location: 1756 North Bayshore Dr.
Description: 56 floors, 635 units
Status: Under construction; completion expected June 2006
Developer: Florida East Coast Realty

>> Parc Lofts
Location: 35 NE 17th St.
Description: 72 lofts
Status: Construction began May 2004
Developer: Intrepid Real Estate Company, LLC
Phone: 305-357-7653
Web Site: www.parclofts.com.

>> The 1800 Club
Location: 1800 N. Bayshore Dr.
Description: 41-story luxury residential condominium with 469 residences
Status: 75 percent of units reserved, construction underway with completion expected in 2006
Developer: BCOM Inc.
Phone: 305-351-0968
Web Site: www.the1800clubmiami.com

>> Cité
Location: Between NE 19th Street and NE 20th Terrace from Biscayne Boulevard to Biscayne Bay
Description: 436 residences, and 20,000 square feet of ground-floor retail
Status: Under construction with completion expected in late 2004
Developer: MCZ/Centrum
Phone: 305-573-0700
Web Site: www.citeonthebay.com

>> Quantum on the Bay
Location: 1900 N. Bayshore Drive
Description: A 51-story tower and a 43-story tower on 1.53 acres, with 698 total units
Status: 100 percent of Tower 1 units sold, 95 percent of Tower 2 sold; construction began Oct. 2004
Developer: Terra ADI International Developments
Phone: 305-377-8373
Web Site: www.quantumcondos.com

>> Paramount at
Edgewater Square
Location: NE 20th Street and Biscayne Blvd.
Description: 350 units in 50-story building; will include townhomes and commercial space
Status: Sales to begin in January 2005
Developer: Royal Palm Development

>> Uptown Lofts
Location: 2275 Biscayne Blvd.
Description: a 66-residence building
Status: Construction began in August 2004; completion expected at the end of 2005
Developer: Cobalt Development
Phone: 305-854-5504
Web Site: www.uptownloftsmiami.com

>> City 24
Location: Biscayne Boulevard and 24th Street
Description: 15-story building with 119 units and ground-floor retail
Status: Construction to begin in January 2005
Developer: Pan Terra Developments
Phone: 305-415-8134
Web Site: www.city24miami.com

>> Star Lofts on the Bay
Location: N.E. 25th Street and Biscayne Bay
Description: 23-story tower with 48 loft-style residences
Status: Under construction; completion expected summer 2005
Developer: Thomas Fawell and Stephanie Herman
Phone: 305-576-3535
Web Site: www.Starlofts.com

>> Onyx & Onyx 2 on the Bay
Location: 665 NE 25th St.; 462 NE 28th St.
Description: Onyx1-188 units; Onyx2-117 units
Status: Onyx 1 one under construction; Onyx 2 sales started in October 2004
Developer: BAP Development
Phone: 305-860-1662
Web Site: www.onyxmiami.com

>> Platinum
Location: Between Biscayne Bay, Biscayne Boulevard and NE 30th Street
Description: 22-story tower with 119 units
Status: Selling pre-construction
Developer: A.R. Development Group, Inc.
Phone: 305-573-6522
Web Site: www.platinumcondo.com

>> Ice
Location: 701 NE 31st Street
Description: 36 floors, 100 lofts
Status: Sold out, construction started in May
Developer: Majestic Properties
Phone: 305-672-8999
Web Site: www.majesticlofts.com

>> Ice2
Location:
Description: 56 floors, 88 lofts and 8 townhouses
Status: 60 percent reserved
Developer: Majestic Properties
Phone: 305-672-8999
Web Site: www.majesticlofts.com

>> Blue
Location: 601 NE 36th St.
Description: 36-story project with 330 units
Status: Under construction
Developer: Hyperion Development Group
Phone: 305-416-7484
Web Site: www.hypdev.com

>> Nirvana
Location: 680 NE 64th St.
Description: 17-acre development with 17-story residential condominium tower, townhouses and a Publix
Status: Phase 1 sold out; phase 2 to launch Fall 2005
Developer: Samuel & Co. and Midtown Equities
Phone: 305-751-9494

>> The Bank
Location: 8101 Biscayne Blvd.
Description: Condo conversion of a seven-story building with 79 loft-style units
Status: Under construction
Developer: Midgard Development Group, Inc.
Phone: 305-758-BANK
Web Site: www.thebankloftsmiami.com

hi renner, good info. but when was this article written as it mentions that projects are about to break ground that are already well underway.

thanks.

wow...what a greatr summary/diagnosis of the Biscayne corridor redevelopment...thanks a lot renner!!:)



I didn't know about The Bank project...it looked really cool on the website



www.thebankloftsmiami.com

Very informative post Renner. Great Read. It touched upon several important contrasting factors in a very comprehensive way. Some factors were hopeful others not so much. Nevertheless, it seems apparent to me that many of those important individuals who were quoted in the article agree, that although it will take several years for much of the development to pan out, the results will nevertheless be very impressive.

