46-story tower with 430 units planned for Park West

A new mixed-use residential skyscraper is planned for the Park West neighborhood of Miami, right next door to the rising Miami Worldcenter district.

The developer refers to the project as Project NMA, and it is to include 46 stories, 430 residential units, about 7,510 square feet of ground floor commercial and parking for 455 vehicles, at 1018 N Miami Ave.

The city’s Urban Development Review Board discussed the project at its April meeting and members raised some concerns.

Attorneys representing the developer asked for a voluntary deferral until May and are to return with an updated plan taking into consideration items the board raised.

The board wants more details on the designed sliding glass doors to the balconies, more information on the mechanical systems and air conditioning, assurance that vehicles in the garage podium are concealed, and more.

The property fronts North Miami Avenue to the east, comprising the property’s principal frontage for development purposes, and Northwest 10th Street to the south, a secondary frontage.

Brian A. Dombrowski, an attorney representing the developer, said the site is surrounded by commercial, residential, and office uses.

The property includes vacant land and a two-story structure that is to be demolished.

Mr. Dombrowski said the property is within a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) area and within walking distance of multiple means of mass transit.

In a letter to the city he wrote: “The project will provide additional housing options within a TOD area and one of the city’s … fastest growing neighborhoods.

“The project’s design responds primarily to human scale and pedestrian interests. The current condition at the property includes vacant land which discourages pedestrian interaction with the property.

“The property currently lacks any significant landscaping or tree canopy onsite which will be remedied by the development of the project which features a robust landscaping plan incorporating native trees that are appropriate for the area and can provide shade to pedestrians,” he wrote.

Mr. Dombrowski said the project incorporates an artistic treatment along the garage façades that not only accentuates the structure but screens the garage.

The developer is asking for waivers to allow:

■Parking within the second layer, above the first story along the principal and secondary frontages, with an art or glass treatment and recommendation from the UDRB.

■Substituting one commercial loading berth for two residential loading berths.

■Decreasing the required garage drive aisle width from 23 feet to 22.

■Reducing up to 30% parking required for properties within a TOD area.

Project architect Kobi Karp provided design details to the review board.

Mr. Karp said the multi-family residential tower has a crystalline volume.

The crystalline geometry of architecture is said to form a series of angular shapes, with architects employing types of insulated glass with varying levels of transparency, allowing spaces to be naturally lit.

The residential units will incorporate unique and special floor-to-ceiling glass panels, “which allows the outdoors to come in … my living room becomes an outdoor space,” he said.

He said the project will improve pedestrian movement in the area by providing ground floor retail anchoring the tower.

Mr. Karp said the building will offer more than 250 bike rack spaces, making it a pedestrian-oriented building.

He said the building will be home to luxury rental units.

One board member who wants more details on the sliding glass panels and other parts of the design said the presentation “feels incomplete.”

Board Chair Ignacio Permuy said, “It’s a great start, a very elegant tower … I’m very sure you’re going to take care of the details.”

Mr. Karp responded, “I’ll accept all conditions.”

Mr. Permuy called for a motion, and one was made to approve that included several conditions, but the motion died for lack of a second.

The board cannot on its own defer a project, but an applicant can offer a voluntary deferral.

Mr. Dombrowski told the board, “I know where you’re going. We’ll ask for a deferral and work to address what were (stated as) conditions and we will bring it back … we’re comfortable with conditions. We will bring it back to you.”