Site Work Has Begun At The Mandarin Oriental Residences, Miami On Brickell Key

 
The site work at the new Mandarin Oriental Residences on Brickell Key has officially begun. Residents in the neighborhood noticed the tree removal that began this week, with some trees being removed and some relocated.

Swire Properties has been the private owner of the property for decades, yet has allowed its use as a public park that locals have come to love. Despite this being posted on the grounds of the park, the locals were in shock and uproar to see trees being cut down.

Mandarin Oriental Brickell Key Miami Sign | Photo courtesy of Facebook/Juan Bernal

Tree removal is always the first step of new development construction, so this day is going to come at any construction site and Swire Properties goes the extra mile with their new developments by relocating the trees that they can and offering to replant trees at other sites in exchange to the community for the loss at the construction site.

A notable memory that I have is seeing enormous live oak trees being relocated at an astronomical cost from the site where Brickell City Center now stands. They were moved to another park at the developer’s expense (I believe it was Bayfront Park and the cost of moving the trees was upwards of $50,000 each, but this was nearly 10 years ago), and the trees were direly needed in the new location.

Residences At Mandarin Oriental, Miami One Island Drive Brickell Tree Relocation | Photo courtesy of Facebook/Juan Bernal

The Next Miami reported the exact figures after gaining access to the tree permit that was filed earlier this year. On the site of Mandarin Oriental Residences, Brickell Key, Swire plans to:

• Relocate 25 trees
• Remove 10 trees
• Remove 3 trees that were of a prohibited species
• Replant 4 trees in another location where they are needed.

The next step of the construction process is to rebuild the seawall at a cost of $3.2 million.

Rendering of The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Miami Pool | Photo Credit: Binyan Studios

But all is not lost, as what will replace the private park will become an 800-foot residential tower that will be architecturally significant with designs by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates. They are also the architect behind Hudson Yards in New York. They also specialize in supertall structures with One Vanderbilt in New York as well as a slew of towers in China and South Korea in their portfolio.

The 800-foot Residences at Mandarin Oriental will have 220 residential units and the public baywalk will remain after construction completes, so the local joggers need not worry.

A second tower is planned next door to upgrade and replace the current Mandarin Oriental structure. This tower will be 400-feet tall and have 151 guest rooms with 61 residences and 28 hotel residences. We do not yet have a date on the construction of this tower, as it will also involve closing and demolishing the existing hotel. The first sign will be a permit filing and then the hotel closure.

Rendering of The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Miami Entry | Photo Credit: Binyan Studios

Sales will launch in late 2023, with prices starting at $3.5 million.

Considering the fact that the site is exempt from the Urban Land Review Board’s approval process due to a previous deal that was hashed back in the 90’s, we anticipate the earliest delivery of the residences to be early 2026. This time frame is purely speculative from our experience in the development process and considering that Swire moves to begin construction around the same time that sales are launched.

We understand that the loss of the park is shocking and disruptive for many local residents, and also know that this is part of a master plan that was formed decades ago. In the end, the Brickell community will benefit from the new development just as we do Brickell City Center today.

You can read more about the project and its development process from a post I wrote back in the early summer, when the plans were initially announced.

If you are interested in learning more about The Residences at Mandarin Oriental Miami with more specific details as they are made available, please contact Michael Light, Broker and Executive Director of Luxury Sales at Douglas Elliman, to discuss pre-qualification requirements. You may reach Michael directly at (786) 566-1700 or via email at michael@miamiluxuryhomes.com.

Image Credit: Facebook/Juan Bernal
Rendering Credit: The Mandarin Oriental Residences, Miami

Mandarin Oriental Brickell Key Miami Tree Removal | Photo courtesy of Facebook/Juan Bernal

Mandarin Oriental Brickell Key Miami Tree Waiting For Rehoming | Photo courtesy of Facebook/Juan Bernal

Mandarin Oriental Brickell Key Miami Tree Removal | Photo courtesy of Facebook/Juan Bernal

Mandarin Oriental Brickell Key Miami Tree Removal | Photo courtesy of Facebook/Juan Bernal