There was a portion of the the post where the PAC District and Uptown area was compared both to South Beach and Coconut Grove. In comparing the two areas, I believe that, yes, South Beach has direct access to the Atlantic and a plethora of invaluable Art Deco structures, great restaurants, popular clubs, and posh hotels, but they do not have the world class Performing Arts Center or Museum Park (with two world-class museums). And, with respect to everything that South Beach has, except the Art Deco bldgs, The Uptown and CBD areas will also eventually have as well.

Also, South Beach, although possessing several good examples of modern architectual designs, mostly represents past architectual trends. Whereas the Uptown and CBD area developments represent a more forward-thinking architectual and urbanistic approach with extremely dramatic, soaring building designs, in addition to modern-looking mid-rise developments.

I sense that the development of Uptown, and generally the entire CBD, will far exceed, in terms of dramatic effect, during the next 7 years, not only any activity across the bay, but also, any urban developemental activity across the U.S. And, that's the beauty of it all. The Uptown and CBD areas of Miami simply cannot be compared, in terms of explosive growth in high density residential developmental activity, with any city in the country, right now. IT is awesome indeed. The eyes of the world are on this neighborhood. Some of the city's finest and most famous future restaurants, art galleries, hotels, bars, lounges, residential towers, theatres, clubs, shops, parks, and tourist sights, will co-exist within almost immediate proximity to one another, in the Uptown and Park West Districts alone.

And, finally, what the post made no mention of but is vital to consider: the Free Trade Area of the Americas.

Miami gets the headquarters of the FTAA, then Miami wins the hemispheric economic crown. Only then, will we see an explosion in commercial developmental activity. Only then, will we see 1000 footers touch our tropical sky. Because by then, any company wishing to do business in LAtin America, worth a dime, will seek offices in our city. The most powerful of these will seek their space in the heart of the CBD, in the tallest most prolific towers, which will stand side-by-side with the condo towers we write so much about.

If the FTAA headquarter's comes to Miami, then much will depend on whether it is located in Coconut Grove or Watson Island. IF the resukt is the latter, then expect the develpmental effects on the CBD and Uptown areas to be tremendous. let's hope that the Bush Admn. officially endorses Miami as the Fed's nomination to be home to the FTAA headquarters.

Xzayvier...that post was one of the most inspiring I have Ever read....Boy I wish I could skip the next 7 years and see what Miami is like then, but then again, I don't wanna miss out on this wonderful urban transition period miami is in right now. Thinking about how glorious this city will be pulls dearly at my heartstrings!!

i dislike both locations being offered to ftaa,both are really nimby locations

whoa miami would be incredible if it was able to get ftaa,but right now panama city is putting up a good battle,most people don't know but panama city is another upincoming city like miami,it is also having a boom and has one of the best banking countries in latiin america.

oo great post xzavier well put,

we have like a 100 percent chance of a 1000 footer if we get the ftaa right?

not exactly people forget that alot of latin american companies or companies that do business in latin america already have offices or have hq in miami,but there is a good chance of getting many tall towers.

itll help commercial development, theres no denying that... renner, great post man, thats one of the greatest things ive ever read

try j.d. salinger's "catcher in the rye". also very good. :)

i read it this summer, another one of the greatest things ive ever read, lol, (along wit 1984, machievelli's the prince, and other assorted great books...)

lol @ ISG.. Yea about the FTAA: We still have a good chance of getting it. Its pretty much us against Atlanta and Panama City which is still no easy feat... See the "Atlanta vs. Miami-Bid For the FTAA Headquarters" thread in the Southeast forum. Its probably swimming at the bottom now but I bump it back up to the top...

nah, its pretty much miami vs panama city, itll b a tough run, but i think well beat em out just due to sheer power

I'm not entirely happy with the proposed FTAA sites either. But, I can't come up with any better ideas. I'm pulling for Watson, and an abandonment of the Island Gardens project, which i really dislike for the island and our view of the skyline. The Grove site doesn't make sense to me.

I agree that Panama City has the best chances against us, and Atlanta is the most serious domestic contender, but they can keep dreaming, because although the outcome is unpredictable, Miami not only has an invincible ecomomic position, but political as well. Let's not forget that our President's brother runs our state. His real home is Miami, and has been, on and off, since the early 90's. He went through Andrew. Jeb has been tenaciously lobbying for Miami to get the secretariat, and that's just with leaders from our hemisphere. I think its safe to assume that he has mentioned the subject to his older brother, who will likely give his little brother a hand, since nothing can happen with FTAA without the President's submission.

