Wynwood Arcade being redesigned as Wynwood Jungle

An old established building in the booming Wynwood Arts District is being reborn – again.

The City of Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood continues its evolution from industrial warehouse district to a new and vibrant mixed-use neighborhood peppered with street art.

The former warehouse at 50 NW 24th St., first reborn as the Wynwood Arcade, is being repurposed once more into Bristol Republic at Wynwood Jungle.

The city’s Wynwood Design Review Committee has voted to recommend approval of the latest project, with several conditions.

Developers hired Vertical Design Studio in Miami to redesign the building. They first brought a redevelopment plan to the committee in December.

Committee members voiced several issues, and the developer voluntarily withdrew the project.

The project was redesigned with consideration given to the items of concern expressed by the committee last year, a developer’s representative said.

In a letter to the city, architect Jorge Eduardo Gonzalez said the application proposed modifications to the north façade of the former Wynwood Arcade on Northwest 24th Street.

“The project involves adding an outdoor bar, a front kitchen, and integrating these elements with a proposed canopy structure designed to mimic the building’s existing façade,” wrote Mr. Gonzalez.

“This approach aims to maintain the essence of the original building design.

“The purpose of the canopy is to provide patrons with protection from weather conditions and to conceal the roll-down security screens while complementing the established visual elements of the façade,” he wrote.

He said these enhancements are part of a proposal for an indoor restaurant under the master permit within the existing retail and restaurant complex, with the aim to engage pedestrians and activate the space outside of the restaurant.

“Our intent is to integrate these additions into the existing structure while preserving the distinctive façade design that contributes to the neighborhood’s character.

“To align with the existing building’s concept, the proposed work incorporates angled elements to obscure any noticeable division between existing and proposed design.

“In addition, the intent is to remove the faux botanicals within our scope of work area in order to reveal the cor-ten steel elements which they obscure,” he wrote.

Mr. Gonzalez said the new surfaces created in the proposed design will alternate between artwork canvas, and cor-ten steel or cor-ten steel-like elements to mimic the original building façade.

He said this integration enhances the building’s initial architectural narrative, preserving the building’s visual impact while giving it a more engaging presence within its neighborhood.

Mr. Gonzalez told the committee, “What has changed from the last submittal late last year is the design of the front of the building. It’s been redesigned to mimic the (existing) building, instead of just being an addition.

“We feel it serves our purposes as well. The roof drainage conceals the security screen necessary for the bar. It addresses basically the concerns that we heard at the last meeting,” he said.

Committee member Victor Sanchez said, “It’s certainly day and night from what we saw before. Is it perfect? There’s a use that requires certain components for it to be successful, especially with the outdoor bar.

“It happens to be one of my favorite buildings in Wynwood, so … I don’t like the fact it’s changing but I understand it’s a business. So, I appreciate the effort that you guys put in to try to conform a little bit better with the neighborhood.… elevate it, (while) retaining some of the original components,” said Mr. Sanchez.

“It’s day and night from what you guys originally presented. Now you have a real canopy area, an outdoor component,” he said.

Committee member Gustavo Berenblum said, “Definitely a good development from what we saw last time, day and night … I’m all for it.”

Committee member Jordan Trachtenberg said, “It’s obvious this is a major step forward, especially the fact that this is one of the few adaptive reuse buildings that was so heavily invested in before this change, and to see it now invested in again, in equal measure, I think is an important precedent for people who have invested in old structures in Wynwood.

“There’s only a few left that have a type of prominence, and I think this gives a little bit more attention to what was there and what the future of this building can continue to do … I think that’s great. I’m glad you guys get another round,” said Mr. Trachtenberg.

He said this project is a good example to other potential developers looking for adaptive reuses of buildings in Wynwood.

Mr. Trachtenberg said, “I want to highlight for other projects that want to come, that are looking to take a repurposed Wynwood building of the past and move it into the future, this is a great example of the kind of attention these buildings deserve.”

Committee member Shamim Ahmadzadegan said, “It’s much better than it was before.”

The latest design received unanimous support from the committee, recommending approval with these conditions:

■Coordinate TV/back bar placement with designer to minimize impact on pedestrian experience.

■Modify roll-down enclosure as follows: Install roll-down storm doors on façade front between columns and adjust bar to accommodate roll-down door on sides and conceal behind columns.

■Bring forward angular element and incorporate into service window area.