In the long run, just about ANY condo not inhabited by incredibly wealthy residents inevitably goes in one direction: downhill. This is patently false.
Throw a dart the the map of Miami Beach and pick a building built around 1936Are you saying that it is worth less now than it did then?
It does not go down in value relative to newer buildings. Newer buildings, in fact, elevate the value of their older neighbor buildings.
Concrete example: South Pointe Towers (Circa 1987) increased significantly when Portofino Tower went up on the lot next door (1994), and South Pointe popped up again as Continuum opened up on the other side (2005ish).

A few residents will press for renovations, get frustrated, and move -- to be replaced by new, poorer residents who are happy with the building exactly as it is (or couldn't afford higher fees because they're stretched to the breaking point to afford it now). Is this what is happening around Central Park? Residents leave and are replaced by poorer residents? It isn't happening in South Beach...the "vicious cylcle" seems to be increasing property values as demand increases and supply is choked.

Do realize that not everyone wants to raise a family in downtown. This isn't Manhattan. Downtown is for that young, single, professional that has enough money to buy a condo. Of course, but up until recently, young single professionals that worked downtown had no choice but to live elsewhere and consume valuable time in traffic.

Throw a dart the the map of Miami Beach and pick a building built around 1936Are you saying that it is worth less now than it did then?
It does not go down in value relative to newer buildings. Newer buildings, in fact, elevate the value of their older neighbor buildings.
No. What I'm saying is that if you take any unit from one of those old buildings, and compare its price to a comparable brand new unit in a brand new building with the usual norms of modern buildings -- abundant parking, central A/C, a dishwasher in the kitchen, large walk-in closets, large balcony, and comparable level of interior trim (as in, if you're comparing an old unit with travertine, real hardwood, furniture-grade cabinets in the kitchen, and highly-detailed trim... the new unit has it too), with a similar view and location... it's almost certainly going to be worth less than the new unit. Maybe not a lot less... but if both were on the market simultaneously, for comparable prices, which one do you REALLY think is going to sell first? If the buyer is someone with no particular interest in architectural history, who has a high-paying job and just wants to live in South Beach, I strongly suspect the new unit will sell first unless the old one is significantly cheaper.

My point about the 'Loft' towers is that they might be upscale now... but they're going to have to work hard to ensure that poor families aren't allowed to move in and overcrowd their unit, because it really won't take much to push them past the tipping point towards becoming a tenement. Ask anyone unfortunate enough to have moved into "Arena Towers" ~15 years ago when they first opened, and how fast the whole place went down the toilet once the welfare families were allowed to move in about a month later (a tiny detail that was never, ever disclosed to prospective tenants before signing and moving in was that half the building was earmarked for welfare families, who completely destroyed the elevators and common areas within a matter of weeks).

As much as some people want to pretend Miami is New York, it isn't. At least, insofar as condos that aren't waterfront are concerned. If you count anything in West Brickell, Park West, Overtown, and the the CBD itself that has a building worth less than the land it's sitting on as a de-facto vacant lot, there's enough room to add a dozen towers the size of any of the "Loft" buildings every year for the next half-century before the supply of land truly starts to run out. Contrast that with Manhattan, where you literally can't build a new expensive building without buying and demolishing an old building that's almost as expensive. By urban standards, most of downtown is practically a greenfield. The point being that trying to sell a unit in one of the 'Loft' buildings will be like trying to sell a 5 year old McMansion in North Dallas -- brutally hard, because you'll be competing against a nearly limitless supply of brand new ones being churned out by the thousands every single year. The new ones might have shit carpet, low-end appliances, and minimal trimwork... but they have that "new home" gleam that buyers love.

No. What I'm saying is that if you take any unit from one of those old buildings, and compare its price to a comparable brand new unit in a brand new building with abundant parking, central A/C, a dishwasher in the kitchen, large walk-in closets, large balcony, and comparable level of interior trim (as in, if you're comparing an old unit with travertine, real hardwood, furniture-grade cabinets in the kitchen, and highly-detailed trim... the new unit has it too), with a similar view and location... it's almost certainly going to be worth less than the new unit. Maybe not a lot less... but if both were on the market simultaneously, for comparable prices, which one do you REALLY think is going to sell first? If the buyer is someone with no particular interest in architectural history, who has a high-paying job and just wants to live in South Beach, I strongly suspect the new unit will sell first unless the old one is significantly cheaper.

My point about the 'Loft' towers is that they might be upscale now... but they're going to have to work hard to ensure that poor families aren't allowed to move in and overcrowd their unit, because it really won't take much to push them past the tipping point towards becoming a tenement. Ask anyone unfortunate enough to have moved into "Arena Towers" ~15 years ago when they first opened, and how fast the whole place went down the toilet once the welfare families were allowed to move in about a month later (a tiny detail that was never, ever disclosed to prospective tenants before signing and moving in was that half the building was earmarked for welfare families, who completely destroyed the elevators and common areas within a matter of weeks).

Yes, but it is wrong to discriminate against the less fortunate. Just kick the crap out of them if they get out of line. :lol:

You're not discriminating against them... you're just insisting that if they want to buy or rent, they have to adhere to the same upper-middleclass norms (specifically, with regard to allowing more living occupant(s) of any species, gender, age, or familial relationship than the sum of the unit's bedrooms and full bathrooms) that everyone who's already bought into the building regards as the baseline norm anyway.

On new Courthouse Parking garage with Retail & Office space. Also mention of a planned park&ride garage in Brickell:

http://www.miamitodaynews.com/news/070830/story5.shtml

Officials: Downtown shoppers won't miss demolished garage

By Risa Polansky
November's scheduled demolition of the downtown Courthouse Center Garage, and the almost two years of construction to follow, should not be detrimental to area parking, Miami Parking Authority officials say.
And the new garage to rise in its place, they say, will offer more spaces: 852 to the current 515.
The additional parking, as well as the retail and office components planned for the new facility, are all needed downtown, said Josie Correa, executive director of the Downtown Miami Partnership
But if Downtown Miami develops into a thriving retail hub as local leaders and stakeholders plan, the parking authority, as well as private operators, she said, are "going to have to step up to the plate to create more parking facilities."
Even now, merchants have "expressed concerns about the lack of enough customer parking," she said.
But parking authority Executive Director Arthur Noriega said the to-be-demolished garage, 40 NW Third St., "isn't heavily utilized from a retail standpoint" and serves mostly monthly renters rather than "transient" customers.
"The closing of that garage isn't going to have an impact," he said.
Between this fall's demolition and the expected summer 2009 opening of the new garage, patrons can park either in the authority's College Station Garage, 190 NE Third St., or in authority-operated lots between Northwest First Avenue and the Metrorail line stretching from Northwest First to Fifth streets.
Both the garage and the lots typically have about 600 vacant spots, said Fred Bredemeyer, the authority's deputy executive director for operations, and a to-be-determined "preferred rate" is to be offered to existing Courthouse Center Garage patrons.Ý
The overflow facilities are "nowhere near capacity," Mr. Bredemeyer said. "We expect with the demolition of our garage that the lots will absorb a lot of the current parkers from that garage. I think it's a temporary inconvenience at most."
And despite the displacement, he said, "folks will understand it's to get a bigger, newer, nicer facility."
Nearby federal courthouse representatives did not respond to inquiries regarding how the demolition may affect employee parking.
Because Miami-Dade County manages its own garages, there is no way to track whether employees of the county courthouse, or those who work in the nearby Stephen P. Clark Center, choose to park in the to-be-demolished garage and no method to determine the demolition's impact on county employees, a spokesperson said.
A separate lot serves jurors.
The top floor of the new 11-story garage is to be home to the parking authority's offices, currently housed in the College Station Garage, said Rolando Tapanes, the authority's director of planning and development.
Office liner units on the second and third floors of the new facility will probably serve attorneys, he said, leaving15,000 square feet of top-floor office space with "no particular client in mind."
The authority envisions cafés or coffee shops to serve on-the-go area employees in the 4,043 square feet of ground-floor retail, he said.
The City of Miami requires the retail component, Mr. Tapanes said, and Ms. Correa agreed that ground floor retail works well in the central business district.
But despite the planned new garage, which will "be great in the end," she said, "there is a concern about not enough convenient and affordable parking."
Because of the parking authority's "reasonable" rates, it is the best agency to provide more parking, she said, as some privately operated garages charge "more than a local shopper wants to come and spend."
To expand downtown parking, authority officials are getting creative, exploring the idea of building a park-and-ride garage in Brickell as a joint venture on privately owned land, Mr. Noriega said.
Details are to come, he said, once a feasibility study on the now-confidential parcel is complete.