America will not concede its vote to the FTAA headquarters being outside of its borders. Latin American economies and banking systems are just not sufficiently reliable, and that includes Panama. Hence, the creation of the FTAA: to make all Western hemisphere economies stronger and steadier, together.

Furthermore, Miami is the only city that truly mirrors the linguistic nature of our hemishpere, being the only bilingual city this side of the world.

Let's also no forget about the massive amount of investment pouring into Miami from all over LAtin America, which is likely a reaction to the anticipation, on behalf of all sides, that Miami is the one destined for the throne, and they are not willing to miss out.

Miami and South Florida, controls the majority of trade between North and LAtin America, except Mexico. There is no one city, outside of Miami, that has a real shot at getting a unanimous vote for the secratariat, which will undoubtedly lead to, at the very least, Miami gaining a couple of 1000 footers.

anyone have any idea when this decision will be made. thanks

not at least for more than a year, prob two, that is if the ftaa even hpns anytime soon, which i dont believe it will, theyres just way to many obstacles to tackle and just not enough current interest to put forth the energy to tackel them

The FTAA will happen. With the rise of of the EU, and the growing dominance of China in economic affairs, there is no way for our hemishperic economy to expand and compete, but the FTAA. The entire hemisphere knows this. Latin American nations want free and open trade with us. So do we. Obviously, we require that the agreement be fair, so many issues remain unresolved, but its only a matter of time before they get resolved. This process has been in the works since 1994, and will not likely come to a finalization until next year or early 2006--which is when they'll vote on the host city. The Bush admin, along with its Latin American counterparts, have shown themselves to be very cooperative in putting together the FTAA. There is more than enough energy, resources, and conviction for the effort to go through. Far too much is at stake for it not to. We can let our global economic position slide, or grab the bull by the horns and create the most dominant trade bloc in the world. I think the latter option will be chosen. The point is, should we get the prize, then the focal point of over 14 trillion dollars in trade representing 800 million consumers, will be in our neighborhood--probably Watson Island. Pretty good for us, I think.

http://floridaftaa.org/frontend/

i know that it will be some time before an agreement is reached and signed by all the countries, but i heard some time ago that there was a meeting this month of the ftaa and that one of the agenda items was to decide where the ftaa headquarters would eventually be. has anyone heard any news on this. you don´t have to wait until the actually agreement is reached 1 or 2 years from now to decide which city will be the headquarters.

thanks.

Technically, the host city will not be chosen until all other matters have been resolved, and it must be selected unanimously. However, there have been various meetings where the host city has been the focal point of discussions. I'm not certain as to which meeting you speak of, but any further info would be much appreciated. We need the Bush administration to endorse Miami, since the U.S. has to vote on the host city anyways. That would pretty much secure our position for good.

Also, the other day I drove around the PAC/Uptown area and photographed some signs for some new projects I had not heard of, and i would like to post them, but i don't know how. Can anyone tell me who to email the pictures to or how to post images? Thanks.

all you have to do is go to www.imageshack.us and then post the link it gives you.also wont free trade hurt the u.s. wont it hurt the florida citrus because then countries who grow citrus can get it into the u.s. for lower prices.and that might end up like the u.s. cars did against foregin cars.

FTAA: MIAMI all the way. Screw Atlanta. What qualifications does Atlanta have to be HQ for the FTAA? What, the '96 Olympics? Didn't they prove fraud in acquiring that bis like they did in Salt Lake City? Miami has got the Intl. banks, investors, Jeb, and W. Miami HAS to get this.

UPDATE REQUIRED: Chuck or whomever (whoever?) OPERA TOWER- How many floors and how high in feet? I keep hearing 60 stories. I am asking so I can email Paul at Emporis so he can update the info.

ALSO, Chuck, if it is 60 stories now, post how you got the info so Paul can be reassured that its accurate (I believe you, of course :) ).

well im heAring 56st 570ft
but it might of changed

UPDATE REQUIRED: Chuck or whomever (whoever?) OPERA TOWER- How many floors and how high in feet? I keep hearing 60 stories. I am asking so I can email Paul at Emporis so he can update the info.

