I remember renderings of Four Seasons before it went up and even as I watched it go up with just the frame at the time, it did and does seem to taper slightly inward on one side. I honestly do not believe Four Seasons is a perfect rectangle.

1450 definetely tapers at the top. I look at the building every day.

I drove past Everglades on the Bay and the south tower's top is looking awesome, with the green glass. Looks like the rendering. :banana:

1450 definetely tapers at the top. I look at the building every day.

Are you still referring to the Four Seasons? The address there is 1441. Park place has the 1450 address. Either way, both are of designs that mitigate against wind load at a higher elevation. Looking back on the renderings of the Four Seasons in retrospect, I remember thinking it has kind of an odd shape, and I remember looking at it from 836 coming out of the toll gate right after the frame had topped out and thinking it kind of looks like a genie's bottle on one side. The balconies of the Four Seasons are recessed below its profile so that they catch little wind. Met3 being as tall and slender as it is designed to be, with its balconies being designed the way they are, makes me a little uneasy, but of course, I'm just a layman in this regard, and I'm sure 21st century architects and structural engineers know what they are doing.

The walls' ass (Friday)

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0387.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0388.jpg

Nice Ass Biscayne!

Nice Ass Biscayne!

You are worse than MiamiMike when he called Met2 "sexy." I think having sex with a skyscraper is kind of kinky, but to each his own. I understand. I've seen and done it all so nothing's is too weird for me, but how does one determine what sex a skyscraper is? I think Quantum is a sexy girl because she is tall and slender with some nice curves! :lol::cheers:

LOL!!! :lol:I know Marquis is a girl.she will be simply flawless like her website says. and 900 has a big ass. we like that in Miami.

You are worse than MiamiMike when he called Met2 "sexy." I think having sex with a skyscraper is kind of kinky, but to each his own. I understand. I've seen and done it all so nothing's is too weird for me, but how does one determine what sex a skyscraper is? I think Quantum is a sexy girl because she is tall and slender with some nice curves! :lol::cheers:

^^ If 900 is built for comfort, then Ten Museum is built for speed:lol::lol:

LOL!!! :lol:I know Marquis is a girl.she will be simply flawless like her website says. and 900 has a big ass. we like that in Miami.

That's a Cuban thing! :lol: I like 'em slim hipped. Met3 is going to be tall and slender with just a slight curve in the right places. Yummy! (Slurp) :cheers:

You know, it's almost depressing...As soon as Marquis tops off, we're not gonna see any real vertical action on the Wall for quite some time... http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/2574/cryingpm5.gif

You know, it's almost depressing...As soon as Marquis tops off, we're not gonna see any real vertical action on the Wall for quite some time... http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/2574/cryingpm5.gif

The "boom" spoiled us, but look what we saw in the past 3 years and what we will see in the next 3 years. We were privileged to bear witness to it and to be able to say we were there. We actually saw it happen, and at the end of the last century, we only had 4 bulidings over 500 feet tall. Think how many we will have by the end of this decade, which will be 12/31/2010.

Listen, it is sad we will not be seeing any real fast development, however, this boom sparked the wick for Miami. We will now be seeing constant development just not at the rate we've seen in the past 3 years. I will let you know that the Related group has some serious projects they want to get done. An acquaintance said they own Miami and with in the next 5 years they will be building these fairly large developments on about 8 lots they have acquired somewhere in Park West. Now do not quote me on what I just stated. All that I'm saying this really is only the catalyst for a much bigger picture here in Miami.

You know, it's almost depressing...As soon as Marquis tops off, we're not gonna see any real vertical action on the Wall for quite some time... http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/2574/cryingpm5.gif

From what I understand, as soon as Paramount Bay finishes, Paramount Park will begin, so we'll have that within two years hopefully, then theres Liberta... Anyone know how sales are going for that one?

From what I understand, as soon as Paramount Bay finishes, Paramount Park will begin, so we'll have that within two years hopefully, then theres Liberta... Anyone know how sales are going for that one?

I was under the impression that Paramount Park was scrapped and Liberta was a definite no. At any rate, what's the progress on Paramount Bay?

I was under the impression that Paramount Park was scrapped and Liberta definitely not. At any rate, what's the progress on Paramount Bay?

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=359013&page=50:cheers:

Paramount bay will bring what Miami paradise is about
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1XzlnnJxrE
http://www.paramountbay.com

Macy's to (finally) renovate and update downtown store:

(full article)
http://www.miamiherald.com/business/story/353960.html

Macy's to redo Miami store
For the short term, Macy's Florida has decided to renovate the downtown Miami corporate offices, though the company's long-term future remains undecided.

Macy's to (finally) renovate and update downtown store:

(full article)
http://www.miamiherald.com/business/story/353960.html

FINALLY! I love how they keep repeating the "this is not an indication of our future plans" crap. You wouldn't be renovating if you weren't planning on staying. Great news for Downtown, hopefully the rest of the stores in the area will follow and clean the area up.

The corporate offices are being renovated, I saw no mention of the store in the article.

Finally. Damn they took a long time to do it. They also tore that NewYork Building down somewhere on Flagler.

FINALLY! I love how they keep repeating the "this is not an indication of our future plans" crap. You wouldn't be renovating if you weren't planning on staying. Great news for Downtown, hopefully the rest of the stores in the area will follow and clean the area up. The Macy's Store is one of the LAST large sized stores to renovate. They were trying to bully the city/DDA and anyone else that could give them a handout to pay for their store's beautification. It's about time that they have decided to mind their own business...literally.
The CBD looks good and continues to get better.

http://www.miamitodaynews.com/news/071227/story1.shtml

Sawyer's Walk project facing uncertain future after county vote

By Risa Polansky
The controversial Sawyer's Walk development planned for Overtown appears dead only days after the Miami City Commission approved it.
The threat of exercising a reverter clause that would return the land to the county comes from Miami-Dade Commissioner Audrey Edmonson and county Mayor Carlos Alvarez.
Five years in the making and knee deep in criticism from activist groups and some public officials for what they call a lack of affordable housing, the project was to include 1,050 mixed-income, for-sale units. The county gave the land to the city to plan for housing within its Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency.
Though the property is set to revert to the county Dec. 31 if there's no development on it, many expected commissioners to extend the date. But Ms. Edmonson, whose district includes Overtown, demanded the county keep the land as a condition to her approval of a massive "global agreement" between the city and county.
The pact provides for projects such as a Marlins stadium but also asks county commissioners to vote at their Jan. 10 meeting to re-convey the land to the city.
"I want these properties to revert to the county," Ms. Edmonson said.
Mayor Alvarez backed her. "I do not support an extension or the re-conveyance," he said.
Should commissioners vote to give the property to the city, he promised a veto.
A no vote from the county may not be the end. "Things could end up in litigation,"
said Matthew Schwartz, Crosswinds' urban development director

I had people over this weekend & they were all surprised on how the streets have been cleaned up. Of course, this is near Biscayne but it's a great sign. A lot of people don't see the change because they don't come down here.

The last crane has come down from the Ivy!!!
Housewarming party for June 1 ish :cheers:

The last crane has come down from the Ivy!!!
Housewarming party for June 1 ish :cheers:

I was still looking for the little crown it's supposed to get. Is it your housewarming party, Roark?

yessir!
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n215/restainer/Skyscrapers/2008-01-02_Ivy.jpg

You have a unit there! Kewel! Facing brickell?

Thought you might like this one...can't seem to find the others...wish I could find the panoramic movie that I took from the roof of the Howard Johnson (Marquis) that is killing me...
The building on the far far right is the Howard Johnson, next to is 10 Museum under construction, and the other building is Marina Blue.
http://www.restainer.com/skyscrapers/MB_900Biscayne_10Museum.jpg

Related cancels purchase of Loft 4 land after parking deal gets caught up in lawsuit:

http://southflorida.bizjournals.com/southflorida/stories/2007/12/31/daily37.html?jst=b_ln_hl

Friday, January 4, 2008 - 2:21 PM EST

Related cancels Loft 4 contract

South Florida Business Journal - by Oscar Pedro Musibay

The Related Group has canceled its contract to buy a parcel in downtown Miami where it planned a workforce housing project that became the subject of a lawsuit.

The Loft 4 project was to be on a half-acre site next to the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts in the heart of the downtown area. A group that includes the Lindenfeld family, owner of the historic Alfred I. DuPont office building a block north, is owner of the vacant lot.

Gary Ressler, speaking on behalf of the site's ownership group, confirmed Miami-based Related's contract had "fallen through".

"Related Group canceled the contract. There were no defaults by either party," he said in reference to a question about a possible missed deadline.

Related Chief Executive Officer Jorge Perez and Oscar Rodriguez, who runs Related's workforce housing unit, could not immediately be reached for comment.

The 404-unit Loft 4 was to rise 35 stories and have units priced at $130,000.

The project was the fourth that incorporated a cost-saving design without a parking garage. To address the parking issue, Related had negotiated a deal with the Miami Parking Authority, which runs city-owned lots, for off-site parking. Related signed a deal with the MPA to have use of 410 parking spaces in the Bank of America Tower at International Place parking garage, just southwest of the Loft 4 site.

The deal became the subject of a lawsuit Bank of America Tower owner Blue Capital U.S. East Coast Properties filed last year.

Blue Capital sued the city, its parking agency and the Related Group, claiming their deal to grant nearly 30 percent of the building's parking spaces to the developer undercut Blue Capital's ability to do business. Parking is a sensitive issue in the building because the city owns the garage and the land underneath the 47-story, I.M. Pei-designed office tower.

Blue Capital is afraid that committing a large chunk of parking to Related's proposed condo project two blocks away will overload the garage and leave visitors without space in the building.

The garage also is available for use by the Hyatt Regency Miami and the University of Miami James L. Knight International Center.

John Sumberg, of Miami-based Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price and Axelrod, is representing Blue Capital in the lawsuit. Sumberg said he had not heard about Related's cancelation of the contract, and that the circumstances of the lawsuit have not changed.

"We're not done," he said.

Related cancels purchase of Loft 4 land after parking deal gets caught up in lawsuit:

http://southflorida.bizjournals.com/southflorida/stories/2007/12/31/daily37.html?jst=b_ln_hl

:badnews::badnews::badnews:

Loft 4 was perfect for that lot and would've solved much needed workforce housing issues that people complain so much about. This would have relieved the tensions of lower class folks vs new construction considerably. Not to mention it would have created much welcomed pedestrian activity after work hours. Now when the poor complain about how the boom only helped "the rich" (a preposterous accusation of course) cases like these will only resent them more.

That REALLY sucks, I love the Loft buildings! Is there any chance they'll try Loft 4 in a different lot in Downtown? I'll take that! :(

I was suprised to see the BOA tower people's lawsuit was given credence at all considering the city owns the parking garage, not BOA. If its the City's lot the city can sell the spaces as they see fit, the BOA owners seem to think it is their exclusive lot because they happen to have a tower on top of it, though they dont even own the land they are sitting on.