Great, MORE parking, just what we need...

Is anyone closing on Loft2? I know there was someone on this board that had purchased, or if you have any clients that purchased please let me know. I have some questions.
Thanks.

Any pictures on the progress of 1450 Brickell?

^^^ ditto for Met 2.

Is anyone closing on Loft2? I know there was someone on this board that had purchased, or if you have any clients that purchased please let me know. I have some questions.
Thanks.

I am closing in Loft 2 soon. What questions do you have?

^^^ ditto for Met 2.

I was in the CBD this afternoon and Met 2 has a really deep foundation with the pilings coming out. Epic on the other side is rising so fast, last time i saw it a while back it was still on the parking pedestal! Walking around both the CBD and Brickell today reassured me how amazing our Downtown is lol. Go Miami!

I was walking in Bayfront Park today and noticed a balloon was in place at the fountain. It is quite large and is bright white. It was mentioned in here sometime in the past and it looks like it will be an attraction at the park as an observation deck. Looks kind of elegant. Looking to see this thing rise in the near future.

I saw it go up in the air yesterday to a little less than the height of 50 Biscayne. Not sure if I would want to be the first one to get in that thing. What if the rope snaps? :nuts:

As it got a bit darker I also saw they turned a light on inside the balloon. Pretty cool!

Link to more info and pics:
http://bobmiami.com/2007/09/07/observatory-balloon-about-ready-to-laung-from-dtown/

I saw it go up in the air yesterday to a little less than the height of 50 Biscayne. Not sure if I would want to be the first one to get in that thing. What if the rope snaps?
Sign me up!!!!! It will be the most exhilerating ride!
The balloon will rise like the great city of Miami. Naysayers from Deerfield Beach will shiver and profess that the balloon will burst as they sit around scared clutching their bankies. The balloon won't burst.
If the rope breaks, the balloon will make a soft landing in a place that is better than where it started.

Can you imagine the view from there? It's enough to make an old bookworm from Deerfield jealous!

Related spokesman says they sold more than 100 units in the first weekend at Loft 4.

http://specialsections.miami.com/SS/Page.aspx?sstarg=&facing=false&secid=33029&pagenum=4

Wow...thats great news. As we were making fun of it in the Skyline in 2015 thread of the 30 loft towers, I wouldn't mind that happening. Hopefully the designs continue to improve. Loft 4 looks SOO much better than Loft 1.

lol will thier really be a loft 5?

I hope so, its better than having an ugly parking lot or an old building falling apart, which downtown has plenty of.

Loft 2 was a great departure, but still in the family with it's read metromover cutout. Then Loft 3 was nice because of it's dimensions, Loft 4 not so good. But I too like it better than parking lots and I like you people DWNTWN.

I hope Loft 5 and 6 or in Park West.

lol will thier really be a loft 5?

South Florida Miamian:) ,
my friend,
of course there will be a Loft 5, Loft 6, Loft 7, Loft 8, Loft 9, and so on, lol.
How many Friday the 13th movies did they finally make in about 25 years ???
didn't they just make one " Jason VS. Freddie " , lol, " why don't you Both just DIE !!! "

No, my friend, It will never End .
" LOFT ", the word itself explains So many future towers with a Number .:cheers:

South Florida Miamian:) ,
my friend,
of course there will be a Loft 5, Loft 6, Loft 7, Loft 8, Loft 9, and so on, lol.
How many Friday the 13th movies did they finally make in about 25 years ???
didn't they just make one " Jason VS. Freddie " , lol, " why don't you Both just DIE !!! "

No, my friend:banana: , it will never end.
" LOFT ", the word itself explains So many future towers with a Number .:cheers:

p/s , I wish soon they would just get LOFT 3 started, PLEASE, any reason why the old buildings on LOFT 3 site are still ther,

^^ ^^ Progress report Please DAVE:) !!!:cheers:

^^
The developer is going to close Loft2 first.

Im kinda sad to see those old style stores and apartments on the future site of Loft 3 go. Sure its only 3 stories, but it also has alot of character. Why didnt they just put Loft 3 one block north on 4th street where theres a huge vacant lot south of McDonalds?

^^ Hopefully a nicer, taller Loft project goes there.

Im kinda sad to see those old style stores and apartments on the future site of Loft 3 go. Sure its only 3 stories, but it also has alot of character. Why didnt they just put Loft 3 one block north on 4th street where theres a huge vacant lot south of McDonalds?

I agree. But I guess it's for the better -shrugs-. The best building is the one on the southside of the lot. :(

Renderings for the new Courthouse Center Garage. It will be 169 feet tall with 4043 square feet of ground floor retail and 40,878 square feet of rooftop office space and 852 parking spaces:

http://egov.ci.miami.fl.us/Legistarweb/Attachments/37562.pdf

Renderings for the new Courthouse Center Garage. It will be 169 feet tall with 4043 square feet of ground floor retail and 40,878 square feet of rooftop office space and 852 parking spaces:

http://egov.ci.miami.fl.us/Legistarweb/Attachments/37562.pdf

Are they serious?!

Have you all noticed another development on 2 st? I was walking today checking out Loft 2 and accross the street, right next to Everglades, there were new signs for "Bayside Flats". They were on an art deco building that is around 3 stories that I guess will be demolished very soon. Anyways, the renderings show a cool looking building around 12 stories. The flats are starting at $129,000. Those are around 420 sq ft. Not bad. I was excited to see this just because I think we need infill like this. Not everything needs to be 50 stories. Boutique buildings like this are definitely needed in downtown. Here is the link www.baysideflats.com.

That has an OK design. If there isn't much height, there should be great design to compensate for it.

And they have REAL balconies. Not like the slivers of concrete you get in the Loft series.

Hey...........what the heck...........it looks cool to me!

I would think any development west of Biscayne would benefit the area. Looks fine to me.

Have you all noticed another development on 2 st? I was walking today checking out Loft 2 and accross the street, right next to Everglades, there were new signs for "Bayside Flats". They were on an art deco building that is around 3 stories that I guess will be demolished very soon. Anyways, the renderings show a cool looking building around 12 stories. The flats are starting at $129,000. Those are around 420 sq ft. Not bad. I was excited to see this just because I think we need infill like this. Not everything needs to be 50 stories. Boutique buildings like this are definitely needed in downtown. Here is the link www.baysideflats.com.

I'm guessing they would need to be that cheap to sell. It wont have any views whatsoever. The west facing units will look directly into the side of Loft 3. The south facing units will look directly into the side of Loft 2. The East facing units will look directly into the side of Everglades. The North Facing units will look directly into the side of Loft 1.

^^ ^^ Hey, there are views... views of sides of buildings. HEHE. Who cares density density density.

I'm guessing they would need to be that cheap to sell. It wont have any views whatsoever. The west facing units will look directly into the side of Loft 3. The south facing units will look directly into the side of Loft 2. The East facing units will look directly into the side of Everglades. The North Facing units will look directly into the side of Loft 1.


True points, I hadn't thought of that. Maybe the Loft projects will attract young professionals, artists, and middle-class families. Not all of downtown has to be a haven for the ultra-elite. That's why I like the Loft buildings, they're built for the everyday Miamian.

Can someone post a google earth outlined image of exactly this lot?

I just spoke to Miami Parking Authority. There is a waiting list of 200 for extra parking spaces in the parking garage accross from the loft bldgs. I think this is going to be a big problem unless the residents purchasing only drive one car. We have two cars so I will have to figure something out. I added my name on the list, I will see what else I can do. There has always been a waiting list because when I called months ago they said the same thing.

Sawyers Walk (formerly known as Crosswinds) is back before the Planning Board on Oct. 3rd for approval again after dying a protester induced death last year.

Its to feature 1050 multifamily affordable housing units and 75,000 square feet of retail.

hopefully it will go good. With out incident from the people of over town. They need this and it will most likely turn the place in the right direction. I've always like this project. Keep fingers crossed.

Dave, you have been posting a lot of projects going back to the planning board on Oct. 3. What is the complete list?

Sawyers Walk (formerly known as Crosswinds) is back before the Planning Board on Oct. 3rd for approval again after dying a protester induced death last year.

Its to feature 1050 multifamily affordable housing units and 75,000 square feet of retail.

Heaven forbid they build something they can't give away as a handout. Don't let the "Man" do that to the neighborhood. We need to go back to the seventies and bring back the Projects. :nocrook:

Can someone post a google earth outlined image of exactly this lot?

