PROJECT:Omni mall redevelopment

[The Mad Hatter!!]

onmi mall,is a partially vacant mall which was brought for 110million dollars,it has about 11 acres.

plans were submitted last month to the city and it includes 4639 condos, and 227,192 sq ft of retail also 8000 parking spaces

these renderings were posted at ssp by chad but i'm not to sure that these are the really renderings just probably a masterplan or some massing studies.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/enyers/Cam-06-new-psdcopy.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/enyers/Cam-10-psdcopy.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/enyers/Cam-11-new-psdcopy.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/enyers/Cam-13-cartoon-psdcopy.jpg

[nimbyhater]

sweet... its another downtown! look at that beautiful cluster of tall buildings... well have brickell, downtown, and then omni! and they will all merge to form one super miami skyline!

[archifreese]

dont jump the gun yet - u r right hatter, those r renderings are from zyscovich studies from a year ago i know a guy on their rendering team and these were done before the sale as part of a study of the potential rezoning for that area - it had really good pics of that + mid density surrounding it.

[ISG]

if built where along the bay would this be located (which would be the cross-streets)... thanks.

[Roark]

if built where along the bay would this be located (which would be the cross-streets)... thanks. NE 15th/16th Street...the first parcel to the North of the Metromover Omni loop station...or just north of the Pedro Martin/Miami Hearald acreage.
The site isn't on the bay, but about one block from the bay and the Venetian Causway.

[MIAballinboi]

nice, hope it becomes like that, a nice dense couple of blocks

[rider_of_rohan]

Im looking at this and I dont see Omni, is it to be torn down or is it going to have and addition built onto it? Any estimates on height here? Three of those buildings look pretty tall. I doubt this will be built as is, as you can see in the last picture they cast a shadow on the bay and that just isnt exceptable ;-)

[BornInTheGrove]

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/BornInTheGrove/OmniRe-De02.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/BornInTheGrove/OmniRe-De03.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/BornInTheGrove/OmniRe-De04.jpg

[nimbyhater]

holy shit is that nice

[ChuckScraperMiami#1]

NIMBY :hi: , I second that, Holy Shit, that is Nice, lol.

Welcome " Born in the Grove " :wave: , make sure you Vote in the Florida Forum for your Favorite City Thread, and Welcome to the Miami Forum, Your Vote Counts !!! and Go Cranes . :cheers:

Also,Everyone :cheer: :bowtie: Watch the History Channel Tonight at 8:00 pm E.S.T. " The Rise and Fall of the World Trade Center ", 2 hours of planning and building the twin towers from the start and so many years to build them and only less than two hours to fall down. :sleepy:

[The Mad Hatter!!]

yea its nice,but are still old renderings.


well have to wait and see what argent and terra are planning and what arquitectonica is designing for these 21 acres divided by the metromover and metrobus station

[Roark]

GroveBorn!!!!
Great renderings! Thanks for sharing them. the concept of the new street drawn NE/SW is excellent! That would seem to flow well into N Bayshore Drive at the park.
One would expect this to be a very pedestrian intensive area as well, so it is nice to see how wide the sidewalks are in that conceptulization.
Did you draw that up?
If so, great thinking.

[BornInTheGrove]

GroveBorn!!!!
Great renderings! Thanks for sharing them. the concept of the new street drawn NE/SW is excellent! That would seem to flow well into N Bayshore Drive at the park.
One would expect this to be a very pedestrian intensive area as well, so it is nice to see how wide the sidewalks are in that conceptulization.
Did you draw that up?
If so, great thinking.

Happy to share. I've been roaming the ssc and sspage boards for a couple of months now, never really registering and sharing my thoughts and opinions. i luv my city. luv seeing u guyz talk about whats coming up and whats going done.

did i draw it up... lol i wish. after seeing the omni topic come up, i did some searching on one of the regular sites i go to. turns out that www.downtownmiami.com has some links i've neglected to look at.

in the links box, there's a link for CRA (City of Miami's Community Redevelopment Agency).. if u go there, click on 'projects', and there's a omni section. there they had a pdf file (http://www.ci.miami.fl.us/cra/pdf/Omni%20Redevelopment%20Plan.pdf) which is where i got those ever so fantastic renderings.

the pdf was dated in june, so its pretty recent. as for those renderings, they might be older.

in my opinion, if i were the miami herald, i'd build a new headquarters... open up the bay more. maybe pedro could design it? if the new york times can build a fancy smancy new one... why can't the herald (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=102109)

[archifreese]

the renderings are from zyscovich just over a year ago and the drawings i think are also.
they prove their age in the last sketch - Opus is in the bottom right at the 395 offramp for Biscayne Blvd. if only....

[Toucano]

I think this site needs something cutting edge, like Potsdammer Platz in Germany Seen Below: It has a mix of large office and hotel buildings with a beautifully enclosed entertainment complex seen on the right of the first picture. At Night its Illuminated in Blue and Purple and can be seen all across the city. It has many Cafes, shops, and a Movie Complex which keeps the area vibrant both day and night...I think we need something ultra modern and daring, it would compliment the PAC area very well and would stand out in the skyline very well. By Turning the mall itself into a sought after destination, it will also guarantee the success of the complex.

http://sge.san.hrz.uni-siegen.de/internationaleKontakte/Polen-Partnerschaft/KennenLernFahrt04/49%20-%20Potsdamer%20Platz%20heute.jpg
At Night from the inside:
http://auscillate.com/euro04/images/IMG_2141.jpg
http://www.aip.de/~rarlt/fz20/potsdamer_platz_1100.jpg
Seen Here with the Symphony house on the bottom right...
http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/~stefan/potsdamer_platz.jpg
Inside Looking Up:
http://www.earth-photography.com/photos/Countries/Germany/Germany_Berlin_PotsdamerPlatz1.jpg http://www.aac-berlin.de/luftbild/luft211000-11-16%20sony%20center%20berlin%20dach%20sk%20potsdamer%20platz.jpg http://www.berlin-info.de/deutsch/sights/big/potsdamer_platz_sony_center.jpg

[The Mad Hatter!!]

any new news on this,they should be going for zoning sometime soon i hope

[dave8721]

THey are starting the road to approval. They go before the UDRB on June 23rd.

http://www.miamigov.com/planning/pages/Boards/UDRB062306.pdf

[skyscraperhighrise]

That would be another great idea, Miami needs to be the New NY.

[arch photographer]

I JUST HOPE THE ARCHITECTURE IS EXTRAORDINARY. THE AREA AROUND THE OMNI MALL HAS ALWAYS BEEN A LITTLE LACKLUSTER. ALL OF THOSE TOWERS AROUND IT AND ON THE BAY ARE NOT PARTICULARLY SPECIAL, NEITHER ARE OPERA TOWER, 1800 CLUB OR QUANTUM. PARAMOUNT BAY WILL ADD SOME QUALITY DESIGN TO THE AREA AS WILL CITY SQUARE BY ARQUITECTONICA citysquaremiami.com THE REVUELTA TOWERS FOR ONE HERALD PLAZA WILL BE A WELCOME DESIGN BOOST TOO BUT THAT IS IF THOSE TWO PROJECTS GO FORWARD. THE WAY THAT BLUE ANCHORS TUTTLE CAUSEWAY COULD BE REPEATED EVEN MORE DRAMATICALLY BY ONE HERALD PLAZA...LET'S HOPE SO.

[jamesgood72]

Here's a picture of the OMNI mall, as of tonight :

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/2374/dsc04661gr1.jpg

-James.

[Roark]

Excellent pics again James, thanks a lot for sharing, they are amazing! :applause:

[rider_of_rohan]

James thanks for the Omni pick, that place holds a lot of memories for me :)

[pawnmaster]

Got approval / disapproval requests from the voting committee this weekend on the mail. I think it was for 4 buildings on the OMNI lot

Woohoo! Guess what I voted? lol

GO CRANES BABY! MetroMiami here we go!

[dave8721]

Looks like this is going to be a phased project over the next 20 years or so, so don't get your hopes up expecting 6 towers to rise in the next few years. They plan on demolishing the far north end of the mall first and starting on the northern most tower and as the years pass, slowly working their way south. In fact they plan to spend an extra $30 mill renovating the existing southern portion of the mall for office space.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/business/16013328.htm

DEVELOPMENT
Developer envisions offices at Omni Mall

Argent Ventures wants to put offices into Omni Center, the enormous former mall that now sits largely unused.

BY MATTHEW HAGGMAN
mhaggman@MiamiHerald.com

Argent Ventures plans to turn part of the Omni Center into offices in the developer's latest bid to revitalize the largely shuttered Miami mall.

Mark Teitelbaum, principal and chief operating officer at New York-based Argent, said it intends to create three floors of offices, comprising 240,000 square feet, out of gutted space in the southern portion of the empty mall. Plans call for installing windows in part of the structure's stark concrete facade.

The price tag for the office redo, said Teitelbaum, is roughly $30 million.

The move comes as many South Florida developers are shifting away from additional residential development in favor of building offices. The reason: Record levels of residential construction are under way, while the scant office construction in recent years has led to lower vacancy rates and higher rents.

But Argent is entering an increasingly crowded market. Its entree follows a host of announcements by other developers planning new office towers. One office tower on Brickell Avenue has started construction, and others are proposed for Brickell, downtown Miami and Biscayne Boulevard. Some observers question whether builders are proposing more new office space than the market can absorb.

Omni Center occupies three city blocks on Biscayne Boulevard just north of the Carnival Center for the Performing Arts. Argent bought the retail portion of the mall in 2000. In 2005, according to Teitelbaum, it spent $100 million to buy out its investment partner in the mall's retail portion and purchase the Radisson Hotel, located in the middle of the mall.

Argent has struggled to bring back life to the boxy old shopping mall since it became an owner, even as new projects have gone up nearby. It initially planned on turning the giant structure into a telecom hub, but those plans fizzled and much of the cavernous structure remains unused.

Current tenants include Miami International University of Art & Design, the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and the hotel. It also provides parking for the nearby Carnival Center.

Teitelbaum said plans for the property include opening space for ground-floor shops and restaurants and establishing convention space. It also plans to bring in a new hotel brand.

In the long term, however, Argent hopes to bulldoze the site, carve two streets through the enormous block and build six condo towers in a phased construction starting at the site's northern end.

That plan goes before city commissioners early next year. When condo tower construction would commence remains uncertain but may start as early next year, Teitelbaum said. He added that the portion of the property now slated to be turned into offices will remain untouched for at least 12 years.

[EnriqueH]

Man, I really don't want to see the Omni torn down.

The place holds a lot of childhood memories for me.

This was a really classy mall back in the early 80s. They should really try it again.

[floridian-will]

How can you just zone an entire new city? Would it really work? I wish they would do this in WPB

[MMH]

whats new with the omni site?!?

[EnriqueH]

I read an article in Miami Today last week that said the project was on hold.

I still think the structure has TONS of potential. I don't buy the whole "hard to get into" thing since there was mad parking in that huge garage. I remember that mall would get PACKED in the Christmas season and we always got parking.

Anybody remember that HUGE Christmas tree next to Jordan Marsh?

I remember JC Penney used to have that huge toy department filled with Star Wars figures. What is it about JC Penney's these days? They all look like dumps. I remember the Omni JC Penney looked really clean and classy back in the day.

But I digress...I think the Omni failed not because it wasn't a great mall, but because it was ahead of its time.

With the revitalization going on, NOW is the time for classy stores to fill that structure like it did in the early 80s.

They just need to spruce up the outside of the behemoth.

As for the inside, I don't think I've met anyone who had anything negative to say about the mall during its heyday.

There was so much to do in that place: clothing, bookstores, toy stores, nice department stores, an area filled with video games and rides for the kids, movie theaters, pubs, restaurants, record stores. The place had it all.

There really was no reason for it fail other than that the area turned sour and/or mismanagement.

I realize I'm in the minority here, but I just wish there was something *I* can do about it because I really, really hate the idea of just tearing the structure down. I really believe in its potential.

With all these buildings going down, I just feel like we're losing our identity as a city.

I remember feeling a bit melancholy when they tore down the Sears structure, but it was understandable. The building just rotted and had all kinds of wiring problems and I forget what else. (I was actually inside the Sears structure just before they tore it down to make way for the Carnival Center and took some pictures, which I might share here one day).

[DGM]

I was really young the last time I visited the Omni. All that I can remember is that it had really cool elevators. Anyhow, here is an image that gives you an idea of the massive size of this structure facing west (I borrowed it off google EDIT: just noticed that the source was Jamesgood and the site was Toucano's blog, small world huh?):

http://app.onlinequickblog.com/images/23317-22216/dsc04661gr1.jpg

[coruna]

That picture was posted on here several months ago.......that's the way it looked in the summer of 2006 (when that picture was taken). I think it looks a lot different now and I don't even know if it still exists.

