Latin Music Week Is Here! Read About This… Posted on October 2, 2023 by Sarah Elles Boggs My friends, Latin Music Week is here. In most of the world, they probably don’t care much about it but in Miami, Latin Music is life. Buckle up. Hear the reggaeton and embrace the culture. For my tribute this year, I’m going to uncover some secrets. Sound studios that not many people know about and they’re all right here with us. Some of the best sounds to blast on your speaker could have been produced right here. The stars could be your neighbors. Latin Music has had such a surge in popularity and we are so happy to be able to be here with these people as they rise to stardom. Not everyone understands the words they sing, but they’re always soulful and never about violence. We have an immense respect for the hill these artists have to climb in order to get on the Billboard charts, so let’s celebrate them. Where The Stars Live If you have been out and about in Brickell, you might have bumped into a latin megastar without realizing it. They are known to have homes somewhere in the Brickell or Downtown area. When out and about, they look just like your or I. I ran into J Balvin at brunch recently at Le Bouchon and aside from his hair color, he blended with everyone. Nobody bothered him and he didn’t bother anyone. Nicky Jam was casually hanging out in the lobby of Rise at Brickell City Center, even though we have known him to have apartments at Millecento Residences and Paramount Miami Worldcenter, finally settling at 1000 Museum. Chencho Corleone was a fixture at Barsecco with his signature hairstyle before he got famous. Now he would need a security detail but the vibe is still there and we can’t ignore Bad Bunny’s restaurant, Gekko, in SLS Lux. If you go a little further north, you will find Porsche Design Tower. That is where Anuel AA lives. Secret Studios We aren’t supposed to talk about this but we will anyway. There are secret recording studios throughout Miami that produce some of the best music this decade will offer. Paramount Miami Worldcenter has a studio where Nicky Jam still records. It is a common area amenity that is included with any rent or purchase in the building. Buy or rent a unit and you could potentially run into Nicky Jam in the studio. It’s not guaranteed, but it’s there. In Infinity at Brickell, there is a studio under the name Gallardo Productions. They mostly work on Latin tracks and are based from Ecuador. Skipping over to South Beach, we can’t avoid the secret studio in the penthouse of The Setai. Units there average $4 million without considering the secret penthouse recording studio. It was designed by Lenny Kravitz in the same time he designed the common spaces of Paramount Bay in Edgewater. At that moment, he blew everyone’s mind as nobody had pegged him to be an interior designer but here he is. The best of the best. We are so happy this week to honor all of the Latin artists that keep our culture alive. Un abrazo! Image Credit: ibiza-spotlight.com
Ora By Casa Tua In Brickell Breezes Through The City Of Miami Approval Process Posted on May 23, 2023May 23, 2023 by Sarah Elles Boggs Casa Tua’s debut onto the residential development scene is going quite well. Their upcoming tower, Ora by Casa Tua has breezed through the Miami Urban Development Review Board unopposed. With a vote of 6-0, the board has unanimously voted to approve the 76-story tower that is a partnership between Casa Tua and Fortune International Development at 1210 Brickell Avenue. It should be noted that the developer did not seek any waivers on the design. Waivers push the envelope of which types of construction are allowed in which parts of the city, in effort for the city to grow at a managed pace without putting too much wear and tear on our infrastructure. Things such as height waivers and parking waivers are common in new developments, but were not sought for Ora. Not seeking waivers does not, however, mean that the project does not push the envelope with a uniquely indulgent set of offerings for its buyers. The project is home to 540 residences from studios up to four-bedroom options, all of which have the availability of short-term rentals. There will be four restaurant concepts onsite for the enjoyment of residents, which were revealed in March when the pre-sales began. The tower, which was designed by Arquitectonica will rise 930 feet, just shy of the 984-foot benchmark that would declare it a supertall structure. It will replace the existing 7-story parking garage on the corner of South Miami Avenue/SW 13th Street (Coral Way). Since there will be ingress/egress on Brickell Avenue, Ora by Casa Tua will have the coveted address of 1210 Brickell Avenue. The new parking podium will deliver 955 spots for vehicles and almost 2,000 spots for bicycles. With a curved structure reminiscent of a wave, the exterior Ora emulates the Carlos Ott-designed Echo Brickell at 1451 Brickell Avenue although this is the only similarity between the two projects. Echo is more of a boutique project with fewer residences and more strict rental policies. Ora is envisioned as a luxurious home that could also serve as corporate housing for the nearby office towers, and investors would have the option to utilize their apartments for vacation when they wish. The