New Wave Of Residential Could Complete Neighborhood For Brickell
By Sherri C. Ranta
six potential sites named for downtown miami convention center pollo tropical founder buys firehouse four lease for spanish restaurant, bar constructa seeks to build residential instead of hotel component at brickell village high-end hotels, hit by corporate cuts, to face more competition new wave of residential could complete neighborhood for brickell grocery-anchored shopping centers luring stock-weary investors miami’s recent movie-making role gets mixed reviews from civic leaders calendar of events fyi miami filming in miami front page about miami today put your message in miami today contact miami today job opportunities research our files the online archive order reprints new wave of residential could complete neighborhood for brickellBy Sherri C. Ranta
The City of Miami’s master plan for Brickell Avenue is coming to fruition as development, both planned and already under construction, complement what was once singularly an office market.
"The market cycles have clicked in such a way that the missing component, the residential, is now the strongest market. That’s going to create a neighborhood," said Lourdes Y. Slazyk, assistant director in the City of Miami’s planning department.
Residential and retail projects are being announced, under way and opening along Brickell Avenue, to the east and in the area west of Brickell Avenue known as Brickell Village, she said.
"It is cool, being a planner, to watch a plan like that come to fruition," said Ms. Slazyk, who served as a private consultant on development of the master plan adopted by the city in 1987.
"What we put in the master plan 15 years ago is happening," she said. "The area is turning into a real downtown, a place that doesn’t close at 5 p.m. when the workers go home."
Statistics from the Downtown Development Authority show close to 1,000 residential units a year have been built in the downtown area for the past seven years, said Adam Lukin, project manager.
Another 1,000 units are planned for construction each year for the next five years, he said. "That means you have a whole new residential population."
The lion’s share of that residential, he said, is now going to the Brickell area.
"It is established as a prestigious neighborhood, perceived as safe," Mr. Lukin said.
Complementing Brickell’s residential construction, he said, is retail and restaurant development and the construction of signature hotels such as Mandarin Oriental on Brickell Key and the JW Marriott, 1111 Brickell Ave.
"The current infill development is very positive for the area," said Wayne Stringer, past president of the Brickell Area Association. But he warns of overtaxing the existing infrastructure.
"It’s encouraging to see development east like this. It’s a testament to the re-urbanization movement – showing development is going where it should, instead of a westward sprawl."
The association, he said, wants to make sure the infrastructure, such as the Miami River Bridge, is maintained and enhanced as the neighborhood grows.
"It’s important that those things be looked at and improved congruently with all the things going on," Mr. Stringer said.
Residential and retail development seems to be finding a balance in Brickell, said Stephen L. Owens, president of Swire Properties, developers of Brickell Key.
"We track all projects that are announced," he said. "About a third are not built or are delayed. If you can continue to look at it in that context – it’s about right."
Part of it is the chicken-and-egg argument, he said. "Retail and residential have to go in some kind of balance. That all seems to be coming in line now.
"I’m a big advocate of Brickell, as you would expect," he said. "I work here and live here. Five to 10 years from now, people will be pleasantly surprised at how positive and convenient a place it will be to live and work."
As of late June, more than a dozen private developments for the Brickell area have received the green light from City of Miami planners. Many of the approved projects have been stalled due to design changes and delays or financing and some have yet to gain city commission approval, said Ms. Slazyk.
Approved Brickell area developments that are under way or ready to break ground, with fees paid and permits approved by the city, include:
— The Millennium
1425-41 Brickell Ave.
Residential, retail, offices and the Four Seasons hotel.
Developers: Millennium Partner/Terremark.
Status: Project under construction.
Expected on tax rolls in 2003.
— Brickell Bay Plaza
1201 Brickell Ave.
Commercial, residential and retail.
Developer: Florida East Coast Realty
Status: Project in permitting.
Expected on tax rolls in 2004.
— Brickell Summit
1010 S Miami Ave.
Retail, rental residential and office.
Developer: Bermello Ajamil & Partners.
Expected on tax rolls in 2004.
— Espirito Santo Plaza
1395 Brickell Ave.
Retail, residential and office.
Developer: Estoril Inc.
Expected on tax rolls in 2004.
— Brickell Premiere Hotel Project
Southeast 14th Street between Biscayne Bay and Brickell
Condo hotel and retail.
Expected on tax rolls in 2004.
— Brickell View
30 SW 12th St.
Retail, office and rental apartments.
Developer: Bermello Ajamil & Partners.
Status: Permits just granted.
— Mary Brickell Village
South Miami Avenue between Ninth & 10th streets.
Retail phase.
Developer: Constructa.
Status: Constructa officials are applying for an amendment to zoning to
allow for construction of a 382-unit rental residential building, rather
than building the hotel as originally envisioned for the project. Publix
grocery store will be on the ground floor of the residential portion.
Permits for the retail portion of the project are approved, said Phillipe
Labarre, project manager. Project financing is lined up, he said, but
officials are waiting for all zoning permits before moving forward.
Construction is expected to begin in October, Mr. Labarre said.
Expected on tax rolls in 2004.
— Brickell Bay Village Apartments
2101-05 Brickell Ave.
Apartments
Developer: Coral Way Investments
Expected on tax rolls in 2004.
— Courts Brickell Key
Residential
Developer: Swire Properties.
Status: Closings on units are expected in late October, said company
president Stephen L. Owens. Design plans are under way for a new 40-
story condominium tower on Brickell Key, he said, with construction
expected to begin next year. Conceptual designs are also under way for
a project adjacent to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Mr. Owens said.
Projects approved that still lack building permits:
— The Jade
1295 Brickell Bay Drive
Commercial, retail and residential.
Developers: Fortune International Realty and Swire Properties.
Status: Foundation work almost complete.
Completion scheduled for 2004.
— Park Place at Brickell
15th Road at Brickell Avenue
Rental residential, mixed-use development in two, 40-story towers.
Developer: Rilea Group.
Expected completion in 2007.
— 1060 Brickell
1060 Brickell Ave.
Residential and commercial.
— Brickell West
529-37,45-51 SW 11th St.
Residential.
— Brickell Station Towers
1101 SW First Ave.
Mixed-use development with two 360-unit towers.
— The Beacon Brickell Village
30 SE Eighth St. and 830 SE First Ave.
Residential use.
— 1800 N Bayshore Drive
1800 N Bayshore Drive.
Retail, residential.
— Coral Station at Brickell Way Village
Southwest 15th Road at First Avenue.
Mixed use development with residential, office, retail and commercial.
Developers: BVT Development Corp. & Taylor Development & Land
Co.
Note: BVT principal Harvey Taylor said plans now call for 365 rental
residential rental units rather than the originally planned 186-unit hotel
component.
— Brickell Commons
Bounded by Miami River to the north, Eighth Street to the south,
Peoplemover rail line on the east, and 750 S Miami Avenue on the west.
Mixed Use: mixed use development with residential, retail, movie
theater.
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