[EnriqueH]

Looks like the JC Penney structure is coming down.


http://www.miamitodaynews.com/news/070329/story3.shtml

[dave8721]

Looks like the JC Penney structure is coming down.


http://www.miamitodaynews.com/news/070329/story3.shtml

The article:

Six-building mixed-use project to replace former Omni Mall

By Risa Polansky
The Omni area near downtown Miami could receive a 15-year-long facelift after Miami city commissioners gave the go-ahead last week to a six-building mixed-use development to replace the building that once housed the Omni Mall.
New York-based Argent Ventures, owner of the Omni Center since 2000, was approved to build on the 1 million-square-foot property at 1501-1701 Biscayne Blvd. some 4,208 multi-family residential units, 350,200 square feet for retail and 240,000 square feet of Class A office space. Plans call for leaving 2 acres for public use, including roadways, said Lucia Dougherty, the attorney representing Argent at last week's commission meeting.
And the developer has agreed to build green, Ms. Dougherty said, at the urging of commissioners.
"We will apply for the LEED silver standard," she said, cooperating with Mayor Manny Diaz's vision that all large city developments receive the medium-grade Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, certification.
She called the current Omni complex — 1 million square feet of unused retail, 400,000 square feet of hotel and 1 million square feet of parking — an "urban barrier. This is a very unsuccessful project as we know it, and it needs redevelopment."
Argent's $1 billion "city within a city" will be built in five phases over 15 years, beginning with the demolition of the mall's former anchor, JCPenney, said Sherri Gutierrez, vice president of local architecture firm Arquitectonica, designer of the project.
Residential tower construction will begin on the north side of the development, and the last phase of the project will be completion of road construction, which will begin either in the fourth phase or when the Radisson Hotel vacates the property, whichever comes first, she said.
The project will allow continued east/west access of Northeast 16th and 17th streets, she said, by creating a public access promenade lined with retail on both sides.
For the convenience of both residents and visiting shoppers, parking garages will be designated either retail or residential so "they do not co-mingle between uses," Ms. Gutierrez said.
And, Ms. Dougherty said, the developer can do construction "and continue to keep these other operating entities," the Radisson Hotel and Miami International University of Art and Design, through their current leases, 12 years for the school and a 15-year management agreement for the hotel.
The project proposal faced no opposition from the commission, although not following through in building the entire project is "a major concern of mine," Commissioner Marc Sarnoff said. "Market conditions can change, many things can change in 15 years."
However, he called the proposal a "truly extraordinary project. You are taking what is a pretty big eyesore and creating, although massive, what is a well-developed, thought out, I'll have to call it a "community,'" he said. "I call this the second Midtown."

[EnriqueH]

I wonder if there are any pictures of the inside of the mall during its heyday.

It really was the coolest mall I'd ever been to.

I'm really bummed they're going to tear it, or at least part of it, down.

[MiamiMike]

I wasnt here in the early 80s during the mall's heyday. I was born in 79 as a matter of fact.

I do know that now it isn't much to write home about. I can understand your nostalgia Enrique, but think of the progress and the great things to come.

Heck, even NIMBYboy Sarnoff likes it.

[spellbound]

I also have some fond memories of the Omni going back many, many years (including throwing eggs off the parking garage with my "bad influence" cousin...but we won't get into that.)

Like a LOT of urban malls built around the country during that era, the Omni struggled badly after the initial rush and ultimately floundered. One of the very few that has done well is probably the "Gallery" here in Philadelphia, but it has the built-in advantage of being integrated into two subway lines...a busy regional train station...and the convention center. Tens of thousands of people pass through it daily as a necessity...and retail obviously benefits from that kind of automatic foot traffic. But if it was 2-3 blocks away I'd bet it would have tanked also.

Not that retail doesn't have a bright future in downtown Miami. The addition of many more residents (hopefully FULL-TIME residents) will see to that, but a dated, self-enclosed "mall" like the Omni probably isn't in that equation. It just isn't a destination for most people and it's hard to see it ever becoming one again. At least not in its current form.

Sure, I'd be sad to see it go (I'm not thrilled with seeing ALL of tacky old Sunny Isles with its concrete camels, etc. disappearing, either, to be honest) but I think the reality is that that site is too valuable as potential real estate to let it sit so underutilized and basically decaying much longer.

Maybe I'll go up there next trip down and throw ONE last egg...:lol:

[ChuckScraperMiami#1]

:cheers: Looks like the JC Penney structure is coming down.

:banana:
http://www.miamitodaynews.com/news/070329/story3.shtml
^^ ^^ Enrique:) , my friend,
Its about _am Time :cheers: !!!
its been empty for over 10 years now, and Its a disgraced looking closed up Mall, Tear:bash: the Whole thing down:bash: including the Old Omni Hotel:bash: ( Raddisson Now ), and replace it all with 5 or 6 I hope even more Taller towers,
Fantastic I say:cheers: :banana: ,
Go Cranes !!!:banana:

[EnriqueH]

:lol:

Man, I'm usually ok with progress, but WHY oh WHY, I can't seem to let go of the Omni.

:ohno:

It was ahead of its time.

[miamicanes]

I think they're utterly insane to even THINK about tearing it down. For a FRACTION of what a teardown + rebuild would cost, they could lease out space to at least TWO big-box stores (in the former Jordan Marsh and JC Penney stores), maybe even a third in the former movie theater, and reopen for business within a matter of months.

So it's not "pedestrian friendly". Big deal. It's next to a Metromover station, has a HUGE garage, and it's air conditioned. The moment summer rain, heat, and humidity arrive, the mall's introversion will be a selling point, not a drawback. That's the nasty little detail that DPZ and the rest of the New Urbanists keep forgetting about Miami... for at least 4-6 months/year, the climate here utterly sucks, and being a pedestrian outside is about as much fun as having salted bamboo jammed under your fingernails. It's why the most expensive Miami condos (per square foot) money can buy aren't downtown... they're across the street from Dadeland Mall. Dadeland is air conditioned. The sidewalks of downtown Miami aren't.

[EnriqueH]

That's the thing.

There's soooo much potential for the site as it is.

Should it be renovated? Absolutely.

Should it be torn down? I don't think so.

I think a lot of people just want to tear buildings down for the sake of tearing them down.

Go ahead and call it progress. The only thing we lose is our history.

Honestly, I look around downtown these days and I don't even recognize it. Most of the time, I can understand some of the decisions, but a lot of the time, I'm simply bewildered.

And there's actually people who want to tear down the Freedom Tower.

I mean, think of all the cool buildings in Miami: The Sonesta, Sheraton Bal Harbour, the Everglades Hotel, the DuPont, pretty much ALL of motel row in Sunny Isles, part of the Fontainbleu, the Omni Mall. All are gone or are coming down.

Most of it for what? Condos. So we're basically losing our history...for condos.

Maybe I'm influenced in a way by nostalgia, and mind you I'm cool with the Manhattanization of Miami and progress, but why do we have to lose everything in the process? Because that's exactly what's happening. We're losing all our history.

Sears was understandable, and they placated the historian/preservationists by keeping the iconic tower, (which actually lends the site a certain majesty, I think). That seems to be the only instance in all these demolitions where there was some kind of middle ground.

I dunno.

I just see a lot of potential for the Omni Mall. There's tons of space, a sh*tload of parking space (which is more than you can say for most any Miami locale), it's connected to the Metromover, it's in close proximity to all the condos and performing arts center. It could easily be renovated.

I think the mall didn't just fail. It was simply ahead of its time. The Omni Mall, the way it was in the early 80s, I think would be a hit now or in the near future. Movie theaters, classy shops, anchor stores, a very cool concept area for kids with rides and games, restaurants, pubs, a deli. I don't think I've ever seen such a complete mall.

But NOOOoooo. We have to tear it all down for condos and a few boutique/shop space that will fail. Yes, I guarantee that none of those proposed shops will not last as long as they would in the air-conditioned confines of a mall.

Think the Omni Mall is not pedestrian friendly? We'll see how friendly the proposed new site will be without that parking garage and surrounded by condos. It will not be a versatile or classy as the Omni in its heyday.

I wouldn't be this adamant unless I truly believed that the Omni could be restored to its former glory.

I can already see half of the people, over 30, visiting the new place---sweat beading across foreheads in the summer after struggling for parking to see some elitist stores that are going to out of business---remininiscing about the old Omni, with its air-conditiong, kickass parking, movie theaters and restaurants.

Guys, we're letting them slip one by us.

Big time.

[Rx727sfl2002]

alot of sites have kept history alive

solaris at brickell = kept dr. jacksons house
setai = kept the old hotel
aqua = kept the hospital
pac = kepts the sears tower
600 biscayne= will keep the freedom tower
latitude = lost the original miami vice building to a fire but will build a replica
riverhouse = will keep west coast fisheries building
loftika = will keep the old AAA office
citi on the bay = kept one of the original condos, it fit into the design
paramount bay = kept the something about mary house
brickell bay club= kept the mutual of omaha building

what history are we loosing?

[spellbound]

That's the thing.

There's soooo much potential for the site as it is.

Should it be renovated? Absolutely.

Should it be torn down? I don't think so.

I think a lot of people just want to tear buildings down for the sake of tearing them down.

Go ahead and call it progress. The only thing we lose is our history.

Honestly, I look around downtown these days and I don't even recognize it. Most of the time, I can understand some of the decisions, but a lot of the time, I'm simply bewildered.

And there's actually people who want to tear down the Freedom Tower.

I mean, think of all the cool buildings in Miami: The Sonesta, Sheraton Bal Harbour, the Everglades Hotel, the DuPont, pretty much ALL of motel row in Sunny Isles, part of the Fontainbleu, the Omni Mall. All are gone or are coming down.

Most of it for what? Condos. So we're basically losing our history...for condos.

Maybe I'm influenced in a way by nostalgia, and mind you I'm cool with the Manhattanization of Miami and progress, but why do we have to lose everything in the process? Because that's exactly what's happening. We're losing all our history.

Sears was understandable, and they placated the historian/preservationists by keeping the iconic tower, (which actually lends the site a certain majesty, I think). That seems to be the only instance in all these demolitions where there was some kind of middle ground.

I dunno.

I just see a lot of potential for the Omni Mall. There's tons of space, a sh*tload of parking space (which is more than you can say for most any Miami locale), it's connected to the Metromover, it's in close proximity to all the condos and performing arts center. It could easily be renovated.

I think the mall didn't just fail. It was simply ahead of its time. The Omni Mall, the way it was in the early 80s, I think would be a hit now or in the near future. Movie theaters, classy shops, anchor stores, a very cool concept area for kids with rides and games, restaurants, pubs, a deli. I don't think I've ever seen such a complete mall.

But NOOOoooo. We have to tear it all down for condos and a few boutique/shop space that will fail. Yes, I guarantee that none of those proposed shops will not last as long as they would in the air-conditioned confines of a mall.

Think the Omni Mall is not pedestrian friendly? We'll see how friendly the proposed new site will be without that parking garage and surrounded by condos. It will not be a versatile or classy as the Omni in its heyday.

I wouldn't be this adamant unless I truly believed that the Omni could be restored to its former glory.

I can already see half of the people, over 30, visiting the new place---sweat beading across foreheads in the summer after struggling for parking to see some elitist stores that are going to out of business---remininiscing about the old Omni, with its air-conditiong, kickass parking, movie theaters and restaurants.

Guys, we're letting them slip one by us.

Big time.

Great post, Enrique. I also remember the Omni being the kind of fun destination you just described. It was even CLEAN back then.

I think a big part of the problem wasn't so much retail as the hotel itself. It must have gone through five or six different franchise groups...none of whom ever made it even remotely acceptable to business travelers. It was filthy and VERY poorly run for most of its existence and small wonder that few (if any) business travelers to Miami wanted to experience it for a second time. There's better hotels in Nigeria.

The mall itself? I'm with you in seeing it as a lost opportunity but the entire structure probably needs to come down. It just didn't work and still doesn't.

But I agree that yet more condos aren't necessarily a reason to fall on our knees and praise the heavens for more development. Losing some of the "old" Miami is to be lamented and isn't necessarily for the better.

I'll be in Miami in three weeks. If you want to meet me and raise a toast to the Omni let me know...:cheers:

[Rx727sfl2002]

omni mall was a horrible design it was dark lacked windows and didnt enjoy miami life which is all about "fresh air and sunlight"

when the art institute moved in they added windows to the section they are leasing and it looks a million times better...

the mall needs to come down, start all over and add towers ontop.

http://img365.imageshack.us/img365/535/omniaa8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[floridian-will]

If this goes down, and they raise a whole new skyline on the omni mall site it would be mind blowing. I have only heard of stuff like that happening in Dubai.

[dave8721]

It's why the most expensive Miami condos (per square foot) money can buy aren't downtown... they're across the street from Dadeland Mall. Dadeland is air conditioned. The sidewalks of downtown Miami aren't.

?!?!?!
Last time I checked the most expensive condos (per square foot) were in South Beach (i.e. pedestrian friendly). The next most expensive are in Brickell (Four Seasons, Jade...etc).

[EnriqueH]

omni mall was a horrible design it was dark lacked windows and didnt enjoy miami life which is all about "fresh air and sunlight"

when the art institute moved in they added windows to the section they are leasing and it looks a million times better...

the mall needs to come down, start all over and add towers ontop.

http://img365.imageshack.us/img365/535/omniaa8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

What's one of the first things I said?

Does it need renovation? Yes, it does.

Does it need to be demolished? I don't believe it does.

[EnriqueH]

alot of sites have kept history alive

solaris at brickell = kept dr. jacksons house
setai = kept the old hotel
aqua = kept the hospital
pac = kepts the sears tower
600 biscayne= will keep the freedom tower
latitude = lost the original miami vice building to a fire but will build a replica
riverhouse = will keep west coast fisheries building
loftika = will keep the old AAA office
citi on the bay = kept one of the original condos, it fit into the design
paramount bay = kept the something about mary house
brickell bay club= kept the mutual of omaha building

what history are we loosing?

Ok, I was born and raised here. I've been all over the city. I consider myself educated. And yet, I'm not sure I've heard of half of those places you listed. In your defense, maybe I just need to see photographs or specific addresses.

I am aware that they kept the Sears tower and I have heard that Freedom Tower is safe (for now).

