Teahouse brewing for middle of Biscayne Boulevard downtown

Plans to break up busy Biscayne Boulevard with lush, green space and a quaint teahouse are still in the works as the developers work through permitting with the city.

In August 2021, the Miami Parking Authority (MPA) announced its collaboration with real estate developer Property Markets Group on the Green Initiative to increase public green space and walkability along Biscayne Boulevard. Despite construction being stalled for over a year, the MPA says the project is still alive.

“PMG is waiting for the city to issue the permit, so in reality, there’s no action at the moment but that doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen,” said Margarita Delgado, president of MRD Consultants and the MPA’s public relations contact.

The project is aimed at creating a breathing space from the hustle and bustle of the urban core for residents and visitors downtown.

Two inter-connected MPA parking lots between Third and Fifth streets on Biscayne Boulevard are to be transformed into a secluded oasis. The lots are to be beautified with native trees, inviting benches, decorative lighting, and pavers.

Open to the public, the reimagined space is also to feature an elegant teahouse that looks out over a green lawn, complete with seating and sculptures. The teahouse is to offer beverages, pastries and other prepared food for purchase.

Swiss landscape architect Enea is overseeing the project’s design. Renderings show the parking lot between Northeast Fourth and Fifth streets remaining mostly unchanged except for the addition of new, raised planters.

The teahouse, open lawn and sculptures is to replace half of parking lot between Third and Fourth streets. The other half is to be reserved for parking space.

Sponsored by PMG, the green installation would sit just steps away from the developer’s recently launched 100-story Waldorf Astoria Hotel and Residences, to rise at 300 Biscayne Blvd. Construction of the tower is slated for completion in 2025.

A June 2022 memorandum from Alejandra Argudin, CEO of the MPA, encouraged the city commission to approve the parking authority’s 2023 operating budget. The budget reflects an increase of over $6 million in gross revenue, credited to a series of innovative parking enhancements the MPA is pursuing.

The letter lists the highlights of the budget, which includes the Green Initiative. “MPA also recognizes the importance of green space in the city’s downtown areas. To that end, MPA collaborates with Property Markets Group (PMG) to bring more public green spaces to the downtown area,” reads the memo.

The commission unanimously approved the MPA’s 2023 budget on Sept. 10, 2022.

A timeline for completion of the project has not been specified by the city or developer.