Bap Set For Party To Mark Start Of Summit Brickell Grand

By Marilyn Bowden
BAP Development plans a party to break ground tonight (6/22) for Summit Brickell Grand, a mixed-use project that may bring the first new retail development to West Brickell since Harvey Taylor’s Publix center on 13th Street.

The $51 million project — a joint development with Summit Properties — will take up most of the block between Southeast 10th and 11th streets on the west side of South Miami Avenue.

Henry Pino, executive vice president of BAP, says the project will contain 21,000 square feet of retail and 405 apartments.

BAP, whose principals include Willy Bermello and Luis Ajamil, is a separate entity from the architectural firm of Bermello Ajamil & Partners, which designed the project, Mr. Pino says.

He says this is the first urban project Summit Properties has been involved in.

"They are a large real estate investment trust," he says, "and have a good presence in the garden apartment market."

Firehouse Four and Rosinella, two successful restaurants fronting South Miami Avenue, will remain standing, he says. The vacated storefront between them, former home of Il Palio restaurant, will serve as site office during construction.

Beyond that, he says, there’s room for two more restaurants, one on South Miami Avenue and one on 10th Street, that will preferably be leased to national chains.

Arvida Realtor Jacque Huttoe, who is marketing the retail space, says she is in negotiations with several possible tenants. She says there’s no retail theme contemplated for the site.

The residential units range from 800-1,150 square feet, Mr. Pino says, and will rent for $1,100-$1,500 monthly.

"They’re designed as a closed environment," he says, "and will be built in a U-shape around a pool."

Amenities in this gated community will include balconies, a recreation deck with a gym, a pool, an atrium and card access to parking garages.

"We’re targeting middle-income professionals," he says, "who can’t afford the rentals on the water but do want to live in the downtown area."

The project is within close walking distance to the Brickell Metrorail and Metromover stations.

Though the groundbreaking ceremony is symbolic, Mr. Pino says the dirt will begin to fly as soon as permitting comes through — possibly as early as next week. With an 18-month build-out, that could easily put Summit Brickell Grand well ahead of competitive retail projects announced for West Brickell.

Constructa, which plans a 175,000-square-foot retail center next door between Ninth and 10th streets, has not yet announced a start date. Principals have said retail in that development will cater to homeowners.

The first phase of Brickell Village — Terremark’s 11-acre retail and entertainment complex between the Miami River and Southwest Eighth Street, South Miami Avenue and the Metromover line — is to break ground later this year.

Coral Station, Harvey Taylor’s mixed-use development just east of Publix on Coral Way, is in for permitting. It will have about 60,000 square feet of retail. Mr. Taylor says a joint development with developer Marty Taplin on the east side of Coral Way is on hold.

"This puts us in a good position," Mr. Pino says. "We are on the Southwest 10th Promenade the city is implementing that will have wide sidewalks and trees lining the streets. Our project falls right into place there."

Patti Allen, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority, called the Summit Brickell Grand "a perfect Brickell Village project.

"It’s exactly what we need," she says. "The design is great. The city will probably make close to half a million dollars in taxes from it, so it’s a win-win."

Bovis Lend Lease is general contractor. Details: BAP Development, (305) 859-2050; Arvida Realty, (305) 667-4815. negotiations with several possible