The Harbour in Historic Coconut Grove

In yet another sign of Coconut Grove redevelopment, it seems the iconic Scotty’s Landing, located in Grove Key Marina, may be finally saying goodbye. The iconic waterfront eatery, formerly know as Captain Dick’s Shack, has been a Coconut Grove institution for the past 35 years. Located in the shadow of Miami City Hall, getting there requires a short stroll through a boatyard, keeping a keen eye out for the occasional forklift or boat-pull.

However, Scotty’s lease is up, and the City of Miami has twice opened bidding to request proposals to replace the Coconut Grove eatery, the affiliated marina and Chart House, an upscale seafood restaurant located nearby. City administrators initially issued requests for proposals last year, seeking developers interested in taking over the restaurant and marina. A separate RFP was issued for restaurateurs interested in redeveloping Chart House. However, last summer City Manager Johnny Martinez ultimately dismissed the initial RFP’s, and the resulting submissions, upon findings of “irregularities” within the competitive bidding process. This January the RFP bidding process was reopened calling for a singular redevelopment of the marina, casual eatery and upscale restaurant. Additionally, the proposals were required to include a parking garage.

Only two groups submitted proposals by the May deadline: Grove Bay Investment Group and Veleta LLC. However, as a result of unforeseen issues, Veleta LLC subsequently removed its bid, leaving Grove Bay’s redevelopment plan as the lone proposal. However, this does not mean that Grove Bay is guaranteed to win the contract. The proposal still must be approved by a city appointed selection committee, Martinez and the Miami City Commission.

According to Coconut Grove Village Council Waterfront Liaison, Michelle Niemeyer, the next steps will be a recommendation to the City Manager by the Selection Committee, after which the City Manager must make a recommendation to the City Commission. Assuming the City Commission approves it, there would then be a referendum of Miami voters to approve the lease.

Grove Bay’s proposed redevelopment of Coconut Grove’s Grove Key Marina is known as “The Harbour in Historic Coconut Grove”. The proposal is primarily managed by Giraldo Leyva Jr. and Eduardo Garcia. Arquitectonica International, headquartered in Coconut Grove, whose local architectural footprint includes: American Airlines Arena, Icon Brickell, Marina Blue, Paramount Bay, Marquis Residences, as well as the upcoming Brickell City Centre, amongst others, created the sleek, minimalist, nautically inspired design.

The proposal calls for the restoration of the two Pan Am seaplane hangers on site. Once renovated, the South Hanger will boast 20,000 square feet of interior retail space, with an emphasis on boating supplies and equipment. Likewise, the North Hanger will be comprehensively modernized and historically restored for use as dry-dock boat storage. Located in the space between the two hangers will be an additional 2,700 square feet of convenience retail.

The Waterfront Master Plan calls for the preservation of all large trees on the property, in particular, the native banyan. Additionally, existing surface lots will be converted into parkland. The centerpiece, a third of an acre green space aptly named Banyan Tree Park, open to the general public, will be an ideal spot for recreation and relaxation, in addition to other wide open green spaces located throughout the proposed development. Additional landscaping will feature plant life native to Florida and dominant in Coconut Grove. Construction materials and pathway pavers will make use of coral rock and other indigenous materials.

Parking will be concentrated to a four-story mixed-use development consisting of a parking garage with 526 vehicle spaces above 40,000 square feet of ground level retail space. The proposed Miami Parking Authority Garage will be accessible from South Bayshore Drive and feature a soft-edge street-side wall and will be topped with a densely foliated trellis canopy. Further, the mixed-use space will be surrounded by green space to help present a lush vista to the neighboring Coconut Grove residents. Further, a knee-wall design element will help to reduce car headlight visibility from neighboring condominiums.

The heart of the property will consist of a central roundabout complete with a monument celebrating the rich aviation history of Coconut Grove. The design for this monument will be the result of a collaborative effort between Grove Bay and HistoryMiami, the community’s leading historical association. A central, tree-lined, pedestrian avenue will bisect the property from Bayshore Drive to the waterfront.

A waterfront dining area will replace Scotty’s Landing and Chart House restaurants. Under the proposal, Scotty’s Landing would be replaced by a casual eatery called Hanger 42 Pub & Grub, a causal pub evoking the era of Charles Lindbergh. Shula’s Steak & Seafood and a high-end Peruvian seafood restaurant would replace Chart House.

Grove Bay is planning to raise at least $17.9 million in private equity investment to fund the project. According to the proposal, the group is guaranteeing Miami annual rent payments of at least $1.4 million. All told, the City can expect upwards of $27 million during construction and over the first ten years of operation of the Coconut Grove redevelopment project.