But in my point of view, a lot history IS being lost. You have to be crazy to not see it, especially in downtown.

Hey, didn't I read in the Herald a few months back that some developer proposed "shutting down" the Port of Miami to build condos there? If I recall, the idea was too ludicrous, even for Miami's demolition-happy officials.

[EnriqueH]

Great post, Enrique. I also remember the Omni being the kind of fun destination you just described. It was even CLEAN back then.

I think a big part of the problem wasn't so much retail as the hotel itself. It must have gone through five or six different franchise groups...none of whom ever made it even remotely acceptable to business travelers. It was filthy and VERY poorly run for most of its existence and small wonder that few (if any) business travelers to Miami wanted to experience it for a second time. There's better hotels in Nigeria.

The mall itself? I'm with you in seeing it as a lost opportunity but the entire structure probably needs to come down. It just didn't work and still doesn't.

But I agree that yet more condos aren't necessarily a reason to fall on our knees and praise the heavens for more development. Losing some of the "old" Miami is to be lamented and isn't necessarily for the better.

I'll be in Miami in three weeks. If you want to meet me and raise a toast to the Omni let me know...:cheers:

Sounds like a plan.

One of the reasons I joined up in this place was to talk and discuss and prais and critique Miami, old and new, since few of my buddies are all that interested in all this stuff we all discuss here.

I actually work in Dadeland Mall. So if you're staying near there, we can meet up for a brew after I get off work.

[Architek]

Looking at the rendering that was posted, aren't we doing the same thing again, the pedestal of those towers look like a modern version of the omni mall, looks completely unurban and sterile...how about a park and a plaza somewhere?>

[EnriqueH]

Yeah, it's like I can't tell it apart from any other building in the rendering.

The Omni looks really old these days since it doesn't seem to have been renovated for a looong time, but at least you know it when you see it.

The rendering looks very generic.

[rider_of_rohan]

Great post, Enrique. I also remember the Omni being the kind of fun destination you just described. It was even CLEAN back then.

I think a big part of the problem wasn't so much retail as the hotel itself. It must have gone through five or six different franchise groups...none of whom ever made it even remotely acceptable to business travelers. It was filthy and VERY poorly run for most of its existence and small wonder that few (if any) business travelers to Miami wanted to experience it for a second time. There's better hotels in Nigeria.

The mall itself? I'm with you in seeing it as a lost opportunity but the entire structure probably needs to come down. It just didn't work and still doesn't.

But I agree that yet more condos aren't necessarily a reason to fall on our knees and praise the heavens for more development. Losing some of the "old" Miami is to be lamented and isn't necessarily for the better.

I'll be in Miami in three weeks. If you want to meet me and raise a toast to the Omni let me know...:cheers:

It was a great place for me as well Spell. I recall going there for movies when I was a kid, it was nice then. I also got kicked off the top of the parking ramp because the security gaurd said my brother and I were a security risk, the next week Miami Vice blew up a car on the same spot...go figure. Its sad to think its going, but progress is often painful.

[Roark]

But in my point of view, a lot history IS being lost. You have to be crazy to not see it, especially in downtown. Yep, but just becuase it is historic doesn't mean you have to perserve it for the sake of preserving it.
South Beach has a massive historic district. It is the youngest district in the US National Historic Register. It's a great thing to have and to continue preserving these buildings, they encourage pedestrian movement and are inviting as hotels, shops, or residences.
It is very hard to make that argument for the Omni. I've taken the MetroMover a few dozen times from Brickell to the Chamber of Commerce in the Raddison, and believe me, it is annoying to walk around that Omni building. Better now that there are the windows in the Fine Arts College, but still, not very conducive to pedestrian movement. The School Board building on the west side of Biscayne doesn't help the experience.
Hey, didn't I read in the Herald a few months back that some developer proposed "shutting down" the Port of Miami to build condos there? If I recall, the idea was too ludicrous, even for Miami's demolition-happy officials.I'd find that hard to believe, but I have heard David Paul (the old timer that rallies for parks and is very active in our community) suggest that the port should be moved way south to somewhere around Deering Bay with direct connectivity to the Turnpike/I75/highway infrastructures.

For skyscraper and history buffs, I'd highly reccommend that you add New York by Ric Burns (http://www.netflix.com/Movie/New_York/60030590?trkid=189533&strkid=1346719813_14_0)to your Netflix Queue! It's an eight disc series that chronicles NYC from 1609 to 1999 when the series first aired on PBS. The segments on skyscrapers and NYC "preservation" are astonishing and fascinating.

[dave8721]

I'd find that hard to believe, but I have heard David Paul (the old timer that rallies for parks and is very active in our community) suggest that the port should be moved way south to somewhere around Deering Bay with direct connectivity to the Turnpike/I75/highway infrastructures.


If he's such a parks advocate then why would he suggest the Deering Bay area? Maybe he had in mind the open land in the area known as Matheson Hammock (one of the largest parks in the area) or that other open space in that area (Biscayne National Park) plus there is no Turnpike connectivity in that area unless they planned on building one in which case you would have a lot of uber wealthy Pinecrest & Gables by the Sea residents a bit p.o'ed

[EnriqueH]

Yep, but just becuase it is historic doesn't mean you have to perserve it for the sake of preserving it.
It is very hard to make that argument for the Omni. I've taken the MetroMover a few dozen times from Brickell to the Chamber of Commerce in the Raddison, and believe me, it is annoying to walk around that Omni building. Better now that there are the windows in the Fine Arts College, but still, not very conducive to pedestrian movement.

Like I already pointed out: Does it need to be renovated? Yes. Does it need to be demolished? No.

It's no preserving for preservation's sake or nostalgia for nostalgia's sake. If anything, I consider it to be demolishing for demolition's sake. Everyone in town is demolition happy.

Based on what I know about the site's future plans, I think renovating the Omni, making it more pedestrian friendly is the way to go.

Eliminating that ample parking garage and retail space in favor of condos and a few boutique shops that will likely fail is an elitist plan that has everyone in a dream-like trance.

These days everyone's distracted because the weather is nice outside. Wait until the oppressive summer heat kicks in and blankets the entire city. The idea of outdoors shopping with parking hassles and the elimination of the huge garage and air-conditioned retail space will seem like a HUGE waste.

Reality is going to come back and bite us in the ass on this one.

Like I said, we're letting them slip one by us.

I reiterate: Does the Omni need to be renovated and updated. ABSOLUTELY.

Does it need to be demolished for condos and a few boutiques? No.

We'll see how inviting that new plan will be. I'm sure the elite few who will live there will try to make it hard for everyone to enjoy the area.

[Rx727sfl2002]

that is the ugliest mall i have ever seen and it has no historical value whatsoever... i say blow it up...

[EnriqueH]

Nah.

[Daybreaq]

?!?!?!
Last time I checked the most expensive condos (per square foot) were in South Beach (i.e. pedestrian friendly). The next most expensive are in Brickell (Four Seasons, Jade...etc).

Fisher Island! I just peeked over on realtor.com. There a listing for a 670sq ft condo for $1,800,000! Plus you need to fork over another quarter mil for the club. Ok, it faces nothing but blue, blue water and it's a potential hotel unit and it's on Fisher F***ing Island but still! I really never got Fisher Island.

[Roark]

If he's such a parks advocate then why would he suggest the Deering Bay area? Maybe he had in mind the open land in the area known as Matheson Hammock (one of the largest parks in the area) or that other open space in that area (Biscayne National Park) plus there is no Turnpike connectivity in that area unless they planned on building one in which case you would have a lot of uber wealthy Pinecrest & Gables by the Sea residents a bit p.o'ed Well, like most community leaders, he wears more than one hat. He's not just a parks advocate, but also an attorney, etc. etc.
The reason he suggested down south for the Port of Miami has to do with, not surprisingly, ships/cargo/commerce/traffic.
What he was suggesting was not to put a seaport on a park, but to move the port to an area out of the way of the urban core. The entire Port could be redone carte blanche and made efficiently and to add a highway to connect to the turnpike.
Dodge Island would then be freed up for park space, residential, office, or whatever....and goods could flow from ship to truck to train without many steps. The goods would move from the port and directly to the freeway and never come that close to residential areas....certainly no closer than the trucks come to the residents on Biscayne Boulevard now.
Just wanted to share the idea...I love that kind of creativity, but my friends at the Port agree that it will never happen in our lifetimes.

[BornInTheGrove]

that is the ugliest mall i have ever seen and it has no historical value whatsoever... i say blow it up...
no way!... if they blow it up, i wouldn't be able to attend... implode it instead. lololololol

[EnriqueH]

:no:

It's a good thing we're not out having beers together, or I'd punch you in the arm.

[thetallerthebetter]

Visualize this...

it's 2 yrs from now, early sunday morning ... a countdown is underway that will seal the ugly elephant like mall's fate forever .... 7 6 5 4 .... but wait someone hears a noise inside...

the implosion is avoided and construction men run inside to find a very sad sight...

it's enrique crying and rocking back and forth as he rides the merry go round

he he

don't be sad enrique I think you'll like the new omni more than you expect

[MMH]

Yeah, it's like I can't tell it apart from any other building in the rendering.

The Omni looks really old these days since it doesn't seem to have been renovated for a looong time, but at least you know it when you see it.

The rendering looks very generic.

i doubt thats how its actually going to be built

[arch photographer]

I have to say that although that is a lot of tall buildings, the new design for OMNI does seem like a watered down version of Canyon Ranch and Icon Brickell. Which are also a bit like recycled Chad Oppenheim concepts. It would be a real shame have a lot of what comes out of the boom all looking alike. I know they're not all alike but you can see where it could get unfortunate that way.

[EnriqueH]

Visualize this...

it's 2 yrs from now, early sunday morning ... a countdown is underway that will seal the ugly elephant like mall's fate forever .... 7 6 5 4 .... but wait someone hears a noise inside...

the implosion is avoided and construction men run inside to find a very sad sight...

it's enrique crying and rocking back and forth as he rides the merry go round

he he

don't be sad enrique I think you'll like the new omni more than you expect

:lol:

That will be me. Just like Cinema Paradiso.

Seriously, if you guys let me know, I'll go and slug back a few :cheers: in honor of the place while you guys cheer and pump your fists in the air. Slimy bastards that you all are.

I still say there's a lot of potential in the place.

Damn it.

[floridian-will]

^^ :tiasd: :badnews:

[arch photographer]

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/3808/omniredevelopmentplanhh1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

This is interesting from BOB Miami, It is the proposed zoning for the whole OMNI district. Looks like the city is planning big things for OMNI as opposed to behind the BISCAYNE WALL. Evidently land is cheaper in Omni. This is a little out of date, with OPUS being in place, at least I think that is OPUS. But it is great sto study any way. I think it is the city that would hire Zyscovich to develop this schematic.

[kevinkagy]

Looks great, a lot of density. I'm glad to see they've atleast done SOME type of planning for urban development in the future.

[Hia-leah JDM]

Downtown Radisson to become a Hilton

By Eric Kalis
The owner of the Omni Center on Biscayne Boulevard struck a deal this week with the Hilton hotel company to replace the Downtown Miami Radisson by January.
Argent Ventures will begin a $25 million renovation of the 528-room hotel at 1601 Biscayne Blvd. next month, Argent COO Mark Teitelbaum said. The Radisson will remain open throughout the renovation, he said.
"The renovations will happen in stages of a couple of floors at a time," he said. "Since this is somewhat of an off-season, it shouldn't affect much. The existing rooms are in good shape and will be gut-renovated to meet Hilton's own requirements."
Hilton officials backed out of plans to partner with the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach for a condo-hotel project, leaving a void in the company's Miami-Dade operations, Mr. Teitelbaum said. "What the Hilton brand brings to the table is a unique reservation system and the ability to bring large groups and convention business," he said. "With the flag out of the Fontainebleau, we're happy they came to our property. The $25 million is well worth it."
The Class A office portion of the former retail mall's redevelopment got a boost when commercial real estate firm Cushman and Wakefield signed a federal agency to lease 33,000 square feet — totaling a full floor, Mr. Teitelbaum said. The office portion is to occupy the second through fourth floors of the former Jordan Marsh building at the south end of the mall. Argent officials declined to reveal the federal agency's identity, citing a confidentiality agreement.
Negotiations with several potential office tenants are ongoing and should conclude by September, Mr. Teitelbaum said. Meanwhile, construction of the office portion is under way, he said.
"Interior demolition has already started," Mr. Teitelbaum said. Leasing the federal agency "is a good kickoff to more leasing. The combination of the lease being signed and construction starting shows that we're going ahead. This is happening."
Construction of the retail portion is to begin in the next few months, Mr. Teitelbaum said. Argent officials closed on a $225 million construction loan this month from an undisclosed bank, he said.
Argent has long-term plans to develop 5 million square feet of new structures at the Miami site in a $1 billion phased development plan spanning 10-15 years that includes a six-tower project with 5,766 residences described by City of Miami planners as a city within a city. The mall is vacant except for space used by the Miami International University of Art and Design.
Project officials are in no rush to start building the residential portion of the redevelopment, Mr. Teitelbaum said. With an influx of residences in the pipeline for downtown, the most appropriate course for Argent is to wait and observe how the market evolves, he said.
"The market doesn't give any clarity right now," Mr. Teitelbaum said. "It would be foolish to think about [building residential] right now. It's no secret on the residential condo front that it's going to get worse before getting better."