color schemes and interiors (designed by M2 Atelier at Ora) will also be vastly different. Inside Ora, the total square footage is set to be roughly 1.3 million square feet on the site, which is just over 1-acre. There will be almost 54,000 square feet of office space and nearly 25,000 square feet of commercial space. Among the eateries will be a 24-hour gourmet market, a wine bar, rooftop lounge and an intimate restaurant. Rendering of Ora by Casa Tua Brickell Patio Rendering of Ora by Casa Tua Brickell Restaurant Patio The next step for the super tower is to announce the general contractor who is chosen to undertake the construction and to file for a demolition permit of the existing parking garage. The office building at 1200 Brickell Avenue, which houses Dirty French Steakhouse, will not be affected. Sales began in late March with residences being spoken for at a rapid pace. Prices range from $800,000 for studios up to $2.5 million for 4-bedroom options. Floor plans have yet to be shared publicly as there are many different layouts, but are available in a private presentation with specific areas of the building in mind. If you are interested in a private presentation on Ora by Casa Tua with specific Tier 1 pricing, please contact Michael Light, Broker and Executive Director of Luxury Sales at Douglas Elliman. You may reach Michael directly at (786) 566-1700 or via email at michael@miamiluxuryhomes.com. Photo Credit: Fortune International
Demolition Permits Filed For One Brickell City Centre Posted on January 27, 2023January 30, 2023 by Sarah Elles Boggs We are one step closer to having a supertall tower on Brickell Avenue. Demolition permits have been filed by Swire to raze the 10-story office tower at 700 Brickell Avenue. When the permit is approved, work can begin late in the 1st quarter of 2023 (within the next 2 months), making way for One Brickell City Center. The tower has undergone some changes during the planning phases, including reducing the number of floors that will be built but increasing the height of the ceilings on each of the 68 floors that will be built to 15-19 feet. The physical height of the One Brickell City Centre will remain around 1,000 feet in total, adding 1.5 million square feet of office space, wellness amenities and a high-end restaurant to the bustling neighborhood. Rendering of One Brickell City Centre Street View Brickell City Centre’s signature climate ribbon will be extended around One Brickell City Centre, offering a covered walkway from the office development to Phase 1 of the mega project that includes the mall, hotel, additional offices as well as the Reach and Rise residential towers. The 8th Street Metromover platform will also be upgraded in the scope of the project as well as the addition of a rooftop helipad. 700 Brickell Avenue Google Maps 2023 There is a second tower currently on the 2.5-acre build site, at 799 Brickell Plaza. No demolition permit has currently been filed for this 9-story office tower that was built in 1981. This permit is expected to be filed soon. There is currently no anticipated groundbreaking date for the site work and construction, as this commencement date depends upon the demand of pre-leasing in the tower. Related Companies, the entity behind New York’s Hudson Yards, and Swire have stated that there is a great momentum in leasing the office spaces. The open concept office spaces with the larger 40,000-60,000 square foot floor plates have been a distinguishing characteristic of One Brickell City Centre compared to the competing new towers that are going up nearby. Rendering of One Brickell City Centre Balcony Rendering of One Brickell City Centre
JDS Development’s 888 Brickell Receives FAA Approval For Supertall Status Posted on January 12, 2023 by Sarah Elles Boggs Just as in the Gatsby era that inspired its design, residents of the new 888 Brickell will be looking down upon their neighbors, except this time they will do so literally. Michael Stern’s JDS Development Group has garnered approval from the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) to build a 1,049-foot gilded supertall skyscraper in the middle of the Miami Financial District. This development team is the same team that brought the first supertall to Brooklyn with the 93-story Brooklyn Tower, which topped out in 2021. What has changed since the project was announced? When initially announced, JDS had partnered with Major Food Group on the project however Major decided during the summer that it is not the time for them to go into residential development. The tower is now known as 888 and could still offer dining options by Major Food Group once open. The unit count has also changed. Rather than having 259 units spanning through 90 floors, the floor count has been cut to 81. The height has not changed, which tells us that at least some of the residences have been updated with higher ceilings. The details of the amenity and retail areas have also changed, although we cannot yet speculate what the changes are at this phase of the planning process. The parking has been upgraded to 273 spaces, up from the initially-planned 250 valet-operated spots. Rendering of 888 Brickell Valet Porte Cochere What remains the same? No changes were mentioned regarding the interior finish-out, but