I was suprised to see the BOA tower people's lawsuit was given credence at all considering the city owns the parking garage, not BOA. If its the City's lot the city can sell the spaces as they see fit, the BOA owners seem to think it is their exclusive lot because they happen to have a tower on top of it, though they dont even own the land they are sitting on. Blue Capital owns the building and has purchased rights to conduct business there. Although the parking is owned by the city, the buiding owner has many rights (usually outlined in a 99 year agreement that is airtight).
Imagine if you rent an apartment that comes with a parking place, and the owner of your building decides to take/dedicate/rent your parking place to someone else.
The rights and responsibilities should be clearly deliniated in an agreement, and that is likely where the challenge lies.
There are other lots available for a building without parking.

Hey Roark, I toured Mint the other day and was really impressed with the views up there. The Ivy should have sweet views too. I just wouldn't go out on the balcony if I had a unit on the 45th floor...

Hey Roark, I toured Mint the other day and was really impressed with the views up there. The Ivy should have sweet views too. I just wouldn't go out on the balcony if I had a unit on the 45th floor...

Why not? Too high?

Why not? Too high?

Yeah. I only got to go up to the 37th floor of Mint but it felt really high up there.

Why not? Too high?

I live for a balcony higher than that! :lol:

Yeah. I only got to go up to the 37th floor of Mint but it felt really high up there.

Paul, I agree. When I did a tour of 50 Biscayne, I got to see a unit on the top floor. When I stepped out on the terrace, it made me real nervous and I had to get back inside fast. The view was great, but way too high. After that, I saw a unit in the 34th floor, and for some reason, It did not bother me at all. :ohno::nuts:

Paul, I agree. When I did a tour of 50 Biscayne, I got to see a unit on the top floor. When I stepped out on the terrace, it made me real nervous and I had to get back inside fast. The view was great, but way too high. After that, I saw a unit in the 34th floor, and for some reason, It did not bother me at all. :ohno::nuts:

I would love to see the view from a balcony as high up as I can get if someone would just invite me. I don't know where to go or who to talk to. :)

:speech:

Quantum:) , Roark:bowtie:, 900 Bicscayne Guy:okay:,
Doubleroll:), Paul:), and CONGRATS DAVE on his 3,000th POST:dance: !!!
Everyone else,
MY FRIENDS:grouphug: !!!
I've been on a long month and a half vacation:nuts:,
I'm back again finally:lol:,
I hope everyone had a Nice and peacefull Merry Christmas and a
Happy New Year:cheers1::rock::applause:.
I'm sad to see Loft 4 cancelled DAVE,
but I hope something will work out at that already recently cleared site.
Cheers To everyone:righton::cheer::hi: !!!
and
Go Cranes !!!:banana2::carrot::pepper:

Thanks for filling us in, Chuck! I was beginning to worry about you! :lol:

Thanks for filling us in, Chuck! I was beginning to worry about you! :lol:

I was out too long Quantum:) , My friend,
It's great to see IVY Condo tower topped out completed at the top now,
Thanks for thinking of me:):cheers:,
I'm okay:nuts::lol: and had a great vacation with my faraway relatives:banana:,
It's great to be back with the
Best " Friendly Family Forum " of MIAMI !!!:cheers:

Go to the Downtown Miami Picture threads to see the most recent photos. Icon Brickell looks huge, and so does Infinity I. Met3 is go for sometime this quarter they say.

Welcome back Chuck. :cheers::banana:

welcome back chuck :)

welcome back!

Chuck, Nice to have you back. :banana::cheers:

Yeah. I only got to go up to the 37th floor of Mint but it felt really high up there.

I'm not sure I would want to live that high up to tell you the truth. 20 to 30 or so seems Ok to me.

Hey Roark, I toured Mint the other day and was really impressed with the views up there. The Ivy should have sweet views too. I just wouldn't go out on the balcony if I had a unit on the 45th floor...
Excellent! It's impressive that the Mint is moving that fast.
Mint has the most amazing balconies.
I agree with the lower height folks. My original IVY purchase was going to be for a 20th floor apt, but the price on the top floor wasn't really that much more. I know that on a resale, it would sell for a lot more than the difference that i paid.
When you are in mid floors you can see activity while sitting at a dining room table in the back of the apt. In a high floor, you would see only sky from that same vantage point.

Great to see you back, Chuck!

All the various "Merrys" and "Happys" to you as well...:cheers:

Excellent! It's impressive that the Mint is moving that fast.
Mint has the most amazing balconies.
I agree with the lower height folks. My original IVY purchase was going to be for a 20th floor apt, but the price on the top floor wasn't really that much more. I know that on a resale, it would sell for a lot more than the difference that i paid.
When you are in mid floors you can see activity while sitting at a dining room table in the back of the apt. In a high floor, you would see only sky from that same vantage point.

The suspense is killing me! I'm dying to know what floor you ended up on. For me, the higher the better. I'll just strap myself down to keep from doing the Mary Poppins thing! :lol:

The suspense is killing me! I'm dying to know what floor you ended up on. For me, the higher the better. I'll just strap myself down to keep from doing the Mary Poppins thing! :lol:

LOL, Quantum :),
Our great excited as me friend,
It's a Great welcome back to MIAMI:banana: ,
here thanks everyone,
Good to see ya all in good spirits here and well over 40.000 Posts NOW,
I missed the celebration of the 40,000th Post:cheers::banana::),
But 45,000 is not that faraway , lol.
Thanks to the Director:), KevinKagy:),
ROARK:banana:
SPELLBOUND:), MIAballinboi:), Doubleroll:),
and Everyone else:grouphug:,
here the greatest
" Friendly Family Forum " of MIAMI:nocrook:,
GO MET 3 !!!:okay::bowtie: QUANTUM :cheers:!!!
I see it happening in my still dreams of 2012 !!!:cheers:

Hey Chuck.... Welcome back. I was wondering what happened to you!!

Happy new year chuckman!

Hey Chuck.... Welcome back. I was wondering what happened to you!!

Thanks 900 Biscayne Guy:),
my friend,
just got back from a long over a month Christmas holidays vacation with the old folk relatives of mine up around Tenneesee and Georgia, Interstate I - 75 goes far into Knoxville and all the way back to MIAMI !!! Alligator Alley style, lol.:banana:

It's great to be back here online with the Best
" Friendly family Forum " of MIAMI:banana::cheers:,
I missed ya all, too.

And thanks also that welcome back from
Intresant !!!:cheers:

Happy New Year to you and
Everyone else here !!!
and many More years in SkyscraperCity.com with all of you great Posters !!!

Go Cranes !!!

I would love to see the view from a balcony as high up as I can get if someone would just invite me. I don't know where to go or who to talk to. :)


Here are a few shots from the top floor of 50 Biscayne. Here is your view. :):banana::)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c90/900Biscayneguy/IMG_0165-1.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c90/900Biscayneguy/IMG_0164-1.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c90/900Biscayneguy/IMG_0166-1.jpg

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I hope I can get over to Roark's new 512 feet tall house sometime this summer. The higher the balcony, the better. You guys are a bunch of wusses. What are you doing on SkyscraperCity anyway? "The balcony is too high!" JESUS CHRIST! :lol: :cheers::banana:

^^ Amazing. And to think that view will always remain unobstructed. (Save for maybe a very *small* portion of Miami Beach when the Watson Island project goes up...if that.)

^^^^^^^^

Ft. Lauderdale Beach bum:), our friendly county next door neighbor,
Quantum:) is funny,
I like it !!!
and the " Watson Island Gardens " towers must start soon,
the development order must be started soon to reply !!! lol:cheers:

It's been almost 4 years now since the development Gardens towers plans been approved by the City of Miami,
and time is running out on the Approval process:ohno:,
and might have to be approved again, if they don't start construction soon on the Island Gardens Project !!!:nuts:

^^^^^^^^

Ft. Lauderdale Beach bum:), our friendly county next door neighbor,
Quantum:) is funny,
I like it !!!
and the " Watson Island Gardens " towers must start soon,
the development order must be started soon to reply !!! lol:cheers:

It's been almost 4 years now since the development Gardens towers plans been approved by the City of Miami,
and time is running out on the Approval process:ohno:,
and might have to be approved again, if they don't start construction soon on the Island Gardens Project !!!:nuts:

http://www.cpnonline.com/cpn/content_display/regions/southeast/miami/e3i742cc4dfbfcbe0d6299ae7ce11896159

My original IVY purchase was going to be for a 20th floor apt, but the price on the top floor wasn't really that much more. I know that on a resale, it would sell for a lot more than the difference that i paid.


How were you able to switch and when? Could anybody do that as well?

You also stated that you will have "Housewarming party for June 1 ish"

Therefore should I understand that the building will be ready for everybody occupancy around that date?
When will we know how many failed to close?

Thanks, regards.

I was told that the Ivy would be ready for occupancy by May.

What ever happened to 1101 Brickell?????

How were you able to switch and when? Could anybody do that as well?
You also stated that you will have "Housewarming party for June 1 ish"
Therefore should I understand that the building will be ready for everybody occupancy around that date?
When will we know how many failed to close?Thanks, regards. Sorry that I missed this last week....
I meant say that my mindset was to buy on the 16th-20th floors but the pricing difference between what they offered me was enough to change my mind and purchase the high floor. Once you have a signed contract, their is almost never switching...even if you want to switch to something of lesser value for the same price.
I'm guessing June....it's a 44 story building and it takes lots of time to close it (probably 4 months from start to finish) so I"m being aggressive, the first closings will likely come in May, I'm hoping for an early June closing.
how many will fail to close? I'll probably know at the end of 2008...

Roark, I heard they were putting a Metrorail station on your floor, so that after we all go out to dinner in Brickell Village, we can take the Metrorail straight up to your place for cocktails just like a roller coaster. It's supposed to be just like DisneyWorld for big boys. Yeeaaa! We're going to Roark's house on the choo-choo train. Wooo! Wooo! :banana: :):lol::cheers:

One hundred years from now, in the Neodiluvian Era, after the ice sheets over Greenland and Antartica have melted, and Miami truly becomes the New Atlantis, WE WILL have a 500 feet tall elevated rail system connecting each skyscraper over 500 feet tall. Miami will look like Metropolis 200 years after the movie! :):lol::cheers:

What ever happened to 1101 Brickell?????