Here you go. The big red thing is my expert rendering of Loft 3 :lol: (I should be an artist) and the green box is where Bayside Flats would go.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y19/dave8721/bayside_edt.jpg

Also, here are the concrete crowns going up on Everglades as opposed to the glass ones from the renderings. Considering these are the same developers behind Capital on Brickell, do you think there is a chance they would go concrete for Capital's crown as well? Lets just hope they put something over the concrete crowns of Everglades.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y19/dave8721/everglades-4.jpg

The rendering:
http://www.zilbert.com/images/condo_pix/everglades/buildings.jpg

Well that's disappointing, glass would have looked much better!

Well that's disappointing, glass would have looked much better!

Absolutely. Can't ever trust those renderings, unfortunately.

Can't they install glass over the concrete ?

Are you sure those aren't going to be covered with glass?

Are you sure those aren't going to be covered with glass?

I was just thinking the same thing!:lol:

This is true...:lol:

Doesn't this project have like the largest pedestal in all of downtown. Its HUGE!!!

Doesn't this project have like the largest podium in all of downtown. Its HUGE!!!

It is probably the largest, but also the one that least looks like a pedestal. It has the pool on top and a three attached buildings look. Not too bad IMO.

Everyone:) ,
my friends,
we really have to Thank DAVE:cheers: :) for many of these updates he puts out for us,
He really goes out of his way to get these Fantastic Updates and INFO,
Dave:) , our Update and INFO Friend,
You Go Bro !!!,:banana:
T-H-A-N-K-S :cheers:

It is probably the largest, but also the one that least looks like a pedestal. It has the pool on top and a three attached buildings look. Not too bad IMO.

The pedestal does look like a low rise building. Very nice. Who is the architect?

This is probably the most interesting design imo. I really like Everglades on the bay.

The pedestal does look like a low rise building. Very nice. Who is the architect?

Fullerton-Diaz, the same architects who are doing Capital.

I just spoke to Miami Parking Authority. There is a waiting list of 200 for extra parking spaces in the parking garage accross from the loft bldgs. I think this is going to be a big problem unless the residents purchasing only drive one car. We have two cars so I will have to figure something out. I added my name on the list, I will see what else I can do. There has always been a waiting list because when I called months ago they said the same thing.Have no fear! Zip cars is coming.
Or just ditch a car.

http://www.miamitodaynews.com/news/071004/story2.shtml

Downtown parking lot fetches $5.5M; tower likely

By Eric Kalis
Expensive property taxes and an annual City of Miami parking lot surcharge forced the Girtman family to unload a West Flagler Street parking lot the family owned for more than a century, a former co-owner of the property says. But the Girtmans have more than $5 million from the sale of the property to help them overcome any sense of loss.
The principal of property buyer Gutierrez Resnicks Properties LLC said Tuesday the property will continue to operate as a parking lot for courthouse patrons and Flagler Street shoppers for the near future but could eventually become the site of a mixed-use tower with a hotel.
The Girtman family last month sold the 17,000-square-foot parking lot at 54 W. Flagler St. across from the Miami-Dade County Courthouse for $5.5 million to local developers Armando Gutierrez and Andrew Resnick. Mr. Gutierrez said the partners intend to keep the property as a long-term investment and had an architect draft a site plan to determine the most viable uses.
"This is a landmark piece we would love to own for 100 years," Mr. Gutierrez said. "The plan was to buy the property and keep it forever. We have been approached by people who want to do a hotel there. For now we are in a year-to-year lease with [parking operator Mickey Meyers] and can break to build whenever we want."
A 45-story tower with up to 250,000 square feet and a 250-room hotel on top would be suitable for the property, Mr. Gutierrez said.
To former property co-owner Charlie Girtman, whose family had owned the lot since 1902, a commercial tower would make the site more profitable, he said. The property has operated as a parking lot for more than 47 years, Mr. Girtman said, used mainly by courthouse employees and visitors and shoppers.
"The city taxed us out of business," he said. "It's not a big profit-maker [as a parking lot] anymore. Our property taxes went up $38,000 in one jump, and we had to pay a 15% [City of Miami parking lot] surcharge on top of it. It was time" to sell the property.
Completing the sale turned out to be cumbersome, as Mr. Girtman had to coordinate the transaction with three cousins in Texas who owned portions of the site, he said. "This was not an easy deal," Mr. Girtman said. "My cousins in Texas thought [the property] was worth $10 million. In the end this tax situation and the 15% surcharge was a tough thing to keep passing on."
Competition from Miami-Dade County-owned surface parking lots make it difficult for a private operator to stay in business downtown, Mr. Girtman said. Once Mr. Gutierrez and Mr. Resnick close the parking lot and begin developing the site, downtown will "not have any more flat parking," he said. "People don't like garages — they think they will get mugged. People like to be able to drive onto Flagler Street and find surface parking."
The sale comes just as the Miami Park Authority begins to move ahead with the scheduled November demolition of the downtown Courthouse Center Garage, at 40 NW Third St. Almost two years of construction on a new garage is to follow. The new garage will have
852 spaces to the current 515.

Any updated pics of Epic?

Closings at Loft 2 started this week. THey are also knocking down the little building for loft 3 in 2 weeks.

Say it aint so! Hey isnt the Loft 3 or 4 office in that little building? I wonder where the sales office will move to?

They are moving into LOFT 2.

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd204/Exploratus/IMG_3335.jpg

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd204/Exploratus/IMG_3340.jpg

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd204/Exploratus/IMG_3356.jpg

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd204/Exploratus/IMG_3345.jpg

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd204/Exploratus/IMG_3351.jpg

Nice

lolol Bayfront park looks like it has a brand new mega kick ass doppler radar

I don't know. That clutch of buildings still looks awfully drab and dated to me.

WoW! Miami is just so beautiful!
The water, blue sky, palm trees and just those beautiful building are so amazing!
Miami truly has one of the most beautiful skylines in the world, probaly not the most tallest or dense but still one of the most beautiful, just because the buildings and its surrounding!

Yes, Miami is beautiful. We do need some good department stores & big time names in Downtown to make it a great area, just like the big cities that we are being compared to. I just got back from San Francisco & just like all other major cities, downtown is amazing. We need to grow, draw people in & bring new jobs to the area.

Yes, Miami is beautiful. We do need some good department stores & big time names in Downtown to make it a great area, just like the big cities that we are being compared to. I just got back from San Francisco & just like all other major cities, downtown is amazing. We need to grow, draw people in & bring new jobs to the area.

TRUE Zpcsc:),
I believe it's The New OMNI retail complex that's going to be a Great Comeback of either JCPenney:banana: or DILLARD's:banana: in the place of the three floor old department store of the original JCPenney, and More chain stores to fill up the old Omni Mall area , maybe the OMNI SIX movie therater :nuts: with another merry-go-round amusement Park setting at the outside windows at the center of the Omni complex facing Biscayne Blvd,
The Best is still yet to come, Another SEARS , maybe in the Works ????:nuts:

Can't wait to see what they're finally gonna do with the crowns on Everglades...

Can't wait to see what they're finally gonna do with the crowns on Everglades...

Me too. :)

Nice pictures! In that last one, what is that puny little beige building next to the balloon, the one that looks kinda like a parking garage? That thing needs to go! Wouldn't it be great if that got replaced with something tall and beautiful?! Will OBP be going up in that spot, or in front of it?

^ Yes, that's the future home of OBP.

Oh man OBP would change things so dramatically we need that thing!

lolol Bayfront park looks like it has a brand new mega kick ass doppler radar

:lol::lol::lol:

Nice pictures! In that last one, what is that puny little beige building next to the balloon, the one that looks kinda like a parking garage? That thing needs to go! Wouldn't it be great if that got replaced with something tall and beautiful?! Will OBP be going up in that spot, or in front of it?

It's a small office building home to a Marshall's I believe.

^^Nope...its a Ross

That's one incredible light show MarinaBlue is putting on at night now.

The CBD has been making a lot of appearances on TV lately. On Cane and especially on C.S.I. Miami where I saw the 50 Biscayne crown in full color. :banana:

That's one incredible light show MarinaBlue is putting on at night now.

What kind of light show??? Can someone snap some pics?:banana:

What kind of light show??? Can someone snap some pics?:banana:

It is strobing all up and down the west side of it at night. Looks kind of disco psychedelic. :cheers:

It is strobing all up and down the west side of it at night. Looks kind of disco psychedelic. :cheers:

I wonder if that is a fire alarm test??

They've been doing that for a while...since top off. Blue, green, and red lazers...I think pilots were complaining about it if I remember correctly.

