The Downtown Miami Underdeck Lands $60 Million US Department Of Transportation Grant Posted on March 26, 2024March 28, 2024 by Sarah Elles Boggs The new I-395 Underdeck and Heritage Trail project is one step closer with a $60 million grant that has been earmarked by the US Department of Transportation. This federal grant will make up the majority of the $83 million needed for the landmark project and is the largest federal grant ever received by the City of Miami, according to Mayor Francis Suarez. About the Downtown Miami Underdeck Not unlike The Underline, which stretches under the Miami Metrorail lines south from the Miami River, The Underdeck will bring jogging trails, bicycle lanes, sports parks and active-urban activation to the community. The Underdeck is located under the I-395 bridge and is comprised of 33 acres that is currently considered dead space. Community leaders and locals have long complained that I-395 and I-95 have created a waste of space and a division between the neighborhoods. The space had previously been a catch-all of litter and despair, which is also an opportunity to create a family-friendly urban greenspace. When completed, The Underdeck will tie together the Overtown, Downtown Miami, The Miami Arts’ District, Miami Worldcenter and on into Edgewater. Not only will the communities be brought together, property values will increase as well with the ease of access between the districts. Renderings have been released for the project that is being designed by Hargreaves Jones, whose name has become synonymous with activating urban open spaces and streetscapes. Their previous work can be found in New Orleans’ Crescent Park as well as South Pointe Park in Miami Beach. Rendering of the Downtown Miami Underdeck – Landscape Architecture Scope of the Project When completed, The Underdeck will transform a mile-long deadspace into a public park that stretches from Overtown to the Biscayne Bay. There are four main components that include Neighborhood Green, Active Heart, Live Work Play and the Civic Waterfront. Rendering of Downtown Miami Underdeck – Heritage Trail From the Neighborhood Green to the West, The Underdeck will add a play areas with splash pads for kids, an event lawn for yoga or concerts, plazas and the beginning of the Heritage Trail. Crossing over the Florida East Coast Railway tracks, the Active Heart area offers the signature pedestrian bridge so that joggers and bicyclists can safely cross over the railway as well as a pet playground and sport courts. Continuing to the East, Live Work Play and Civic Waterfront are home to more playgrounds, cafes and concession areas, beautiful water features and the new iconic Signature Bridge that will redefine our skyline. The redesign of I-395 and addition of the new Downtown Miami Signature Bridge was the project that spurred discussion of activating the space below the highway and making the area a fully-designed and activated urban community. Rendering of Downtown Miami Underdeck – Wildflowers Rendering of Downtown Miami Underdeck – Bicycle Trails Rendering of Downtown Miami Underdeck – Pedestrian Bridge The new Signature Bridge is scheduled to be complete in 2027. If you would like to have first-hand accounts as the project comes together, Community Meetings are open to the public and take place virtually or in person. You can access a schedule and reserve a spot here. Maps of The Downtown Miami Underdeck Rendering of Downtown Miami Underdeck – Neighborhood Green Rendering of Downtown Miami Underdeck – Active Heart Rendering of Downtown Miami Underdeck – Civic Waterfront Rendering of Downtown Miami Underdeck – Scope of Project
Demolition Permit Issued For Office Complex Where Casa Bella Residences Will Be Built Posted on February 7, 2023February 8, 2023 by Sarah Elles Boggs The new year is off to a busy start at the City of Miami Building Department. In addition to other projects, a demolition permit has been issued for the 3-story office complex at 1400 Biscayne Boulevard, making way for Related Group and ALTA Development’s new Casa Bella by B&B Italia project. It is unclear when the 250,000-square-foot office building will actually be demolished, but tenants have already begun to vacate the building. The permit was officially approved on January 30 after just weeks of consideration. Casa Bella Downtown Miami Location While the specs of Casa Bella are inconsistent depending upon who you are speaking with, the sales team reports that the tower will be completed in 2026 with 56 stories and 317 residences priced between $735,000-$13 million. Sales have been brisk since the official launch last year, several of the floor plans have completely been reserved and the ten penthouse residences have been revealed. The prime location in the new Arts & Entertainment district of Downtown Miami is all-encompassing with spectacular views of the Biscayne Bay, Downtown Miami’s glittering