Sorry to say this South Florida Boy:),
our friend,
This was one of my favorite tall tower projects for Brickell,
But:nuts:, I did see this tower died over a year ago with the Flatiron and Premiere Towers, Just not a chance now for any future Tall Condo towers on the planning boards for about 2 more years at least.
MET 3:banana: will probably be the last Tall condo Tower to go up within the next 2 years, I'm still hoping still if the Mary Brickell Village Skyline tower will still go.
God only knows when or if that tower will ever go up ???:ohno:

2032 the year of my dreams. :):cheers::banana:

Okay, I'll shut-up. Hey, Chuck! ;)

Sorry to say this South Florida Boy:),
our friend,
This was one of my favorite tall tower projects for Brickell,
But:nuts:, I did see this tower died over a year ago with the Flatiron and Premiere Towers, Just not a chance now for any future Tall Condo towers on the planning boards for about 2 more years at least.
MET 3:banana: will probably be the last Tall condo Tower to go up within the next 2 years, I'm still hoping still if the Mary Brickell Village Skyline tower will still go.
God only knows when or if that tower will ever go up ???:ohno:

Premiere Towers..Flatiron and 1101 all died!!! OMG thats a bummer!!

http://www.miamitodaynews.com/news/080117/story1.shtml

Miami-Dade seeking new Crosswinds developer

By Risa Polansky
Miami and developer Crosswinds' long-planned Overtown housing project is effectively kaput after county commissioners voted last week to reclaim the property for which it is slated.
Commissioners directed County Manager George Burgess to draft requests for proposals for all three parcels to create mixed-affordable and elderly rental and homeownership units, as well as commercial retail designed to spur economic development.
Crosswinds' Sawyer's Walk would have included 1,050 for-sale units, some designated affordable and others with the option to be sold as such.
Miami commissioners are suing the county for attempting to derail the project.
Commissioner Audrey Edmonson, whose district includes Overtown, has criticized Sawyer's Walk for what she deemed a lack of required affordable housing.
"I think it's time we take our property back," she said, and "do something with our own land."
The Crosswinds project has spent years embroiled in legal challenges that the city and developer say impeded its startup.
City CFO Larry Spring asked the county board to defer a decision on whether to take back the land, reminding commissioners that one parcel was newly designated for a different project: a mixed-use development that would bring Overtown its first full-scale grocery store.
Ms. Edmonson criticized the city for moving forward to develop that parcel after county commissioners vowed to take it back.
"This is another tactic here that is being utilized to tie our hands," she said.
Commissioners voted unanimously to move forward in drafting proposal requests for new developments.

I think Premiere Towers are placed on hold, not dead completely...

I think Premiere Towers are placed on hold, not dead completely...

Well, that is what I thought for a while too, but then the Premiere Towers banner was replaced by a Skyline at MBV banner. Now there is a "for sale" sign there.

I don't know why these developers get our hopes taking over a project and then backing out when they know what the market is doing better than we do. I was almost certain when another developer took over Premiere Towers they were going to build it as a mixed-use project with the long-term investment in mind, but looks like they backed out too. They were planning to build Onyx2 as well, but now Emporis says Onyx2 is dead. Going by the Onyx2 site, it certainly looks as dead as it always has been.

The market changes on a daily basis with property values, the cost of construction materials, labor, etc. We don't know what we'll see until we actually see it, even when somebody gives a start construction date. We know that means nothing from our experience with Met3 and Villa Magna, but I think we will see Met3 finally get it off the ground.

We really should be talking about Premiere Towers on the Brickell Financial District II thread, but while we're here, I will say again the Infinity sales office did say they were definitely going to launch Infinity II sometime this year, and I would still like to know what happened to the "for sale" sign that was on the Brickell Flatiron site.

I think Premiere Towers are placed on hold, not dead completely...

305 Lover:),
Our Friend,
I'm hoping your right ,
The twin round towers also were my favorite:banana:,
But:nuts: , as long as the Mary Brickell Village Skyline Tower remains with only it's foundation completed and NO Vertical for over 3 years now,
I believe it would be at least another 2 years before any more Condo Towers will go up,
Only Capital One has the chance of being completed in my dreams of 2012 !!!
What's in your Wallet ???:banana::lol::)

Maybe Premiere Tower one could be under construction in 2011 with Mary Brickell Village skyline and completed by 2014 !!!:cheers:

Premiere Towers was also one of my top five projects from the boom Chuck, I hope that one gets built!!

Premiere Towers was also one of my top five projects from the boom Chuck, I hope that one gets built!!

305 Lover:),
our friend,
same here,
talking about the top five projects of mine,
# 1, Is always MET 3, It's got to be built within the next 4 years, or I'm deleting myself of life, lol. I still see it in my dreams of 2012 !!!:cheers:
# 2, Villa Magna,
Something has got to be built here within the next 4 years, Anything !!!:ohno: At least one Tower by The Legend Tibor Hollo !!!:banana:
# 3, One Bayfront Plaza, Please Tibor Hollo:lol:
It's OUR ONLY HOPE OF A 1,000 FOOT TOWER !!!:cheers::):banana:
# 4, Mary Brickell Village Skyline Tower,
I still have " a little " confidence left in the ONLY Woman Developer in Miami !!!:cheers:
# 5, a Tie for me, 3 of them, " 1101 Brickell " over 800 ft tower that died over a year ago,
" Premiere Towers " , which I loved the round design towers so much I'd dreamed:nuts: about living in them in 2012:nuts: !!!
and of course the Future " Infinity 2 " Tower which will Dominate Brickell in the year 2014 !!!:cheers: ( I did see this tower under construction in my Dreams of 2012, but just not half way up as of that year .:)

Isn't the Riverfront development by a woman also (Mint, Wind, Cima, Ivy, Neo-Vertika)?

..

cant read that article

Isn't the Riverfront development by a woman also (Mint, Wind, Cima, Ivy, Neo-Vertika)?
Lissette Calderon of NeoDevelopment is responsible for two of the four Riverfront condo towers...Cima and Wind. She is co-developing those two buildings with Tony Cabrerra.
The other two residential towers on the Riverfront Parcel, Mint & Ivy, are being developed by Key International. KI is also going to develop two office buildings adjacent to the residential in the future.

Planning Report
Plans for tallest buildings in Miami gain first endorsement
January 18, 2008 By: Paola Iuspa-Abbott
Empire World Towers
The housing market may be in crisis, but that isn’t deterring developers from seeking approval to build one of the world’s tallest skyscrapers in downtown Miami.
Miami Beach-based Maclee Developments is moving forward with plans to build twin 93-story condominium towers across from Bayside Marketplace.
On Wednesday, Maclee’s proposal won an endorsement from Miami’s Planning Advisory Board. The vote was 8-1 in favor. Miami city commissioners have yet to review plans and vote on the massive Empire World Towers, which would rise at 330 Biscayne Blvd.
Maclee is seeking a major-use special permit, required for large developments. Renowned Miami architect Kobi Karp is the brains behind the oval-shaped towers, which would cost an estimated $1 billion to build. Karp said he wanted the project to resemble a ship because the Empire buildings would be within walking distance of the Port of Miami and Biscayne Bay.
Leon Cohen, Maclee’s chief executive, unveiled the project in May 2005. But resistance from some city’s advisory boards and elected officials a year ago made him to put the plans on hold, he said. Cohen is confident sentiments over his projects have changed. Still, some Planning Advisory Board members voiced reservations before they cast their votes.
“When I first looked at it, I thought the project belonged in Dubai,” board member Ernest Martin said during the meeting and who voted for the project.
Dubai, part of the United Arab Emirates in the Middle East, has experienced a skyscraper boom in the last two decades. By 2015, Dubai is expected to have the most buildings with 100 floors or more than any other city in the world.
Initially, the Miami towers were designed to rise up 110 floors. But to comply with Federal Aviation Administration height regulations, Maclee reduced the height to 93 stories, or about 1,022 feet, said Miami attorney Lucia Dougherty, who represents Maclee.
If built, the Empire towers could be challenged by another lofty Miami project.
Developer Tibor Hollo a few months ago received city approval to build One Bayfront Plaza at 100 S. Biscayne Blvd. Hollo’s glass encased building would have nearly 2 million square feet of office space and hundreds of hotel rooms. It would rise 1,049 feet over Biscayne Boulevard.
The two Empire World Towers would have a total of 1,557 condos, 3,317 square feet of offices and 24,741 square feet of retail space. But the mix of uses could change based on market conditions over the next five years, when construction of the project could start, said Cohen, whose company manages investment groups.
Air bridges are to connect the towers, and the College/Bayside Metromover station would be incorporated into the project. For that reason, Maclee wants to build a 1,321-car parking garage, with about 236 fewer spaces than the number of proposed condos. Dougherty said the city code doesn’t require any parking space at all in downtown because the area is served by mass transit.
Despite Wednesday’s board action, there’s no guarantee Cohen will develop the project, especially since thousands of condos built and under construction in the downtown area have created a condo glut.
The Florida housing market is suffering one of the worst slumps in decades. Condo sales in the state reached 2,375 units in November, a 29 percent decline from a year earlier, according to the Florida Association of Realtors. The statewide median sales price for condos was $186,700 in November, down 9 percent from the same month in 2006. Sales and the median price of single-family homes have also seen declines.
A few months ago, Cohen began looking for buyers for the 2.66-acre site at 330 Biscayne Blvd. He bought the property in May 2005 for $31.75 million, or $270 per square foot.
LoopNet, an online listing service for commercial real estate, advertises the site, including the project’s design plans and in-process permits. Lea Cohen, sister of Leon Cohen, said the family is asking $80 million for the package.
The site, which is located south of Miami-Dade College, covers more than two-thirds of a block. It does not include the block’s northeast corner, which is occupied by a Holiday Inn. The towers would replace vacant office buildings and a parking lot.
Cohen insisted he intends to build the landmark towers and would sell only if his project isn’t permitted.
“If the market doesn’t want it, we need to have a plan B: sell the property,” he said.
Property appraiser Dave Randell, president of Miami-based Hemisphere Real Estate, said permits for future development can add value to a property, but it’s difficult to estimate their worth. The value can be influenced by such factors such as the perceived ease of obtaining city permits and what stage the permitting process of a specific project is in.
“The more steps complied in the development process, the more value it is added to the property and the project,” Randall said. “But there isn’t any particular way to measure it.”
Owners who have been awarded permits or are on the verge of obtaining one may want to recoup the cost of the permit and a share of the profit that they would have made selling out the project, Randell said.
Randall said during the residential construction boom that peaked in mid-decade, some developers obtained permits and shortly after flipped their projects for profits.
“From 2004 to 2006, people wanted to come [into this market] and offered developers crazy money for their permitted projects,” he said.
In the current housing downturn, distressed developers and investors may opt to permit their projects then sell out.
“In a normal market, it is unusual to sell a project in the middle of the development process,” Randell said.

..

Cima was supposed to break ground last month, did they? Is Key International still moving forward on their Oppenheim Sunny Isles project? I haven't noticed any Cima activity. The 400 Sunny Isles project is still selling, not sure how well. It's a beautiful project.

but that isn’t deterring developers from seeking approval to build one of the world’s tallest skyscrapers in downtown Miami.
.

World's tallest building?:)

:bash:

They said "one of the worlds tallest" not "THE worlds tallest".

They are going ahead with the approvals but they still have the project and its land up for sale.

A few months ago, Cohen began looking for buyers for the 2.66-acre site at 330 Biscayne Blvd. He bought the property in May 2005 for $31.75 million, or $270 per square foot.
LoopNet, an online listing service for commercial real estate, advertises the site, including the project’s design plans and in-process permits. Lea Cohen, sister of Leon Cohen, said the family is asking $80 million for the package.

:bash:

:tongue:

Planning Report
Plans for tallest buildings in Miami gain first endorsement
January 18, 2008 By: Paola Iuspa-Abbott
Empire World Towers

Cohen insisted he intends to build the landmark towers and would sell only if his project isn’t permitted.
“If the market doesn’t want it, we need to have a plan B: sell the property,” he said.