that is to be expected at this point. The interior finishes are immaterial to the request for height approval and Major Food Group had more to do with the name and amenities than anything, so we anticipate seeing Michael Stern’s Gatsby-theme to proceed as announced. This theme will include the gilded pool, a valet court that is trimmed in gold leaf and monolithic slabs of Italian travertine and canopied by a gold-beaded screen that emits a warm, indulgent glow. New detailed renderings also depict gilded gargoyles to fend off residents from evil spirits and those who wish harm upon them. Rendering of Major Residences Brickell Miami Gold Silver Pool via JDS When is this coming to fruition? At this time, the development has received the FAA approval as well as a pending utility deal with Miami-Dade County. The description of the project in this application describes the project as: “NEW CONSTRUCTION OF 259 APARTMENT UNITS, 24,725 SF BAR/COCKTAIL LOUNGE, 4,600 SF FAST FOOD REST, 14,490 SF FULL SERV REST, 5,509 SF SPA AND 24,806 SF BANQUET HALL// 54,625 SF FITNESS CENTER ONLY FOR THE STRICT USE OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE BUILDING” As for the actual construction, we have not heard of who the general contractor will be, just that bids are being accepted. Construction is expected to begin this summer (2023) and our best guess of delivery would be 2026 given the height of the building and level of finish-out. The apartments are slated to range from one to four bedrooms and Tier 1 (friends and family) prices are set to range from $1.6 million to $11 million. Penthouse prices and details have not yet been released. If you are interested in a private presentation and specific pricing, please contact Michael Light, Broker and Executive Director of Luxury Sales at Douglas Elliman. You may reach Michael directly at (786) 566-1700 or via email at michael@miamiluxuryhomes.com.
UNA Reaches 90% Sold Status As Vertical Construction Begins Posted on July 27, 2022July 30, 2022 by Sarah Elles Boggs Just as UNA in Brickell begins to go vertical (pictured above), OKO has announced that 90% of the residences have been sold. Only 13 of the 135 residences remain, spanning 47 floors on the Biscayne Bay waterfront. The developers expect the dramatically beautiful project to be completed in the first quarter of 2024. The prices of the remaining residences are between $3.5 million for a 3 bedroom/3.5 bath, up to $10 million for a 5 bedroom/6.5 bath residence that also has a den and housekeeper suite. Una Residences Brickell Located on the quiet southeastern tip of Brickell’s financial district, UNA will offer a luxurious and serene repose, but also has immediate access to the Rickenbacker Causeway for immediate access to I95 for those who need to go to the airport or commute to other areas of the city. The actual address is 175 SE 25th Road and the Vlad Doronin took design inspiration from a yacht, ready to set sail. What about the construction problems with UNA? One of the features of the tower is underground parking, something that has become a popular addition to new construction condos over recent years. Buildings such as Jade Signature in Sunny Isles, Aston Martin Residences in North Brickell/Downtown Miami (depending upon who you ask), and Brickell City Centre all boast underground parking. For whatever reason, UNA was targeted by a group of NIMBY’s (activists who live in older buildings nearby and do not want their views obstructed or additional traffic. NIMBY stands for Not In My Back Yard). They published photos of the construction site while the parking garage was being constructed, and it showed the garage to be flooded and construction coming to a halt. What they did not recognize is that all buildings flood during that phase of construction in South Florida. I have seen it personally in Brickell City Centre, Aston Martin, Brickell House, Millecento, SLS Brickell and Brickell Flatiron, among others. It is a completely normal stage of construction in South Florida. Thank god these people didn’t report ancient Roman ruins that were actually form pilings like they did with Centro in Downtown Miami in 2014. *eye roll* The fact of the matter is that UNA Residences is being built by Vlad Doronin, who an accomplished international investor and real estate developer focused on luxury residential, commercial and hospitality properties. They are responsible for Missoni Baia in Edgewater Miami as well as the new office tower, 830 Brickell. 830 Brickell is just east of SLS LUX and has recently inked a record-breaking lease with Law firm Sidley Austin. They are a firm from Chicago, who will join Ken Griffin’s Citadel transactions in relocating from the Windy City to the Magic City. In addition to these towers, OKO Group is known for Aman New York, at 730 5th Avenue in New York. They are a reputable firm and UNA is slated to be as luxurious and private as you can get near the center of an international city. If you are interested in a private presentation of the project, with specific pricing of the remaining 13 residences or possible resales, please contact Michael Light, Broker and Executive Director of Luxury Sales at Douglas Elliman. You may reach Michael directly at (786) 566-1700 or via email at michael@miamiluxuryhomes.com.