[ChuckScraperMiami#1]

Hia Leah JDM:) , my friend,
That's it !!!
, we just got a slap in the face !!!
I guess the Condo Boom is almost over.
" Paramount on the Bay " will be the last condo tower at close to 500 feet in that area for a long long time !!!:ohno:

we are now going down hill in 2007 to the end of " The Biggest Condo Boom in Miami History " 2002 through 2007, a Great 6 Years of Condo tower construction in the Uptown-Midtown Area !!!:cheers:

[arch photographer]

Is Paramount Bay starting to show herself yet??

[ChuckScraperMiami#1]

Is Paramount Bay starting to show herself yet??

YES ARCH Photo:) ,
my friend, the 8th Floor is being poured this week,
a floor a week now,
39 more weeks and it's over, total of 47 mean Floors at 496 feet :cheers:
the Boom of Uptown-Midtown is coming to a sad end.
By early - may of 2008 , all Tower Construction cranes in the Midtown -Uptown area will be gone for awhile :ohno:
unless Tibor Hollo builds his La Opera Hotel at 38 floors next to the Opera Tower,
any news on that tower, Anyone ???:ohno:

[arch photographer]

Don't you think there will always be at least 2 or 3 cranes up in the sky??

It's ok. After all those cranes come down more time and effort will be given to small projects to support all the towers.

Bayside Marketplace?? Also all the landscaping and art projects will get finished The real POLISH will take place and Miami will emerge a total JEWEL

[ChuckScraperMiami#1]

Don't you think there will always be at least 2 or 3 cranes up in the sky??

It's ok. After all those cranes come down more time and effort will be given to small projects to support all the towers.

Bayside Marketplace?? Also all the landscaping and art projects will get finished The real POLISH will take place and Miami will emerge a total JEWEL

ARCH Photo:) , my friend,
the Condo boom in th Uptown-Midtown area is really almost over, by May , 2008 , the last two tower construction cranes on top of the Paramount on the Bay condo tower will be coming down.
But,
If Tibor Hollo gets his Hotel La Opera tower started soon, hopefully we'll see two more tower construction cranes in the Uptown area through 2009 !!!:cheers:

[EnriqueH]

I was just at the Omni today. I took a bunch of photos. I was shocked by how fancy the ballrooms at the hotel still look. They need to freshen up the outside. But the inside? Very cool.

[MarcM305]

I just want to say that I find it amazing Hilton is willing to drop 25 Million in a place that will be demolished probably in the next decade, but hey, good for them.

Also I had not heard anything about La Opera Hotel. That would be great if it happened. I tried to google it and nothing came up. I think all of this is exciting, and I am greatful to live at The Grand.

[AddictedToSpace]

I just want to say that I find it amazing Hilton is willing to drop 25 Million in a place that will be demolished probably in the next decade, but hey, good for them.

Also I had not heard anything about La Opera Hotel. That would be great if it happened. I tried to google it and nothing came up. I think all of this is exciting, and I am greatful to live at The Grand.

Hilton is counting on having their "foot in the door", when OMNI gets redeveloped. Also they were the ones that were given the boot by Turnberry when they purchased the Fountainbleau. They need a presence in the area.

[MiamiMike]

sorry for the caps...........but...............CAN SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THE OMNI SITE???

I HAVE HEARD 3 OR 4 DIFFERENT STORIES IN THE LAST MONTH!!

Is it safe to assume the old plan with 6 towers over a 10 year projected completion date dead???

[thetallerthebetter]

all those tower dreams are dead for the forseable future.

[Paul305]

I think you guys are jumping the gun on this one. A $1.3B development doesn't just die without a ton of media coverage. And after all, Argent Ventures is planning on spending 15 years on this development which was approved only 4 months ago. That means that they're only 2% into their project time line. For all we know, they could be way ahead of schedule.

[MiamiMike]

Sorry Paul youre right..............it was 15 years! I was hoping we could see one or two in the next 5!!!:ohno:

[mileageman]

Groundwork

It’s Official – The Omni Lives!
By Helen Hill

New life is coming to a faded neighborhood landmark as contemporary glass walls replace the concrete bunker-style façade of the once-upscale Omni Mall. The vast — 1.5 million square feet — complex is being transformed into the 375,000-square-foot Offices at the Omni from 1501 to 1645 Biscayne Blvd. at the southern end of the mall, while 300,000 square feet of big box retail is planned for the northern end at 1702 Biscayne Blvd. The hotel (soon to be flying the Hilton flag) parking garage and Art Institute of Miami are to remain in the complex.

After eight years of ownership, Argent Ventures has announced a gut-redevelopment plan that will provide Class A office space, accessed from a private professional lobby on the third floor. With up to 75,000 square feet on a single floor, the five-story building can offer the largest contiguous office space in Miami-Dade County. Parking is at a luxuriously high ratio for an urban building — more than 2,000 covered spaces in the adjoining seven-floor garage; the Omni Metromover station is just across a walkway bridge directly connected to the building.

Miami architectural and planning company Robin Bosco is in charge of the overall exterior design and Arquitectonica is designing the building’s interior spaces.

In the booming Miami office market, rents for Offices at the Omni are $36 per square foot, inclusive of operating expenses. According to John Marshall, director of office leasing for Cushman & Wakefield, the exclusive leasing agents, the project is attracting interest from creative, entertainment and “cool” companies. The anticipated completion date is early 2009.

http://miamisunpost.com/0802groundwork.htm

Same architect as 5th and Alton:
http://www.robinboscoarchitects.com/

[MiamiMike]

I guess its somewhat good news...........but all that office space cannot be good for new office projects/proposals!!!

[ChuckScraperMiami#1]

I guess its somewhat good news...........but all that office space cannot be good for new office proposals!!!

Miami Mike, my friend,
I was doing some checking with some employees there at the Raddison Hotel, and in my opinion there could be a Macy's in the JCPenney 3 floor retail old store there in the Omni Mall part by 2010 !!!:cheers:

[MiamiMike]

I think that sounds pretty cool Chuck............and I like most of what Im hearing about the project. The glass walls will look great and the retail options are definately exciting.

I'm just not crazy about 375,000 square feet of office space for obvious reasons.

consider this:
Although not popular with some on here, 2222 biscayne would have 432,000 square feet............but you've gotta figure if you subtract the health club, restaurant(s), and retail (all 3 are mentioned on the website)...........thats about 375,000 square feet of office space!!

By the way Chuck..........thanks for getting the word on the street for us!!!

[spellbound]

It's a legitimate concern, but at the same time you pretty much HAVE to applaud empty space being reconfigured into something that brings life and vitality to a virtually dead building...even if it ultimately harms bigger projects down the road by satisfying a finite need for office space.

A bunch of smaller, low-rise office projects (as well as something like Met2 that we all want to see) certainly have the ability to stall or even ultimately cancel a great project like OBP for the simple reason that supply exceeds demand but it would be foolish for the city to put up any roadblocks in smaller office development at this juncture.

OBP is just a pretty picture on paper right now. It's years away (if it ever happens at all). I understand that some of this stuff may ultimately satisfy their leasing needs and ultimately make it harder to become reality, but no successful city behaves that way.

Anyway, OBP is so far off that the market realities of 2009 or 2010 will determine whether or not it gets built. That economy has yet to be seen (and "forecasters" are notoriously idiotic and bankrupt from being wrong so often :cheers: )

[mileageman]

rendering:
http://listings.cushwake.com/us/exclusive/showimg.asp?id=106106

http://listings.cushwake.com/us/exclusive/BuildingFlyer.cfm?BuildingID=101694155&RU=Y&SL=No

[jamesgood72]

Wow - so we're going to see the concrete sides ripped off, and glass ones put in? That's amazing.

-James.

[ChuckScraperMiami#1]

Wow - so we're going to see the concrete sides ripped off, and glass ones put in? That's amazing.

-James.

James is Great:) , my friend,
your the most luckiest one,
you live right next door, and get to tell us every move they make.
Thanks, James !!!:cheers:

ps. 35 years ago, I watched them put the glass panels on the front side of the Omni with my bicycle back when the old Omni complex was under construction.

[AddictedToSpace]

rendering:
http://listings.cushwake.com/us/exclusive/showimg.asp?id=106106

http://listings.cushwake.com/us/exclusive/BuildingFlyer.cfm?BuildingID=101694155&RU=Y&SL=No

You know who would make a nice tenant at the "New Omni", Google Latin America. If that division does exist they should move in there, if not they need to create one. They would probably take up all 335,000 sq feet up, and leave our other office projects intact. :yes:

[southfloridamiamian]

You know what am just not wowed. its a definite improvement but i think they could of done so much more. lol Could of used some giant LEDs j/k

[spellbound]

You know what am just not wowed. its a definite improvement but i think they could of done so much more. lol Could of used some giant LEDs j/k

All true, but it would still be a BIG improvement over the forlorn, concrete fortress the Omni has been for so many years, imo.

The complex never had a great relationship with the street and (hopefully) this would address that problem by making it more open and inviting.

Yes, it doesn't rank real high on the "wow" fator (nothing short of dynamiting the complex and replacing it with a "starchitect" project would accomplish that) but at least this proposal would make Omni something more than an aging eyesore that looks more suited to Rochester or Detroit than downtown Miami.

[jamesgood72]

Does anyone know if the work that's going on at the Omni at the moment is the beginnings of the big work shown above? Seems to be quite a bit going on. There were barricades up on the Metromover station side this morning too.

-James.

[AddictedToSpace]

Does anyone know if the work that's going on at the Omni at the moment is the beginnings of the big work shown above? Seems to be quite a bit going on. There were barricades up on the Metromover station side this morning too.

-James.

If I am not mistaken I believe that is the college that occupies the southern portion of the building across from the Metromover station doing some remodeling.

[mileageman]

Omni project underway:

The long-delayed Omni Center, which is finally moving forward, may be the key to bringing a critical mass of retail and foot traffic to downtown Miami, city officials say.

The first phase of the Omni project is a $26 million renovation and conversion to the Hilton Hotels brand, which should be done by early 2008. After that, Cushman & Wakefield is to lease more than 350,000 square feet of office space, with tenants in by 2009. The Comras Co. will finish by renting 300,000 square feet of vertical box space for retail and restaurants.

"This area is extremely crucial, and the Omni project will bring the critical mass to this area," Miami Mayor Manny Diaz said.

Comras Co. CEO Michael Comras said the two-block complex will be home to "several large tenants that have stores in Aventura and Dadeland," but would not identify who the tenants are. He said the project's efficient use of vertical boxes situated around a parking garage, combined with street-level stores lining the perimeter, will provide a pedestrian-friendly shopping experience that the downtown area still lacks.

http://southflorida.bizjournals.com/southflorida/stories/2007/10/01/story7.html

[thetallerthebetter]

I'm not much of a mall person but I'm sure some of you can tell us... what are the big box stores that are both in Aventura and Dadeland Mall?

[mileageman]

among others, potentially on the list: sports authority, michaels, bed bath beyond, best buy, borders, old navy

[thetallerthebetter]

sports authority, michaels, bed bath beyond, best buy, borders, old navy

I see a need and a market for most of these in that location, specially sports authority, old navy and borders.

[MAH45462]

I'm not much of a mall person but I'm sure some of you can tell us... what are the big box stores that are both in Aventura and Dadeland Mall?

If you are referring to the actual malls, none. Big box retailers aren't at traditional malls, they are at shopping centres/strip malls. The better question is what big box retailers are missing from central Miami, and with Shops at Midtown Miami, 5th & Alton, and Bayview Market, the answer will soon be "not many".

Midtown has Petsmart, Target, Circuit City, Marshall's, Ross, Loheman's, West Elm, Linene's and Things, and, soon, JC Penny.

Bayview will have Lowes' and possibly Wal*Mart.

5th & Alton, while not 100% confirmed, will, in all likelihood, have Best Buy and Bed, Bath, & Beyond.

What's left for Omni? Sears is a slight possibility, as they tend to build a few stores that are stand-alone (like in Coral Gables). Borders, Barnes & Nobles, K-Mart, The Home Depot, Office Depot, and The Sports Authority are missing from central Miami as well.

[MiamiMike]

Hooray for Borders!!!

[thetallerthebetter]

If you are referring to the actual malls, none. Big box retailers aren't at traditional malls, they are at shopping centres/strip malls. The better question is what big box retailers are missing from central Miami, and with Shops at Midtown Miami, 5th & Alton, and Bayview Market, the answer will soon be "not many".

Midtown has Petsmart, Target, Circuit City, Marshall's, Ross, Loheman's, West Elm, Linene's and Things, and, soon, JC Penny.

Bayview will have Lowes' and possibly Wal*Mart.

5th & Alton, while not 100% confirmed, will, in all likelihood, have Best Buy and Bed, Bath, & Beyond.

What's left for Omni? Sears is a slight possibility, as they tend to build a few stores that are stand-alone (like in Coral Gables). Borders, Barnes & Nobles, K-Mart, The Home Depot, Office Depot, and The Sports Authority are missing from central Miami as well.

My post was a direct response to the big clue dropped my Michael Comras not speculation but actual intel. I know I said big box but forget that, lets talk about national retailers period. Here is his clue again:

Michael Comras said the two-block complex will be home to "several large tenants that have stores in Aventura and Dadeland,"

Now I'm starting to think it doesnt mean both but either or.

[EnriqueH]

Wait, does this mean the Omni is salvaged or what?

[thetallerthebetter]

Yes Enrique your prayers have been answered. At least for the foreseable future the Omni will see new life as some sort of office/shopping center.

Sadly you wont get to ride the merry go round again though :)

[EnriqueH]

YESSSS.

Yeah, that merry-go-round was sold. I wonder where it is?