lights and the colorful sunsets to the west. Residents will be able to simply cross the street heading south in order to visit the Adrienne Arscht Center for Performing Arts. Directly east is a transit hub, where the Metro Mover will take you for free to Downtown Miami, Miami River attractions, Bayfront Park and Brickell, and soon all the way to Miami Beach. Additionally, the location is convenient to both the I-395 MacArthur and I-195 Julia Tuttle Causeways from mainland Miami to Miami Beach. Casa Bella by B&B Italia will offer residents an elevated lifestyle with luxurious finishes, high ceilings and five star service. Two full floors are dedicated to amenities, entertainment spaces, a wellness center and spa facilities. Outdoors, residents will enjoy a pool deck with Italian-inspired gardens, a 78-foot lap pool as well as a rooftop pool and terrace. The development of Casa Bella has generated much anticipation and excitement and is set to make a significant impact in the area once construction begins. While the demolition permit has been issued, the City of Miami Building Department has the construction permit under review. The developers have hired Coastal Construction, one of South Florida’s premiere construction firms to act as general contractor, as well as MTCI Private Provider to work with the contractor in expediting the permit process. Below is a synopsis of the finishes chosen for the residences as well as a list of the planned amenities. Rendering of Casa Bella Residences The Residences All residences feature two private elevators and a private vestibule. Elevators are equipped with biometric access control for enhanced security. Most units enjoy spacious pass-through layouts with soaring 10-foot ceilings and breathtaking views of Biscayne Bay, Miami’s downtown skyline, and stunning sunsets from the west. Sleek Italian cabinets in kitchens and baths by ITALKRAFT An exquisite selection of cabinet finishes and countertops, all individually selected by Piero Lissoni Top-of-the-line black glass appliance package includes integrated, paneled 36-inch Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer, silent paneled dishwasher, Wolf built-in convection oven, Wolf built-in speed oven, ceramic glass countertop, and wine refrigeration (in most units) Oversized stainless steel zero radius sink with single-lever European-designed pullout faucet drawer Piero Lissoni-designed master baths with Italian cabinetry and design Vanity backlit mirrors Elongated electric water closet Spacious spa tubs and frameless glass-enclosed showers in master baths Imported porcelain flooring and walls Italian-designed faucets Powder rooms in select residences Casa Bella Residences Features & Amenities 57-story luxury condo building located in Miami’s Art & Entertainment District in Downtown Miami 2 full floors of private amenities State-of-the-art wellness and fitness center offering on-demand services Yoga room Spinning room Salon with manicure/pedicure stations Adult entertainment lounge Game room Kid’s playroom with smartboard and educational games Residents’ party room Wine room Movie theater Museum-quality curated art collection High-tech business center with conference room Co-workspace Pet spa Expansive pool deck situated on the 11th floor overlooking Biscayne Bay 78’ lap pool Outdoor spa Poolside bar and café Poolside cabanas and lounge areas Towel service Sun-care kiosk Open-air lawn perfect for yoga Lush gardens designed by acclaimed landscape architect Enzo Enea Pickleball court BBQ with outdoor dining area Ground-level restaurant open to the public 56th-floor Sky Terrace boasting rooftop pool and observatory (650 feet) with high-tech telescope 24-hour valet parking 24-hour security 24-hour maintenance staff Multilingual team on site On-demand concierge services available including housekeeping, grocery shopping, “while you’re away” butler services, dry cleaning, childcare, pet care, courier services, translation service, and more Residents enjoy a 1-year complimentary membership at the Grand Bay Beach Club in Key Biscayne
Casa Bella By B&B Italia: Upper Penthouses To Offer Rooftop Terraces And Private Pools Posted on January 17, 2023January 22, 2023 by Sarah Elles Boggs Casa Bella Residences by B&B Italia, which is set to rise above the Miami Arts & Entertainment District, has released renderings and details for their meticulously-designed penthouse collection inspired by the international appeal of Miami. There are 10 total penthouse residences including four Upper Penthouses that each have either two or three levels and six Lower Penthouses that are single-level. The four duplex or triplex residences each have dramatic 24-foot ceilings in the living rooms and expansive floor plans that range from 4,100 square feet to 5,900 square feet of interior space. The third level of the triplex models is reserved for private 56th-floor rooftop terraces with