606-unit Miami Worldcenter condo tower to have five parking spaces

A new luxury condominium tower planned for Northeast First Avenue downtown expects to be the second-to-last development making up the multi-block mixed-use development known as Miami Worldcenter.

Developer Aria Development Group proposes to construct the 31-story building, called 600 MWC, at 600 NE First Ave. offering 606 residential units, about 3,750 square feet of commercial uses, 1,261 square feet of office use, and related amenities.

The city’s Urban Development Review Board recommends approval.

Miami Worldcenter District is a large mixed-use development under construction led by principals Arthur Falcone and Nitin Motwani, spanning several blocks in the Park West neighborhood.

The new tower is to rise on property that has frontages on Northeast First Avenue on the east and Northeast Sixth Street on the south.
The property abuts the FEC Corridor to the north.

The property is within a half mile of a Transit Oriented Development (TOD) area, centered on the Freedom Tower Metromover Station. Due to its location and zoning, the developer isn’t required to provide parking.

Brian Dombrowksi, an attorney for the developer, wrote that there is an adjacent Metromover station, as well as multiple bus and trolley stops within walking distance.

The project will provide five parking spaces.

Mr. Dombrowski wrote, “The development of the property will provide ground level retail, which the existing surface parking lacks. This will enhance the pedestrian realm, activate the ground floor, and encourage walkability in the area which currently has no retail frontages.”

He added, “The property is located within a short walk of Maurice Ferré Park which provides recreational options, and Bayside provides dining and retail options within walking distance.”

The developer is requesting special permission via warrants to:

■Permit new construction within the Miami Worldcenter District that ensures conformity of new buildings within the district.

■Increase the maximum lot coverage from 80% to 96%. The project proposes an arcade that provides shade and protection to pedestrians.

■Reduce the vehicular access separation from 60 feet to 51 feet.

The developer is also asking for a Special District Permit to increase the residential floorplate length from 200 feet to 212 feet 2 inches.

Attorney Iris Escarra, who also represents the developer, told the review board, “We have a huge dedication of right of way along Sixth Street and First Avenue, 14% of the site.”

She noted all of the activity in this area, saying, “Along Sixth Street there are five active projects going in … it will be an amazing street in the downtown core.”

She added, “Hopefully when we’re done there’ll only be one block left (undeveloped) in Miami Wordcenter.”

Luis O. Revuelta, principal of Revuelta Architecture International, presented details of the site plan and building design to the board.

“We tried to differentiate the building from those around us,” he said.

The tower will be a darker shade of reflective glass, to give the building a sense of higher-end luxury, he said.

Board member Robert Behar called the project “great” and said it will be a good addition to the area.

Board member Gia Zapattini said, “I really like the design. I think it’s beautiful. Very elegant. Very sophisticated … Congratulations, I think it’s a great project.”

Board member Anthony Tzamtzis said, “I think it’s an elegant building … it’s a little plain, you know, not really very loud but well laid out and very functional.”

Board Chairman Ignacio Permuy said, “The massing is heavy, it’s a little bit up there, but having said that, the way the building is designed, articulated and resolved, Mr. Revuelta, you’ve done an exceptional job, so I commend you and the entire team. It is a great project and it will have a positive, immediate impact on the area.”

The vote to recommend approval was unanimous.