SkyRise Miami Still Looks Like a Go After Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Proposed Iconic Tower Posted on September 18, 2015 by Michael Light City commission candidate and community activist Grace Solares has been fighting the development of SkyRise Miami, the 1,000-foot observation tower that has been planned by Jeff Berkowitz to be an iconic landmark in the heart of Downtown Miami, for a while now. Although her lawsuit was dismissed on appeal a few months ago, the activist requested a reconsideration of the Third District Court of Appeals’ ruling. However, without avail, on Tuesday morning, the Florida Supreme Court ruled in favor of Berkowitz and his iconic observation tower. Solares’ lawsuit against the City of Miami alleged that “Miami officials violated the city charter by entering into a new long-term lease with General Growth Properties, the owners of Bayside Marketplace where SkyRise Miami will be located, without seeking competitive bids,” according to the Real Deal. Her lawsuit was thrown out by the 3rd DCA for a lack of standing and apparently the high court agreed, which could affect future litigation for other projects in similar situations. Successfully hurdling the obstacles of litigation, SkyRise Miami looks to move forward. The proposed observation tower will be the tallest tower in all of Florida. SkyRise Miami will include three expansive observation decks overlooking Biscayne Bay, the Atlantic Ocean and the vibrant Miami skyline from 1,000 feet high, a 5-star restaurant, a nightclub, exclusive Sky High Club, a ballroom for private social events, a conference-style meeting room, an interactive exhibit and 3 really exciting rides including the SkyRise Flying Theater, SkyPlunge Miami and SkyRise Drop. If built, SkyRise Miami will be an extraordinary contributor to the amazing transformation of Downtown Miami. With the remarkable transformation of Downtown Miami, the real estate values in the area are certain to increase. If you, or someone you know, are interested in purchasing a condo in Downtown Miami, please contact your Miami condo specialist, Michael Light. You may reach me on my cell at (786) 566-1700, at my office at (305) 350-9842 or via email at michael@miamiluxuryhomes.com.
SkyRise Miami is a GO! Posted on May 29, 2015 by Michael Light Developer of SkyRise Miami, Jeff Berkowitz, recently signed a deal to hook up utilities to the iconic project, and a lawsuit challenging the SkyRise has been dismissed by an appellate court, according to The Next Miami. Berkowitz will pay a utility connection fee anticipated to be approximately $360,000. The paperwork for the utility connection was not only signed by Berkowitz but also signed by the city manager of Miami, the leaseholder of Bayside Marketplace and Deutsche Bank, Bayside’s mortgage holder. In the lawsuit that was dismissed on appeal, activist Grace Solares challenged the validity of the voting referendum regarding the approval of a deal between Bayside and SkyRise Miami. The lawsuit by Solares was thrown out because Solares lacked standing to bring the lawsuit. In layman’s terms, this means that Solares could not show that she had a personal legal interest that was invaded by the mega-project. Basically, it doesn’t matter that a person is merely interested as a member of the general public, a person must have a personal stake in the outcome of the controversial issue with the project, and apparently she didn’t. So, the utility connection for SkyRise Miami is expected to be completed sometime in the middle of June with foundation work on the project anticipated to begin this coming fall. Some of the details of SkyRise Miami include the following: 174,340 square feet of retail space 10,123 square feet of office space 24,291 square foot banquet hall 13,822 square feet of full-service restaurants 4,723 square feet of fast-food restaurants 20,922 square feet of bars or cocktail lounges 13,703 square feet of warehouse space 72-seat theater
SkyRise Miami Will Rise Downtown Miami Condo Values to the Sky! Posted on March 30, 2015 by Michael Light SkyRise Miami is the vision of world-renowned developer Jeff Berkowitz to create a universal icon for the city of Miami. SkyRise Miami will capture the unique energy and vibrancy of the Magic City and will be a truly, one-of-a-kind observation tower featuring fun-filled attractions and entertainment. A new, extremely informative video has been released about the highly-anticipated SkyRise Miami project which includes intriguing statistical facts about the rise of the city of Miami and the Downtown Miami area. Check out the video below provided by SkyRiseMiami.com. SkyRise Miami will have a significant impact on the rise of the condo market values in Downtown Miami and its surrounding areas. If you, or someone you know, are interested in making a savvy condo investment in the Downtown Miami condo market, please contact your Miami condo specialist, Michael Light. You may reach me on my cell at (786) 566-1700, directly at my office at (305) 350-9842 or via email at michael@miamiluxuryhomes.com.