pools and indoor/outdoor kitchens. Prices range from $8 million to $13 million for the upper penthouses. Rendering of Casa Bella Rooftop Seating Area Inside the building, the kitchens also offer an elevated experience with integrated espresso machines and double-door SubZero refrigerators. The kitchen cupboards include additional color choices that are exclusive to the penthouses. Ceiling heights in the bedrooms and lower penthouses are risen to 12-feet. The graciously-sized primary bedrooms include dual walk-in closets. Many of the penthouse residences offer spa baths with freestanding soaking tubs and large showers with bay and ocean views. The six single-level penthouses are located on the 52nd and 53rd floors, with only 3 residences per floor. They range in size from 3,000 to 3,750 square feet with prices from $4.8 million to $6 million. Rendering of Casa Bella Upper Penthouse For those buyers who prefer a more bespoke approach to living, Piero Lissoni and B&B Italia’s celebrated team of designers are available to design move-in ready packages with furnishings and decor. Lissoni’s modern and refined aesthetic is demonstrated with a distinct selection of fixtures and finishes that emulate the homes in Mediterranean regions with an indoor/outdoor feel. “It’s not enough to simply put furniture in a space because in the end, the panoramic views are not enough when it comes to designing a penthouse,” Lissoni told The Robb Report. “For these spaces, we used furniture from B&B Italia, as well as other brands, because it can’t look like a catalog. For each space, we incorporated antique pieces from China, Japan and Africa with modern pieces from European countries, like B&B and Maxalto, and special vintage pieces from the 1950s and 1960s. If you shake it together, it becomes a cultural cocktail.” Casa Bella by B&B Italia is being developed by Related Group, who has partnered with Alta Developers. The 56-story condominium tower offers 317 luxury residences representing the first residential partnership for the famed Italian design house B&B Italia, known around the world for its high-end collaborations with legacy brands such as Rolex, Hermès, and Rolls-Royce. The tower is designed by Miami-based Arquitectonica with undulating waves and a modern, artful façade that towers over “The Broadway of Miami” as the Art & Entertainment District is affectionately coined. If Casa Bella is a theater’s stage, B&B Italia is one of the most important actors, Mr. Lissoni says. “Casa Bella is located in downtown Miami’s thriving Arts & Cultural District,” says Nicholas Pérez, senior vice president of Related Group. “There is no other residential development with this design pedigree in the neighborhood, which is why Casa Bella continues to attract Miami natives, out-of-state and international buyers.” The Amenities at Casa Bella All residences in the building will enjoy a host of amenities. Two floors of shared space is offered with dedicated entertainment space overlooking the Biscayne Bay. There is a spacious party room with a wine vault and tasting lounge, a private theater and co-working spaces. Health conscious residents will enjoy a world-class wellness center with professional-level equipment, a dedicated yoga room and spin studio. The spa facilities offer an array of on-demand treatments including massages, blowouts, facials and nails. On the rooftop, a shared pool is available, separate from the pools of the two upper penthouses. The 56th floor amenity deck also has a poolside bar and Mediterranean cafe for light bites and refreshments, along with an observatory. An 80-foot lap pool is available on the 11th level with private cabanas and shaded lounge areas. The pool areas have been designed by landscape architect Enzo Enea, who drew inspiration form Italian gardens that flow through to the open-air lawn for yoga and meditation. Rendering of Casa Bella 11th floor pool view Rendering of Casa Bella Wine Room Lounge A personal concierge is available for residents who need assistance with show times/tickets, dinner reservations, housekeeping, grocery shopping and delivery, nanny services, personal tech support and more. All residents also receive a complimentary membership to the Grand Bay Beach Club in Key Biscayne. Located at 1400 Biscayne Boulevard, Casa Bella is nestled comfortably between the Adrienne Arsht Center of Performing Arts and Edgewater. This area is coming into its own as the heart of Miami’s “New Downtown.” Buyers will enjoy easy access to nearby museums including the Perez Art Museum Miami, the Frost Museum of Science, the newly-coined Miami Arena (previously the FTX Arena). Aside form the nearby attractions, the views are amazing and the location’s convenience to highways in order to access the beach and airport is unmatched. If you would like a private presentation with specific floor plans, 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.
