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.
Fisher Island Preconstruction Beats The Odds – $300M Sold At Six Fisher Within Weeks Of Launch Posted on January 16, 2023January 22, 2023 by Sarah Elles Boggs What could have been seen as a gamble, launching an ultra-luxury development that you have to be invited to even be considered for in a nationally declining real estate market, is proving to be a stroke of genius. Related Group’s The Residences at Six Fisher has sold nearly 30% of its inventory just a few weeks after its soft launch at Art Basel. The project is set to rise on the last available development site on Fisher Island, a private enclave of ultra-luxury condos and homes with its own school, private club, police force and more. There is currently one crane on the property, preparing for groundbreaking when the rest of the country is stressing interest rates and new pending sales that are practically in a free-fall. Despite the woe in the macro-real estate market, Jorge Perez believes in Miami. As “the condo king of Miami,” he certainly knows his kingdom and places all of his cards where they need to be. Anticipating a $1.2 billion sellout on the 10-story, 50-unit project, he paid nearly $125 million for the land to build and declared that not just anyone can garner a presentation on the project. He has hand-picked those who are able to consider the luxurious investment. It seems that he has chosen well, as $300 million of contracts are currently out, with initial buyers not only hailing from international locations such as Brazil, Canada, Mexico and Israel, but also from domestic locations as well. “Almost 30% of the units are spoken for,” said Perez. “Contracts have gone out for over $300 million, and we haven’t really done any marketing. Nevertheless, should the market slow down a little bit, we’re in a fortunate position.” The residences start at $15 million, with the crown jewel being a 15,000 square foot penthouse that is being offered for $90 million. There is also a ground-floor villa that boasts an unheard-of half acre backyard for $55 million. In order to secure their spot in the projects, preconstruction buyers are required to contribute a 50% non-refundable deposit. The Draw of Miami It has been no secret that the Miami real estate market is not following the same trajectory as the rest of the United States, particularly in the ultra-luxury market. Between the favorable tax climate and the favorable weather-related climate, prices have remained strong in South Florida. What makes us a true outlier is the fact that Miami has traditionally been an internationally-focused market. When wealthy international people seek to enter the US market, they largely choose Miami due to weaker economies and political instability in their home countries, but also the ease of access, undervalued prices, vibrant lifestyle and unique mix of cultures that Miami offers. It is very easy to feel at home in Miami, no matter where you are from. Over recent years however, domestic buyers have descended upon us, looking for more favorable tax environments, so the surge of demand with weak supply continues to push prices & projects skyward. “Yes, the market across the country has gone down, particularly in luxury units, but we’re finding that in enclaves that we have, like Fisher Island, we still see a great level of interest from those people that can afford the best,” Mr. Perez told CNBC. Inside the sales cycle of ultra-luxury projects It is not unheard of for new ultra-luxury projects to experience a busy launch, then having the sales taper off as the development nears completion. Initial buyers are offered incentives for placing their trust in the developer’s plan without having a tangible example to tour. There is also obviously more inventory to choose from. As the project rises and prospective buyers have more information to base their decisions on, prices rise. Despite the higher prices, the projects continue to sell, with buyers in this price bracket searching for “The One”. They are looking for something unique, something bespoke to their own tastes and needs. With The Residences at Six Fisher, they find this and more. Fisher Island offers ultra exclusivity, privacy, security and amenities. The island is accessible only by ferry, yacht or helicopter. They have their own private school, the convenience of their own grocery store and restaurants, a private beach and a golf club. There is currently a five to seven year waitlist in Miami to join a golf club, so the immediate inclusion that buyers of Six Fisher receive to the Fisher Island Club proves to be immensely valuable. Douglas Elliman is the exclusive broker for Six Fisher. If you are interested in an invitation to consider this project, 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 Group Scores Construction Loan For Rental Tower On Miami River Posted on January 7, 2023January 9, 2023 by Sarah Elles Boggs Relief is on its way for Miami’s over-competitive rental market, and it cannot come soon enough. Just as we topped the list of the most competitive and least affordable rental markets in the nation, Related Group has garnered approval for a $106 million construction loan for a new rental tower in Brickell. The new project is part of the larger 3-tower mixed-use development that is preparing to rise