Brickell Key Bridge work to be linked to Mandarin Oriental project
Overdue repairs are set to begin this month on the only bridge connecting Brickell Key to the mainland, and now the City of Miami is preparing to cement a public-private agreement tied to the project as a new high-end hotel and residential complex rises simultaneously on the island’s southern shore.
On July 24, city commissioners are expected to authorize the city manager to negotiate and execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with 50A Developer LLC, the company behind the sweeping redevelopment of the former Mandarin Oriental hotel site on Brickell Key. The agreement would outline how the city and developer will coordinate their concurrent construction efforts, as both the bridge rehabilitation and the luxury project will probably bring noise, road closures and other disruptions to the small residential island over the next year.
Work on the Brickell Key bridge is anticipated to begin this month and is expected to last through the end of this year or early 2026. The bridge, which dates back more than 50 years and was last repaired in 2011, is undergoing a full rehabilitation that includes deck and sidewalk repairs, crack sealing, beam and joint restoration, and seawall work on the eastern side.
The $5.9 million city project will be carried out in three phases, with the eastbound lane and sidewalk planned to close fully as crews begin widening sidewalks and restoring the concrete top layer. The city plans to stagger closures to maintain one lane in each direction throughout construction.
50A Developer LLC, the entity with which the city is formalizing the agreement, is managing the redevelopment project in partnership with Swire Properties and the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. Together, they are transforming the site into an updated, lavish hotel and residential complex that reflects both Mandarin Oriental’s hospitality and Swire’s extensive experience in high-end property development.
The bridge repairs coincide with the demolition and redevelopment of the Mandarin Oriental site at the island’s southern tip. The original hotel, which opened in 2000, closed May 31 after 25 years in operation to make way for its modern replacement. Slated to open in 2030, The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Miami will feature a redesigned hotel and a slate of upscale residences spread across two distinct towers.
The South Tower is to house 228 luxury residences with interiors designed by Parisian designer Tristan Auer, catering to high-end condo buyers. The North Tower will serve as the new North American flagship Mandarin Oriental hotel, offering 121 rooms, including 34 suites, a signature spa, multiple dining venues as well as 66 private residences and 28 fully furnished hotel residences.
Demolition of the existing hotel structure is expected to begin in the third quarter of this year. The planned MOU aims to coordinate the city’s bridge work with the ongoing private construction, outlining each party’s responsibilities and timelines, as well as strategies to minimize disruptions for Brickell Key residents.
Peter
July 30, 2025 at 6:40 pm
This article paints a rosy picture.
The story of residents of Brickell Key is different and there should be an investigative story on what is actually going on.
The Swire Project is an absolute disaster and the impact to Brickell Key and downtown will be significant. The project is way too large for the island.
Swire and the Master Association of Brickell Key, which is run by Swire, have mislead the residents and city on the project since it was announced and before.
The bridge project, and also a separate massive seawall project, funded by the residents via a massive special assessment, are now urgently being pushed through just as the Swire Project is commencing after not being a priority before. What is not mentioned in the article, but was referenced by the city engineer, is that the bridge will most likely need to be fully rebuilt 5 years from now once the Swire Project is done even with this “complete refurbishment.” So this work is throw away money and a major headache with the primary benefit to enable Swire’s project.
Swire had the option to barge construction material on and off the island so as to limit impact to the bridge and downtown congestion but they refuse to do so.
Everyone should be aware that pedestrian access to the island for non-residents will now restricted for the next 5-6 years as the bridge is restricted and the island Bay walk is closed.