ALSO, Chuck, if it is 60 stories now, post how you got the info so Paul can be reassured that its accurate (I believe you, of course :) ).
YES JZ :) , TELL PAUL :) , I know ONE THING FOR SURE, its 6 - Something, EITHER 600 FEET TOTAL TOP OUT :) or it was 60 Storys, BUT in TIBOR HOLLO's Terms :) , it could be only 57 FLOORS of CONDOS and the REST could be Offices and HUGE Ground LOBBY, IT was said by TIBOR HOLLO at the Groundbreaking HUGE TENT PARTY, before they started the Construction, Their putting the Foundation in FAST, Check it OUT :) , This Tower is going to go up FAST. :cheers:

Well This Is The Info I've Got Is 56st.542.84ft

Hey has everyone seen renderings of the proposed site. I posted a link a while back like in October but I don't know if everyone's seen them or not.. There at http://www.ftaa-alca.org/tnc/submissions/tni149p2_e.pdf.

Its Miami's official proposal to the FTAA. Its an adobe reader document and its like 80 pages but the proposed site is on p.g 62. Its right next to Island Gardens like spitting distance from it.. There aren't any renderings for the Coral Gables site yet.

You can also check out the other cities proposals at http://www.ftaa-alca.org/tnc/candidate_e.asp

Well This Is The Info I've Got Is 56st.542.84ft
Uptown-Midtown :) , Not to say it, BUT It can't BE that Short, NO WAY :) !, Take a GOOD LOOK at the TOP of the TOWER, ITS at least a 20 FT-PLUS Cooling Towers TOP DECK, and Check OUT the HUGE LOBBY :) , and of course Cmmercial Space and Parking Garage, ITS WAY over 580 FEET, I can see by saying 58 FLOORS. :cheers:
You Said 56 , and I Say 60, SO We'll HALF it at 58 , LOL. :)

A new development for uptown: Seven Flats. Just as the name implies it is 7 condos, one-per-floor over 1 floor of parking/amenities. On NE 35th Terrace.

http://img124.exs.cx/img124/5527/q3asevenflats.jpg

OOOOOaaahhhhh. Looks nice. I think the Blue condos started a trend.

OK, I'm going to email Paul: "Hey Paul, Opera Tower is, uh, huh, huh... I dunno, pretty tall..." :) Just kidding. That is interesting, though, that it may be at least 600 feet tall. I'll wait till we get updated specifics guys. Remember if he gets wrong info, he won't use us as a source again. that would be bad. I think this newsgroup has helped speed up the emporis rate of updating by a WHOLE LOT.

isn't 35th terrace close to or midtown,or is it the site next to blue

whats the whole address 35th and what

nice blue lofts!

isn't 35th terrace close to or midtown,or is it the site next to blue

whats the whole address 35th and what

One block south of Blue, just to the west of that one Condo tower I can't remember the name of. I think the address was 436 NE 35th TER. IT was definitely 4-something NE 35th Terrace. Its just to the west of the parking of lot building that is in between the Hamilton and Blue.

i thought it was around there, thanks dave

here's a few pics i took a few days ago...

Carnival symphony hall
http://img93.exs.cx/img93/5972/pac8ti.jpg

close up of glass being installed
http://img93.exs.cx/img93/3673/pac22hs.jpg

Paramount site cleared with the "Mary" house still standing
http://img93.exs.cx/img93/442/paramount7ac.jpg

Onyx model
http://img93.exs.cx/img93/9972/onyx7yu.jpg

http://img93.exs.cx/img93/264/onyxfront2wp.jpg

http://img93.exs.cx/img93/3426/onyx28xf.jpg

http://img93.exs.cx/img93/4898/onyxback5is.jpg

Onyx 2 model
http://img93.exs.cx/img93/4715/onyx227oq.jpg

http://img93.exs.cx/img93/571/onyx2front4ge.jpg

http://img93.exs.cx/img93/4878/onyx2side9ht.jpg

http://img93.exs.cx/img93/2896/onyx2back3cn.jpg

Finally, a pic of the super cute Onyx miniatures
http://img93.exs.cx/img93/5758/onyxmodelskyline6vy.jpg

The mini wooden skyline in that last picture extended way to the left of what that picture shows, but it was too long to get it all in one shot. I thought the mini Onyx buildings were pretty cool though.

For a second there I thought about snagging both of them & running out the door, but that wouldn't have too cool on my part. But I'd really love to have them sitting on my desk :lol:

btw, the onyx website has it's construction cam up & running.

just click on "watch us grow".

Onyx (http://www.onyxmiami.com/)

dave -

Those models are way cool ! Love the way Onyx 2 goes from cylindrical to octagonal near the base. I never noticed that before.

yeah, i never noticed that either til i saw the model. that's why i love checking out the sales offices. the models give me a much better idea of what the building & lot are gonna look like & how they're gonna interact with the street. renderings can be more misleading.

You know, I think I like the models better than the buildings.