on a 4-acre lot at 444 Brickell Avenue. Still yet to be formally named, the rental portion of the project will have 506 apartments and 44-floors. We do know that the first tower of the project is the 75-story Baccarat Residences, but it is unclear if the second and third towers will have the same branding. The rendering released features signage depicting “The One” on the entrance of the building, but this could be conceptual. Even if it is called The One, there is plenty of time for something like that to change as the building is constructed. Speaking of construction timelines, we anticipate them to be as short as possible. Related has already bulldozed through red tape regarding Tequesta artifacts that were found on the build site, something that delayed the construction of Icon Brickell by years in the mid-aught’s. With 444 Brickell, evidence of a possible prehistoric structure were reportedly found in 2021. A Related spokesperson told The Commercial Observer that construction is moving forward and the developer is in the end stages of securing construction financing for the Baccarat Residences tower. Considering construction begins in early Q1 2023 as scheduled, we should see the first round of tenants moving into the luxury rental building in 2025. This allows for around 1 year of vertical construction (typical construction timelines budget 1 floor per week for vertical growth), and then roughly 1 year of interior and exterior finish-out. The third tower is expected to be announced once plans are in motion on the Baccarat tower and the rental tower. Below is a diagram of how the three towers will be situated on the lot, maximizing the views and activating a currently under-used stretch of riverfront. The rental tower is on the far south portion of the build site, with Baccarat Residences on the riverfront side and the third tower facing Brickell Avenue. Baccarat Residences Brickell Downtown Miami Site Key Plan For those who are new to Miami and Brickell, the park across the street with circular designs was the mysterious prehistoric site that delayed the neighboring Icon Brickell project. The site with the most significant ruins (the circle itself) was given to the city and dedicated to the Tequesta Indians in memory of how our city came to be. We are very excited to see this project come to fruition after years of discussion and need. While this project will relieve some stress from the luxury market, we also have more than 22,500 rental units in the pipeline across South Florida, with more in the planning phases.
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
St. Regis Expands to Brickell With New Waterfront Towers Posted on December 18, 2021March 9, 2022 by Sarah Elles Boggs St. Regis has announced a partnership with Related Group, arguably the largest developer in South Florida, and Integra Investments to bring their brand into Miami’s booming financial district. The new location is at 1809 Brickell Avenue and was previously a senior living facility that had fallen into disrepair. The site was sold and vacated in 2014 to make way for the new project, which will include 2 residential towers and 354 units. Robert A.M. Stern Architects has been tapped to design the buildings. You may have seen their designs in New York at 15 Central Park West or 220 Central Park South, or the Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead. Interiors will be handled by The Rockwell Group, known for dramatic interiors, grand entrances and a sense of curiosity. The Related Group is very excited to expand the St. Regis brand with the new Brickell location. Jon Paul Perez, president of Related said, “Much like the first St. Regis hotel solidified New York City as the global hub for culture, commerce and society 100 years ago, our plans for this property cement Brickell as an international metropolis for a new era of connoisseurs.” Related was also responsible for the sister building, St. Regis Bal Harbour, which has been immensely successful as well as The Residences at Armani-Casa in Sunny Isles. The two new towers will include 55,000 square feet of amenities and services that include butler service. “We are sparing no expense to make this the definitive Miami address,” Nelson Stabile mentioned. He is one of the principals of Integra. Prices are expected to begin in the $2 million range and sales open in early 2022. If you are interested in a presentation of the project, with 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.
Former Auberge Site in Miami’s Arts + Entertainment District Reborn as “Casa Bella” Posted on October 27, 2021October 27, 2021 by Sarah Elles Boggs Hot off the press, the former site of Related Group’s Auberge Residences at 1400 Biscayne Bay in the Miami Arts + Entertainment District neighborhood is being rebranded as “Casa Bella” and will launch sales in the next few weeks. Few details are known at this point aside from the fact that it will be a luxury branded tower with interiors designed by Piero Lissoni. The project will have a little over 300 residences with just 6 units per floor. The residences will have private elevators and span between 1-5 bedrooms. As additional details are made available, we will keep you informed. If you are interested in a presentation of the project, with 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.