The Shops at Mary Brickell Village Sold For $216M Posted on July 13, 2022July 13, 2022 by Sarah Elles Boggs Not long after a complete overhaul renovation and in response to an insurgence of new residents, Rockpoint has sold The Shops at Mary Brickell Village to RPT Realty for a whopping $216 million. This is just the latest major real estate transfer in the neighborhood, signaling yet another insurgence to the neighborhood that has boomed from a sleepy business center in the early to mid-aughts to “The Manhattan of the South” that it is known as today. The History of Mary Brickell Village The Shops at Mary Brickell Village were constructed in 2006, back when many of the shiny condo towers were not even a glimmer in the developer’s eye. The daytime population was upwards of 100,000 as workers flocked in to their banking jobs, but dwindled to less than 20,000 once the business day finished. At the time, the lifestyle center featured a host of restaurants and Publix was the anchor. The condo tower above Publix (Nine at Mary Brickell Village) did not exist until 2015 and was not included in the sale. At the time of construction and up until Brickell City Centre was constructed in 2014, Mary Brickell Village was THE lifestyle center for the Brickell and Downtown Miami neighborhoods. Where Are We Today? After the completion of Brickell City Centre (and new competition offered), Rockpoint began a massive overhaul to bring new energy to the area. A new wing was added that houses Shake Shack, pavers and fountains replaced, retailers were switched out and the new energy did in fact come in. North Italia was introduced on the southwest corner of S Miami Ave to cater to the new trend of food halls. Many of the OG spots remain and enjoy the new atmosphere. Publix remains as the anchor. Balans is still an amazing spot for breakfast, lunch or happy hour, Novecento is still serving fine Italian cuisine. Massage Envy is still rubbing the soreness out of people who worked out at the 38,000 sf Lifetime Fitness. People are still getting their hair coiffed at BLO Dry Bar and getting their mani/pedi/wax on at Spa & Nail Fever. And the party still goes on into the night at Blue Martini, Tucandela, Candela and Baru. Fun fact for the new residents… Baru was once located in a historic building that was demolished to make way for Brickell Flatiron. It wasn’t historically designated, but was one of the older buildings still standing in the neighborhood at the time. How Will This Change The Neighborhood? Given that Rockpoint has already completed the renovation and lease-up of the spaces, there is very little upside potential for RPT to add, aside from perhaps increasing rents. RPT Realty is an REIT (real estate investment trust) that specializes in stabilized outdoor shopping centers, so it makes sense that Brickell City Center would catch their eye. I highly doubt that residents will notice much difference in their shopping and entertainment experiences, except for maybe increased traffic from the new influx of residents that are coming. Why More Residents? We’re Full!! We are not full. Far from it. Brickell is booming and Mary Brickell Village is at the center of the (well-deserved) hype. Ken Griffin recently announced that his companies are relocating to Brickell along the Brickell Bay. There was a mystery deal go down for $363 million on the vacant lot next to Jade Residences, that was initially planned to be a mixed-use supertall developed by Tibor Hollo. Although the buyer was not disclosed, Bloomberg tied it to Griffin’s Citadel. Everyone who walks the neighborhood (and especially those who live on the east side of SLS Lux) have seen OKO Group, led by Vladislav Doronin and Cain International’s new 55-story office tower going up. Swire and Related are talking about teaming up to build another supertall office tower at 700 Brickell Avenue and tie it in to Brickell City Centre. Aside from the new places to work, there are a host of new construction condos and apartment buildings in the works and under construction. Times (and the neighborhood) are a-changin! If you are interested in more information on Brickell including residential condos and investment opportunities with specific pricing, please contact Michael Light, Broker and Executive Director of Luxury Sales at Douglas Elliman. You may reach Michael directly at (786) 566-1700 or via email at michael@miamiluxuryhomes.com.