Is there something seriously wrong with me ? :lol:

Onyx 2 makes Onyx 1 look like a piece of crap. Too extreme a comment. Just look at the designs of both buildings. Onyx 1 only hints at the splendor that Onyx 2 actually is. Its as if Miami skyscraper design has warped light years ahead in the last three years. Add Onyx 2 to my list of best buildings in Florida.

I didn't realize how close Onyx and Ice and Blue actually are. Great model. I hope they fill in the other lots with good designed scrapers.

My God, Biscayne is going to look ridiculously incredible as you drive from north to south into downtown in three years. It will be a cross between Lake Shore Drive and Sheridan Road in Chitown.

great pics...onyx 2 is the Shit!!!:)

You know, I think I like the models better than the buildings.

Is there something seriously wrong with me ? :lol:

no, i think that almost everytime i see a model.

it's not so much that the actual buildings end up looking like crap, it's just
that the models are so freakin' cool. they really have a presence about them. i guess most of it comes from the illusion of seeing right in front of you (& in great detail) what will ultimately be a massive structure many times your size.

it's just a really trippy thing to me. & i guess you too.

yeah, street. onyx 2 is gonna be a cool one.

that whole area is gonna be the shit.

GREAT PICS DAVE,

how did these model onyx buildings compare in height with the MIA skyline? it probably exagerrated their heights lol

ice2 and onyx 2 are about the same height right?550ft?

I believe Onyx 2 is 523 ft. I don't know about Ice2.

Another day another new project:

Applying for a MSUP from the planning board of the City of Miami: The Ellipse, 1776 Biscayne Blvd, 24-stories 273 FT tall. 267 units, 6793 sqft of retail.

^^AWesome news:):):)

True Street :)

I believe Onyx 2 is 523 ft. I don't know about Ice2.
TRUE DALE, About the Height of ONYX 2

Another new project for the PAC area: The Mondrain, 19-floors, 182-units at 33 NE 24th ST. That address is well west of Biscayne, near N Miami Ave in a wearhouse district.

http://www.condofinds.com/listings.php?listing=205

http://img90.exs.cx/img90/7320/mondrain4me.jpg

Awesome....Thanks Dave:):)

good find dave

hey whats up with opera tower,ice,onyx,ice 2,onyx 2 and so one.are any of them going vertical yet

As of today they've all been halted or cancelled by Bush. :jk:

Actually, Opera, ICE and ONYX are u/c. ONYX 2 to begin 1st Qtr. Not sure about ICE 2, but I believe it's mostly sold.

but where the cranes at

Some new info from projects going before the city of Miami zoning board:

Soliel: 3100 Biscayne Blvd, 43 stories, 514 Feet.
Silverton: 300 NW 36th ST, 10 stories, 113 Feet.
The Pointe at Brickell: 1100 S Miami Ave (just to the East of Axis), 38 stories, 422 Feet.

Its not all good news though. Paramount at Edgewater is DOWNSIZING!!! The site will shrink from 3.7 acres to 2.7 and will go from 503ft to 496ft. One less 500-footer :(

http://www.ci.miami.fl.us/hearing_boards/planning_board/05-01-19.pdf

haha...that's ok


wow..all these new projects.......Silverton sounds interesting!

Arts center officials eye land for parking garage
miami today news
By Suzy Valentine
Performing Arts Center officials are considering building a garage for at least 1,000 cars opposite school board headquarters but probably will need private investment.
The center, due to open in 18 months, now has no parking facilities.
After a study by consultant Barry Abramson, the center's trust is considering building on a lot on Northeast Second Avenue co-owned by the school board and Africa Israel Investments Ltd.
"We've been busy over the past six or seven months working with a consultant to study the overall parking issues," said board member Ricky Arriola at Tuesday's trust meeting.
"Under consideration is use of the school board property on Northeast 14th Street west of the ballet opera house - whether it may be leased back, taken by the (Community Redevelopment Agency) or other types of transactions - so that we can combine the adjoining facility, which is directly south of the school board property, and come up with a plot big enough to accommodate our parking needs as well as the needs of the school board."
Parking will be reviewed next week and a decision will come within months, Mr. Arriola said.
One resident objected. "You've got the Omni garage two blocks away with 2,700 parking spaces," said Hubert Harriman. "You've got public transportation all around you. We don't need more parking."
But patrons such as the Miami City Ballet's Sunday matinee audiences, mostly seniors from Miami Beach, rely on cars, its general manager said.
"I know (trust president) Michael Hardy is working very hard, and as a potential renter, I know he's addressing these issues," said Mark Rosenblum. "It's our expectation that progress will be made.
"If the parking isn't there, then we may have to rethink," he said. "But that's a hypothetical issue. ... We'd just like the Performing Arts Center to ensure that people of all shapes and sizes can attend."
Last week, the trust unanimously declined the ballet's request for reduced rent for its first three seasons.