[Exploratus]

They have started ripping the concrete walls from the omni center. Basically most of the western wall facing biscayne has come off above the first floor. They are doing it pretty fast.

[305Lover]

Are there any photo updates on the renovation?

[mileageman]

http://media.miamiherald.com/smedia/2007/11/05/09/923-110507omni.embedded.prod_affiliate.56.jpg

[Architek]

yuck, the typical white big box mall....is this for the whole development or just for that small piece next to the metromover?

[theDirector]

^^^^It looks a hell of a lot better then it does now. ^^^^

[EnriqueH]

Yeah, it was definitely time for a vigorous clean-up.

[Exploratus]

Now lets hope citisquare or whatever its called starts one day.

[Architek]

why, so we can have a continuous big box trap for about 8 streets (from omni till the herald property) i used to think getting retail in the downtown core was important and i still do but its getting little pockets of retail in many streets not an excess amount of retail at one specific street because they you just create the suburban effect in the downtown core because most the people who will shop there will drive there, meaning more car traffic not foot traffic....citisquare will be to close to the omni, midtown, and that other one behind the cemetery. We're just heading to an oversaturation of retail, just like what happend with the condos and what is going to happen with the office market because all developers want to do is rush and build in order to be the first one to make it big.

[MiamiMike]

I can certainly see your point Architek.


I for one have bittersweet feelings about the Omni. I certainly would have preferred to see the previous proposal come to fruition even if it took 6 or 7 years.

With the previous plans for the Omni...........Citisquare looked great. Now you have to wonder if it will be built as planned.

[Exploratus]

I think this is a good use for the site considering the market conditions. Let them focus their energies building those talll buildings in the dozens of empty lots around the Omni. This will allow the area to become a friendlier pedestrian environment in a shorter period of time, therefore imprinting a more positive image on the incoming resident. The initial impression these residents have on the neighborhood will surely influence then next phases in construction. We dont want people to be walking around construction zones for the next 5-7 years. Lets give residents a few areas relatively free from construction noise and dust.

[miamicanes]

why, so we can have a continuous big box trap for about 8 streets (from omni till the herald property) i used to think getting retail in the downtown core was important and i still do but its getting little pockets of retail in many streets not an excess amount of retail at one specific street because they you just create the suburban effect in the downtown core because most the people who will shop there will drive there, meaning more car traffic not foot traffic
The kind of retail stores you like wouldn't last 6 months before getting crushed by Best Buy, Wal Mart, Home Depot, CompUSA, Sports Authority, Bed Bath & Beyond, Ikea, Fry's (hey, I'm allowed to dream...), Target, Borders, and the rest. Building stores like that into the pedestal is hard, because you literally need half the block to make it viable, the interior columns (supporting 12 floors of garage, and another 10-18 floors of residences) are huge, shoppers and residents bitch about having to vertically ascend 40 feet just to get to the first floor of the garage (think: Miracle Center) because modern big-box stores demand high ceilings for ambience (and storage space), and ultimately you STILL won't get the kind of sidewalk ambiance you want, because there will only be two public entrances at ground level... one for the store, and one for whatever's above it.

Sidewalk-level liner stores & restaurants wouldn't work in most of Miami, because the blocks aren't deep enough to allow it. The best you could POSSIBLY hope for is a few liner stores/restaurants flanking the store's main entrance along the short facade, with a long wall (maybe lined with shallow display windows) broken only by an opening for the parking garage facing one side street, and a similar wall with entrance to the condo or offices facing the other side street. If it occupies the ENTIRE block, you might get away with another store/restaurant-lined frontage along the other short facade.

Head up to Chicago sometime and take a look around Lincoln Park -- for the most part, it looks a lot like the building (tower with big box store in a pedestal) I just described. That's what a modern upscale urban American neighborhood looks like (except Lincoln Park also has some brutal height restrictions, so most of its big-box stores DON'T have anything above them besides parking)

Examples:

http://www.transanity.org/img/urbanbigbox/barnesnoble.jpg
http://www.transanity.org/img/urbanbigbox/bestbuy.jpg
http://www.transanity.org/img/urbanbigbox/borders.jpg
http://www.transanity.org/img/urbanbigbox/marshalls.jpg
http://www.transanity.org/img/urbanbigbox/ballys.jpg

Out of all the stores, Best Buy looks like it's trying the hardest to recreate the ambiance of a traditional sidewalk facade... but look again. The additional doors are either windows made to look like locked doors, or fire escapes. But at least they get credit for creating reasonably convincing fake ambiance and trying. Architects might sneer at anything that's not "genuine", but I've walked past that Best Buy... it's a rather pleasant block regardless of how fake the facade might be. In contrast, the sidewalks in front of Marshalls/Linens & Things, Borders, and Ballys' look downright mean. Kind of like SW 8th Street east of the Palmetto ;)

[Vitruvius09]

i like the old proposal better.:cheers1:

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/3345/omnicopyzy9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[EnriqueH]

Boooo!

I like the current one better.

The old plan consisted of MORE condos and a few boutiques. Why would we want that when we can have an air-conditioned mall with ample parking?

There's no mall in that area, unless you count Bayside, which you shouldn't.

It does need to be cleaned up and revamped after all these years, but Omni was ahead of its time.

[Exploratus]

FIlling the top floors with offices, keeping the Art Institute there, and making more retail ad the pedestrian level are all positives. I donth think every bock in Miami has to be 60 floors, 4 floors is a good proportion recommended by many urban academics (Pathen Book by Christopher Alexander), but what we do need is for less empty lots and holes in the urban fabric. When its is finished (the omni) it willl radically alter the area with offices, retail, and the public transportation node. They already got a tenent. WHat, youw ould rather wait another 5 years for the area to have any life? If they have the money, they can still do those plans in 5 to 10 years.

[miamicanes]

There's no mall in that area, unless you count Bayside, which you shouldn't.
Agreed. I think this is the Omni's chance to finally shine as a real mall. Especially during summer (the part of the year that isn't January)

[EnriqueH]

Now if they could only get the carousel back...

[Quantum2010]

I'm with Vitruvius09! I want my tall towers back! I want the north end of the skyline to be a little more balanced with the Brickell side for a long dense skyline along with Park West. :cheers:

[MiamiMike]

I liked the towers too. Maybe its time to join Enrique's team and celebrate this new version of the Omni mall though. I don't really know what to expect of the place..........I didn't live here during the Omni's prime.

I think Exploratus made a good point when he reminded us that there are many pieces of land just west of the Omni that can provide us high rises in the future. Lets hope that happens.

I hope they do bring the carousel back for you Enrique!!:cheers:

[southfloridamiamian]

All those towers are already approved, but didnt the developer say it was a 15 year project and that the retail part would come first and the rest of the towers would be built according to demands of the markets

[intresant]

Hey it's definetly going to look alot better than the concrete fortress that it is today.

Taken this morning:

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/Omni1.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/Omni2.jpg

[havok100]

I like what they are doing to the Omni. They did the same thing to Hartford's civic center, with the only exception being they added a 36 story residential tower. The Omni already has a nice hotel, soon to be a Hilton. It going to make a difference in that area.

[MiamiMike]

Ya know.........I think a lot of us are underestimating how nice its gonna look with all that glass.

I do want to hear more convincing from Enrique though! lol

[Quantum2010]

All those towers are already approved, but didnt the developer say it was a 15 year project and that the retail part would come first and the rest of the towers would be built according to demands of the markets

That's my understanding too! And I think this is another one of those projects that the city really wants, along with Park West to really "revitalize" downtown Miami.

[MiamiMike]

I think that proposal is as dead as the Dolphins playoff hopes.

(wasn't that project 100% dependant on the razing of the Omni mall???)

[Quantum2010]

I think that proposal is as dead as the Dolphins playoff hopes.

(wasn't that project 100% dependant on the razing of the Omni mall???)

I think you are right. But I keep hearing about more developers taking over stuff, so who really knows what we'll see until we see it?

[MiamiMike]

I think we're "seeing it" right now.

I'm wondering if City Square can materialize at this point with SO MUCH retail right next door.

[miamicanes]

I'm wondering if City Square can materialize at this point with SO MUCH retail right next door.
This is America. There's always a market for more retail space :cheers:

If anything, it'll force the retail centers to compete on shopper amenities... like free parking.

[Bryan-Sereny]

I think we're "seeing it" right now.

I'm wondering if City Square can materialize at this point with SO MUCH retail right next door.

Make no mistake about it, retail is strict business. In general, unless a developer has retailers lined up, they will not build. There can only be so many Target/Gap/Publix in 1 city. Merrick Park isn't doing too well, and Mary Brickell Village has not filled up with retailers (mostly restaurants). I suspect we will see a number of these retail projects hitting the sidelines.

[miamicanes]

Merrick Park isn't doing too well
...partly because its developer didn't heed the lessons of Mayfair. If he'd bothered to dig into the Herald's online archives, he could have read hundreds of articles about Mayfair's prolonged death spiral that can basically be summed up as "Dadeland has free parking, Mayfair doesn't." It's not even a question of money. People with the disposable income to shop at Merrick don't want to be bothered by the inconvenience and delay. The actual cost of the parking just adds insult to injury, and gives people a reason to shop at Dadeland or the Falls, instead.

Ditto, for Mary Brickell Village. Retailers like the Gap can't/won't subsist on a local market of 50,000 potential customers, unless an otherwise-unprofitable location generates SO MUCH foot traffic, they can write it off as an 'advertising' expense (ie, Cocowalk). With expensive parking, MBV's appeal as a retail destination to someone who lives 2-5 miles away(versus other retail centers) can be roughly approximated as "the limit of x, as x approaches zero." Even if they don't have a car and would use Metrorail, MBV is still competing against retail centers like Dadeland. If you spend $3 round trip to take Metrorail to MBV, you can shop at a few stores. If you spend the same amount of money to take Metrorail to Dadeland, you can shop at hundreds of stores. If MBV had free parking, it would appeal to people who live in the Brickell Roads area, Shenandoah, Coconut Grove, and by Vizcaya because it's nearby. Charge for parking, and people just say 'screw it' & drive to Dadeland instead. It's been shown, over and over, so many times over the past 20 years, that it amazes me that anyone can even get financing for a new retail center (supported primarily by actual retail sales from daily shoppers) in Dade County that intends to charge for parking.

The only area where a retail center can possibly get away with it is South Beach -- and that's mostly because south beach has enough "captive" shoppers (visitors and residents) for whom the cost of going to the mainland is high (both time AND money) to support it. That's a situation that doesn't exist to any appreciable degree elsewhere in Dade County. For someone who lives in Brickell or Downtown, Dadeland is just a 21 minute Metrorail ride away... and (after 7pm M-F), Dolphin & International Malls (as well as Dadeland) are a 15-20 minute drive.

Even the venerated Omni couldn't get away with it. Long before it officially died, the Omni went through almost a decade when people thought it was "kind of cool... but not worth the parking fees." Then they lowered the fees, but cut back on staff to collect them, and alienated even more former shoppers, by making them wait in line 5-10 minutes to leave. I firmly believe that if they'd eliminated them completely, and advertised it widely, they would have done AT LEAST as well as "Mall of the Americas" during the 90s, and would have easily recovered its former glory during the last real estate boom. It's a lot harder, and more expensive, to re-launch a retail center that's totally dead than it is to remodel and reinvent one that's open and growing in popularity daily in SPITE of its present deteriorated condition and suboptimal retail mix. For a perfect example, look at the plaza at the corner of Biscayne & 79th Street. Most of the plaza is still ghetto... but the ghetto part is obviously getting squeezed out little by little as the "nice" part fills up and spills over into the adjacent parts.

[AddictedToSpace]

^^ How about the Bal-Harbor Shops? They charge for parking.

[miamicanes]

They're also on the beach, and their only real competition is Aventura. And I'll be genuinely shocked if it hasn't lost shoppers as Aventura Mall has gotten bigger & more upscale over time. They're also between a rock and a hard spot... if they made parking free, they'd have a MUCH bigger problem policing the garage to catch people who leeched their parking.

The point is, there are VERY few places in Dade County where someone can open a retail center that's first and foremost a place to go shopping, charge for parking, and get away with it. Cocowalk and Sunset Place are "lifestyle centers". If the teen and nightlife crowd found someplace they liked better, and stores there had to survive entirely on retail sales to people who went there for the express purpose of shopping, their parking fees would either vanish, or they'd starve to death like Mayfair, Miracle Center, Omni, and Bakery Center did before them.

[MiamiMike]

They're also super high end and most of the consumers couldn't care less about parking fees (you would think anyways).

[miamicanes]

Ah, but don't forget the "nuisance" factor. If you have that much money, few things are going to piss you off more than having to sit in line for 3-10 minutes to pay as you leave the garage. At that level of wealth, you don't care how much it costs... you're going to be angry that they're even bothering you to collect such an insignificant amount of money. The grand irony at Bal Harbour shops is that their customers would probably be angrier if they lowered the fee to something like $1 than if they raised it to $25. For $1, their attitude would be, "Why are you wasting my valuable time just to collect a dollar?"

