New addiction center leases large slice of Omni Center

A center dealing with treatment and research of substance addictions has leased 43,895 square feet in Omni Center – the former Omni International Mall – where it plans to open this spring with 35 to 40 employees.

The former mall was once part of the plans of its owners, Resorts World Omni LLC, and their parent Genting, the Malaysian casino giant, for the world’s largest gambling casino.

Today, the former mall also houses Miami International University of Art & Design, the Miami Passport Agency and Genting-owned Crystal Cruise Lines. In the complex as well are the Hilton Miami Downtown and the headquarters of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce.

The complex is across the street from the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts.

Leasing the space in the Omni at 1501 Biscayne Blvd. is Global Institutes on Addictions, which a release says is a center of specialized departments at the forefront of research and treatment for addictions and substance use disorders.

The organization chose Miami for its first location “due to the city’s connectivity with other major cities in the US and the rest of the world, which will allow the center to reach patients with diverse backgrounds and medical needs regarding addiction,” said a release from real estate firm Avison Young, which represented the Global Institutes on Addictions in the leasing.

Tower Commercial represented the landlord, Resorts World Omni.

“The Omni Center’s hotel access, abundant covered parking, and prime downtown location were factors that drove our client’s decision to lease the space, as the amenities will appeal to GIA’s high-profile client base,” said Scott Goldstein, an Avison Young principal. “Our ability to secure the lease opportunity before it went to market and the landlord’s quick delivery of the space while providing temporary accommodations during build-out will allow GIA to seamlessly move in and open its doors in the spring.”