thats ok just a couple feet downsize, but soliel is one 500 footer going up north, great

cant wait

right across from midtown and blue.
soleil-becomes the 16th tallest,and paramount is the 21st tallest


also there a new project,soho 601 ne 23st wynwood,200ft 16floors

Zoning Ordinance No. 11000, as amended, for the SoHo project located at approximately 601, 611, 613, and 615 NE 23rdStreet, Miami, Florida, to construct a 202-foot, 16-story high residential structure to be comprised of approximately 95 total multifamily residential units with recreational amenities, and 142 total parking spaces.

erra’s $190M Quantum on the Bay Sells Out
By Marita Thomas
Last updated: January 20, 2005 07:08am

MIAMI-Terra Group’s Quantum on the Bay two-tower, 698-unit residential condominium, under construction in the Miami Art district at 1900 North Bayshore Dr., is more than 95% pre-sold, Gigi Ganatra, SVP of marketing, tells GlobeSt.com. It broke ground last October and is expected to reach completion within 18 months of groundbreaking.

Construction funding of $145 million was provided for the $190-million development by the Atlanta office of Southern California-based Fremont Investment & Loan and Chicago-based Corus Bank who acted as co-lenders. According to Gerry Robbins, VP of Fremont’s Atlanta office, his company has previously closed on $85.5 million in construction loans for Terra Group’s Metropolis I and II condo towers in Miami’s Dadeland area.

Coral Gables-based Nichols, Brosch, Sandoval and Associates is the architect of Quantum on the Bay. The 47-story and 40-story conjoined residential towers top a four-story, 978-space parking garage. The design provides for 25 different floor plans, including penthouses; one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments; and studio lofts. Ganatra says the selling prices were between $300 per sf and $350 per sf, which puts units at between the low $200,000s and $1 million. “Tower one is 100% sold, and the second tower is 90% sold,” she says.

The property includes two open-air swimming pools; a health club with an exercise area, spa and sauna. It will also include some ground-floor retail. Across from it is Margaret Place Park with tennis courts, a basketball court, children’s playground, soccer/cricket field, barbecue facilities and a boardwalk.

http://www.globest.com/news/204_204/miami/130526-1.html

cha-ching!!

I knew this one wouldn't see the light of day

Posted on Sat, Jan. 29, 2005

REAL ESTATE

FDOT to buy land near PAC

The Florida Department of Transportation said it plans to buy the property sandwiched between Interstate 395 and the Performing Arts Center, allaying fears of a high-rise condominium next to the much-anticipated venue.

BY MATTHEW HAGGMAN

mhaggman@herald.com

The Florida Department of Transportation said it plans to buy the triangular parcel at the corner of Interstate 395 and Biscayne Boulevard slated for a high-rise condominium, a move that would avert the possibility of a hulking tower blocking views of Miami's Performing Arts Center.

On Thursday morning -- shortly before condo developers planned to request the final approval necessary from the Miami City Commission to build on the site -- FDOT formally made an offer for the property.

Paul Murphy, who is leading the development group that proposed building a 57-story condo called Opus One, did not immediately accept FDOT's offer.

But he deferred the permit request with city officials for 60 days to complete negotiations with FDOT.

''We fully expect to have a satisfactory settlement for everyone,'' said Lucia A. Dougherty, a lawyer for the Opus developers.

FDOT spokesman Brian Rick made plain the state agency's plans: ``We intend to purchase the property.''

FDOT has said it needs the parcel for future changes to I-395 but had not previously made a formal offer to buy the property.

Many in the arts community have worried about the specter of a high-rise tower rising immediately next to the PAC, which has cost hundreds of millions in public funds.

If built, Opus One would be located directly across the street from the PAC, a scenario critics call unsuitable for a venue hoped to have the significance of, say, the Sydney Opera House in Australia.

Adding to critics' worry: city leaders said current law left them with limited options to stop the high-rise condo, unless a third-party bought the site.

''Thank God,'' Parker D. Thomson, chairman of the Performing Arts Center Trust, said about FDOT's move. ``We've got the [Performing Arts Center] buildings close to finished and they are going to change Miami. They need to be seen, we don't need other buildings in front of them.''

City leaders similarly expressed relief.

''It is good news for us,'' said Miami City Commissioner Johnny L. Winton. ``The city of Miami is no longer stuck in the middle of this situation.''

The Opus One parcel is bordered by Northeast 13 Street, N. Bayshore Drive, Biscayne Boulevard and I-395.