The CBD has been making a lot of appearances on TV lately. On Cane and especially on C.S.I. Miami where I saw the 50 Biscayne crown in full color. :banana:

It's costarring in more commericals too! :cheers::banana:

The CBD has been making a lot of appearances on TV lately. On Cane and especially on C.S.I. Miami where I saw the 50 Biscayne crown in full color. :banana:

Damn I missed it!!! :ohno:

^^Watch it online...

^^Watch it online...


Do you remember what episode??

Do you remember what episode??

The one that aired this past Monday.

I've seen Downtown in alot of car comercials lately, one that I remember in particular is the Volvo comercial, theres also the Ford comercial. Theres also plenty of shows on TV with skyline shot, the already stated CSI:MIAMI, Cane, theres also Burn Notice and Dexter, all thje diffrent cop shows on Fox and the 48 Hours show on A&E (love that show).
Its getting great publicity.:cheers:

I've seen Downtown in alot of car comercials lately, one that I remember in particular is the Volvo comercial, theres also the Ford comercial. Theres also plenty of shows on TV with skyline shot, the already stated CSI:MIAMI, Cane, theres also Burn Notice and Dexter, all thje diffrent cop shows on Fox and the 48 Hours show on A&E (love that show).
Its getting great publicity.:cheers:


My favorite of that list is Burn Notice , because it is shot in its entirety in Miami. No overhead scenes here and bulk of filming in L.A. It has already ended for this season, it will be back as it has been picked up for 13 more episodes. The only thing that sucks is that the new season does not start until next Summer. :bash:

It's great that the CBD is getting advertising....it's a sign that the area has become desirable.

Just read in the NY Times today that the marina area of Long Beach, California is often used as "Miami" in many exterior CSI shots. It seems much of the new construction there has a South Florida "look" to it (even though the trained eye would obviously know the difference).

Gotta say the show itself bores me to tears, though. I'd rather watch old Fawlty Towers reruns. :lol:

^^ Actually what I have noticed they have done on CSI a couple of times is use locations in L.A. and then use Miami backgrounds added during post production. So at least they are trying to make it look like Miami. I can always tell by the trees and sidewalks. We just need to get some post production facilities down here so these networks can start filming more of their shows about Miami in Miami.

Yes, they need to bring the work here if they are saying it's Miami! For instance, now they are even filming movies in China to cut cost! Scary....

Here in LA, I often see a commercial for a college which shows the Miami Metro Mover and other Miami landmarks. They show the shots very fast, but if you know Miami, you will recognize them. Also, The Ford commercial plays here nonstop.... I can see 900.

^^LOL...when I first saw the Ford commercial (woman with the Edge) and saw the 4 towers of the wall, I was like, wait a sec....those look very familiar.

Anyone have any idea why both downtown Miami webcams are out of order?

They should be back up and working very soon.

Does anybody know anything about the Logik project? Has it started going vertical yet?

Have they started on the Camillus House(homeless shelter) ?

Does anybody know anything about the Logik project? Has it started going vertical yet?

Have they started on the Camillus House(homeless shelter) ?

Logik is working on its foundation. It should go vertical soon.

We are getting closer...Here is a shot from Sept 29, 2007
From left to right...Mint, Ivy, Wind
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n215/restainer/Skyscrapers/2007-09-29_Mint-Ivy-Wind.jpg

About a month later Oct 21, 2007
NeoVerticka, Lattitude, Mint, Ivy, Wind. Note that the jack crane is coming down on Ivy, it was gone the next day.
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n215/restainer/Skyscrapers/2007-10-21_Mint-Ivy-Wind.jpg

Roark,

Thanks for the photo update. Don't get to see much from that area of Miami. It is looking real nice.

Thanks for the photo update!

ROARK:),
my " watching the old Everglades hotel going down with " Friend,:banana:
are you still going around downtown with your bicycle taking pictures like you were doing about almost three years ago ???
Great pictures of IVY:) , MINT:nuts: and WIND:),
Soon CIMA Tower:) will break ground in front of these 3 towers, and complete the RiverFront Tower Complex !!!:cheers:

Those are nice towers! Are they all Revuelta?

Looks like. He is GOOD.

^ Yes they're all revuelta.

We are getting closer...Here is a shot from Sept 29, 2007
From left to right...Mint, Ivy, Wind
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n215/restainer/Skyscrapers/2007-09-29_Mint-Ivy-Wind.jpg

About a month later Oct 21, 2007
NeoVerticka, Lattitude, Mint, Ivy, Wind. Note that the jack crane is coming down on Ivy, it was gone the next day.
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n215/restainer/Skyscrapers/2007-10-21_Mint-Ivy-Wind.jpg

Hmm, come to think of it, that mint,ivy,wind complex is looking quite promising. Thanks Roark. It seems it will be a success in terms of bringing more people downtown with "relatively" low prices as it's not really in brickell, or biscayne, and the oversupply will anchor some units below the 300 border... It may sound crazy but hey, they're one bedrooms in the Plaza on Brickell in the 250's popping up as we speak and thats directly ON brickell av... With such a glut by the time these are finished, mid 200's is a real possibility- it wouldn't surprise me if a couple of desperate 199ers emerge.. Ahhhh, market forces are a beautiful thing... You get good city views, a nice green area at your doorstep and good I-95 access for that :cheers:



-By the way, you guys talking about tv ads - I just saw one from volvo with this guy cruising through venetian causway while his girl is chasing him in a helicopter - good omni skyline views there.

Is the riverfront complex going to be connected to the urban fabric in any way? I know it is going to be agated community or something like that, but is the retail going ot be accesible to all downtown. What about the river walk? Is that going to be integrated with the retail at a pedestrian level?

^^I've been asking about that Riverwalk for months now...I don't think anyone knows for sure.

I really hope it blends well into the urban community even if it is a bit isolated.

Latitude looks sharp with that green trim on top (apple and lime?).

Also, is it an actual Ross store in that little building, or is it Ross offices? Just curious. If its a store, seems like a strange place to have one.

On another topic, I've also seen the car ads and the Volvo one is really cool. And a flash of Miami's skyline was in another GM ad sometime back before this last one.

How tall are these towers supposed to be? Are they going to be taller than latitude? How many floors?

It's amazing the change this area has made in the last few years... I hope they keep giving the river the much needed attention.

Thanks for posting those pics!

Also, is it an actual Ross store in that little building, or is it Ross offices? Just curious. If its a store, seems like a strange place to have one.



The bottom floor (or two) is a Ross. There are offices through the rest of the building. Vitas health care is the big tenant there I believe.

Is the riverfront complex going to be connected to the urban fabric in any way? I know it is going to be agated community or something like that, but is the retail going ot be accesible to all downtown. What about the river walk? Is that going to be integrated with the retail at a pedestrian level? Yes, it is connected. As you look at the picture (taken from a moving MetroMover Car) you can see that the Riverfront property abuts the Miami Avenue Bridge. The Miami Greenway will connect under the bridge and on to the Riverfront parcel Totally open to the public and lots of space to engage the riverfront. Additionally, the ground floors of all the buildings will have retail space open to the public.
Riverfront is 2 blocks from the Flagler Metromover station (Macy's) and 2 blocks on the Greenway to the Riverwalk Metromover stop.
Riverfront is also 4 blocks walk to the Mary Brickell Village.

Does anyone know the percentage of sold units at the Everglades? Just wandering...

Thanks.

So why do they keep saying that riverfront will be the only "gated community". What part will be gated?

So why do they keep saying that riverfront will be the only "gated community". What part will be gated?

Exploratus:),
our friend,
The front gate will be installed at the entrance to the all Revuelta group community " Riverfront Towers Community " of 4 towers when completed with a Gated guard house entrance on the S.W. 2nd street south side, North of the Property will be the Main Gate Entrance.:cheers:

I just recently saw this article and wanted to know what you guys think...

According to the Miami Sun Post: "The Club at Brickell, with 54 foreclosures, holds the distinction of having the most foreclosures of any building in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. The Vue at Brickell, a condo conversion just two blocks away from the Club, ranks No. 3 based on 49 foreclosure actions. The Jade at Brickell, a nearby bayfront luxury building that had the highest number of foreclosures at the end of the second quarter, now ranks fourth with 42 actions.

"These three Brickell towers account for 37 percent of the entire number of foreclosure actions filed and 66% of the dollars in default in the top 10 buildings in South Florida."

http://www.dailywealth.com/archive/2007/oct/2007_oct_29.asp

I just recently saw this article and wanted to know what you guys think...