[Roark]

...partly because its developer didn't heed the lessons of Mayfair. If he'd bothered to dig into the Herald's online archives, he could have read hundreds of articles about Mayfair's prolonged death spiral that can basically be summed up as "Dadeland has free parking, Mayfair doesn't." It's not even a question of money. People with the disposable income to shop at Merrick don't want to be bothered by the inconvenience and delay. The actual cost of the parking just adds insult to injury, and gives people a reason to shop at Dadeland or the Falls, instead. Canes, I love your posts about hypothetical subways under Dodge Island and over to South Beach. It's really thoughtful.
As for your devotion to the concept that
no free parking = shopping mall failure
is dead wrong.
FACT: When you first forwarded this idea, Bal Harbour Shops was the #1 grossing shopping center in the United States of America, and #2 was the Shops at Ceasar Palace.
NEITHER one offers free parking.
So you should simply admit, that free parking is not the main reason for shopping center failure, OR change your premise to:
free parking = shopping center failure (except for the most successful shopping centers)

[Roark]

Ah, but don't forget the "nuisance" factor. If you have that much money, few things are going to piss you off more than having to sit in line for 3-10 minutes to pay as you leave the garage. At that level of wealth, you don't care how much it costs... you're going to be angry that they're even bothering you to collect such an insignificant amount of money. The grand irony at Bal Harbour shops is that their customers would probably be angrier if they lowered the fee to something like $1 than if they raised it to $25. For $1, their attitude would be, "Why are you wasting my valuable time just to collect a dollar?" Having shopped at Bal Harbour in the last 48 hours and knowing a little bit about how people that shop there think, I'd like to offer an insight.
Bal Harbour shoppers are less annoyed by the parking fee than they are by having to walk around with PEOPLE that are annoyed by parking fees.

Seriously Canes, just say that your personal opinion is that you hate to pay for parking.
Trying to fabricate a correlation between parking fees and shopping center success just isn't factual.

[miamicanes]

Actually, I think Bal Harbour Shops is just an extreme edge case that's not remotely typical of the Dade County retail market. The last time I checked, it wasn't anchored by a Target and Marshall's. Many of Bal Harbour's stores are their respective chains' only store in Miami (or their other stores are also in places without free parking), so a person who wants to shop there has no choice but to put up with the parking fee. That's NOT the case with Midtown's shops, all of which (so far) have other stores within a 20 minute (after 7pm) drive and free parking. Miracle Center and Mayfair had the same problem -- you could pay to shop at ${national chain store} at Mayfair or Miracle Center, or drive 10 minutes south to Dadeland and shop at the same store for free.

I WILL freely admit that I bend over backwards and go out of my way to avoid patronizing stores that charge for parking. I'll happily spend $3 in tolls on 836 driving to International Mall before I'll spend $1 to park, and feel morally righteous about doing it. There is absolutely NOTHING that burns me up and ruins my day more than having to sit in line for 5-10 minutes to get out of a garage. And god forbid, if I end up getting charged for another hour BECAUSE of the time I had to spend sitting in line... well... let's just say my subsequent rage probably puts me at serious risk of having a stroke. That's not to say I'll take out my rage on the attendant (they're in no position to do anything about it)... but I'll be damned if I'll give the store one more cent if I can possibly help it thereafter (and make sure I write letters to the store's manager, regional VP, and CEO letting them know exactly why I'm shunning their store, so that when the day comes that they decide to close the store after it's bled to death for a few years, my letter will get added to the tally of reasons why, and they'll be more cautious about leasing a store in a retail center with non-free parking in Dade County in the future).

[SoBe99]

I don't think Caesars is quiet comparable to Midtown! I get your point though, but I would guess that 95% of all Caesars traffic is from casino/tourist traffic, while Midtown is the opposite.

Speaking of Vegas though, Fashion Show Mall (which is really nice and big) is on the strip accross from Venetian/Wynn and they offer free parking. I believe it has more anchored department stores than any mall in the country.

[EnriqueH]

Cheers, Mike.

This just proves what I've been saying for years: Omni didn't need to be bulldozed. For what? MORE condos and a few measley boutiques? When there's a huge air-conditioned mall with ample parking?

If Bayside can survive all this time, I have to blame Omni's failure on the decomposition of the surrounding area in the late 80s and 1990s and/or mismanagement.

Think about it. Omni had all the usual shops that could be found in Dadeland or Aventura, but with designer boutiques, bookstores, restaurants, arcades, movie theaters and hotel. With all these irons in the fire, it makes no sense that Omni died and Bayside survived.

With the growth of the downtown, Omni is poised for a second chance. It was too good a mall to die.

With no malls in the area, Omni is screaming for a second chance. It was ahead of its time. And I firmly believe that an Omni II---with the right amount of stores, a revamped look and modified parking rates or free parking---should survive.

I also believe if we transported the 1982 Omni into today's downtown, it would be a mega success.

By the way, it's weird seeing those walls removed. I have postcards from when it was just a Jordan Marsh and I think those walls have been up since then. That's old they were. I hope they keep the slanted windows from the carousel area. Those windows are cool. It's one of the few things from Omni's old outer appearance that they should retain.

[Roark]

This just proves what I've been saying for years: Omni didn't need to be bulldozed. For what? MORE condos and a few measley boutiques? When there's a huge air-conditioned mall with ample parking? I remember Omni. Some have said there was a "Heyday". I don't necessarily remember it as that. In South Beach 1992, there was no GAP and there wasn't a Movie theater.
This was before anyone had an e-mail address or Netflix.
Going to the Omni was not a treat. The Carousel was beautiful, but when you walked in the experience wasn't welcoming. The movie theater wasn't good. Enough of the movie goers were disrespectful and the management did nothing to curtail the yelling at the screen.
It was a better choice to take a cab to Coconut Grove.
1992.
The anchor was JC Penny.
Omni seemed to tread water until Lincoln Road Pedestrian shopping district opened.
Lincoln Road is a great redesign to suit a marketplace and because of it's vibrance and success people want to live near Lincoln Road.
I'm all for nostagia, but my Sony Walkman (without auto reverse) sucked in comparison to an MP3 player...and I think Omni sucks in comparison to Lincoln Road.
Smart developers should adapt space according to the marketplace...and they are.

[EnriqueH]

I remember Omni. Some have said there was a "Heyday". I don't necessarily remember it as that. In South Beach 1992, there was no GAP and there wasn't a Movie theater.
This was before anyone had an e-mail address or Netflix.
Going to the Omni was not a treat. The Carousel was beautiful, but when you walked in the experience wasn't welcoming. The movie theater wasn't good. Enough of the movie goers were disrespectful and the management did nothing to curtail the yelling at the screen.
It was a better choice to take a cab to Coconut Grove.
1992.
The anchor was JC Penny.
Omni seemed to tread water until Lincoln Road Pedestrian shopping district opened.
Lincoln Road is a great redesign to suit a marketplace and because of it's vibrance and success people want to live near Lincoln Road.
I'm all for nostagia, but my Sony Walkman (without auto reverse) sucked in comparison to an MP3 player...and I think Omni sucks in comparison to Lincoln Road.
Smart developers should adapt space according to the marketplace...and they are.

If all you remember about the Omni was in the 1990s, then you don't remember anything at all. Case in point, Omni's main anchor---Jordan Marsh---was long gone by this point. I believe they left in '90, well past the mall's heyday.

I too remember Omni during the 1990s and it was quite a different mall from the one I remember from 1980-1985.

I'm not all for nostalgia for the sake of nostalgia. I know a special place when I see one and Omni was a special place in the first half of the 1980s. Like I said, it makes no sense for Bayside to survive and Omni to die.

As for people yelling during a movie, this is unfortunately a side effect that could be found in most any Miami movie theater of the time. Whether it was the Miracle Center, Cocowalk, the Barlon Carlyle, or the Bakery Center.

[Arkon]

think that the omni nostalgia comes from the fact that most of us were little kids when it opened and that carousel was our little piece of disney here in miami. i would drive my parents nuts to take me all the time, i couldn't get enough, that was my favorite place.

as an adult, u see what a failure it turned out to be, sorta like poor little metro zoo. anyway, im 32 now, so bulldoze the memories...im cool...i hope they make something that really nice and impactful...that area could be gold one day.

as far as the movie theater, it consistently had a bad crowd like no other movie theater (i can think of) in miami, past or present. what can u expect, it was in a bad part of town.

and i hope one day they do something with bayside. it was a very mild success, for tourists at least, but all we locals hate it (i think). what potential its still got if that whole thing is reworked ala lincoln or something. could be the diamond of downtown.

[spellbound]

and i hope one day they do something with bayside. it was a very mild success, for tourists at least, but all we locals hate it (i think). what potential its still got if that whole thing is reworked ala lincoln or something. could be the diamond of downtown.

I think that's an interesting point about Bayside, Arkon. I never found it very interesting, either, and I think you're right that most locals didn't (don't) have much use for it---even if "hate" might be a little strong.

It would be nice to see it evolve into something more like Inner Harbor in Baltimore or perhaps Fanueil Hall in Boston. Someplace that attracts a huge stream of both locals and tourists with a combination of good food, interesting attractions, etc. If Museum Park comes to fruition (particularly a first-class aquarium component) there might be the synergy needed to make something like that a reality since they would be an easy stroll apart.

[theDirector]

^^^^I'm not a huge fan of bayside either. it's just ehhh. That's it.

[MiamiMike]

If Museum Park comes to fruition (particularly a first-class aquarium component)

Is there any chance of an aquarium component spellbound? I haven't heard anything about that yet. Im wondering if anyone could possibly not want that.........I think it would be great.

[Hia-leah JDM]

Well when I lived in Orlando and visited Miami, I loved going to Bayside, the feeling of beeing on the bay and buying stuff and eating at any of the restaurants and having the sea breeze and the view of the bay. Then the small music performances. It all felt very Miami as a tourist and the fact that its in Downtown made it that much better for me.
But now that I live here I do see myself going very little or never, but still I think its a great part of the Miami tourist experience aside from the beaches of course.

[Arkon]

its not that bayside is ugly or anything...even though last time i was there the water was so dirty and thick u could walk on it...it just has bad retail, eating locations, bars, etc...they never even put the guitar back atop hardrock. anyway, they should close hardrock and make it like a cool club or something with water views. maybe if it was more upscale and trendy...like the beach or grove, it would really be great. with all thats going on in the surrounding areas, its got a good chance for some great changes...location wise, it can't be beat.

[305Lover]

Why was the guitar taken down? I saw an old pic of the skyline with the guitar in place, and wondered why its not there anymore.

[Pablo63090]

Well, Bayside hasn't been remodeled since it opened back in 1987. It's a tourist trap, and South Florida's biggest retail attraction as well.

[Arkon]

i think a hurricane blew it away :rofl:

[brickell]

Is there any chance of an aquarium component spellbound? I haven't heard anything about that yet. Im wondering if anyone could possibly not want that.........I think it would be great.

It's not in the park plans, but I've heard that the Science museum (MiSci) is thinking about adding one to their building.

[MAH45462]

It's not in the park plans, but I've heard that the Science museum (MiSci) is thinking about adding one to their building.

They are. The new science museum will include a large aquarium component.

[theDirector]

Does any one know when they will begin on Bicentennial Park?

[dave8721]

I think that's an interesting point about Bayside, Arkon. I never found it very interesting, either, and I think you're right that most locals didn't (don't) have much use for it---even if "hate" might be a little strong.

It would be nice to see it evolve into something more like Inner Harbor in Baltimore or perhaps Fanueil Hall in Boston. Someplace that attracts a huge stream of both locals and tourists with a combination of good food, interesting attractions, etc. If Museum Park comes to fruition (particularly a first-class aquarium component) there might be the synergy needed to make something like that a reality since they would be an easy stroll apart.

Bayside reminds me alot of Fishermans Warf in SF. Tourists flock there and locals avoid it like the plague. Same restaurants, same touristy stores, touristy tour boats...etc

[brickell]

Does any one know when they will begin on Bicentennial Park?

The meetings are schedule into February from what I remember. I wouldn't be surprised if it's 2009 before we see them breaking ground. There's also a big money issue, as in nobody has any. This may end up being one of those plans that sits on the shelf for 10 years.

[theDirector]

That's funny because that is the project that will sell those buildings. To look over that park. C'mon, we need to get this thing organized. Hell, I'll even donate. That is how bad I want this project.

[miamicanes]

as far as the movie theater, it consistently had a bad crowd like no other movie theater (i can think of) in miami, past or present.
Agreed 100%. I went to a movie there ONCE (sometime around 1993). It was, without a doubt, the WORST movie theater I'd been to in my life. There were people loudly commenting on just about everything ("mmmmHMMMMM!... you tell him, girl!"), throwing food, and walking around the whole time. At one point, an employee turned on the lights and yelled at the audience to behave. A few minutes later, they turned the lights on again, and a POLICE OFFICER yelled at the crowd to behave. That was the point when we got up and left. I swore I'd never go to a movie there again. I suspect I was neither the first nor the last to do so.

[havok100]

^^LOL^^
So true.

[theDirector]

^^^^:lol::lol:^^^^
Damn is that funny. But true. Maybe the could change... :bash:

[theDirector]

^^^^The Crowd... i meant the crowd could change...

[Roark]

If all you remember about the Omni was in the 1990s, then you don't remember anything at all. Case in point, Omni's main anchor---Jordan Marsh---was long gone by this point. I believe they left in '90, well past the mall's heyday. Yeah you're right. I think that Jordan Marsh was there for a little while...but the center was definitely in decline.
Cocowalk was new and people didn't get unruly in the movie theatres.

[EnriqueH]

Agreed 100%. I went to a movie there ONCE (sometime around 1993). It was, without a doubt, the WORST movie theater I'd been to in my life. There were people loudly commenting on just about everything ("mmmmHMMMMM!... you tell him, girl!"), throwing food, and walking around the whole time. At one point, an employee turned on the lights and yelled at the audience to behave. A few minutes later, they turned the lights on again, and a POLICE OFFICER yelled at the crowd to behave. That was the point when we got up and left. I swore I'd never go to a movie there again. I suspect I was neither the first nor the last to do so.

