Brickell towers near river to offer 784 new units

Miami’s Brickell neighborhood continues its impressive growth, with a developer ready to bring a pair of mixed-use residential towers to a high-profile property south of the Miami River.

Newgard Development Group has proposed the project, One Brickell Riverfront, at 99 SW Seventh St.

The site plan proposes a structure consisting of two towers of 43 and 44 stories with 784 residential units, ground floor retail uses, about 13,170 square feet of offices, and 919 parking spaces.

The first phase was presented recently to the city’s Urban Development Review Board, which recommended approval with some conditions.

The board watched a presentation from project architect Arquitectonica and Iris Escarra, an attorney representing the developer.

Ms. Escarra said the property presented several challenges to the designers, including being framed by the river and the elevated Metrorail tracks.

She said the presentation would be for the first of the two towers, and the second will be presented in the future. This first presentation package did however show plans for the shared ground floor levels, in a look at the overall master plan.

She said the Miami River Commission recommended approval of the project, and the developer has reached out to the group building The Underline, adjacent to the site.

Ray Fort of Arquitectonica said there will be two levels of amenities, and an outdoor terrace related to planned restaurant space.

Attorney Brian A. Dombrowski, an attorney who also represents the developer, said the property consists of 70,452 square feet or 1.617 acres of now-vacant lot area. It fronts Southwest Seventh Street on the south and has a secondary frontage on Southwest First Avenue.

Mr. Dombrowski wrote: “This Project will activate the pedestrian realm while providing additional residential, office, and commercial options in the neighborhood… the proposed Project will line the sidewalks with trees, providing shade and a greater pedestrian experience.”

The developer is requesting zoning waivers allowing for:

■A 30% parking reduction within a Transit Oriented Development area.

■Vehicular access at less than 60-foot separation.

■A 10% reduction in the tower-to-tower separation above the eighth story from 60 feet to 54 feet.

■A reduction of the secondary frontage setbacks above the eighth story to 10 feet for the north tower, for lots having one dimension less than 100 feet.

■A reduction of the side and rear setbacks above the eighth story to 20 feet.

■Parking to extend into the second layer, above the first story, along the primary frontage and secondary frontage.

■Two commercial loading berths to be substituted for one industrial loading berth.

Chairman Ignacio Permuy said, “It’s a beautiful building, exceptional job.”

Board member Anthony Tzamtzis said, “Very nice job.”

Agustin Barrera, newest board member, called the project “very elegant,” but said the 54 feet between the towers is a concern.

“It’s a great project,” said board member Robert Behar. He went on to voice two concerns: he doesn’t like the location of a ground floor staircase and suggested moving it back; and the screening on the façade seems to go on forever.

A representative of the developer said they will study both comments.

Board member Gia Zapattini also mentioned the stairway.

She said, “I don’t love the stair in the middle of the drop-off… it would be better if it’s moved.” Overall, she said, it’s a beautiful building.

The motion to recommend approval had conditions: that the developer enhance the area north of the building, consider moving the stairway, and study breaking up the façade. The motion passed unanimously.