I found this particularly interesting that he insists that he intends to build it, but how can anyone say the market wants this right now? :cheers:

its what uve beensaying all along quantum....this boom really put miami on the map...the really wealthy investors dont care about the now as what miami will become and we will keep seeing this huge projects coming to fruition...just look at parkwest as an example and one bayfront....if only we could could get the flatiron...hmm maybe we will as a supertall lol...uve been predicting this all along my friend...

its what uve beensaying all along quantum....this boom really put miami on the map...the really wealthy investors dont care about the now as what miami will become and we will keep seeing this huge projects coming to fruition...just look at parkwest as an example and one bayfront....if only we could could get the flatiron...hmm maybe we will as a supertall lol...uve been predicting this all along my friend...

edit.

Funny you should mention Brickell Flatiron, but since you did even though it belongs on another thread, it was originally planned as a supertall until the FAA showed its fangs. That is what someone from the Miami Herald told me. If Brickell Flatiron is indeed dead, I ask you again, who took down the "for sale" sign?:):cheers:

lol who indeed bua ha ha

lol who indeed bua ha ha

I've been told there is no such thing as phantom developers and that developers always announce everything with loud fanfare, but I don't think that is always the case with developers who want to corner what is left of the market by maintaining the element of surprise. They don't want the other developer to know what they've got up their sleeve, and as a result, we don't either. A project is for sale, then it's not for sale, then it's for sale again, then it's bought again. A project is dead, then it's not dead, then it's dead again, then it's alive. All we can do is wait at this point because we really can't be sure of anything except that a strictly residential project doesn't stand a snowball's chance in hell right now.

^^^^^^^^


Quantum:),
my 2008 World Almanac Book of Facts friend:banana:,
Did you read Roark's Post on Empire World towers might just finally go up in the next 5 years now,
Could we have 3, I mean I said THREE OVER 1,000 Foot towers by 2014:banana::cheers: !!! Opened and Completed by 2015, future plannings are underway for a 2015 SuperBowl Site at Dophins Stadium for that year very soon .

Yes, I did read that, Chuck! I'm just trying not to get too excited and give myself a stroke before I see the damn things. :lol::):cheers:

Yes, I did read that, Chuck! I'm just trying not to get too excited and give myself a stroke because I see the damn things. :lol::):cheers:

Very True Quantum:),
our friend,
too many hoax in the past my friend,
But now , I'm really excited, and MET 3:ohno: has to break ground This YEAR, darn it !!!:nuts:
It's got to happen soon,
a 3 in 1 chance of a 1,000 foot tower by 2015.
It's getting a better percentage now as time goes by ,
I believe now it's a 65 % chance of at least one tower of over 1,000 feet by 2015 !!!:cheers:

You tell fairweatherfriend they're planning to make Villa Magna a supertall too.:lol: That would be so perfect for that site! :):cheers:

Lissette Calderon of NeoDevelopment is responsible for two of the four Riverfront condo towers...Cima and Wind. She is co-developing those two buildings with Tony Cabrerra.
The other two residential towers on the Riverfront Parcel, Mint & Ivy, are being developed by Key International. KI is also going to develop two office buildings adjacent to the residential in the future.

With the two office buildings, are you referring to the other two that were approved as residental at first, but were not going to be built initially? Are they of the same height specifications? :):cheers:

did i hear this right...villa magna supertall?

did i hear this right...villa magna supertall?

There I was just kidding! :lol::):cheers:

^^^^^^^^


Quantum:),
my 2008 World Almanac Book of Facts friend:banana:,
Did you read Roark's Post on Empire World towers might just finally go up in the next 5 years now,
Could we have 3, I mean I said THREE OVER 1,000 Foot towers by 2014:banana::cheers: !!! Opened and Completed by 2015, future plannings are underway for a 2015 SuperBowl Site at Dophins Stadium for that year very soon .

Chuck, while you were away, I told the guys about my dream of Empire World that I had 10 years ago when I was still in my South Beach apartment with the great view. Some of them must think this is pretty spooky. I forgot what thread it's on though. :lol::cheers:

Does anyone remember the super tall that was featured in a Miami Herald article somewhere around the time of the Columbia Shuttle accident, circa January 2003. It was going to be a triangle shaped, glass, 175 story building somewhere around 1500'? :nuts: It was going in Empire Tower site I believe.

Does anyone remember the super tall that was featured in a Miami Herald article somewhere around the time of the Columbia Shuttle accident, circa January 2003. It was going to be a triangle shaped, glass, 175 story building somewhere around 1500'? :nuts: It was going in Empire Tower site I believe.

I remember. It was going to be the tallest building in the world , but that was back in 2001 not 2003.

Does anyone remember the super tall that was featured in a Miami Herald article somewhere around the time of the Columbia Shuttle accident, circa January 2003. It was going to be a triangle shaped, glass, 175 story building somewhere around 1500'? :nuts: It was going in Empire Tower site I believe.

That was the oft-mentioned "Verticus" project that was really nothing more than pure fantasy. If memory serves correct, the design for it was done by UM architecture students as a class project...not as a serious proposal by actual developers.

That was the oft-mentioned "Verticus" project that was really nothing more than pure fantasy. If memory serves correct, the design for it was done by UM architecture students as a class project...not as a serious proposal by actual developers.

Verticus is the one that was to be on Bicentennial Park with the stadium. The one I am referring to was near the Freedom Tower and I think it was in a triangle or an A looking glass building.

Verticus is the one that was to be on Bicentennial Park with the stadium. The one I am referring to was near the Freedom Tower and I think it was in a triangle or an A looking glass building.

Yeah, it was going to be a tall and thin pyramid.

Verticus is the one that was to be on Bicentennial Park with the stadium. The one I am referring to was near the Freedom Tower and I think it was in a triangle or an A looking glass building.

You're right...I remember that now.

I know most of us are "height freaks" here but I have to say that thing was one of the ugliest monstrosities I've ever seen. Absolutely bizarre. The drawing itself was super amateurish, too, if memory serves.

Who knows where that stuff even comes from? It certainly shouldn't be considered anything that was a serious proposal (thank GOD) :cheers:

It makes me glad I had never heard of it until you mentioned it, Spellbound! I hate getting myself all worked up for nothing as much as I still do it! :lol::cheers:

It makes me glad I had never heard of it until you mentioned it, Spellbound! I hate getting myself all worked up for nothing as much as I still do it! :lol::cheers:

Quantum:),
my friend,
Then still do it,
:dj:" Go Downtown, there's no other place to go,
Downtown, Downtown, downtown, downtown,
Forget all your troubles and GO:runaway: !!!
Downtown !!!,
listen to the pounds of the cranes in the city,
then get your feet into the bustle of the city,
nows the time,
forget all your troubles now , and get there soon as fast as you can,
And you Go,
Downtown !!!
there's ho other place to go,
Downtown !!! downtown downtown, Downttown, downtown. "
Petula Clark :banana::):cheers::old::booze:

Believe it or not, I used to love that song and thought all downtowns were like that until I experienced downtown L.A. in the 70s, just a few new skyscrapers with nothing going on at night except a big barrio. :ohno:

Believe it or not, I used to love that song and thought all downtowns were like that until I experienced downtown L.A. in the 70s, just a few new skyscrapers with nothing going on at night except a big barrio. :ohno:

The movie Death Wish 2 comes to mind.

COME ON.. You all are smarter then that 2 believe in EWT

COME ON.. You all are smarter then that 2 believe in EWT

We shall see. All we can do is wait.

In Miami you can believe in anything. You have to realize that Miami has a certain amount of immunity to market effects that hurt or help other cities. We have a very big International attraction and at this time of bottom dollar, exchange rates Miami is a bigger deal everyday. Multinationals are opening all the time, venture capitalist are flocking the state all the time, the highest since before 9/11. In my opinion if a couple of woes can be ironed out, transportation, wages and insurance, even more miracles could happen. Miami is the Magic City! :banana:

..

Yeah that fantasy is cool, not going to happen, but definitely nice. But, I am sure that is not the one I was referring to. Thanks for the links though, it has some pics of that project that I had not seen.

That was the oft-mentioned "Verticus" project that was really nothing more than pure fantasy. If memory serves correct, the design for it was done by UM architecture students as a class project...not as a serious proposal by actual developers.
Great links to the Verticus pics Mileage.
As posted before, the Verticus project was much more developed than "pure fantasy" and even more developed than fantasy!
The package that I posted from back then was a legitimate attempt for a public private partnership to assemble land on both sides of 395 to incorporate acres of green space, both museums, a retractable dome stadium, the FTAA headquarters, office, condo, hotel, amusement park etc, etc.
The package that I saw must have cost into the 6 figures, and incorporated professional opinions from architects, structural engineers, traffic planners, land use attorneys, government experts, financiers, etc.
It was extremely ambitious, but not pure fantasy.

Here's a real sacrilege for you guys! I actually prefer the Kobi Karp design of One Bayfront Plaza over that of the Terra group. For better or for worse, the Kobi Karp design just looks more like it belongs in Miami while that Terra group design looks more like it belongs in Dubai. I think the Kobi Karp design goes better with what's already here in Miami while the Terra group's design looks out of place to me.

Has anyone been to Mike's at the Venetian? I read it's a sportsbar at the Venetian Plaza Condo on the 9th floor. I came accross it by searching the web for a place to watch the fight on Saturday night. Even though they were not showing it, we found out they had happy hour & where they were located.

Has anyone been to Mike's at the Venetian? I read it's a sportsbar at the Venetian Plaza Condo on the 9th floor. I came accross it by searching the web for a place to watch the fight on Saturday night. Even though they were not showing it, we found out they had happy hour & where they were located. One of my all-time favorites.
Dave makes a mean drink and the gumbo is excellent. It's a great pre-heat game spot....have some vittles, jump on the MetroMover and voila!!
Mike has owned it for well over 19 years.

One of my all-time favorites.
Dave makes a mean drink and the gumbo is excellent. It's a great pre-heat game spot....have some vittles, jump on the MetroMover and voila!!
Mike has owned it for well over 19 years.

I hope they're providing Dramamine and an air-sickness bag for those heading off to see the Heat these days...yikes! :cheers:

I hope they're providing Dramamine and an air-sickness bag for those heading off to see the Heat these days...yikes! :cheers:Yeah, true.
It's gotten so bad that at that speed trap on Alton Road near the golf course, when the cops pull you over for 25 over, they are giving out Heat Tickets. Ohhhhhhhhh....

Yeah, true.
It's gotten so bad that at that speed trap on Alton Road near the golf course, when the cops pull you over for 25 over, they are giving out Heat Tickets. Ohhhhhhhhh....

Ouch! (but LOL)

Any chance the team can be temporarily renamed the "Cold" the rest of the way?

One of my all-time favorites.
Dave makes a mean drink and the gumbo is excellent. It's a great pre-heat game spot....have some vittles, jump on the MetroMover and voila!!
Mike has owned it for well over 19 years.