This is true. I remember seeing Carlito's Way there, which was around '93. BUT...this was when the mall was already in decline.

I saw movies there during the 80s as well, and that was a very different experience.

I saw Karate Kid II there in 1986. I also saw Spaceballs and Masters of the Universe there. I remember there were tons of families, people laughing, no thugs, screaming, cursing or fighting.

I respect your opinions, but so far, all the negative Omni stories are predictably from the 1990s, during mall's decline. And like I already said, you guys are citing examples from when the mall was well past its prime.

Talk to someone who shopped there during the early 80s and I guarantee you'll find that they had a substantially different experience.

[mileageman]

construction on this project is moving very quickly, here are some more renderings:

http://www.theomnioffices.com

[intresant]

Yup it's moving along quite well.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/photo1.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/photo-2.jpg

[OmniMallLover]

In the late 70s/early 80s Omni was upscale and unbelieavbly nice...in the 90s it got soo rough, kinda like the Mall at 163rd Street did in north miami beach. That's changes in demographics for ya. And the fact that people just finally decided to go elsewhere. After Jordan Marsh left Omni in '91 due to bankruptcy, it went soo downhill fast. Just like 163rd Street.

[OmniMallLover]

Hey people. I've been obsessed w/ OMNI since I first visited it years ago. I cant even begin to explain. Please don't ask what I like about it, it's too hard to explain, lol. I wrote an article on it... Here's the web link (if not working just copy n paste to your URL):
http://deadmalls.com/malls/omni_international_mall.html

Kind Regards,
-Edward "Eddie" :o)

[OmniMallLover]

I remember riding the carosel in the 90s. Some ghetto kids were standing at the balcony looking down on me from the upper mall level above. They were laughing and be annoying; no mall security in site. But I still had so much fun that day regardless. It is a shame how ugly that place got. Hey you know what's spooky? The old mall phone number....374-OMNI, which translates to 374-6-6-6-4. Notice the triple 6. I always noticed that.

[OmniMallLover]

I've always wished I could've bought out the Omni 'n then redone/restored it all back to its beauty and ofcourse make some updates so it would'nt be so uninviting and dated. I'm glad it seems it wont be bullldozed afterall. Geese, that building may be ugly to lots of people, but one thing u cant dispute: it was built strong. Think of all the abuse it has taken, back when it was a mall and since its abandonment. Also, all the south FL weather/hurricanes. The south-end of the building (Jordan Marsh space) has been there for decades, even way before Omni Mall/Hotel was built around it. I see they are gutting out some of the walls, could look nice if it is comparable to the artists rendition. Time will tell.

[MiamiMike]

You make my good buddy Enrique look apathetic lol.

[OmniMallLover]

You make my good buddy Enrique look apathetic lol.

LOL, it's interesting to know that I am not the only person who has a hard time letting that place go.

[hello345]

Any new pics or updates on 600 brickell?

[Architek]

what does 600 brickell have to do with this?

[thetallerthebetter]

I recently went to the new Walmart there and was surprised to see that for the first time black people were actually the minority. The demographics in that area are actually starting to do a full cycle and change again. Blacks residents are on the decline and being replaced with hispanics, asians, etc. Perhaps due to the massive mall refurbishing project, the whole 163rd st area seems to be getting gentrified starting from Biscayne and moving west you see new stores and the tell tale sign STARBUCKS. There are so many culturally different little places to eat. Thai, chinese, japanese, filipino, roti, jamaican, etc and there's this little sirian wrap place called Lemon Fizz that's phenomenal. In the last 10 years I have noticed areas east of 95 slowly getting nicer while the extreme west side of the county seems to be on the decline. Sorry I know this is off topic.

In the late 70s/early 80s Omni was upscale and unbelieavbly nice...in the 90s it got soo rough, kinda like the Mall at 163rd Street did in north miami beach. That's changes in demographics for ya. And the fact that people just finally decided to go elsewhere. After Jordan Marsh left Omni in '91 due to bankruptcy, it went soo downhill fast. Just like 163rd Street.

[theDirector]

When is the Omni project supposed to be done?

[Quantum2010]

I recently went to the new Walmart there and was surprised to see that for the first time black people were actually the minority. The demographics in that area are actually starting to do a full cycle and change again. Blacks residents are on the decline and being replaced with hispanics, asians, etc. Perhaps due to the massive mall refurbishing project, the whole 163rd st area seems to be getting gentrified starting from Biscayne and moving west you see new stores and the tell tale sign STARBUCKS. There are so many culturally different little places to eat. Thai, chinese, japanese, filipino, roti, jamaican, etc and there's this little sirian wrap place called Lemon Fizz that's phenomenal. In the last 10 years I have noticed areas east of 95 slowly getting nicer while the extreme west side of the county seems to be on the decline. Sorry I know this is off topic.

Even though it is off topic thetallerthebetter, what you've just stated is what I like most about Miami. And it is becoming even more cosmopolitan and sophisticated! But rather than saying black residents are on the decline, which might be misinterpreted, I would say the area is getting a healthy mix of people, which is what I think will eventually happen to the Omni area. :cheers:

[AddictedToSpace]

Even though it is off topic thetallerthebetter, what you've just stated is what I like most about Miami. And it is becoming even more cosmopolitan and sophisticated! But rather than saying black residents are on the decline, which might be misinterpreted, I would say the area is getting a healthy mix of people, which is what I think will eventually happen to the Omni area. :cheers:


Well it has been reported that, at least in Broward, the black population is going down. It is possible that it is also happening in Dade.

[Quantum2010]

Well it has been reported that, at least in Broward, the black population is going down. It is possible that it is also happening in Dade.

Well, if that is an actual statistic, it is what it is. Would love to see the Omni area get those 600 feet tall towers, but I've heard that is as dead as a door nail now. :cheers:

[kevinkagy]

I had read in the Miami Herald a couple months back that said that many blacks were leaving Broward and especially Miami and leaving for other southern states, mostly Georgia. It also said that a large number of Russian, Korean, Chinese, and Eastern Europeans were taking their places so to speak.

[Quantum2010]

I had read in the Miami Herald a couple months back that said that many blacks were leaving Broward and especially Miami and leaving for other southern states, mostly Georgia. It also said that a large number of Russian, Korean, Chinese, and Eastern Europeans were taking their places so to speak.

I think many of them feel that South Florida has just become too expensive a place to live. Meantime, are we not going to get any of the 6 towers that were planned for the Omni Development. We need to blalance out the north end of the skyline a little better with Brickell. :cheers:

[Hia-leah JDM]

Ive really noticed a ton of new french residents, especially in Doral and Kendall, well atleast from what ive seen.
I have a friend that lives in Kendall and in her small street alone theres been two new french famalies move in since last summer, and shes said that out in public always meet somebody french. And even here in Hialeah, I saw a french family in Big Lots last week.
I think its wonderful and great for all of Miami that all of it just becomes more and more diverse.

[COLOMBO24]

Does anybody has the webpage advertised on the building site? Something like www.theomnishops.com or something...

[quefueuno]

you guys dont know shit

[Quantum2010]

you guys dont know shit

So do you have some knowledge that you want to contribute?:cheers:

[spellbound]

you guys dont know shit

Yeah, but I just saved a ton of money on my car insurance...

[COLOMBO24]

Does anybody has the webpage advertised on the building site? Something like www.theomnishops.com or something...

Found it:

www.theomnioffices.com

[FIDEL CASTRO]

Ive really noticed a ton of new french residents, especially in Doral and Kendall, well atleast from what ive seen.
I have a friend that lives in Kendall and in her small street alone theres been two new french famalies move in since last summer, and shes said that out in public always meet somebody french. And even here in Hialeah, I saw a french family in Big Lots last week.
I think its wonderful and great for all of Miami that all of it just becomes more and more diverse.

I dont'k think they are French but Hatians.

[Hia-leah JDM]

^^ lol, no believe me I can tell the diffrence between the two. lol

[spellbound]

^^ lol, no believe me I can tell the diffrence between the two. lol

Yeah, I almost answered that one for you but figured better...:lol:

[OmniMallLover]

Anyone remember what was housed in the area on the lower-mall level when you were stepping out of the elevators...it later became the lower-mall foodcourt, but what was that space back in the 70s when it first opened? Was it part of treasure island? I really wanna find out, anyone who can help i'd appriate it!

-Eddie

[floridian-will]

Yeah, but I just saved a ton of money on my car insurance...

HAHAHA, thats some funny shit.

[FIDEL CASTRO]

Yeah, I almost answered that one for you but figured better...:lol:

How can you tell the differences? (If there is any):uh:

[Arkon]

How can you tell the differences? (If there is any):uh:

the difference is the french usually stay in france

[Hia-leah JDM]

^^Are both of you serious!?!?

[FIDEL CASTRO]

^^Are both of you serious!?!?

I am. I Don't know about him though.

[EnriqueH]

Anyone remember what was housed in the area on the lower-mall level when you were stepping out of the elevators...it later became the lower-mall foodcourt, but what was that space back in the 70s when it first opened? Was it part of treasure island? I really wanna find out, anyone who can help i'd appriate it!

-Eddie

I think the area you're talking about was a little dark. There was a costume shop there, and I remember a store that had this really cool Christopher Reeve-as-Superman poster from Superman III---(which I still own, as a matter of fact).

I forget what it was called. Treasure Island was the area for kids with rides, but I suppose the theme might've extended to the area you're talking about.

[OmniMallLover]

Thanks Enrique. Yeah also someone said there might have been some push-cart type of little stores/boutiques in that area too (pre-foodcourt days) and ofcourse the mall restrooms were over there too.

-Eddie

[OmniMallLover]

I will always cherrish that magical feeling I had when visiting the Omni. Once the mall started closing down in '99 the magical feeling faded ayway; never to return again. Now that I am an adult, I dont think I'll ever feel that way again.

-Eddie

[EnriqueH]

Do you remember the record store with that pink velvet thing outside?

[OmniMallLover]

Oh wow, I remember a couple of record stores there. I remember a purple arched shape place as you descibed called "Sounds Good Stereo", which was right next to JCpenney on the upper-mall level. Sadly, my memories there are mostly from the 90s, way after the mall's heyday, when only about 60% of it was occupied (and on the decline). Hey, I also remember on the upper-mall level in the Penneys area was "Newman's Old World bakery", stated to be an original tenant. The cookies they made were huge. :o)

Kind Regards,
-Eddie

[EnriqueH]

Dude, those cookies were the BOMB. Huge, flat with sugar all over.

I've spent the years since looking for that bakery smell, even wondering if the business relocated elsewhere. No luck.

[OmniMallLover]

Enrique,
Hi. Maybe the bakery owners took an early retirement after the mall closed. They were an older married couple if I recall correctly. Anyway, in regard to an earlier post, was the place I was thinking of ('Sounds Good Stereo' store) next to Penneys the place you were thinking of? Or, was the "pink velvet record store" you mentioned a totally different store?

-Eddie :o)

[EnriqueH]

As I recall, it was closer to JCP.

[OmniMallLover]

Yep, then (more than likely) it was indeed "sounds Good Stereo" and in that case I definitely remember it. In the later days of the Omni the store had a boombox near the front blasting rap music that you could hear in the hallways; and even in JCPenney. LoL, even so, what a huge mistake management made by shutting that mall down completely...what a waste. :o( I can't wait to be reincarnated back to 1977 to see my mall in all its glory!

-Eddie :o)

[EnriqueH]

Whoa, whoa, whoa, back up there a second. Rap music? We've gotta be thinking about different record stores. I don't remember blaring rap music at the Omni, even during its decline. But then, I frequented the mall virtually every weekend or so throughout the 80s and early-to-mid 90s. Unless we're talking later in the 90s in which I pretty much stopped going. Besides, the pink velvet record store had closed by the mid to late 80s anyway.

[OmniMallLover]

LoL, Oh ok, yeah well like I said there was a store called "Sounds Good Stereo" and in 1996 rap music was playing there. I remember it like it was yesterday. In fact, I still have an Omni mall directory with that store name on it from 1996/97. The store had a purple arch over the entrance. Anyway, hey don't forget to read the messages I sent u Enrique.

Warm Regards,
-Eddie :o)

[OmniMallLover]

Hey guys,
You know what's sick? I now have a personalized license plate on my car with "OMNI" in it. Yeah, Omni's that special! Don't get me wrong I do have a life and many other things in it, but Omni, as it is for others too, was/is an important place in my life!
:nuts:
Peace,
-Eddie

[OmniMallLover]

I hope I can see the Omni again in another life and really get to enjoy all it had to offer.

PEACE.
-Eddie :o)

[EnriqueH]

Wow, dude. License plate? Has someone surpassed even me when it comes to Omni enthusiasm? :lol:

It was a great place during its heyday. It definitely had a cool mystique.

[OmniMallLover]

Hehehehe. :)

[Roark]

Wow, dude. License plate? Has someone surpassed even me when it comes to Omni enthusiasm? :lol: If you really loved the Omni, you would get a tattoo of the keyplan.

[intresant]

Whoa a license plate! Haha okayyyy then.... Did you loose your virginity in the parking? :D

[MiamiMike]

You make my good buddy Enrique look apathetic lol.

I guess I called it Enrique. Can you top an Omni vanity plate??? lol.

Hope to see you on the Blvd with those plates Eddie. I should probably be looking for you around NE 16th St. right? Im getting excited about the new Omni too lately.