Murphy proposed building a 408-unit condo tower with 570 parking spaces and more than 17,000 square feet of retail and office space, according to city documents.

FDOT also made an offer for the two blocks immediately west of the Opus One site, which each run alongside I-395 and are also owned by the Murphy-led group, Dougherty said.

Murphy controls the three parcels with a group of investors who he declined to name.

The state agency said it remains uncertain exactly what changes will be made to I-395, but the three parcels are necessary for whatever it does.

Attorney John Shubin, who is leading the PAC's efforts against the Opus One project, expressed optimism the Opus developers and FDOT will strike a deal.

'It is my hope that the developers' willingness to continue the matter is a sign discussions are going favorably,'' Shubin said.

RENNER :) , Everyone :) !, Hold your Horses !!!,LOL :) , Its NOT OVER till the FAT Lady SINGS, There's NO WAY the F.D.O.T. :bash: can AFFORD the PRICE the OPUS SITE Owners WANT. Remember the F.D.O.T. is Having BAD Finanacial PROBLEMS With the 5 BILLION COST OVERRUN :bash: MIC-KEY Project at MIAMI International AIRPORT which is ALREADY 5 YEARS :bash: BEHIND and More To come. There's NO NEED for the Next 20 YEARS any way to Change the I-395, I SAY BUILD the 57 Story Tall skinny OPUS 1 :) CONDO TOWER and Forget any Road Improvements Around that AREA, WHICH YOU Canot MOVE METRO MOVER at all which is right next to the I-395 , and WILL STAY THERE :) , I know , Because it would COSTS BILLIONS to Relocate the METRO MOVER. Its JUST too COSTLY for the F.D.O.T. :bash: .
I SAY It AGAIN :) , I see the OPUS Tower on the RISE in the Next 5 Years !!! GO CRANES ! :cheers:

i agree, just leave it how it is the bridges around that area are cool anyway lool good skyline shots :cheers:

puttin it underground wouldnt affect the bridges would it?

and metro mover would just stay where it is, i mean, they mite have to redo its bridge over the 395, but they wouldnt have to redo the whole thing, and i doubt it would take billions

awwww come on guys, were gettin a new tower every few weeks, we can give one up to make the area better, were gonna get another few in return anyways, and itd be a shame to lose view of the pac

i hope the fdot can pull this off

Speaking of getting new towers every few weeks, here's another one: Biscayne Park 26-stories, 277 feet, 214 Units, 6843 sqft of retail, and 12,502 sqft of office at 2450 Biscayne Blvd.

http://www.ci.miami.fl.us/hearing_boards/planning_board/05-02-02.pdf

^^great news

Speaking of getting new towers every few weeks, here's another one: Biscayne Park 26-stories, 277 feet, 214 Units, 6843 sqft of retail, and 12,502 sqft of office at 2450 Biscayne Blvd.

http://www.ci.miami.fl.us/hearing_boards/planning_board/05-02-02.pdf
Great DAVE :) , Another TOWER, Another 2 Tower Cranes, GO CRANES :) !!!, And Guess What ??? :) , the Interest Rates are still HOLDING at 5.45 % For 30 year LOANS at www.interest.com , The Lowest they stay , the More that get 's BUILT, :cheers:

great news another day another tower

Well gentleman...on the heels of the Saturday Miami Herald article FDOT To Buy Land Near PAC (http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/business/10762708.htm) , a colleauge of mine told me this afternoon that he received a call from the sales office of Opus saying that buyer's deposits are going to be returned. Is there anyone in the forum that had put a deposit down on Opus that could confirm this?

oh no, comeone they should at least relocate the tower and still build it!

Let's get over this Opus Tower. The view of the performing center is more important!

Personally, I'll be happy if it isn't built...the curtain wall of the PAC willl have a great Biscayne Bay view if it isn't. Further, if the highway is cut in a channel, then there would be nothing but park and public space between the PAC and the AA Arena, that would be very nice.

paramount to be shortened?

Consideration of a Resolution approving with conditions a Major Use Special Permit
pursuant to Articles 5, 9, 13, 17 and 22 of Zoning Ordinance No. 11000, as amended, the
Paramount at Edgewater Square project located at approximately 317, 341, 345 and 363
NE 20th Terrace; 2040, 2066, & 2072 North Bayshore Drive; and 340 & 348 NE 21
st
Street,
Miami, Florida, to allow the following changes to the original application: reduction in the
size of the proposed project site from 3.7 acres to approximately 2.72 acres; reduction of
residential FAR from 614,588 sq. ft. to approximately 609,345 sq. ft.; reduction of
commercial FAR from 45,781 sq. ft. to approximately 29,766 sq. ft.; the shifting of the tower
approximately 30 feet to the east; reduction of number of units from 369 to approximately
355 units; reduction in height from 503’-8” to approximately 496’-4”; and modification of the
parking garage which includes a reduction of parking spaces from 501 to approximately