According to the Miami Sun Post: "The Club at Brickell, with 54 foreclosures, holds the distinction of having the most foreclosures of any building in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. The Vue at Brickell, a condo conversion just two blocks away from the Club, ranks No. 3 based on 49 foreclosure actions. The Jade at Brickell, a nearby bayfront luxury building that had the highest number of foreclosures at the end of the second quarter, now ranks fourth with 42 actions.

"These three Brickell towers account for 37 percent of the entire number of foreclosure actions filed and 66% of the dollars in default in the top 10 buildings in South Florida."

http://www.dailywealth.com/archive/2007/oct/2007_oct_29.asp

That seems like another one of those "scare everyone away so I can buy my condo cheap" articles. LOL

So are the buildings not going to interact with the streets in an urban fashion, the way "avenue" or "everglades on the bay" does? Is there going to be a gate around the whole complex, or is the gatehouse only to control cars? How about the retail and offices within, how willl people access that.

It seems quite unfortunate and unnecessary that they decided to make a suburb within downtown miami. The streets should have been given to the city, and a new set of block emerged. That would gave been quite nice.

I hope Revuelta addressed the urban fabric and pedestrian environment, after all, this is the urban core.

Does anyone know what is happening with Cima at this point? I would hate to see another 500+ tall bite the dust. "Wind" doesn't look as though it made it to 501 feet tall.

So are the buildings not going to interact with the streets in an urban fashion, the way "avenue" or "everglades on the bay" does? Is there going to be a gate around the whole complex, or is the gatehouse only to control cars? How about the retail and offices within, how willl people access that.

It seems quite unfortunate and unnecessary that they decided to make a suburb within downtown miami. The streets should have been given to the city, and a new set of block emerged. That would gave been quite nice.

I hope Revuelta addressed the urban fabric and pedestrian environment, after all, this is the urban core.

Exploratus:),
our friend, Good point:banana:,
since I've worked in this area many times,
it's true around Between South Miami Ave and S.W. 2nd Ave on S.W. 2nd street bordering North of the Riverfront Towers, Wind , Ivy and Mint, there is very little shopping, Closet Publix is about a mile away on S.W. 7th Street and 4th avenue, or the Mary Brickell Village shops, and of course Flagler street stores and Macy's two blocks away.
But , I see no retail of shops inside the Riverfront Towers,
unless someone eslse knows of any ???:ohno:

Does anyone know what is happening with Cima at this point? I would hate to see another 500+ tall bite the dust. "Wind" doesn't look as though it made it to 501 feet tall.

Quantum:), my friend,
Sales did past the half way point just this past summer,
It's been quiet on groundbreaking,
But, IMO:nuts:, I'll bet they will start sometime in 2008.:banana:
There's no doubt Cima condo Tower will be built in my dreams of 2012, It's the Best site in the RiverFront community, and Revuelta Group Knows how HOT this site is,
It's right on the Miami River next to the Bridge,
Very Hot piece of real estate !!!:cheers:

Thanks, Chuck! That is a relief! I'm hoping 2008 is going to be a better year than 2007 was.

Thanks, Chuck! That is a relief! I'm hoping 2008 is going to be a better year than 2007 was.

True Quantum:),
my Relief Friend,
and What a relief it would be if MET 3 restarts it's 826 foot tower and goes Vertical by the end of 2008 :banana:!!!
It would be My Best Year of Relief, and I could finally relax from stress of trying to see this Tower go up !!!:cheers:

True Quantum:),
my Relief Friend,
and What a relief it would be if MET 3 restarts it's 826 foot tower and goes Vertical by the end of 2008 :banana:!!!
It would be My Best Year of Relief, and I could finally relax from stress of trying to see this Tower go up !!!:cheers:

Does anyone know where Met 3 is with sales right now? I think it might be too late for them to reconfigure to mixed-use if they've sold enough because they would have to start from scratch with the sales if too many of their buyers pulled out using the mixed-use aspect as an excuse to unload their units. I don't see another developer taking over a project that big at this late stage of the game and starting over converting it to mixed-use, even though I would prefer our tallest tower have some offices in it. The city has been trying to get somebody to develop that lot to revitalize downtown for decades now. Chuck, you probably know that better than anybody. It was a parking lot still before I moved here in 1984.

^^^Our tallest will have offices in it, ALOT of them.:rock: OBP lol

^^^Our tallest will have offices in it, ALOT of them.:rock: OBP lol

I love that kind of enthusiasm. The office and condo market will turn around again soon enough because the "condo boom" made Miami a SUPERSTAR among world cities, and Miami has become a star in the US development spotlight. :cheers:

^^^Our tallest will have offices in it, ALOT of them.:rock: OBP lol

...or 600 Brickell!

I love that kind of enthusiasm. The office and condo market will turn around again soon enough because the "condo boom" made Miami a SUPERSTAR among world cities, and Miami has become a star in the US development spotlight. :cheers:

This is probably my best and most succinct argument yet for why we will see continued development in spite of what the market is doing RIGHT NOW! The "condo boom" elevated Miami to SUPERSTAR status among world cities. :cheers::cheers1: WE'RE #3!!! WE'RE #3!!! :banana: :dance:

I am pretty sure riverfront is supposed to have a boulevard of retail, filled with restaurants and bars. (At least thats what the advertising was saying).

I am pretty sure riverfront is supposed to have a boulevard of retail, filled with restaurants and bars. (At least thats what the advertising was saying).

If it's going to be a closed, gated community, I guess for visitors they'll just issue a parking voucher at the gate. I'm looking forward to standing next to the river and staring up at it in the middle of it all.

ROARK:),
my " watching the old Everglades hotel going down with " Friend,:banana:
are you still going around downtown with your bicycle taking pictures like you were doing about almost three years ago ???
Great pictures of IVY:) , MINT:nuts: and WIND:),
Soon CIMA Tower:) will break ground in front of these 3 towers, and complete the RiverFront Tower Complex !!!:cheers:

So Chuck, Riverfront will now have only 4 towers instead of the original 6?

So Chuck, Riverfront will now have only 4 towers instead of the original 6?

Quantum:),
My best 2008 world almanac book of facts friend,
Very true,
only 4 towers will go up IMO,
it's all I see completed in my dreams of 2012,
even tho there are 6 towers planned, and I believe only 4 of the towers was approved by the City of Miami,
It's CIMA condo tower as the " Pride and Glory:banana: " of the Revuelta Group office ,
It's a Go for the groundbreaking of the over 500 foot CIMA tower,
It will be built and completed way before the end of 2012.
IMO, the Boom will almost be over by the start of 2013 !!!:cheers:

According to Emporis, 6 towers were approved: Mint at 631 feet, Cima at 601, another Riverfront West tower at 533, Ivy at 512, Wind at 501, and another Riverfront East tower at 500. You are probably right though in that the market did not support all 6 towers seeing that Wind didn't even make it to its 501 specification. I believe I saw a shorter specification somewhere a couple of years back that gave the height specification that it appears to be now. Looks like Ivy did make 512 though because you can now tell that it is well above Wind.

Plans for Sawyers Walk (formerly Crosswinds). It will feature a 12-story building, three 13 story buildings and a 14 story building. Also includes some build out renderings showing the finished product along with Logik, a new 21 story office building for the Overtown Transit Village project and another proposed project in the area. Goes before the commission for approval on the 9th:

(16MB)
http://egov.ci.miami.fl.us/Legistarweb/Attachments/38674.pdf

keep fingers crossed. I'm praying for this.

...

Looks very good especially for the area. I really hope this goes.

If it's going to be a closed, gated community, I guess for visitors they'll just issue a parking voucher at the gate. I'm looking forward to standing next to the river and staring up at it in the middle of it all.
Yes, it is connected. As you look at the picture (taken from a moving MetroMover Car) you can see that the Riverfront property abuts the Miami Avenue Bridge. The Miami Greenway will connect under the bridge and on to the Riverfront parcel Totally open to the public and lots of space to engage the riverfront. Additionally, the ground floors of all the buildings will have retail space open to the public.
Riverfront is 2 blocks from the Flagler Metromover station (Macy's) and 2 blocks on the Greenway to the Riverwalk Metromover stop.
Riverfront is also 4 blocks walk to the Mary Brickell Village.
When Riverfront was initially developed plans called for 4 towers. 4 Towers were approved. Key International bought enough land for another two office towers in the future, but never went through any more than a rudimentary approval process. They thought that 2,000 units were good for now...their options are open...who knows, maybe a rental building. Good developers don't think in 1 or 2 year windows...they are thinking long term.

I never realized Sawyers Walk was in Downtown, that is great.. Does it fall under the category of affordable housing? Does it use government funds?