Related’s Casa Bella by B&B Italia is Already 20% Reserved Posted on February 24, 2022February 27, 2022 by Sarah Elles Boggs Just over a month after their launch, Related Group and Alta Developers are celebrating the reservation of 20% of their 312 residences at Casa Bella by B&B Italia in Downtown Miami’s Arts’ and Entertainment District. This amounts to over $80 million in reservations, completed mostly through a whisper campaign. “We’ve controlled this parcel for many years now, and with skyrocketing condo demand and dwindling supply, we are finally ready to move on what will be a neighborhood-defining project,” said Jon Paul Pérez, President of Related. “We are in the middle of one of the most robust markets in Related’s history, a trend we expect will pick up further with the launch of Casa Bella.” Designed by Arquitectonica and outfitted by Lissoni & Partners, Casa Bella by B&B Italia is conveniently located on 14th Street & Biscayne, just north of the MacArthur Causeway. It is nestled between the popular Edgewater neighborhood and booming Downtown Miami. A host of international restaurants, museums, theaters, art galleries and other cultural outposts are just steps away. Within minutes, you can find yourself in other see-and-be-seen districts including Wynwood, Brickell, the Miami Design District and Miami Beach. Given the proximity to the I395 MacArthur Causeway, the Miami International Airport is easily accessed and a short ride. Rendering of Casa Bella Residences East Unit Terrace Buyers can choose between an array of floor plans ranging from a 711 square ft 1 bedroom up to a 2,187 square foot 4 bedroom with 4 baths. All residences include two private elevators with biometric access control for added security and a private vestibule. Interiors boast 10-foot ceilings and floor-to-ceiling impact windows and glass-encased balconies to enjoy sweeping views of the Biscayne Bay, the stunning Downtown Miami skyline and serene sunsets to the west. In the kitchens, buyers will enjoy sleek Italian cabinets by ITALKRAFT and hidden appliances. Piero Lissoni has selected a choice of finishes and countertops so that pre-construction buyers have the opportunity to customize their kitchen. The appliances include the top-of-the-line black glass package that features an integrated Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer, silent paneled dishwasher, Wolf built-in convection oven, speed oven, ceramic glass countertop and most units include a wine chiller. Rendering of Casa Bella Residences Kitchen Rendering of Casa Bella Residences Kitchen and Living Room Flow Through The bathrooms are elegantly outfitted with vanity LED backlit mirrors, spacious spa tubs and frameless glass-enclosed showers in the primary bathrooms. The design is once again selected by Pierro Lissoni with Italian cabinetry and design and water fixtures. As a full-service building, Casa Bella by B&B Italia offers 24/7 doorman, security, maintenance and valet in a variety of languages. There will also be an on-demand concierge for housekeeping, pre-arrival grocery shopping and delivery, dry cleaning and laundry, nanny services, pet care services, overnight shoe shining, event tickets, courier services, personal IT and tech support, translation services as well as butler services. Each residence will also receive a complimentary one-year membership to the exclusive Grand Bay Beach Club in Key Biscayne. Rendering of Casa Bella Residences Bathroom In the Penthouse Collection, 24 spacious penthouses will be available with 11-foot ceilings and 4 upper penthouses offer 12-foot ceilings. Two of the upper penthouses also enjoy a private rooftop terrace, each with a summer kitchen and spa overlooking the ocean and Downtown Miami’s skyline. The amenity levels of the building also leave nothing to be desired. There are two complete floors for the fitness center and wellness center, dedicated entertainment spaces and a robust business hub. The wellness center overlooks the Biscayne Bay and includes a private yoga studio, gym, spin room, beauty salon with mani/pedi stations and a suite of on-demand spa services. In the entertainment space, residents and guests will enjoy and adult lounge, game room, children’s play room, cinema, wine room, spacious party room overlooking the Biscayne Bay, a pet spa, and the business hub where remote workers have access to a conference room, co-working space and a fully-equipped business center with a lounge. Rendering of Casa Bella Residences Spa The 11th floor houses the stunning full-service pool deck designed by world-renowned landscape architect, Enzo Enea. There is a 78-foot heated lap pool with views of the Biscayne Bay, poolside bar and Mediterranean cafe, shaded lounge areas and poolside cabanas, towel service and sun care kiosk, open air yoga area, as well as a private outdoor dining area and grilling area. Above it all, the 56th-floor sky terrace includes a rooftop pool and private observatory. Residents can enjoy views of the entire city from 650-feet in the air and see the stars through the state-of-the-art telescope. Staying true to form for Related Groups projects, the entire project is outfitted with curated world-class artwork for residents and guests to enjoy. “With Casa Bella, I want to realize a very contemporary project, and what is more contemporary than B&B Italia, the company whose very essence is contemporary?” said Lissoni. Current pricing starts in the high $600’s for 1 bedroom residences, high $800’s for 2 bedrooms, $1.5M for 3 bedrooms and $2.4M for 4 bedrooms. Penthouses are priced upon request. If you are interested in a 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. Rendering of Casa Bella Residences Penthouse Duplex Living Room Rendering of Casa Bella Residences Penthouse Duplex