I heard they make a GREAT 'possum stew on special order. It's Granny Clampett's old family recipe that's been handed down for generations. She won first prize at the Possum Festival in the Appalachian mountains every spring until the day she died and whispered the secret recipe into Dave's ear. She did that before she died, btw. Even if it was road kill, she still won:lol:, even her possum pies. Talk about some vittles! Now Roark, that's some good eatin'! Who do you think inspired Appalachian Spring by Aaron Copeland? :cheers:

Don't know if any of you have already seen this, but it's definitely worth seeing:

http://video.nbc6.net/player/?id=164848#videoid=164848

Don't know if any of you have already seen this, but it's definitely worth seeing:

http://video.nbc6.net/player/?id=164848#videoid=164848

GREAT NEWS!!! THANKS FOR POSTING THAT, KEVIN! I emailed a picture of Miami to one of the owners in my building who now lives in Atlanta, and she said she would not have believed it was Miami if I hadn't told her! :lol::):cheers::banana:

www.davidsbeenhere.com showing you MIAMI very soon

Very nice piece! Great to see Perez working the PR circuit!!!
I think the people in this forum have been predicting it for about 3 years. New buildings will come within the brackets of the Metromover, people will start to get rid of their cars, and more and more restaurants and shops will open to serve them.
From One Miami it is an 7 block walk to Mary Brickell Village. Or, walk one block to the Metromover stop, take an elevated tour of the skyscrapers and get let off one block away. These buildings will definitely be filling up!

^^Funny you mention that it is 7 blocks. Some would say thats far, but that is like two steps in New York City. I have walked five times that many blocks in New York to get somewhere. Granted sometimes it is humid out, but even on cool days like this some people will complain.

I heard the Miami Skylift Balloon will be there for the next 3 years... I think it's a nice addition to Bayfront Park and I'm glad it will stay for time to come. Also, they're looking for a sponsor to put their logo on the balloon... that should make it more interesting.

Has anyone heard what they are doing with the amphitheatre? I heard a company is taking it over to improve it.

I heard the Miami Skylift Balloon will be there for the next 3 years... I think it's a nice addition to Bayfront Park and I'm glad it will stay for time to come. Also, they're looking for a sponsor to put their logo on the balloon... that should make it more interesting.

Has anyone heard what they are doing with the amphitheatre? I heard a company is taking it over to improve it.

Found some info on the amphitheatre:
http://www.miamitodaynews.com/news/080117/story2.shtml

Thanks Roark for the info on Mike's I will check them out.

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/4552/pp1yq4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/3945/pp2ms4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/7845/pp3gx0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/9144/pp4po9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

^^

How recent are those renderings?

I hope Paramount park really looks like that. and 600 AKA Liberta could look better. on that first pic is that rendering all the way to the left of 600 Biscayne is that the MDC or is that suppose to be a shorter version of Empire?
http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/4552/pp1yq4.jpg

too bad 900 never got her surfboard on top..

Ahhhhh..... (SIGH) Please do not play with my emotions. That looks really spectacular.

stop teasing with those images :nuts:

someday, i wish!!!

Which ones are still planned to go up apart from Ten, Blue, 900, and Marquis?

Those are some SEXY Pictures :naughty:

Holy Renderings! I wish Paramount Park would look like that!

Anyways, today with my phone:

MET2

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0606.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0607.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0615.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0616.jpg

MET SQUARE

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0617.jpg

MARINA BLUE

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0619.jpg

900

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0620.jpg

TMP

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0621.jpg

Marquis

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0622.jpg

Arsht's arse :D

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0623.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/stratoshpere/IMG_0624.jpg

wow thanks! thats a great phone :)

couple questions: Whats up with the gaurd rails in front of Marina Blue? Does the city or whoever is fixing Biscayne EVER plan to add the trees to the median, I actually see the area where trees would go but all I see is white sand and weeds growing out of it.
And the Blank wall on TMP is kind of bothering me and I really dont like that they're putting advertisement on it either. And what up with that seedy lot in front of the Arsht Center, anything planned for it?

Density!!! Wow!

^^

How recent are those renderings?

I was wondering the same, FTL. Anybody know?

(cool stuff, regardless)

couple questions: Whats up with the gaurd rails in front of Marina Blue? Does the city or whoever is fixing Biscayne EVER plan to add the trees to the median, I actually see the area where trees would go but all I see is white sand and weeds growing out of it.
And the Blank wall on TMP is kind of bothering me and I really dont like that they're putting advertisement on it either. And what up with that seedy lot in front of the Arsht Center, anything planned for it?
They are guard rails.
Yes.
Yes.

Hey miami forums>>>> long time no talk>>>chuck i missed u dude!>>>

well i have a friend whos father runs the construction company who constructed the carnival theatre and the american airlines arena>>>

i asked him a few questions and he promised me that met 3 was going to be built that it is not dead>>> also he promises that the florida marlins will have their stadium before the 2011 season>>>

this is a reliable source....

i asked him a few questions and he promised me that met 3 was going to be built that it is not dead>>> also he promises that the florida marlins will have their stadium before the 2011 season>>>

Ask him to promise a stadium downtown.

Ask him to promise a stadium downtown.
Put the new stadium west of the PAC center by clearing out that blighted area where that yellow -looking pawn shop is and surrounding area..

Put the new stadium west of the PAC center by clearing out that blighted area where that yellow -looking pawn shop is and surrounding area..

That sure would have been ideal, wouldn't it?

I don't think anybody here is under any illusions about the OB site. Nobody thought it was a great spot---not the Marlins, not MLB, not the vast majority of fans, and probably not the city itself in their heart of hearts. It was never about anything more than money...not necessarily what was best for the city and the team long-term.

I think it was truly a lost opportunity. What might have been a nice catalyst for enhancing an area already integrated into the urban core with transit, etc. is going elsewhere.

Some will claim that the OB site is close enough to downtown to do those things but I suspect most know better. It just isn't and there will be little to no synergy. This will be a car-oriented deal---in and out, self-contained, no real benefit to downtown.

I guess the bottom line is keeping the franchise and in that regard I'd settle for just about anything. It's just that it could have been SO much more.

tHAT CRAPPY YELLOW PAWN SHOP IS ONE OF DWN TWN's hottest night clubs and if you saw the amazing interiors you would see the area is far from dead. PS 14 is even hipper and more northwest (scarier) so check it out.

Put the new stadium west of the PAC center by clearing out that blighted area where that yellow -looking pawn shop is and surrounding area..

Don't know if you guys are aware of this since I haven't seen it mentioned in recent posts, but Jacobo Cababie, the man behind Everglades on the Bay (and Capital on Brickell, among others) died while playing golf in Aventura last week. He was only 39.

http://www.miamiherald.com/512/story/403379.html

Don't know if you guys are aware of this since I haven't seen it mentioned in recent posts, but Jacobo Cababie, the man behind Everglades on the Bay (and Capital on Brickell, among others) died while playing golf in Aventura last week. He was only 39.

http://www.miamiherald.com/512/story/403379.html

Yes, we were discussing that on the Capital thread. He was still a young man. :cheers:

Hey miami forums>>>> long time no talk>>>chuck i missed u dude!>>>

well i have a friend whos father runs the construction company who constructed the carnival theatre and the american airlines arena>>>

i asked him a few questions and he promised me that met 3 was going to be built that it is not dead>>> also he promises that the florida marlins will have their stadium before the 2011 season>>>

this is a reliable source....

MIAMI MAN:),
Our friend indeed,
Thanks for the WAKEUP Call !!!:banana::banana::banana:
okay, I'm going for my 3,000TH POST soon,
and I want to see CIMA BREAK Ground when I make the 3,000th POST !!!:cheers:

and YES !!!, I believe you, MET 3 Will Prevail before 2011 ...and for the Marlin's stadium , I'm saying around a 2015 completion in Alaska, lol.

Go to to:

http://www.spilliscandeladmjm.com/

Portfolio --> Liesure --> Alcazar Residential Tower Miami

Anyone know what that is?

lasalle apt is a much more interesting design on the same page

Looks to be on the MDC property. Probably another submission (along with the Oppenheim one we've all seen) to develop the parcel.

Looks like it might be a proposal for the MDC - Wolfson campus project.

Looks like it might be a proposal for the MDC - Wolfson campus project. That could be, but the map on the site has a circle centered on the parcel South of NE 4th Street and it is called "Alcazar Residential Tower", if it were an entry for MDC, it would have to be a mixed use tower.

laSALLE apt seems to be a new premiere tower concept using the lot next door

That could be, but the map on the site has a circle centered on the parcel South of NE 4th Street and it is called "Alcazar Residential Tower", if it were an entry for MDC, it would have to be a mixed use tower.

Right you are.
A second look showed that they have Galaxy Dadeland, which I believe was the first proposal for Downtown Dadeland. My suspicion is that the Alcazar was a proposal that never saw the light of day. This might seem to confirm it?
http://www.aiamiami.com/chapt2004.php

Here's some postcard views of the original Alcazar Hotel on Biscayne. It occupied the same lot.
http://www.tomfolio.com/bookdetailssu.asp?b=48376&m=40
http://scholar.library.miami.edu/miamidigital/search/allGalleryPages.php?IDtitle=41&objNo=000014&seqNo=0001&IDmainrecord=160
http://scholar.library.miami.edu/miamidigital/search/allGalleryPages.php?IDtitle=1584&objNo=000033&seqNo=0003&IDmainrecord=743

Umm...that LaSalle apt building, where is that located exactly and what are the chances of that getting built?

Just to let you guys know, Loft 3 is a go. It is not on hold any longer. Was speaking to someone in the Loft offices and they mentioned that its a go. The Loft office is moving out of their current location this week with the small buildings on the property being demolished next week.

Just to let you guys know, Loft 3 is a go. It is not on hold any longer. Was speaking to someone in the Loft offices and they mentioned that its a go. The Loft office is moving out of their current location this week with the small buildings on the property being demolished next week.

What are its specifications in stories and height in feet? :cheers:

Just to let you guys know, Loft 3 is a go. It is not on hold any longer. Was speaking to someone in the Loft offices and they mentioned that its a go. The Loft office is moving out of their current location this week with the small buildings on the property being demolished next week.

Miami NOLE:),
our new Loft 3 update friend,
I'm back alive with you saying this update,
I'm praying that your right, :angel1::fiddle::angel1:
Please, This tower must be built in my dreams of 2012 !!!:cheers:
It's there in my dreams,
I knew I saw it there in 2012 :banana:

Miami NOLE:),
our new Loft 3 update friend,
I'm back alive with you saying this update,
I'm praying that your right, :angel1::fiddle::angel1:
Please, This tower must be built in my dreams of 2012 !!!:cheers:
It's there in my dreams,
I knew I saw it there in 2012 :banana:

Lol Chuck, you and your Dreams of 2012, and your emoticons. I hope 2012 ends up being your best year ever lol. :)

What are its specifications in stories and height in feet? :cheers:

31-stories, 398 feet tall, 495 condos (most priced under $250K). It will have only 14 parking spaces, all for the retail portion. Personally I was looking forward to seeing loft 4 more because of its interior CBD location but that got cancelled.

wow, why no parking? who can live in this city without a car? this isn't ny.