Here's some of the images from Dave's find:

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/Picture15.png

Imagine that, with the future park west development below (East of) the miami arena! It will be dense up to I-95!

Imagine how Downtown will look if sawyers walk and the the new park west project are complete!!

Here's some of the images from Dave's find:

Imagine that, with the future park west development below (East of) the miami arena! It will be dense up to I-95!

That would be some insane density and a sweet downtown miami! :banana:

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/6779/everbay2k710coolns1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/1608/everbay2k7101tj4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img471.imageshack.us/img471/1319/everbay2k7102bx8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/309/everbay2k7103be8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Vitruvius, fantastic photos of Everglades!!! That pool deck has to be one of the largest in Miami. Any shots of the Biscayne wall?

Vitruvius, fantastic photos of Everglades!!! That pool deck has to be one of the largest in Miami. Any shots of the Biscayne wall?

900 Biscayne Guy:), !!!!
our good eye friend,
I fully agree :banana:!!!
That large huge hole at the lobby deck of the " Everglades By the Bay " is the largest pool I've ever seen in Downtown MIAMI, Kool !:cheers:

also , Everyone:), my old renderings of LOFT 2 has red stripping down each side,
So far I see all white, will the LOFT 2 tower stay all white ???, as LOFT 1, and maybe LOFT 3 and 4 also All white ???:banana:

Vitruvius, I still believe your RX727,
lol
One of my best past favorite friend's !!!
ONLY YOU !!!, can make our dreams come true,
ONLY YOU !!!, are Mr.Destiny.

Very nice pics! It's taking shape!

I can't wait to see if they are going to use glass on the crowns.... the suspense is killing me! :nuts:

I prefer Loft 2 without the red strips...I think it looks cleaner with it just being all white.

Great photos, thanks! Everglades is reaching its end, finally!

I love that kind of enthusiasm. The office and condo market will turn around again soon enough because the "condo boom" made Miami a SUPERSTAR among world cities, and Miami has become a star in the US development spotlight. :cheers:

True^^

Saw this post today on BoBMiami.com... this is gonna be HUGE for Miami!! :banana:

http://www.bobmiami.com/

Saw this post today on BoBMiami.com... this is gonna be HUGE for Miami!! :banana:

http://www.bobmiami.com/

The Miami Herald article also included this paragragh, which is what I've been saying ever since the market flattened out last year, that projects still moving forward would require a more powerful developer with a broader vision who had the long-term investment in mind. Those of us who are still enthusiastic about certain projects are not missing the point and are well-tempered in reality as we have come to know realities such as this:

LONG-TERM VIEW

Falcone and his partners say they are taking a long-term view. They say they have the financial strength to wait out the slump, construction is a ways away, and expressed confidence they're targeting viable niches.

As more developers back out, it seems more powerful developers are lining up behind them, and they just keep coming because Miami is hot as hell right now.
:cheers::banana:
:dance::cheers1::banana:

As more developers back out, it seems more powerful developers are lining up behind them, and they just keep coming because Miami is hot as hell right now.



I'd be careful using this has proof of what you've been saying. How, on any measure, would this group be considered "more powerful developers"? They're locals that hit big before the market crashed. It seems like they have a good team of architects built, but I haven't seen anything of this scale that they've done before.

I'd be careful using this has proof of what you've been saying. How, on any measure, would this group be considered "more powerful developers"? They're locals that hit big before the market crashed. It seems like they have a good team of architects built, but I haven't seen anything of this scale that they've done before.

Thanks, Brickell! I'll keep that in mind. :)

Drove by there this weekend and saw the hole being painted red.

this is funny, this is a wheel that was proposed for berlin which has the miami skyline in the background*disclaimer*not a miami proposal.
http://www.sun-park.com/imgSrc/xmjs/chaot/BIG/北京朝天轮夜景.jpg

Where did this come from?

Actually there is supposed to be a proposal floating around, for a similiar wheel at the port of miami, very similiar to the eye over london...

Actually there is supposed to be a proposal floating around, for a similiar wheel at the port of miami, very similiar to the eye over london...

Yes, it was discussed here last month in the "Miami Observation Wheel" thread.

I think toucano was asking where the picture came from, like who put out the brouchure.

The Eagle Garage Tower is a high-rise building planned for construction in the downtown region of Miami, Florida. It has been approved by the City of Miami, and is scheduled to begin construction in late 2007. If completed, the building would rise 425 feet (130 meters), with 42 floors. The Eagle Garage Tower is one of several new residential developments taking place in Miami, and is a part of the city's recent Manhattanization wave. The building was designed by Touzet Studio Design & Architecture, and is being developed by Eagle Garage Properties. The Eagle Garage Tower is scheduled to be completed by 2009.

http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=eaglegaragetower-miami-fl-usa

xxx

xxx

I think toucano was asking where the picture came from, like who put out the brouchure.

Thanks...I didn't think I had to specify when I asked...but whatever...


Where did the picture come from?

Icon, Epic and 500 Brickell with roof connection in place:

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/icon_epic_500brickell.jpg

Met 2 foundations rising:

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/met2.jpg

That sucks..thats obivious the 4th/last/tallest/...box/Height porportiion towards ICON and its NOT the right height 4 60 floors.

^^^^Calm down... they are not done yet

It's actually a lot taller than it looks in the pic. Driving from South Beach along the MacArthur Causeway, it sure looks pretty damn impressive right now. :):cheers:

And the white grid lines make it look really nice!

^^^^Calm down... they are not done yet

No but i can get the picture by now, im great at estimate's.

I will agree that the renderings are a bit elongated vertically, however, they are not done and one of the ICON buildings is very wide so that adds to the visual illusion of being short. But it will be impressive none the less.

Was crosswinds approved today? I hope so.

http://www.miamitodaynews.com/news/071115/fyi.shtml

CROSSWINDS CONTINUED: Because district Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones was absent from the dais Friday, Miami commissioners deferred a vote on the Sawyer's Walk development proposed for Overtown. They are to take up the issue during a special session at the Nov. 28 meeting of the Community Redevelopment Agency boards. Critics have condemned the project for what they call a lack of affordable housing. The developer, Crosswinds, in August promised — in addition to offering 160 units at 80%-140% of the local area median income and giving 50 units to the agency to be sold also as low-income housing — that both the city and the county may now each buy an additional 62 units to sell as they please.

Is she ever present?

How often do they meet? Once a month?

Is she ever present?

How often do they meet? Once a month?

Usually twice a month, getting 60K per year + a free car + free medical & dental coverage and hefty pension for their effort.

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/9714/everbay2k7111pc6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/2281/everbay2k7113zr7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Nice shots, that pool area is immense. I like the ground level store front off of Biscayne Blvd. Anyone know what retailers will be calling it or 50 Biscayne home? Curious to know of what we'll be getting in the CBD. Also, does the Loft2 have retail at the bottom?

i really hope they dont go cheap with the roof and paint it white because it they do the same will happen with capital..

Too me in looks like the crown will be covered in glass, only because the concrete has the indenatations that seem to fit the glass that would the glass wall from the floors below. There are horizontal bands of conrete slightly protruding which I hope are to hold the glass and frams.

Its getting white paint folks just like onyx tower one...

most dissapointing but times are rough...

..

What time does the metro mover stop running? We took it to Brickell saturday night & we weren't able to ride back. We walked back, just like city slickers! We were the only ones out there, walking! Nothing like other major cities, but hopefully we will get there.

only time will tell, honestly i hope they put the glass up and illuminate it but we have to wait and see... i expect them to light the top by new years or march, the towers will be move in ready by late June of 2008

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami_dade/story/323352.html

Condos in Overtown up for another vote

BY ANDRES VIGLUCCI
aviglucci@MiamiHerald.com

The Miami City Commission is expected to approve a controversial $200 million condo and commercial development on public land in the heart of Overtown in what is likely to be a contentious special meeting Wednesday.

The project by Michigan developer Crosswinds, tapped by the city without bids more than three years ago, has been delayed by strenuous opposition from activists and Overtown residents. They say it does little to help mostly poor residents in desperate need of decent housing in the historically black neighborhood.

But opponents' options for continuing to block the project may be exhausted. They won a lawsuit that succeeded mainly in delaying a final decision by the commission, which voted 4-1 to approve it in October 2006 only to have an appeals court order a new vote.

Even if it is approved, critics question whether the Crosswinds project will actually be built amid a condo glut and a housing industry crisis in which money for construction and mortgages has dried up.

''It seems irresponsible to me that our commissioners would continue supporting building condominiums in this market,'' said Denise Perry, executive director of the Overtown activist group Power U Center for Social Change. ``Why would we advocate a project for which there is no market at this point?''