Star Lofts on the Bay

All-Loft, 47-Unit $20M Condo Breaks Ground
By Marita Thomas
Last updated: January 31, 2005 02:03pm

MIAMI-Star Lofts on the Bay, a 47-unit, all-loft condo, has broken ground at Northeast 25th Street. Starlofts Associates Ltd., the developer, is a joint venture between two locally based firms: Agincourt VII LLC, headed by Thomas W. Fawell, Stephanie Herman and David Hirschfeld; and Starlofts Investors LLC, headed by Mark Rousso and Lauris Boulanger.

The construction cost is estimated at $20 million. The JV obtained a $16-million construction loan, which was arranged by loan officers Pedro Gomez and Jim Dockerty, from locally based Mellon United National Bank. Hal Taylorson of Miami Beach-based Majestic Properties is the project’s sales director. “The project is currently 60% sold or under contract,” he says also noting that he bought one of the lofts for himself.

Positioned as a “boutique” property, Star Lofts on the Bay has no more than three units per floor. Among the floor plans are three 626-sf studios; three two-story lofts ranging from 2,060 sf to 2,372 sf; one two-story, 4,989-sf tower suite, and one full-floor, 5,500-sf penthouse. Typical units range from 1,287 sf to 1,692 sf. Prices begin in the mid $500,000s and reach $2.5 million.

All units have terraces, 10-foot floor-to-ceiling windows, and Jacuzzi-style tubs and frameless glass showers in baths. Zyscovich Inc. is the building architect and the Kobi Karp architect and design firm designed floor plans and common areas.

The property has an infinity-edge pool, garden, spa, fitness center, yoga center, and assigned, covered parking. Services include 24-hour security, concierge and valet. The half-acre parcel is on the bay in the heart of the Biscayne Corridor within blocks of the Miami Performing Arts Center, American Airlines Arena, Bayfront Park and Museum Park

http://www.globest.com/news/212_212/miami/130861-1.html

Anyone been by the ice site? A customer of mine working on the project said the developer got sticker shock and put the project on hold. If anyone got a pic of the site or know status please advice.

http://img24.exs.cx/img24/9626/paramount021od.th.jpg (http://img24.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img24&image=paramount021od.jpg) http://img24.exs.cx/img24/981/paramount017zy.th.jpg (http://img24.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img24&image=paramount017zy.jpg) http://img24.exs.cx/img24/9981/paramount039kh.th.jpg (http://img24.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img24&image=paramount039kh.jpg)

Thanks to ImageShack for Free Image Hosting (http://www.imageshack.us)

For those who never saw a rendering of Kubik


http://img29.exs.cx/img29/6729/kubik0en.th.jpg (http://img29.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img29&image=kubik0en.jpg)


[Kubik Concerns]
After five revised building plans and 53 neighborhood meetings, the Kubik at Morningside is still nowhere near approval. Developers claim the project—two 14-story buildings with over 41,000 square feet of retail/restaurant space located on 5600-5780 Biscayne Boulevard—would revive the area while complementing its uniquely urban surroundings, but area residents are not convinced.

Last month nearly a dozen neighbors addressed the city commission one by one, quoting from zoning codes and design review procedures, which they claimed the Kubik has failed to follow. They argued the project is too massive in size, density and scale, and inconsistent with the overall pattern of the surrounding neighborhood. They said the Kubik would cast large shadows over single-family homes and devalue the look and feel of the historic area.

After almost three hours, the commission directed developers and Morningside residents to meet “to discuss rational changes.” The Kubik is set to go before the Miami commission again on June 10.

Anyone been by the ice site? A customer of mine working on the project said the developer got sticker shock and put the project on hold. If anyone got a pic of the site or know status please advice.


renner, i actually went by the site today & there's nothing going on. i think they've added some foundation pilings (or whatever they're called) but other than that it doesn't look any different than it did whe i took this picture of the site about 2 months ago:
http://img155.exs.cx/img155/231/picture7ia.jpg


so maybe there's something to what your customer told you. seems odd that ice hasn't started going vertical yet.

hmm, not sure what i think abut paramount yet. i need to see more renderings to get a true feel for it.

thanks for posting these, rx.

Word on the street is that the project is in trouble. ICE 1 & 2 They have been selling for about 18 months. Pretty pricey for that locale. I ask again, with alternatives available in the CBD near the museums, areana, or on the river, why would anyone want to be so far north?

Thanks dave
maybe ice wiLL pop back Later