31-story Edgewater apartment tower wins backing

A developer is proposing a new tower in Miami’s Edgewater neighborhood to be home to multi-family apartments.

Owner-developer Mill Creek Residential plans the new project, Modera North Bayshore, for property at 411 NE 21st St.

The 31-story mixed-use building is to include 275 apartments, indoor and outdoor amenities, and parking for about 363 vehicles.

The city’s Urban Development Review Board is recommending approval, with conditions.

The property is north of Northeast 21st Street, just west of North Bayshore Drive, and about two blocks east of Biscayne Boulevard.

It is very near the frontage on Biscayne Bay.

The developer is seeking several waivers to the Miami 21 zoning code which if approved would allow:

■A 30% reduction in required parking.

■Parking to extend into the second layer above the first story.

■A reduction of the required drive aisle width from 23 feet to 22 feet.

■A 10% reduction for secondary front setback above the eighth story from 20 feet to 18 feet 2 inches.

■A 10% reduction to side setbacks above the eighth floor from 30 feet to 27 feet.

Alberto Cordoves, of Corwil Architects, made the presentation to the review board.

The site is not truly adjacent to the bay, but the property enjoys a beautiful view corridor toward the bay, he said.

Modera North Bayshore will offer 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom units, with the main entrance in the center of the building and most of the back of house mechanical items tucked away to the west part of the site, said Mr. Cordoves.

The main lobby will be on the first level, along with the leasing office.

“This is a market-rate rental building – these are not condos,” he told the board.

The new tower’s ninth through 26th levels will have 12 residential units per floor, and the last three levels of the building will have 7 to 8 units per floor for larger penthouses, with larger bedrooms and other areas.

The building culminates with a top floor amenity deck, with a swimming pool.

The new construction will have one blank wall that is going to be covered by a very beautiful mural that coincides with the architectural theme of the building, he said.

Board member Anthony Tzamtzis said, “I like the building.”

Board member Ligia Ines Labrada asked, “The texture on the ground floor along the driveway, is it vertical fins? Are they scored or applied?”

Mr. Cordoves described metal vertical slots on the façade and a flex system above that installed on different planes.

She asked if there will be a water feature at the Modera sign.

Mr. Cordoves said yes, there is a water wall right at the entrance.

Ms. Labrada said it’s a great project. She said she likes the way the design team positioned the garage levels, and she likes balconies that wrap around the northwest side of the tower.

Board member Robert Behar said, “I like it, and you’re doing something really good to do your entrance on the corner.”

Board Chair Ignacio Permuy said, “You’ve done a very good job. The articulation of the building is beautiful, and I think you’ve addressed the street and the pedestrian level very well.”

Mr. Behar made the motion to recommend approval, with conditions that the developer consider incorporating an entrance along Bayshore Drive, and that staff confirm setback distances above the eighth floor.

The vote to approve was unanimous.