STILL VIABLE

Crosswinds officials say the project remains viable because the first building would not be finished until two years from now, enough time for the real estate market to recover.

''We just want to get it going,'' said Crosswinds urban development director Matthew Schwartz. ``From a planning standpoint, it's tragic it's taken this long.''

The city calls the project a vital spur to Overtown's revival, and it has won the support of the district commissioner, Michelle Spence-Jones.

Activists were upset that Wednesday's meeting, first scheduled for 5 p.m. at Miami City Hall, was recently moved up to 2 p.m. The move came at the request of commission Chairman Angel Gonzalez, who was concerned the hearing would go late into the night. That could preclude working people from attending, Perry said.

Under its deal with the city's Community Redevelopment Agency, Schwartz said, about one-third of the 1,050 condo units would be priced as affordable and low-income housing. That includes 50 units the developer would give to the CRA to house people who qualify as low-income. The city and Miami-Dade County each also have the option to buy 62 units to be sold at a discount as affordable housing.

'WORKFORCE' HOUSING

The rest would be priced as ''workforce'' housing -- usually described as housing affordable to teachers and police officers. Exact prices have not been determined, but the target income range would be $45,000 to $95,000 a year, Schwartz said.

The project also includes 75,000 square feet of retail and commercial space.

The goal, Schwartz said, is to foster the return of a middle class to Overtown, one of the poorest areas in Dade, while including residents and others with lower incomes.

The critics say the low-cost units are no more than a sop to counter opposition, and don't go nearly far enough to address needs in the community.

Instead, Perry said, commissioners should take advantage of the market slowdown to start from scratch and open the project to bids from other interested developers. Crosswinds was selected without bids by the city to develop about three blocks of publicly owned vacant land after the developer responded to a query by a local foundation.

Power U contends other interested developers could provide rental apartments and lower-priced units to accommodate residents.

''We can come up with a project that will make people happy,'' Perry said.

What time does the metro mover stop running? We took it to Brickell saturday night & we weren't able to ride back. We walked back, just like city slickers! We were the only ones out there, walking! Nothing like other major cities, but hopefully we will get there.

I'm pretty sure its midnight unless there is a special event going on downtown, then they extend it.

They have started putting the glass on the building. YEAH:banana:

They have started putting the glass on the building. YEAH:banana:
Is it going to be covered fully by glass?

^^^^I'm not sure. I think just the block that comes out of the top of the building and every where else that block is exposed throughout the building if that makes any sense what so ever.

White seems 2 be the only color for our new skyscrapers, besides MarinaBlue, im mean i kno were the Blow capital of the U.S. but damn, it's tempting!! lol...don't trip

White seems 2 be the only color for our new skyscrapers, besides MarinaBlue, im mean i kno were the Blow capital of the U.S. but damn, it's tempting!! lol...don't trip

Are you kidding? That is what the Miami skyline was built on.

They have started putting the glass on the building. YEAH:banana:

On which part? The units already have glass... Do you mean the Crown?

On which part? The units already have glass... Do you mean the Crown?

Toucano:),
Our Master and family friend,
I'm also thinking the same thing,
Everyone's waiting to see what the Crowns are gonna look like,
It's got to be the glass getting ready to be added to the Crowns of both towers.
It's about time:banana:,
a great christmas gift in the making,
Go Cranes and Gators !!!:cheers:

Yeah the glass on the crowns. :cheers:

Once again, commissioners aren't there to vote on Crosswinds:

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami_dade/story/324806.html

MIAMI | DEVELOPMENT
Commission puts off Overtown condo vote

On the day of a scheduled public hearing, the Miami commission postponed a vote on an Overtown condo project until all five members could be present.

BY ANDRES VIGLUCCI
aviglucci@MiamiHerald.com
Miami city commissioners postponed a decision Wednesday on a controversial Overtown condo project because two commission members were absent.

The public hearing could have gone ahead because the three commissioners present constituted a quorum. But all three commissioners agreed to a postponement to an unspecified date after Commissioner Joe Sanchez said the project is too important to consider without the full commission.

Commissioners Marc Sarnoff and Tomás Regalado were both traveling and unable to attend.

This is the second time the commission has postponed a vote on the $200 million mixed-use private development, which city leaders have touted as a catalyst for redevelopment of one of the city's poorest neighborhoods.

The commission had put off a hearing on Nov. 9 because Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones, whose district includes Overtown, was ill.

City Manager Pete Hernandez will pick a new hearing date after consulting with all five commissioners. The commission faces a deadline for a vote: Much of the publicly owned land set aside for the project could revert to Miami-Dade County's control if the project is not approved before the end of the year.

The Sawyer's Walk project, by Michigan developer Crosswinds, would bring 1,050 condos and 75,000 square feet of commercial space to about three vacant lots in the historic center of Overtown.

About a third of the condos would be sold as low-income and affordable housing, with the rest classified as ''workforce'' housing -- described as units affordable to police officers and teachers.

But the project, first proposed more than three years ago, has been delayed by opposition from activists who say it would do little to meet Overtown's desperate need for low-income housing.

The City Commission approved the project last year in a 4-1 vote, but an appeals court ordered a new vote, largely on procedural grounds, after Overtown activist group Power U Center for Social Change sued.

Jesus FUCKING CHRIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What the hell is wrong with these people. What do they get paid for. This is a conspiracy. Holy hell. :bash: :bash::moods::no:>(:nono::nono::mad2::mad:How many more faces can I put on to show my enragement with this situation. (Yes enragement is not a word.)

i think there avoiding the item until the activists stop showing up...

It that where all those people are coming from and protesting outside of the Miami Center?

How many more faces can I put on to show my enragement with this situation. (Yes enragement is not a word.) I'm full of enragement too! How can these community "Leaders" continue to lead this community down the wrong path?
Until the community listens and votes for someone that will actually help, then the people that can actually help will just stay disconected. It is truly a shame.

A pic of the Everglades taken 11/24/07 on a quick trip to Miami.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c90/900Biscayneguy/IMG_0162.jpg

I like how everglades on the bay looks. It has more of a New York feel to it, stepping back gracefully, and although I know everyone here loves the huge glass towers going up nearby, I think this building is better suited for the harsh environment we have in Miami. The energy costs and greenhouse effect in some of the units in the all glass buildings is going to be high. Plus its interaction at streelevel is one of the best in all of downtown and brickell. I cant wait to see the glass around that crown.

Incredible community "leaders".

And btw, what are the activists complaining about?

About a third of the condos would be sold as low-income and affordable housing, with the rest classified as ''workforce'' housing -- described as units affordable to police officers and teachers.

I want to see Crosswinds built as much as anyone, but I'm worried these poverty pimps (oh sorry........"activists") will ruin it for us.

And btw, what are the activists complaining about?


They are complaining about new faces in the neighborhood and the horrible effect it will have on their life. Could be interpreted as a joke (which it also is) but thats basically what it boils down to.

Have those assholes seen the faces there now. You can do much better than that. I honestly think that Crosswinds or Sawyers Walk is a great idea and a great thing for O.T. It will bring back the crowds that Over town once had. They're even redoing the Lyric Theatre. C'Mon they are trying in my opinion but these ignorant, close minded, uneducated fucks; have their own agenda. It needs to stop. I wonder what their realy problem is. Is because they feel gentrification is going to become an issue or they just will not have control over the area and people. Fuck them and flot them up in the knew ballon we have and cut the wire and let them float away to annoy some other city. Hey they wire snapped. :)

Wow! Thanks for the idea! I'll see what I can do! :):cheers:

Glass crown started going up at Everglades on the bay on the south tower. Looks like it will be glass after all. Its looking nice.

Glass crown started going up at Everglades on the bay on the south tower. Looks like it will be glass after all. Its looking nice.


Nice!! Pics???

yeah I saw that yesterday it looked like glass windows on the crown from I-95..

oops repeat.

Stuck at the drawbridge + phone = lot's of random pics :lol:


http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0341.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0340.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0339.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0338.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0337.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0336.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0335.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0334.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0333.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0331.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0330.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0329.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0328.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0327.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0326.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0325.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0324.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0323.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0322.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0321.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0320.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0319.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0318.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0317.jpg

Who wants to bet who tops off first, met 2 or 600 brickell?

^^ Stuck on drawbridge or broke down?

Stuck as in stuck waiting for the boat du jour to pass by.

That's a lot of rebar going up on the Met 2 Site! :)

A beautiful building in a great location. Thanks for the updates! :)

The Dupont corner is looking good.

Stuck as in stuck waiting for the boat du jour to pass by.

