Florida International University Seeks Two New Hubs In City Core

By Yudislaidy Fernandez
Florida International University is searching for a new hub for its business school in downtown Miami as it plans to leave the site it uses in Macy’s department store.

The university is also in quest of a second location in Miami’s Design District or Wynwood for more classroom and office space.

The search for the two sites of unspecified size began in September, with local property owners in those neighborhoods bidding to get the leases.

Office buildings shortlisted for the downtown/Brickell lease are 1101 Brickell Ave., owned by Florida East Coast Realty, and 1399 SW First Ave., owned by Chestnut Capital.

Goldman Properties, which owns multiple properties in Wynwood, is the finalist for the Design District and Wynwood search.

Property owners that submitted bids but didn’t make it to the shortlist are Miami Parking Authority, Scott Robins Cos. and Dacra Development Corp.

FIU opened its downtown center in 2005 to meet the needs of the local business community because the location is more accessible for urban professionals with busy lifestyles.

In 2008, the university extended for two years its lease with Macy’s on the sixth floor of the retail and office building. Macy’s didn’t return calls.

FIU’s downtown center offers a master’s in business administration for working professionalsg with at least four years of work experience.

The recession fueled a growing demand for the university’s downtown MBA programs, with most enrolled executives based in downtown and Brickell.

University officials declined to comment, citing the ongoing lease bids.

As of Tuesday, the university had yet to award leases for either location.