:bash:

wow, why no parking? who can live in this city without a car? this isn't ny.

:bash:

They reserved parking spots in a nearby garage that owners would be able to rent. Thats how Related was able to make the units so cheap, not building 15 stories of parking that they dont charge for sure keeps costs down. The majority of South Beach condos and apartments have no dedicated parking either (they rent space in a garage or find a spot on the street).

^^^^Isn't that how most of nyc is? besides the expensive places but even then.

Isn't the added construction cost of a building per parking space it builds some where in the neighborhood of 20,000 or more?

wow, why no parking? who can live in this city without a car? this isn't ny.

:bash:

I agree 100% That is a concept that many people don't want to understand...everything here is too spread out and public transit is not good enough to be without a car.

I think it's great that they won't have parking in the tower, there's plenty of parking in Downtown for everyone and their mother. When is Loft3 supposed to start construction?

I think it's great that they won't have parking in the tower, there's plenty of parking in Downtown for everyone and their mother. When is Loft3 supposed to start construction?

And you certainly don't want my mother parking and driving Downtown! :lol:

And you certainly don't want my mother parking and driving Downtown! :lol:

Quantum:),
My 2008 Update World Almanac book of facts Friend,
and My mother is still alive at 80 now and still has a Valid Driver's Licence,
and we the kids took it away from her:bash:,
Take the MetroMover just a block away from LOFT 3 tower site,
In fact , it's just across the street, and It's Still FREE !!!:cheers:

I see Chuck can relate! "No, Mom! You are not driving my car!":ohno:

wow, why no parking? who can live in this city without a car? this isn't ny. :bash:
1. Parking isn't essential to life.
2. Over 50% of the South Beach population lives without cars (happily). Many people in Loft don't have cars. People that try to live a month without a car in the urban core will realize that they don't need a car.

On another note, Zip Cars is moving forward with their plan to have their program in place soon. That will solve many of the perceived problems. If someone feels it ultra important to have a car, call up Enterprise, $28 bucks a day and voila...their are several car rental offices within blocks of the Loft projects.
People that are being paid the most work in the urban core. they will think out side of the box, give up a car and afford a very nice lifestyle.
Others will commute for 45 minutes to work (1.5 hours round trip per day, 30 hours per month, 390 hours per year. That's 48.75 eight hour work days...or about a month and half of a working persons life PER YEAR.
When the commuters see how much more productive their car-less colleague is in the car-less Loft, maybe they will get smart too.

south beach is very different than downtown...but most of my friends that live on the beach and have real jobs have cars...the ones that don't, it's because they are too poor to have one, bottom line, its not by choice...some are here without papers, so they kinda have to work as waiters and bartenders around the beach...it works for them, but not for most.

the loft projects would be great on the beach, but in the center of downtown miami, which is not yet ready to be classified as "urban core", is another story. don't get me wrong, i'm glad they are being constructed. anything to get this area growing is great, imo. and i guess if u can limit ure life to the brackets of the metromover, then be my guest.

but i think u can't live in a city that doesn't have a good public transportation system without a car. for me, a condo without appropriate parking is worthless in miami. and a parking garage a couple blocks away doesn't work for me either cause i may not want to be walking around downtown at night. anyway, it's too much of a hassle and its just not practical.

but i think u can't live in a city that doesn't have a good public transportation system without a car. for me, a condo without appropriate parking is worthless in miami. and a parking garage a couple blocks away doesn't work for me either cause i may not want to be walking around downtown at night. anyway, it's too much of a hassle and its just not practical. Granted, living in downtown isn't for everyone Arkon. If you think that you can't live in downtown with a car or if you think you can live in downtown, either way, you are right.
People can, in fact, live downtown without a car. More and more are doing so.
Maybe you are comfortable with traffic and long commutes...that is your prerogative. People that work in the CBD, Brickell, or Park West neighborhoods are finding that they can live there, happily.
Personally, I think the best form of transportation are my feet. They are mostly reliable and always on time.
The Metromover does a nice job downtown and gets me to anyplace that I'd like to go.

PS. The CBD is considered the urban core no matter what your opinion of it is. It probably won't be considered a haven for bartenders, waiters, and friends working illegally, but if you are a lawyer, judge, in the financial services, or working in a large corporation, the urban core is a great place to be.
Check out Il Gabbiano in the One Miami building...EXCELLENT! Another great restaurant to compliment Prime Blue.

I don't think Miami is there yet in terms of having the mass transit or enough mixed-use projects or variety in retail, jobs, and residents in the urban core to meet the needs of most people for going carless to work for most people. I lived in San Francisco without a car, which is not difficult. I lived in L.A. without a car, but wouldn't want to do it again and wouldn't want to do it here in Miami. We are simply not there yet and are a long way off in my opinion. If it's working for a lot of people in downtown, that's great, but I think we have a long ways to go.

I don't think Miami is there yet in terms of having the mass transit or enough mixed-use projects or variety in retail, jobs, and residents in the urban core to meet the needs of most people for going carless to work for most people. For sure most people won't live in the urban core.
Back to the issue, I think that the Loft projects will survive and it will not be NECESSARY to have parking for it's success.
Again, whether you think you can or think you can't, either way you are correct.
Professionals, that work in that neighborhood will do it. Odds are that if you aren't a professional working in the neighborhood, you think it can't be done.

Every concept needs a pioneer, precedent or founding father; without it where would this country be? If the first people that settled anywhere in America would of had the attitude of hey this place lacks this or this is a hassle we would all be living in England, Spain or some other part of Europe.

Every concept needs a pioneer, precedent or founding father; without it where would this country be? If the first people that settled anywhere in America would of had the attitude of hey this place lacks this or this is a hassle we would all be living in England, Spain or some other part of Europe.:) Correct. They say, "The Pioneers take the arrows!"

even if i live and work m-f in cbd, and dont leave the place, on the weekend im gonna wanna visit mom in kendall, abuela in hialeah, go shopping at aventura, dinner at the gables, drink at the grove, hang out with my illegal friends in the beach ... :lol: :cheers: :nuts:

anyway, the point is miami has so much to offer, but only if u can drive to it. i want my car where i live.

:banana:

freedom = independence = car :)

I knew people who lived in South Miami without cars and they got by fine. They were college students so they were more of the have no cars/have no choice crowd but everything they needed was within walking distance or off the metrorail.

There's exceptions to every rule but I doubt too many people would consider South Florida an easy place to navigate without a car. For the vast majority, it's an essential part of their commuting/living pattern.

I still have my car here in Philly but could easily do without it (and probably only drive 10-20% as much as I routinely did in Miami). Down there it's unfathomable that I could do the same except in VERY isolated exceptions. The spread out nature of the metro and the transit situation just make it a necessity. That won't be changing anytime soon.

There's exceptions to every rule but I doubt too many people would consider South Florida an easy place to navigate without a car. For the vast majority, it's an essential part of their commuting/living pattern.True. Especially for people that grew up here.
For transplants (like me) if you live in South Beach, you don't need a car, nor do you want one. Then again, you don't have family living in suburbs that you visit often.
There are small percentage of people that have high paying CBD jobs and will not want a house with a yard in the burbs. They will not want to commute, and very rarely will.
In fact, I now own a car (for 5 years in SBeach, i didn't) and I've almost put 10,000 miles on it in that last 20 months. Driving is for suckas!
freedom = freetime = convenience
car = traffic = gas = insurance payment = parking tickets = maintenance = roadrage
I'm off to hail a cab, it'll cost $5 each way to dinner...no valet fees, no parking hassles!! That is freedom.

The first two Loft projects have parking. They have a 50 year lease for the garage across the street. Literally across the street. Its probably easier to get to your car in Loft 2 than it is in some other buildings with parking garages.

The first two Loft projects have parking. They have a 50 year lease for the garage across the street. Literally across the street. Its probably easier to get to your car in Loft 2 than it is in some other buildings with parking garages.

The folks in the Loft 3 will be even better off than those in Lofts I and II. Loft 3 is directly across the street from the garage (literally just a few steps away).

If you live in any of the Loft projects and work in the CBD, it would probably make sense to use public transportation during the week, and rent a car on the weekends to shop or visit your relatives.

If you live in any of the Loft projects and work in the CBD, it would probably make sense to use public transportation during the week, and rent a car on the weekends to shop or visit your relatives.

Well, if not providing parking spaces in the Loft projects actually does translate into affordable housing in the urban core for service providers, I'm all for it. Even if a building say like MarinaBlue or 900 Biscayne is strictly residential, you of course are still going to need plumbers, electricians, and elevator repair men, as well as maids and janitors, and it is simply not fair for them to spend half their day on the road getting to work because of our limited highway and transit system. No, they will not need a car in the urban core. Affordable housing in the urban core of Miami, which is getting more dense by the day, I think is essential for the city to function efficiently. :cheers:

The issue is not getting rid of the car. The issue is to lessen our dependence on the car. Instead of having 4 cars per family you have 2. Instead of 2 cars for a couple, you have 1. Yes, Miami is car dependent, but every person does not have to have 1 car.

Empire World Towers goes before the commission for final approval on the 28th. Here are the plans submitted. One thing i noticed is that there would be no retail fronting Biscayne. The entire Biscayne Blvd facade of the bulding would be a residential lobby. What little ground floor retail there is fronts NE 3rd ST, most of the retail appears to be on the 2nd floor:

http://egov.ci.miami.fl.us/Legistarweb/Attachments/40946.PDF

Interesting find Dave!!! So, does the Holiday Inn stay??? It looks like it does from the drawings.

Damn it I hope they get it done. I highly doubt it though. :ohno::bash:

Empire World Towers goes before the commission for final approval on the 28th. http://egov.ci.miami.fl.us/Legistarweb/Attachments/40946.PDF

Are you sure?, because it is not stated in the article you gave us.

Well according to the plans the Holiday Inn is staying. I thought the project had changed from strictly residential to mix use with office or hotel components involved. It would make sense given the current market conditions.

Nice find. I didn't know EWT still even had a chance, kind of surprised they're still at it, what are the chances this will get built? There are some things I like about it, like the height and the fact that it sort of implements Metromover into the building (I just don't understand how people will cross the rail to get into the building), and there are some things I don't like about it. I don't like the fact that retail is on the 2nd floor and none on the 1st floor, making it almost dead to the passing pedestrian. I also wish they were a bit more in Downtown, as to not make it look so large from up front. It's an okay set of buildings though.

METROMOVER HAS DOORS ON BOTH SIDES, IT WOULD ONLY WORK FOR METROMOVERS HEADING NORTH NOT FOR THE ONES HEADING SOUTH

Nice find. I didn't know EWT still even had a chance, kind of surprised they're still at it, what are the chances this will get built? There are some things I like about it, like the height and the fact that it sort of implements Metromover into the building (I just don't understand how people will cross the rail to get into the building), and there are some things I don't like about it. I don't like the fact that retail is on the 2nd floor and none on the 1st floor, making it almost dead to the passing pedestrian. I also wish they were a bit more in Downtown, as to not make it look so large from up front. It's an okay set of buildings though.

