Unanimous OK for a sister tower in Edgewater

The end of 2023 saw completion of Metro at Edgewater, a mixed-use residential tower a couple of blocks from Biscayne Bay, and now an affiliate of the developer is bringing plans for the next phase, Metro 2.

Metro Tower II LLC is the applicant with a proposal for Metro 2 at Edgewater, a 28-story mixed-use residential tower at 3055 NE Fourth Ave.

Metro 2 is to rise adjacent to completed Metro 1 at 452 NE 31st St.

Phase II will include 103 multi-family dwelling units, 60 lodging units, 36,134 square feet of office uses, 9,745 square feet of ground floor commercial, and a parking podium for up to 220 vehicles.

The city’s Urban Development Review Board recommended approval of the latest phase with two conditions: Strengthen the building’s entrance by introducing new materials and textures so that the entry has greater prominence and can be clearly perceived from a distance; and revise the shape and materials of the projected roof element to make it less conspicuous and keep it in context with the building’s architecture and fenestration.

Steve Wernick, an attorney representing the applicant, said the property is in the Edgewater neighborhood east of Biscayne Boulevard, with frontages on Northeast Fourth Avenue, 30th Terrace, and 31st Street. The property is 31,909 square feet.

The architectural plans for Metro 2 were prepared by Burgos Lanza & Associates.

In a letter to the city Mr. Wernick wrote: “Metro 1 is a 32-story mixed-use project consisting of 279 multi-family dwelling units, 4,063 square feet of ground floor commercial space, with an on-site enclosed parking garage. A Waiver Special Permit for Metro 1 was issued on Aug. 6, 2021, granting many of the same waivers being requested as part of this exception application.”

Metro 2 will be developed immediately to the west of Metro 1.

“Metro 1 and Metro 2 are part of a unified development site, together with the property located at 3031 Northeast Fourth Avenue, through a Covenant in Lieu of Unity of Title … The total lot area associated with the unified development site is 82,645 square feet,” wrote Mr. Wernick.

He said levels 2 through 6 will have office space, levels 8 through 14 will be home to the lodging units, levels 7 and 15 through 28 will offer the 103 multi-family dwelling units, and the ground floor will have commercial space opening to all three frontages, well-suited for a restaurant.

Mr. Wernick wrote: “When considering the ground floor commercial experience in combination with the promenade along Northeast 31st Street and activated mixed-use program, the project provides a uniquely urban and people-centric experience to Edgewater.

“While Edgewater has seen a number of beautiful high-rise condominiums constructed in recent years, these buildings are primarily oriented to Biscayne Bay and have left a noticeable gap in the built environment with few improvements or new buildings along Northeast Fourth Avenue.

“Metro 2 provides this missing transition in the built environment from Biscayne Bay to the neighborhood’s interior and a renewed focus on street-level pedestrian activation, critical to the evolution of Edgewater as a mixed-use walkable neighborhood,” he wrote.

The developer is requesting a special exception to allow for a 30% parking reduction in the total required parking spaces for a project within a Transit Corridor Area.

The developer is also asking for waivers to the zoning code which would allow:

■Parking to extend into the second layer above the first story of a principal frontage.

■A 10% reduction in the minimum required setback along a principal frontage above the eighth story.

■A 10% increase in the maximum allowed balcony encroachment above the eighth story when additional setbacks are required.

■A 10% increase to the dwelling unit threshold for residential loading berth requirements.

Joseph “Joe” Ruiz, an attorney for the applicant, told the review board that Metro 2 will share some amenities and parking with Metro 1.

Metro 2 is designed with three levels of amenities, he said.

A member of the design team told the board, “Metro 2 is a continuation of Metro 1, which was completed at the end of last year, and we are trying to follow the same architectural language.”

Board member Agustin Barrera said, “I like how the building has been sited. I mean, the way you enclosed the parking garage with the office is very nice, and that it picks up from the vocabulary from the first phase.

“I love the glazing … in South Florida you just have to deal with the glare and the heat. But overall, I think the project will be welcomed in the neighborhood and a great addition to the existing project,” he said.

Board member Anthony Tzamtzis said, “I like the office liner at the podium, it’s an interesting idea to reduce the burden of a podium.

“I’m not so crazy about the amenity level on the 13th floor. It doesn’t read to me. It sort of disappears in the overall massing of the building … if something more could be done architecturally,” he said.

Mr. Tzamtzis concluded, “I wish there was a little more drama in this building, it’s too monotonous, it doesn’t have any excitement. I wish it had some more, some playfulness, some differentiation of the side or some different materials, you know, to make it less monolithic. Otherwise, I don’t have much to add.”

Board Chairman Ignacio Permuy said, “I think you have a very elegant building. It’s a beautiful building … simplistic, not overdone, and I know it takes a lot to keep it that way, because I know there are many temptations. I want to commend you.”

He added that he’d like more done to celebrate the main entrance.

Mr. Permuy said there could have been subtle moves to strengthen the entrance design, to say “I’ve arrived, this is the main entrance.”

The developer’s team rep said they are exploring other designs for the main entry.

The vote recommending approval was unanimous.