Three-building Flagler Street complex underway

Work has begun on a major mixed-use development that is bringing new apartments, office space and commercial uses to nearly a full block hugged by West Flagler Street and Northwest First Street in Miami.

The development is composed of three buildings: Flagler Oasis Residences, which is currently under construction, Flagler Residential Tower and Flagler Professional Building.

An application for approval of Flagler Oasis Buildings 2 and 3 was recommended for approval recently by the city’s Urban Development Review Board.

Gamla Cedron Flagler Oasis II LLC and Gamla Cedron Flagler Oasis III LLC are the applicants for the project at 1150 NW First St. and 1155 W Flagler St.

The project will be home to 348 residential units, 73,828 square feet of offices, 19,950 square feet of commercial-retail, and parking for 597 vehicles. The tallest structure is 16 stories.

The property is in the heart of the Little Havana neighborhood, which continues to experience rapid population growth and business expansion.

The property is most of a block fronting West Flagler Street to the south, Northwest 11th Avenue to the east, Northwest First Street to the north, and a multi-tenant commercial structure with surface parking to the west.

The site is surrounded by multi-family residential, office, and commercial uses.

The 2.324-acre site consists of existing commercial structures and surface parking that are to be demolished.

Attorney Iris Escarra, on behalf of the developer, noted that Building 1 is under construction at 1104/1110 NW First St., 1125 W Flagler St., 28 NW 11th Ave., and a portion of 1140 NW First St. It is an 8-story structure with 100 residential units, ground floor retail uses, and a parking structure.

Building 2 consists of a portion of 1140 NW First St. and is to be 16 stories with 248 residential units, ground floor commercial uses, and a parking structure.

Building 3 consists of a portion of 1139 W Flagler St. and is to include about 13,800 square feet of commercial uses, 70,400 square feet of offices, and a parking structure.

In a letter Ms. Escarra said: “The project provides a fully activated cross-block passage. The passage is located along the west property line adjacent to Building 2 and consists of an open area which provides an inviting and serene environment with benches, lighting, landscaping, and other amenities including bike racks and serves as a connection point between West Flagler Street and NW First Street.”

Project architect is Behar Font & Partners P.A. of Coral Gables. Robert Behar, a member of the review board, recused himself from hearing this application.

Ms. Escarra said, “The project brings much-needed residential, commercial, and office components to the civic, institutional, commercial, and educational uses that currently exist nearby.”

Board member Ligia Ines Labrada said she liked the way the designers used different programming styles and unified the three buildings.

“It’s done very nicely,” she said.

Chair Ignacio Permuy said the project serves to illustrate the ever-growing importance of the Flagler Street corridor, “bringing retail and pedestrian experience in a key area… This will be an immediate asset to that area.”

The developer is requesting several waivers for the project, including:

■To permit up to a 30% parking reduction for properties within a quarter mile radius of a transit corridor.

■To permit substitution of two residential loading berths for one commercial loading berth.

■To permit, along a primary frontage, above ground parking to extend into the second layer along the frontage, if an art, glass, or architectural treatment is provided for 100% of that portion of the façade.

■To permit a 10% reduction in the required frontage setbacks above the 8th story.

■To permit a 10% reduction in the required side setbacks above the 8th story.

■To permit a 10% reduction in the required tower to tower separation above the 8th story.