See Roark's posting #1330 on page 67 of this thread.

anyone notice they have a level 13?

why do buildings never have a level 13???

is the entire world that superstitious?

:ohno:

The odds on EWT happening in this RE market are about the same as a meteorite hitting Seattle tomorrow. Let's be realistic.

The odds on EWT happening in this RE market are about the same as a meteorite hitting Seattle tomorrow. Let's be realistic.

No. It is not happening in THIS market!

No. It is not happening in THIS market!

I know what you're getting at (and who knows what the future holds) but another poster here---forget who---pointed out a few months back that "approvals" such as this often have absolutely nothing to do with actual construction intentions but keep a site more viable from a sales perspective because it is zoned and approved for project(s) that increase the potential value of the land. Or something to that effect, anyway...I'm laid up with a cold and my brain is fuzzy right now. :lol:

Either way, I'm not holding my breath on EWT and never thought it was a truly serious proposal anyway. We've got to worry about filling all the countless unoccupied units downtown before thinking any developer in their right mind would go with anything huge anytime soon. Those days are over for awhile.

I'm not holding my breath either or I shall surely die.

"The two Empire World Towers would have a total of 1,557 condos, 3,317 square feet of offices and 24,741 square feet of retail space. But the mix of uses could change based on market conditions over the next five years, when construction of the project could start, said Cohen, whose company manages investment groups.

Cohen insisted he intends to build the landmark towers and would sell only if his project isn’t permitted.
“If the market doesn’t want it, we need to have a plan B: sell the property,” he said." :cheers:

Herald article on EWT and OBP. Interesting to note that it lists the final height above ground level for OBP being 1008 feet.

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking_news/story/433988.html

Miami skyline could reach new heights

BY ANDRES VIGLUCCI
aviglucci@MiamiHerald.com
You think those new towers rising in downtown Miami are tall?

Well, you ain't seen nothing yet.

Get ready for the Great Leap Upward -- a new class of super-tall skyscrapers that would reduce those big new high-rises to the status of relative pygmies.

Undeterred by the real-estate downturn, and aided by a little-noticed relaxation of the downtown height limits that protect Miami International Airport's flight paths, two local developers want to take you higher -- up over the 1,000-foot threshold, rare heights in the United States outside of New York and Chicago.

On Thursday, the Miami City Commission will consider Maclee Development's proposed Empire World Towers, a pair of rounded residential cloud-busters that would rise 93 stories over Biscayne Boulevard across from Bayside Marketplace. The city's planning board has recommended approval.

Already approved by the commission: veteran Miami developer Tibor Hollo's One Bayfront Plaza, a 1,008-foot glass office tower resembling a twisting, billowing mainsail. The $1.8 billion project, which also includes a shorter hotel tower, would replace an existing 19-story ''high-rise'' at 100 S. Biscayne Blvd., across from Bayfront Park.

Both developers say they fully intend to build. Because of their size and complexity, both projects would take years to design, review and construct. They wouldn't be finished until the mid-2010s, allowing plenty of time for the sagging market to rebound, the developers say.

Both mega-towers would exceed Miami's current height champ, the 4-year-old, 789-foot Four Seasons Hotel & Tower on Brickell Avenue, by more than 200 feet. That's roughly 20 stories, or what used to be considered a skyscraper in Miami not so long ago.

But why so tall?

''It's begging for it, the site,'' said Hollo, chairman of Florida East Coast Realty, developers of the Omni complex, Venetia and the new Opera Tower. ``We are talking about creating a signature building for the city of Miami. I am laboring here for 52 years, and I wanted to leave a legacy to the city.''

Hollo, 81, says he's spending $35 million on 18 contractors, including Terra Architecture of Coral Gables, who are collaborating on the design. So massive is the undertaking that Hollo estimates it will take two years to finish the plans, and as long as two years more for city building officials to review the 8,000-plus pages he expects to generate.

For Maclee chief executive Leon Cohen, going tall is no case of skyscraper envy but of land economics, location and Miami's increasing affinity for urban living.

''We have had to face a lot of resistance to the concept of such a tall building,'' Cohen said. ``Why would anyone want to be up there on the 90th floor?

``It's no longer the Miami you and I knew in 1990. It's metropolitan. There is an opera house nearby, new activity downtown. There is unique interactivity of land and water. People will continue coming here. And there is nowhere else you can be at 1,000 feet and looking directly at the water.''

The $1 billion Empire World Towers, designed by Miami architect Kobi Karp, would wrap around the back and side of an existing hotel at Northeast Third Street and Biscayne. Karp said the towers, to be wrapped in blue-green glass to recall Biscayne Bay and connected by three sky bridges, do not strain to be iconic.

''We wanted to keep it simple and sleek and elegant,'' Karp said.

At a time when some local trophy projects have been going to bigger or imported designers, landing such large and prominent commissions has also been a boon to Karp and Terra principal Ignacio Permuy.

Terra is only 2 years old. Karp's Miami firm has extensive projects underway across the world, but no landmarks of this scope or significance in his hometown. But he said he's not taking construction for granted just yet.

''It would be a real honor and pleasure to have these buildings move ahead,'' Karp said. ``Right now, we have to have a kind of wait-and-see attitude.

If finished today, both towers would be among the 35 tallest in the world according to Emporis.com, a website that tracks and ranks buildings. Atlanta, Houston and Los Angeles each have one building over 1,000 feet.

But while Empire World Towers would be among the very tallest residential buildings in the United States, it would pale next to the 2,000-foot, 150-floor Chicago Spire, now underway at the mouth of the city's river.

And neither Miami mega-tower would approach the height of the world's current tallest, Taipei 101 in Taiwan, which exceeds 1,600 feet.

Until last year, 790 feet was as high as a Miami skyscraper could go because of regulations meant to keep tall buildings from interfering with MIA's flight paths, which go over downtown Miami. Developers and city officials complained the rules, supported by airlines serving MIA, were overly restrictive.

After long negotiation, airport officials reached a compromise that slightly broadened the area where the tallest buildings would be allowed and increased the top height to 1,010 feet, while lowering heights in some adjacent areas along the Miami River. That means the local rules will more closely mirror federal aviation rules. The Federal Aviation Administration approved the new plan.

Designs for both mega-towers are over that threshold, but the developers said they will reduce heights to comply. Both must still be reviewed by MIA and FAA.

If successful, the mega-projects could inspire other super-tall towers nearby, real-estate professionals say.

But areas where current zoning would allow them are limited to Biscayne Boulevard south of Interstate 395 and the West Brickell area, said Miami land-use attorney Lucia Dougherty, who represents Empire World Towers. Since most of the boulevard frontage has new buildings under construction or already approved, it's unlikely to be converted into a forest of super-tall buildings, she said.

''Everything else is done,'' Dougherty said.

The projects have raised few objections aside from concerns over increased traffic. Both are designed to be pedestrian-friendly, concealing massive parking garages and service areas behind screens of shops and offices, and with active storefronts opening to sidewalks. In addition, Hollo's project would be certified as green.

''I'm not going for the tallest building,'' Hollo said. ``I was looking for a lasting design. I'm hoping, I am trusting, we have done that.''

"They wouldn't be finished until mid-2010." Hollo said. However, he says that "So massive is the undertaking that Hollo estimates it will take two years to finish the plans, and as long as two years more for city building officials to review the 8,000-plus pages he expects to generate." That is four years. So have they already gone through all the hoops and are going to start construction or what? That article to me was teasing me. HAHA.

Even though EWT are over 1,000 feet tall, their design is so boring IMO. The market better be good by the time these enter the market, because these could make things worse, on top of being a boring design. I know this is a skyscraper site, but sometimes I think it's better to have a couple blocks of 20-30 story buildings than just one block of a super-tall. Creates more a city feel, in a city that really needs it.

Here's the height zoning map:

http://www.miami-airport.com/pdfdoc/MIA_Height_ZoningMap_24x36.pdf

The area south of Broadway east of Brickell Avenue, Downtown Coral Gables, Bal Harbour and South Beach heights are all not listed here.

I just got caught up reading the recent posts. Ref. parking, I moved a few months ago to downtown & love it! The car situation is tough because even though I might not use it as often, I do still need it to get around freely. I love the public transportation & even take it to visit friends & family in other areas, maybe if I did not have a 2nd job where I have to travel to many different areas I would get rid of one of our vehicles but I can't. We do take the metromover everywhere in the area but people moving in are not used to that lifestyle, yet. I see them driving to Brickell (like you said 7 blocks), paying for parking, drinking & driving, etc. when there is really no need. Yes, the metromover stops working at midnight but you can take a taxi back or walk (which we have). Why move to downtown to drive to the corner? Hopefully everyone will get hip to the way of life in the city. By the way, we visited "Mikes" at the venetian & had a great time. Thanks.

I just got caught up reading the recent posts. Ref. parking, I moved a few months ago to downtown & love it! The car situation is tough because even though I might not use it as often, I do still need it to get around freely. I love the public transportation & even take it to visit friends & family in other areas, maybe if I did not have a 2nd job where I have to travel to many different areas I would get rid of one of our vehicles but I can't. We do take the metromover everywhere in the area but people moving in are not used to that lifestyle, yet. I see them driving to Brickell (like you said 7 blocks), paying for parking, drinking & driving, etc. when there is really no need. Yes, the metromover stops working at midnight but you can take a taxi back or walk (which we have). Why move to downtown to drive to the corner? Hopefully everyone will get hip to the way of life in the city. By the way, we visited "Mikes" at the venetian & had a great time. Thanks.

More and more I'm getting used to walking to places or taking a cab. It's really nice not to have to get in your car for everything you do.

I heard they are going to replace all the metromovers with a brand new fleet that will cost approximately half a billion bucks! Those should be sweet!

http://miamitodaynews.com/news/080221/story1.shtml

** As a side note, I almost got stuck in one of those metromovers with my girlfriend the day of the major power outage! Luckily the power went out as it was getting ready to leave a station or we would have been stuck up on the tracks with no AC and a bunch of angry people! LOL :nuts:

Sarnoff got EWT's approval put off because he doesn't think downtown residents will use mass transit.

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami_dade/east/story/438524.html

Sarnoff knocks down skyscraper idea

The proposal for two immense 1,010-foot Empire World Towers did not get approval from the city Thursday, because of what Commissioner Marc Sarnoff believes are equally massive implications.

BY JOSE PAGLIERY
jpagliery@MiamiHerald.com

After extensive questioning by City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, the commission refused to approve the two proposed Empire World Towers, instead delaying them for further review.

The $1 billion, 1,010-foot towers would be located across from Bayfront Park at Northeast Third Street and Biscayne Boulevard, replacing an existing 19-story ``high-rise.''

Sarnoff's doubts about Maclee Development's project stemmed from possible traffic jams caused by residents arriving or departing from the 1,557 condo spaces.

Land-use attorney Lucia Dougherty, representing Empire World Towers, said the design was already seen by the city's Internal Design Review Committee a year ago.

That was not enough to deter the commissioner.

What the project's designers call an innovative solution to traffic includes valet-only service and a Metromover passing through a building's lobby. Sarnoff found problems with both.