Florida Trend Names Miami the Most Exciting City in the World! Posted on January 16, 2015 by Michael Light Florida Trend Names Miami the Most Exciting City in the World Miami was voted “Floridian of the Year” and named “the Most Exciting City in the World,” by Floridatrend.com. Further, Florida Trend recognized that the Magic City was at the forefront of every trend in the year 2014. Florida Trend recognized Miami as its Floridian of the Year because of all the positive features of Miami. Not only did tourism rates increase and set records, but the real estate market continued to exceed expectations, unemployment fell, construction employment increased and a ton of new projects are on the frontline for Miami, an almost, brand-new, chic metropolis. The article pointed to one of the most highly-anticipated and exciting projects to come to Miami, Miami Worldcenter, which will be located in Downtown Miami and will be the second largest urban development in the country. This is an exciting project which will feature a signature residential condo tower, Paramount Miami Worldcenter Condos, which will consist of 470 spacious, ultra-luxury, condo residences and unparalleled amenities, along with 765,000 square feet of premium retail space anchored by a 120,000 square foot Bloomingdale’s and a 195,000 square foot Macy’s, a 600,000 square foot convention center and approximately 2,000 modern hotel rooms. Miami Worldcenter will certainly transform Downtown Miami, along with all of the other exciting projects including the SkyRise Miami observatory which is currently in the planning phases. Also recognized as an amazing new project is Brickell City Centre. Brickell City Centre will comprise of 2, ultra-luxury, residential condo towers, Reach and Rise, consisting of approximately 780 modern condos, EAST, Miami Hotel featuring 263 hotel rooms and 89 full-service apartments, a 565,000 square foot shopping center, 130,000 square foot Wellness Center, 130,000 square feet of first-class office space, ample parking and the one-and-only Climate Ribbon™ – a $20 million glass and steel elevated trellis that is a highly-sophisticated environmental management system spanning 150,000 square feet. Brickell City Centre is a remarkable project that is scheduled for Phase I completion in 2015. In addition, Brickell City Centre is largely to thank for Miami accounting for 73% of the state of Florida’s retail development under construction, as of June 2014. Paramount Miami Worldcenter, SkyRise Miami and Brickell CIty Centre are only a few of the exciting projects that were mentioned by Florida Trend, but there are many other projects that made Miami, Florida Trend’s Floridian of the Year. Check out all of our recent stories on our blog to read about all of the upcoming Miami projects including the new construction condo developments. If you, or someone you know, are interested in buying or selling Miami real estate or simply have a question about the Miami real estate market, please contact me, Michael Light of Miami Luxury Homes. I am happy to assist you with all of your real estate needs, and I appreciate the opportunity to earn your business. You may reach me at my office at (305) 350-9842, on my cell at (786) 566-1700 or via email at michael@miamiluxuryhomes.com.
SkyRise Miami Update Posted on December 29, 2014 by Michael Light SkyRise Miami SkyRise Miami is on its way to becoming a reality in Downtown Miami. The highly-anticipated, $430 Million, 1,000-foot observation tower was unanimously approved by the city commission in June and was approved by voters in August of this year. Although the developer of SkyRise Miami, Jeff Berkowitz, originally planned for the $430 Million, mega project to be built with only private funding, Berkowitz recently sought out public funding. In November, Miami commissioners rejected $9 Million in county funding for the project because they did not want to use public money for a private development, even though Miami-Dade Mayor, Carlos Gimenez, described this mega project as a “game changer” for the Miami economy, according to the Real Deal. Despite this minor setback, the $9 million public funding plan was approved by the Miami commissioners with little resistance at the Miami-Dade County commissioners’ meeting on Tuesday, December 16, 2014, according to the Real Deal. Berkowitz is still in the process of raising the rest of the private funding for SkyRise Miami, but we are hopeful this remarkable landmark will sooner than later become a reality in Downtown Miami. Click Here more information on SkyRise Miami including descriptions of its unique amenities.