I was just messing with you cause you sure took a whole lot of good pictures in what I would imagine was a short amount of time. :lol:

Oh ok lol!! The drawbridge takes centuries to do its thing!

Anyone check out Opera Tower with its sides lit up. It looks great. All the new towers are finally starting to stand out at night. Waiting on Ten Museum's top!!!

im surprised by how much tibor decided to spend on opera tower, really makes you hope for one biscayne, because every other tower by him previous to opera had been an architectural disaster.

Nice pics. in one year from now we could be seeing Met 3 at this level and met 2 will be way off the ground!

So are there any other renders of Met 2 than this...


http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/6007/73235427hy7.jpg

?

Met 2 is gonna be real sexy. I dont know what else to say!

Met 2 is gonna be real sexy. I dont know what else to say!

Only a true skyscraper freak like me would say something like that! Hell, I dream about the damn things all the time! I should have become an architect! You should read my latest postings on the Brickell Financial District II thread. :lol: :cheers:

Only a true skyscraper freak like me would say something like that! Hell, I dream about the damn things all the time! I should have become an architect! You should read my latest postings on the Brickell Financial District II thread. :lol: :cheers:

yeah I hear that from my family too..I should've been an architect...

..

go closers :banana:

i find it hard to believe that most people who bought units, even if the original intention was to flip, will not be able to close.

how does anyone get into these investments without thinking one day they may need to close? :bash:

go closers :banana:

i find it hard to believe that most people who bought units, even if the original intention was to flip, will not be able to close.

how does anyone get into these investments without thinking one day they may need to close? :bash:

I closed a week ago at 50 Biscayne and I see new people moving in every day. The elevators are BUSY to say the least!

The truth of the matter is there aren't that many nice units available for sale at 50 Biscayne. That has to mean something.

you've got to look up to 50 biscayne..once they topped off the went haywire to get that tower ready...amazin!g and to think Marina Blue topped out first and they still have work to do...

^^Thats the Related Group for ya!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/enyers/Picture004-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/enyers/Picture015-2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/enyers/Picture014-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/enyers/Picture018.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/enyers/Picture017-1.jpg

I'm kinda confused by the met2 site, i'm trying to figure out if the office building is going to be a steel structure or concrete? Its confusing because the site has so much going on that you're not sure whether the steel thats going up is for the hotel, parking the office tower...it would make sense that the office tower would be made of steel since most are but then why are some beams being made of concrete on the southside of the project? Anyways if the project is made of steel it would be the tallest steel structure ever built in florida.

I just can't believe that MET 2 is finally under construction.:banana:

I just can't believe that MET 2 is finally under construction.:banana:

Met2 has been under construction for almost a year now! What we are waiting for at this point is for Met3 to take a dump or get off the pot!

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^MET3 :nuts:, makes us all :nuts:^^^^^^^^^^^^

But I will continue to have faith in this project. :bash:

As I said on the Met3 thread, the city has been trying to get someone to develop those blocks for decades now! I seriously doubt they are going away empty handed without a new tallest after a "boom" like this with only Met1 and Met2.:cheers:

I'll ask again...

Is this the only render/angle of Met 2 we have?


So are there any other renders of Met 2 than this...


http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/6007/73235427hy7.jpg

?

The only other one I know of is not as good and is in black-and-white. Dave8721 placed it on the front page of the Miami Development Thread on SkyscraperPage.com

God, if only Met2 was another 200 feet or so taller---can you imagine?

Still, love the design. That back side of glass (presumably) looks sweet.

I'll ask again...

Is this the only render/angle of Met 2 we have?

This rendering is actually very close to one they have in their brochure. They had copies out on the table when I went by there last week, and yes, Spellbound, wouldn't it be nice if we could get the nicer designs taller? Oh, well! Such is life!

I think it's great that we're gettting all this office development now to balance all the new residential towers, especially in Brickell. After 1450 Brickell, Brickell Financial Center, and Met2, we still have the second phase of the BFC, and possibly 1451 Brickell. Which other office developments do we have? Is 1451 still a go or is it dead, what's the status on it?

Does anybody have any pictures and info on the Logik building and the Camillus House for the homeless?

Met2 has been under construction for almost a year now! What we are waiting for at this point is for Met3 to take a dump or get off the pot!

That is impossible. Met 2 construction is recent news.

That is impossible. Met 2 construction is recent news.

No, it is not recent news. They have been laying the foundation for Met2 for about a year now! That is how it is now starting to go vertical!. I believe this is why they say construction will start on Met3 in the first quarter of next year. I was just at the sales office a week ago.

No, it is not recent news. They have been laying the foundation for Met2 for about a year now! That is how it is now starting to go vertical!. I believe this is why they say construction will start on Met3 in the first quarter of next year. I was just at the sales office a week ago.

Ohhhhhhhh.:)

There is a Met2 thread that talks about all that stuff. I just went there to make sure I knew what I was talking about, and they have been laying the foundation for Met2 for over a year now. Soon, they will be tacking on the floors the way Infinity I is doing. :lol:

God, if only Met2 was another 200 feet or so taller---can you imagine?

Still, love the design. That back side of glass (presumably) looks sweet.

It is one of those designs that almost begs to be taller such as Capital at Brickell. It is almost a waste of the designs of those building for them not be be at least 200 feet taller. I thought that of the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco when I first saw it. That it could go taller still and remain quite a stable structure. Then, I discovered the Transameriic Pyramid was originally planned to be a supertall at 1,150 until anti-development sentimet had it chopped down because it blocked views of the Bay too much. I think the same is true of the Band of America tower. With that design, it could be a supertall while being a very stable building particularly for South Florida. The Bank of America tower is designed in such a way that a hurricane just would not know what to do with it. That design slices up the wind. That is one of the reasons why I think Brickell Flatiron is such an important building for me Miami. The design of the architecture speaks beautifully to the nature of the area in which we live in the same way the Bank of America Tower does. A hurricane just would not know what to do with Brickell Flatiron the way it would slice up the wind. That is why Quantum is similarly one of my favorite projects, because they threw away the circle and the square in the overall design to create architecture that speaks to the nature of where we live. Oh, well! I guess we just have to be greatful for what we've got, even though sometimes, I think some of us are smarter than some of the developers.

Now regarding Met3, even though I've never mentioned it before, the design actually frightens me a bit being that tall and slender in South Florida. And then to have balconies on top of that? Balconies increase the windload on a tall building during a storm because they catch the wind like so many little sails. I tried to get my architecture buddies that I met at P.F. Chang's in Brickell Village to explain to me how it is now possible in the 21st century for a building as tall as Met3 to have balconies. Then one of them started in about the wind tunneling testing. I felt like saying, "Dude, I know about wind tunnel testing! They've been doing that since well into the last century." But he did not seem to be able to tell me what they are doing differently structurally now with a tall building so that Met3 can have balconies high up. I would like to know if anybody finds out. You can get around that by making a building cylindrical or oval in shape like Opera Tower, which is what they did with a few of the early high-rise condos in Chicago, but I would like to know how Met3 can be as tall as it is and have balconies with that design and remain a stable building.

The Four Seasons has balconies.

The Four Seasons has balconies.

Yes, and it was built in this century because this is something fairly new! The balconies also seem to be built into it in such a way that mitigates against wind load. Met3 still scares me a bit in that regard. It is not completely rectangular in design though and is slightly elliptical, which does help it a bit. And the way the Four Seasons is designed, you see it tapers toward the top which also serves to reduce the wind load the higher you go. Actually, even the Wachovia buildings speaks to the area in which we live with the terraced top, which reduces wind load higher up. With the way the Four Seaons is designed where it turns inward slightly on one side so that it becomes narrower towards the top and the way the balconies are designed into, it makes sense to me. Met3 just seems too narrow from the parking garage to the top for a building of its height, and its balconies kind of stick out a lot more than the Four Seasons. I would really like to know what they are doing differently these days that makes a building designed like Met3 to be that tall with the balconies the way they are and remain structurally sound. There is relatively new skyscraper technology behind that. I see the point about Four Seasons having balconies, but to me Four Seasons seems more structurally sound.

THATS BULLSHIT!! ICON is so little for a 60 story building even residential! any1 agree?

And the way the Four Seasons is designed, you see it tapers toward the top


Does it, or is that just an illusion with the tapered "stripe" down the side of it?


http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/9158/1001615ph7.jpg


http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/3161/1001579fi7.jpg


http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/2262/1001739vz5.jpg


http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/420/1001740ny7.jpg


Cover up the stripe, and it appears perfectly rectangular on all sides to me...