The commissioner first rejected the idea of a successful indoor mass transit center, citing Miami's long preference of car use.

Chris Heggen, an engineer for consulting firm Kimley-Horn and Associates, did a traffic study for Empire's developer, Leon Cohen. He believes people will use the transit service. Heggen said if people used public transportation, then it would validate having fewer parking spaces than condos -- 236 fewer.

Dougherty said additional condo floors could be converted to parking to make up for the shortfall.

The commissioner also questioned whether one point of entry -- into the large garage that makes up the bottom of both buildings -- was enough. Heggen estimated that at peak morning and evening hours, there would be 645 trips taken in or out of the garage at a time. Cars would be stored in a ''lift'' system for parking, in which two cars are stacked above one another in each space. A mandatory valet service also would create a 10- to 15-minute wait.

Sarnoff found the entire system inefficient, and he thought the 1,010-foot buildings would create unforeseen problems.

Coconut Grove Realtor Nathan Kurland echoed Sarnoff's sentiments.

''I just wonder whether we should build another tall building before we've understood whether or not we have the capacity to deal with buildings we've already built,'' Kurland said.

Geological and traffic studies, Sarnoff explained, would not be able to accurately use other buildings as examples because nothing is currently the size of the twin Empire towers.

Architect Kobi Karp, who designed both buildings, thought the unrivaled size and unique proportions were its most fascinating features.

''We created a very slender, elegant and sleek kind of building,'' Karp said.

The two towers would dwarf all others that make up the famous skyline of Miami, which would join New York and Chicago as having the nation's tallest skyscrapers.

''That's pretty unique, even in downtown,'' Dougherty said.

She and Karp hope their project will return to the commission for approval next month.

^^ If he would of used the argument of oversupply I would of understood. But, to say that people wont use public transportation just feeds and validates that mentality. We think of ourselves, Americans, as very independent and free-thinkers but we let other people make important descions for us every day. Well I think the transit situation in this community should be something that is decided for us as well. Don't ask people if they want to use public transportation or a car; make it easier by "forcing" or "nudging" people into using public transportation. I love how they made it inconvenient for people without Sunpasses to pay the new toll on the Dolphin. They practically exit the highway to pay and then get back on. This is what needs to be done. Slam these things over peoples :bash: heads and they will eventually be conditioned.

Thanks for the update, Dave! That was interesting! So now it's down to 1,010 feet. We'll see what happens!

Sarnoff got EWT's approval put off because he doesn't think downtown residents will use mass transit.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami_dade/east/story/438524.html
Sarnoff is so often ridiculous.
Now he bringing his Coconut Grove Realtor Nathan Kurland to be experts on skyscrapers in an urban core. :ohno:
Sometimes it seems that Sanoff is going to be a thorn in the side of anyone that tries to make a profit. Don't you dare try to build a skyscraper or make any money on banners.

So he wants it to incorporate the Metromover more or does he think it should incorporate cars more? I'm lost...

So he wants it to incorporate the Metromover more or does he think it should incorporate cars more? I'm lost...

You are not alone as far as Sarnoff is concerned! :lol:

^^He wants it to pad his pockets more! :ohno:

The thing that gets me is that he whole-heartedly supported OBP which as a huge office building would have at least 10 times as many people coming and going from it during rush hour.

The thing that gets me is that he whole-heartedly supported OBP which as a huge office building would have at least 10 times as many people coming and going from it during rush hour.

And has far more parking spaces than required by city ordinance...A stark contrast to EWT which has about 200 fewer than the ordinance suggests...

The old Loft office bldg is gone! It must had happened late yesterday after I got home. This morning it was history.

The old Loft office bldg is gone! It must had happened late yesterday after I got home. This morning it was history.

Which Loft office building? What's the intersection it's on?

The west tower (on the right) of Everglades has the glass up on one side covering up the concrete. Looks nice.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22888819@N03/2312485801/
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3034/2312485801_439644ceb5_b.jpg

The glass looks like it could look good if done correctly. I can't wait to see the finished product.

Do you guys know if this building will be painted a certain color or will it be white like the rest of the sea of white condos? I think the rendering shows it to be somewhat of a teal or beige color.

The only thing that really bugs me are those tiny tiny balconies on some of the units. They might as well be non-existant! :ohno:

It's looking good, but it definitely has taken a long time for them to finish.

i think original completion date was march-june of 2008 so they are right on time

Are we ever going to have monuments or any kind of art (beside buildings) here in Miami?

^^^^Probably not. :lol:

everglades on the bay is lookin beautifullll>>>> i love it> watsup chuck?

Are we ever going to have monuments or any kind of art (beside buildings) here in Miami?
Wow, interesting phraseology! Yes. We have monuments.
You call yourself a Miamian and you ask that question? You should be ashamed.
Here a couple pics that I have handy....A Statue of Claude Pepper
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n215/restainer/bayfrontpark6_ClaudePepper.jpg
The Space Shuttle Challenger
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n215/restainer/bayfrontpark7_Challenger.jpg
These are in one of the parks that is located accross the street from the MetroMover stop and 50 Biscayne. In addition to these two monuments, you will also find monuments to President JF Kennedy, the Marialitas, Ponce de Leon, Christoper Columbus and others.
Within 6 blocks of these monuments you will find a Philip Johnson Cultural Center that features several Monuments and Art in Public Places exhibits. There are also Art works in many of the MetroMover stations. Of course, you have to open your eyes and get out on the town a little bit.

There's the art piece next to goverment center that looks like fruits or plates or something like that. The Freedom Torch on Biscayne, and the new riverwalk will have art pieces throughout, One Miami already has beautiful art on the river.

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1) An oval with a big statue.
2) A boulevard full of statues - not hiding from the public as the first one you've just showed me.
3) A "big" statue with history recognized by many as a symbol for Miami.
.

More detailed examples or references, please.

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I know all about those "statues" and "iron works". :bash:
However, we don't have:
1) An oval with a big statue.
2) A boulevard full of statues - not hiding from the public as the first one you've just showed me.
3) A "big" statue with history recognized by many as a symbol for Miami.
I know about those little "statues" because I live here.
Ohh...sorry, I responded to your post literally, because I thought that was what you meant. "Any kind of Art" is a little vaugue, don't you think?
Are we ever going to have monuments or any kind of art (beside buildings) here in Miami?

Some few examples:
http://z.about.com/d/architecture/1/7/_/i/Statue_of_Liberty_FREE_l.jpg
Yeah! We should get one of these! We can put it somewhere on Virginia Key!

..

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Your just getting picky now. lol
jk

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how about that miami monument contest?

any chance on those nice designs getting built?

the winner was a killer idea...

http://www.miamisunspars.com/Home.html

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^^ OK, how about some examples from the US or of things not given to us by a country in Europe?

I like San Francisco's Union Square.....sorry, I don't have a pic.

Wow...what a strange thread.

Anyway, the type of monuments and/or statues you're talking about would be "round peg in a square hole" stuff for Miami. Who, exactly, would you have rendered triumphantly in a grand civic plaza? Don Shula? Henry Flagler? Seriously...who?

Most of that stuff in older cities makes sense because there's a direct connection. New York and Philly both served as the capital of the country...Boston is where it all started...D.C. speaks for itself as a fitting place for grand monuments. People like Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Lincoln, Roosevelt, etc. all lived and worked in those places.

It seems like you want Miami to echo some of that without there being any compelling reason for it. The city didn't even exist in those times and its most famous residents come mostly from the entertainment and sports world.

Nothing against monumental public art at all, but if Miami is to make a mark there it should be with modern sculpture and daring public installments---not reaching for a past that never existed there. I'd be all for a brushed steel cube or a creative tangle of neon and glass at a major intersection (ANYTHING better than that boring, godawful "Challenger Memorial" that is nothing more than a bunch of metal pipes welded together) but Washington on horseback is about as "Miami" as the Norwegian Ski Team. :cheers:

I like San Francisco's Union Square.....sorry, I don't have a pic.

This one doesn't really do it justice but agreed---it's an outstanding example of a truly vibrant urban gathering spot. VERY European.

http://www.virtualtravel.freeuk.com/images/union_square.jpg

go hang by the library or govt station or try bayside/bayfront park

plenty of people hangout there...


nothing like lincoln road as a long promenade filled with planters and different architectural elements which are artistic in nature...

Here in Philly, two favorite public plazas/monument sites are Rittenhouse Square and Logan Circle (pictured below). Both are outstanding urban oases--and I can't afford to live by either one! :lol: That said, I don't think their classic design would fit Miami well. The city needs to find its own way that would be unique to its geography and history...something more contemporary rather than classic, imo.

The fountain was designed by Alexander Calder, btw. It's even prettier at night.

http://www.*******************/north-america/us/pennsylvania/images/s/rittenhouse-square.jpg

http://images.tribe.net/tribe/upload/photo/043/945/04394555-ac9a-457e-8603-6ea2249527d3

The funny thing is that all those piazzas with the monoliths in Italy were built by pilfering Egypt's monuments. So I guess Miami can go to other cities and steal some stuff for our future DWNTWN piazzas. :banana:

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It's funny, spellbound, that you posted the pic of Logan Circle. I emulated that circle when I visited Philly for the Live 8 concert a few years back, and I was grossly annoyed that nothing nearly as amazing as that public plaza/fountain exists in South Florida. At nighttime, all lit up, it really was the most beautiful site.

That said, I thought of some alternate solutions for an iconic fountain or plaza. A cool fountain could feature statues of some of Florida's natural trademarks: manatees, sea turtles, herons, ibises, alligators, palm trees, sawgrass (Everglades), even iguanas! I can envision beautifully molded sculptures of some of these natural wonders with water being sprayed on them from all sides, much like the fountain in Logan Circle.

I challenge you on the fact that there aren't famous people in Miami's/Florida's history to sculpt a statue of. Take a look at this list I made off the top of my head:
- Julia Tuttle (founder of the City of Miami)
- Roddey Burdine (Burdines dept. store / community hero)
- Ponce de Leon (Discovered Miami when searching for Fountain of Youth)
- Marjory Stoneman Douglas (Nature/Everglades advocate and Preservationist)
- Wayne Huizenga (Local Business Mogul)
- Manny Diaz (Mayor that transformed Miami's skyline)
- Jorge Perez (Related Group)
- Bowman F. Ashe (Founding president of U. Miami)
- Henry Flagler (all change started with his railroad)
- Fidel Castro (In a sick way, he's probably responsible for Miami's strong hispanic/Cuban identity)
- Romero Britto (local artist)
- Versace (local fashion legend)
- Arthur McDuffie (victim of police brutality and spark of the Miami Riots)
- Sonny & Rico (Miami Vice cops)
- Tony Montana (Al Pacino for Scarface)
- Mary Jenkins/Matthews (Cameron Diaz for There's Something About Mary)
- Gloria Estefan (world-renown local musician)

There are many, many others, and yes I'm sure my list is very unorthodox and will get a lot of criticism (...or not...). Personally, I would be thrilled to see a statue or monument for any of these icons in Miami's history.