SkyRise Miami…Tallest Structure in Florida Given the Thumbs Up! Posted on August 28, 2014September 18, 2015 by Michael Light SkyRise Miami Observation Tower “Up, up and away,” says Jeffrey Berkowitz, the leading developer of the highly-anticipated SkyRise Miami project in Downtown Miami, according to the Miami Herald. SkyRise Miami, a 1000-foot observation tower, is soon to be the tallest building in Florida and an iconic landmark in Downtown Miami. The $430 Million privately funded SkyRise Miami project was approved at the polls on Tuesday, August 26, 2014, according to USA Today. Prior to the approval at the polls, the plan was unanimously approved by the city commission in June 2014. Soon to be situated at the end of Bayside Marketplace on city-owned land leased by Bayside, SkyRise Miami will “firmly cement Miami on the global stage,” said Berkowitz. “It’s going to be Miami’s Eiffel Tower.” With its unique design and unprecedented attractions, SkyRise Miami will enthusiastically take its place among the great towers of the world. Designed by a world-class team who were also involved in such remarkable structures in the world including the brand new One World Trade Center in New York City, Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, Shanghai Center in Shanghai, China, Moscow City in Moscow, Russia and Doho Tower in Doho Qatar, SkyRise Miami is certain to be on the same platform as these extraordinary landmarks. SkyRise Miami will feature some of the best entertainment and attractions in Miami. SkyRise Miami will boast 3 expansive observation decks overlooking the beautiful Miami skyline, Biscayne Bay and Atlantic Ocean from 1,000 feet high, a fine-dining restaurant, a vibrant nightclub, the ultra-exclusive Sky High Club, a beautiful Ballroom for private events, a conference-style meeting room, an interactive exhibit and 3 really exciting rides including the SkyRise Flying Theater, SkyPlunge Miami and SkyRise Drop. SkyRise Miami is certain to impress the whole family! SkyRise Miami will absolutely be an essential contributor to Miami’s transformation into a sophisticated, chic metropolis. SkyRise Miami Overview SkyRise will be the tallest building in Florida standing 1000 feet (305 meters) tall Construction is expected to begin late 2014 The entire SkyRise Miami project is expected to be finished in the first half of 2018 SkyRise Miami will be a Green Building Project determined to receive Gold LEED Certification SkyRise Miami will create approximately 7,100 jobs throughout its development phases and 17,000 jobs after its grand opening SkyRise Miami will have an exceptional, economic impact during its development stage totaling in excess of $880 Million SkyRise Miami will have an exemplary, annual-recurring, economic impact after its opening totaling in excess of $1.3 Billion SkyRise Miami SkyRise Miami Entertainment & Amenities SkyRise Observation Decks: SkyRise Miami will offer 3, spacious, observations decks with the most spectacular, gorgeous city, ocean and bay views in the world. SkyRise Nightclub: Suspended 1,000 feet above ground, the vibrant SkyRise nightclub will feature the best views of any nightclub in the world. SkyRise Restaurant: The SkyRise Miami restaurant will represent fine dining at its highest peak, as it will be situated almost 1,000 feet above ground overlooking the beautiful Miami skyline, Biscayne Bay and Miami Beach. SkyRise “Sky High” Club: Miami is famous for its chic, luxurious and ultra-exclusive clubs. The Sky High Club will not only be a Miami club at its finest, it will be one of the hautest, exclusive clubs in the world. SkyPlunge Miami: This will be the ride of a lifetime. The SkyPlunge Miami will be a sophisticated, bungee-like ride that will be fun for the whole family simultaneously. SkyRise Flying Theater: This highly-innovative, motion-based, flight simulator will be a thrill of a lifetime. The SkyRise Flying Theater is comparable to Soarin’© at Disney World’s™ Epcot™. SkyRise Drop: Soon to be one of the most exciting rides in the world, SkyRise Drop will be just like parachuting from an airplane with an exciting, adrenaline-rushed, free fall. SkyRise Ballroom: Ultra-luxury at its finest. The SkyRise Ballroom will boast an unparalleled sophistication, perfect for hosting the most elegant private social events. SkyRise Miami in Downtown Miami Download SkyRise Miami Brochures SkyRise Miami Brochure in English SkyRise Miami Brochure in Spanish SkyRise Miami Brochure in Mandarin SkyRise Miami Team Project Developer: Berkowitz Development Group Architect: Arquitectonica Structural Engineer: Magnusson Klemencic Associates General Contractors: Tishman & Coastal Mechanical & Electrical Engineer: Cosentini Observation Deck Designer: gsmprjctº Observation Towers in the U.S. Famous Observation Towers of the World If you, or someone you know, would like information on the Miami real estate market, please contact Michael Light of Miami Luxury Homes. You can reach me directly at my office at 305-350-9842, on my cell phone at 786-566-1700 or via email at michael@miamiluxuryhomes.com.