[OmniMallLover]

LoL, yeah you never know you just might see me there! The license plate was somewhat of a gag gift from close friends, but I decided to keep it since I felt it was indeed very fitting for me.
m))
Take care all,
-Eddie :o)

[EnriqueH]

Eddie, I did win that bid, but my scanner is dead. And it has been. And I don't plan on getting another because, frankly, I don't need it. If you have any better ideas, I'm open to suggestions. In fact, I'll see if I can borrow someone's scanner and I'll e-mail you scans of the pamphlet. It doesn't contain any photos or anything amazing, but it is cool to have for an Omni enthusiast.

You should also look on eBay for postcards of Jordan Marsh. It's really cool to see images of the Omni before it was the Omni so to speak. ;)

[MiamiMike]

Does anyone in here know the expected completion date of the Omni? I'm more interested in the completion date of the shops than I am the offices.

Enrique? Eddie? Anyone?

[OmniMallLover]

No Mike, I don't...to be honest I don't closely follow what is happening to the Omni much these days. I'm more interested in the Omni of the past. Currently, I just read up on it in the newspaper and on forums like these from time to time. Sorry buddy.

-Eddie :o)

[OmniMallLover]

Enrique, I have an idea. (Please try to be open-minded about this.) Perhaps we can meet at a public, mutually agreed-upon place of your choice. I don't mind a far drive if needbe to meet at like a coffee shop or restaurant. While you show me the brochure I can show you some of the detailed photos I have of the Omni (when it was still a mall)...I would post them on here for all to see in a heartbeat, but I am having similar trouble with my scanner/photo equipment. Anyway, let me know what you think.
HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL, 2008!
-Eddie :o)

[OmniMallLover]

:cool:Yeah, I've seen the postcards of Jordan Marsh, pre-omni days...very pretty.

[OmniMallLover]

Actually, my mother worked at that Jordan Marsh around the mid-60s and shortly after got a job at the bank right across the street.

-Eddie :o)

[EnriqueH]

Does anyone in here know the expected completion date of the Omni? I'm more interested in the completion date of the shops than I am the offices.

Enrique? Eddie? Anyone?

Thing is that Argent Ventures, who owns the Omni, has changed its mind about what to do with the place so often.

Personally, using the existing structure as a mall makes sense. Tearing it down for some elitist boutiques makes little sense to me when you have megastructure with air-conditioning and ample parking.

So I fully support the current plan of opening up some shops in that place. With all the growth in the area and no shopping malls in the vicinity, marking the Omni for a comeback makes sense. Obviously, they just need to refurbish the place and clean it up.

[Exploratus]

What I find most encouraging at the new OMNI is the redesign of the ground floor parking on the east side of the lot into storefront ground retail. They ar egoing to reorganize the ramps and make the unnatractive parking into stores. This is a great thing, and is a good example of what coupd happen to a few other garages in Miami for the future.

[OmniMallLover]

Yeah, I agree Enrique. Ever since Argent Ventures acquired the Omni property they have been very fickle with it and haven't stood by their intitial propositions/ideas (for whatever reasons). I remember one of the first ideas was to turn it into a telecom hub and that plan died very quickly.

-Eddie :o)

[AddictedToSpace]

Yeah, I agree Enrique. Ever since Argent Ventures acquired the Omni property they have been very fickle with it and haven't stood by their intitial propositions/ideas (for whatever reasons). I remember one of the first ideas was to turn it into a telecom hub and that plan died very quickly.

-Eddie :o)

They were not being fickle, that telecom bubble burst killed lots of bank accounts, construction projects and I am sure some investors too! :ohno:

[OmniMallLover]

Thanks for clarifying Addicted. It seems it's been one big empty mess you could say. :nuts:

-Eddie :o)

[OmniMallLover]

But, whatever the reasoning is, my point is that the Omni has been (the majority of it) vacant and obviously a waste of valuable space. I hope the latest plan works and can be followed-thru with and completed before, let's say, the year 2019? LoL, but seriously...

-Eddie :o)

[Quantum2010]

But, whatever the reasoning is, my point is that the Omni has been (the majority of it) vacant and obviously a waste of valuable space. I hope the latest plan works and can be followed-thru with and completed before, let's say, the year 2019? LoL, but seriously...

-Eddie :o)

Well, does this mean no 500-600 feet tall towers anymore?

[MiamiMike]

Well, does this mean no 500-600 feet tall towers anymore?

Yes Quantum. That whole proposal was essentially cancelled when Argent announced their plans for "recreating" the Omni Mall and adding over 300,000 square feet of office space in the facility.


I like your optimism, but there is no point in being optimistic in this case.

[OmniMallLover]

Enrique, don't forget to read your private message(s) I sent. Good day all.

-Eddie :o)

[Quantum2010]

Yes Quantum. That whole proposal was essentially cancelled when Argent announced their plans for "recreating" the Omni Mall and adding over 300,000 square feet of office space in the facility.


I like your optimism, but there is no point in being optimistic in this case.

Ah, man! That would have really helped to balance the north end of the skyline with the Brickell area. Oh, well! Looking on the bright side, we were lucky to get what we got with what has made it to construction thus far. I have no doubt we will see more skyscraper construction in the future though at a slower pace since the "boom" has put Miami in a new league.

[southfloridamiamian]

they were all approved...remember the developer said ti would be a 15 year project....i read on an article that he wouldnt buld any towers anytime soon but never heard of him saying canceling...

[Quantum2010]

they were all approved...remember the developer said ti would be a 15 year project....i read on an article that he wouldnt buld any towers anytime soon but never heard of him saying canceling...

Jesus! This is nerve-wracking! Will we see it? Won't we see? I'll end up dead from the stress of anticipation before I see the damn thing. I'm going to just appreciate what we've got before I end up stroking out over this. That reminds me. Has anybody heard from Chuck. Haven't heard anything from him since before Thanksgiving. Kind of scares me a bit when guys over 50 go silent.

[southfloridamiamian]

50 is the new 40...hopefully by the time im 50 it will be the new 20...anyhow atleast thier fixing up the omni...thats phase 1...so its not like thiers no activity

[Quantum2010]

50 is the new 40...hopefully by the time im 50 it will be the new 20...anyhow atleast thier fixing up the omni...thats phase 1...so its not like thiers no activity

Hey, I've had a gym membership all of my adult life, and I don't even believe I'm over 50 myself. My head is still spinning from when I turned 30 that happened so fast. It's not for me to say I don't look over 50, but few people guess me to be over 50 when they first meet me. Hopefully, I will still be around to see the Omni come to fruition, whatever it's going to be. :lol:

[Quantum2010]

Chuck just checked in on one of the other threads!:):cheers:

[MAH45462]

Ive really noticed a ton of new french residents, especially in Doral and Kendall, well atleast from what ive seen.
I have a friend that lives in Kendall and in her small street alone theres been two new french famalies move in since last summer, and shes said that out in public always meet somebody french. And even here in Hialeah, I saw a french family in Big Lots last week.
I think its wonderful and great for all of Miami that all of it just becomes more and more diverse.

There's always been a large French ex-pat community in Miami. Miami is a popular place for French families to move to, for whatever reason.

The French government runs a French school in Coral Gables (The French American School of Miami, http://www.frenchschoolmiami.org/), and there is a French pre-school in Normandy Isle.

Most French live in Kendall, the Gables, and Miami Beach.

[Exploratus]

There is also a lot of french people near aventura.

[dave8721]

There's always been a large French ex-pat community in Miami. Miami is a popular place for French families to move to, for whatever reason.

The French government runs a French school in Coral Gables (The French American School of Miami, http://www.frenchschoolmiami.org/), and there is a French pre-school in Normandy Isle.

Most French live in Kendall, the Gables, and Miami Beach.

There used to be (Not sure if there still are) a ton of French Canadians in Sunny Isles.

[brickell]

There used to be (Not sure if there still are) a ton of French Canadians in Sunny Isles.

And Hallendale of course.

I can't find the article but there was one not long ago talking about French Jews moving to Miami because of increasing antisemitism there.

[spellbound]

50 is the new 40...

That would make me 35. I'll take it! :lol:

[Quantum2010]

That would make me 35. I'll take it! :lol:

:lol::lol::lol:

[rider_of_rohan]

When I worked for a delivery service that did a lot of stuff in the designe district I ran into a lot of French people. I like that because the women were pretty hot and I like the accents :). We even delivered to some of their homes. I remember taking stuff to the King Cole condo on Miami Beach and to one on Brickell Key. Saw a lot of interesting homes with that job.

[OmniMallLover]

Eddie, I did win that bid, but my scanner is dead. And it has been. And I don't plan on getting another because, frankly, I don't need it. If you have any better ideas, I'm open to suggestions. In fact, I'll see if I can borrow someone's scanner and I'll e-mail you scans of the pamphlet. It doesn't contain any photos or anything amazing, but it is cool to have for an Omni enthusiast.

You should also look on eBay for postcards of Jordan Marsh. It's really cool to see images of the Omni before it was the Omni so to speak. ;)

:ohno: I love how Enrique just disappears completely after he offers his help with something, such as he stated above. (That quote above is from weeks ago). This is the second time he's done this to me. Enrique, if you're not willing to proceed with something then please don't say squat to begin with. It's honestly not very mature or ethical. If you can't fulfill what you offered to help with then simply be considerate and let me know; I truly would've been fine with that.

Let's see if he replies...if he does, I doubt it's with any sincereity.

Have a good one guys/gals,
-Eddie :o)

[thetallerthebetter]

With that attitude I'm sure the guy will be super motivated to borrow a scanner and go through all the trouble for you... NOT! :ohno:

[OmniMallLover]

With that attitude I'm sure the guy will be super motivated to borrow a scanner and go through all the trouble for you... NOT! :ohno:

:lol: And you are? I've never seen you before in this thread until now. So, frankly, what do you know about any of this? Not that it's really much your business for me to go into such detail but in this case I will bite back because your post was so ignorant. Here goes: The guy, "EnriqueH", told me what I quoted in my earlier post nearly a month ago. I have been waiting patiently and with optimism for nearly (if not more) than a month now for him to get back to me; which he hasn't in any way. He did this once before, which seemed very nice at the time, saying he'd do something similar but never got back to me until I contacted him nearly 5 + months later...in that case that was just pure luck. Anyhow, I don't expect him to ever send me any scanned copies. My point was that he shouldn't make statements that he's not willing to live up to. If you were me and had your hopes up for weeks (and prior to that, months) like I did, you'd be a bit upset too. Especially since I always happily answered any questions he ever had for me and tried contacting him in a very friendly manner before writing my last post.

There you go
Ciao,
-Eddie :o)

[thetallerthebetter]

If I was you I would try to get a grip on my irrational obsession for some mediocre bunker from the 80's, anyway you are adorable! Bua ha ha ha! :lol:

[OmniMallLover]

Lol, well thank you for that last comment. Not that I have a very high opinion for him at this point, but "EnriqueH" was about equally obsessed with this place as I am...too bad we couldn't form a nice relationship, huh? LoL but on a serious note, you're right, it is a very dated structure. I just for some crazy reason like the old bunker-style, large box malls of the late 70s/early 80s. Add in the special memories/time in my life and that "magical feeling" I got from the Omni and that's what makes me so mushy over it. It was truly one-of-a kind for many reasons.

Kind, comedic and sincere regards,
-Eddie :o)

[Exploratus]

Its funny how so many peoples likes are based on childhood expriences. I grew up in urban Mexico City, and I love to walk in the streets. I hate boxy grey malls, but you like them cause it reminds you of your childhood.

[EnriqueH]

Uhhh, yyyyyeah.

Eddie, you seriously need to relax, dude.

I haven't logged onto the site for a while, because I am a busy person: full-time job and I go out a lot. These days, I'm just not on-line as often mainly because of my social life. This is the first time I log onto the site in over a week, I think.

So imagine what I think of your mental stability when I come back after all this time and find your frantic posts questioning my ethics simply because I haven't gotten back to you about "hanging out".

A question: Where in the quote you cite do I promise you ANYTHING? I don't see it. Nor do I recall ever promising you anything in any post. And even if I were so inclined to hang out, which I'm not anymore, we never discussed a timeframe or anything. You certainly never mentioned that you were in a hurry or anything. So how did I leave you hanging?

[OmniMallLover]

Eddie, I did win that bid, but my scanner is dead. And it has been. And I don't plan on getting another because, frankly, I don't need it. If you have any better ideas, I'm open to suggestions. ***In fact, I'll see if I can borrow someone's scanner and ***I'll e-mail you scans of the pamphlet***. It doesn't contain any photos or anything amazing, but it is cool to have for an Omni enthusiast.

You should also look on eBay for postcards of Jordan Marsh. It's really cool to see images of the Omni before it was the Omni so to speak. ;)

First of all, I didn't wanna "hang out with you"; I wanted to see about showing you photos you once asked about and you showing me that pamphlet. Anyway, Enrique, look above at one of the posts I quoted you from. I added astrics (stars) next to the areas that indicated you were suggesting doing something. Anyway, you've missed the point. It shouldn't take someone nearly a month to reply, even if it's with a simple "I'm too busy to do anything right now". In my opinion, you lack simple consideration and consistency when suggesting you might do something...you don't follow up until after someone has put you on the spot a month later, as I did. You did the same thing on eBay and in that case you NEVER got back to me until by coincendence we met again on this thread 5+ months later. POINT: (applies to anyone in life) Don't suggest/imply things if you aint willin to follow thru, simple; It's better just not to say anything at all.

I have a busy, full-time life too, so don't use that wimpy excuse, "dude". How hard is it to log into this site, check a message, reply with a sentence, hit "post thread" and sign out?? I mean seriously. :okay:

-Eddie :o)