Publix Launches 15-Minute Delivery Service in Several Miami Neighborhoods Posted on April 28, 2022April 29, 2022 by Sarah Elles Boggs Who hasn’t gotten halfway through cooking dinner, only to realize that you have forgotten one ingredient at the store? Such a pain. Some of us are lucky enough to live in a building like Infinity at Brickell or Brickell Heights with a Publix next door, or even a Publix in the building, like Nine at Mary Brickell Village, but not everyone has this luxury. Well, Publix is again to our rescue by offering 15-minute delivery to select Miami neighborhoods. In response to the “I want it now” mentality that urbanites now unapologetically embrace, Publix and Instacart have teamed up to offer 15-minute delivery in several Miami neighborhoods. Residents can now use their Instacart app or Publix app (use the Quick Picks section) to order a quick chicken tender sub, produce, frozen items, basically any small order and it will be at your door in 15 minutes, even offering free delivery for orders over $10. The orders are fulfilled through Instacart’s new “Carrot Warehouses”, which are nano-fulfillment centers located throughout the neighborhoods that currently offer the service. The centers are operated by Instacart on Publix’s behalf, which also allows them to fulfill orders after regular business hours. Many might remember that just a few years back, Amazon tested their new 1-hour delivery service in Miami. It took off extremely quickly, changing the demand in markets across the US. This is just the next chapter in an evolving market, using the hottest neighborhoods in the country as a testing ground. The service is currently available in Brickell, Wynwood and Coral Gables, but is expected to expand quickly, as did Amazon’s 1-hour service a few years back. We think even Elon Musk would be unable to find any more improvements to Publix’s service and quality. Thank you Publix and Instacart! All hail our blessed Publix!
A Gift To The Miami Skyline: St Regis Residences in Brickell Release Details & Renderings Posted on March 7, 2022March 9, 2022 by Sarah Elles Boggs Related Group & Integra Investments, the developers behind the St Regis Miami Residences in Brickell, have come through with their promise to release details on the project in early 2022. Here we are. The initial tower to be constructed will be the East Tower, which will feature 149 residences within 48 stories. Each residence will have a private elevator, custom European marble flooring throughout, 11-foot ceilings with integrated linear diffusers in the living areas, and integrated smart home technology. Rendering of St Regis Brickell Miami Each kitchen is set to be outfitted with hidden paneled Sub-Zero refrigerators and freezers, full-height wine refrigerators, and Wolf convection ovens, steam ovens and microwaves. All of the plumbing throughout the residences are by Dornbracht and the bathrooms are slated to have oversized marble showers and free-standing tubs. The primary suites will have spacious walk-in closets and midnight bars with a butler’s pantry. The residences also include keyless residential entry with biometrics, smart home climate and lighting control services, fiberoptic wifi service throughout all residences and amenities and an exclusive St. Regis residents-only app. As this is a St Regis development, exclusively-trained butlers, housekeepers and in-residence dining services are available as well as St Regis global membership privileges. Each residence will also feature a sweeping view of the Biscayne Bay and the Brickell or Coconut Grove skyline. Being nestled just South of 15th Street at 1809 Brickell Avenue allows for a reprise from the hustle and bustle of the financial district, but still convenient to the restaurants, lounges and offices to be easily accessible by walking or driving. Rendering of St Regis Miami Brickell Primary Bathroom Rendering of St Regis Miami Brickell Bedroom Staying inside the development, owners and guests will enjoy over 60,000 square feet of opulent amenities. On the ground floor, a fine dining restaurant is scheduled to be added along with lush park-like grounds that are designed by famous landscape designer Enzo Enea. There is also a state of the art media room, full-service business center with a coffee bar and conference rooms, children’s playroom, teen’s video game lounge, golf simulator if you do not feel like driving to the course, a fully equipped beauty salon and a pet spa that includes grooming and dog walking services. Along the bayfront, an infinity pool and whirlpool with private cabanas, poolside bar and cafe are provided along with a bayfront garden with comfortable seating areas to enjoy the breeze. For going off-site, the development provides house bicycles, a private marina and exclusive beach club access. Inside the holistic wellness center, residents will enjoy a fully-equipped fitness center with bay views, relaxation area and juice bar, pilates and yoga studio and curated wellness programming by The Wright Fit. For those looking to relax, a salt spa room, dual saunas and steam rooms and luxurious treatment rooms are also available. Rendering of St Regis Miami Brickell Lap Pool On the 31st level, you will find the entertainment space. This includes a double-height bar and lounge with bay and ocean views, the signature St Regis cognac room, a traditional St Regis tearoom and a billiards room, perfect for any gathering. A catering kitchen is also available for a formal dinner party, or for passed hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Rendering of St Regis Miami Brickell Library Bar At this point in the development process, prices are available from just under $3 million up to $8 million each with a water and city view. As the project is just being launched, pricing is expected to change but with the reputation of St Regis, the quality is not. If you are interested in a presentation of the project, with specific friends and family (1st tier) pricing, please contact Michael Light, Broker and Executive Director of Luxury Sales at Douglas Elliman. You may reach Michael directly at (786) 566-1700 or via email at michael@miamiluxuryhomes.com. Rendering of St Regis Miami Brickell Lobby