100-story glass boxes with Waldorf Astoria are advancing

Construction work on the unique skyscraper that will be home to the new Waldorf Astoria Hotel & Residences Miami is moving full speed ahead, reports the development partnership bringing the mixed-use project to the waterfront.

The planned 100-story assemblage of glass boxes in downtown Miami is the product of a partnership between New York and Miami-based developer PMG, Toronto-based private equity firm Greybrook Realty Partners and global hospitality company Hilton.

The development team is boasting that the Waldorf will be the tallest residential building south of New York City.

Plenty has unfolded in recent months, including the groundbreaking event staged in late October, release of a targeted completion date of 2026, and announcement this month of the sale of the supertall tower’s crowning residential space.

The development team says it will be the largest penthouse in the US, topping the tower, comprising five stories and 33,000 square feet.

The penthouse is to include 10 bedrooms, 11.5 baths, 25-foot ceilings and Wall Street-style trading room.

Other amenities include a safe room, billiards area, private movie theater with two 90-inch theater screens, three wine cellars, massage rooms, sauna and its own garage with space for up to 20 vehicles.

The private roof deck will feature a pool, swim-up tiki bar, outdoor gym and courts for basketball, racquetball and pickleball.

The property will consist of 360 private residences as well as 205 guestrooms and suites within the five-star hotel.

“The highly-anticipated groundbreaking of Waldorf Astoria Hotel & Residences Miami sets a new tone and new standard for development here in Miami,” said Ryan Shear, managing partner of PMG, at the time of the ground-breaking Oct. 27.

“The market is thriving and projects like this are coming to life to meet the demand from our luxury audience. Working with our partners and the Hilton team behind Waldorf Astoria has been incredibly rewarding, and we look forward to continuing our upward momentum,” he said.

Sales of the condos began in March 2021, and they say the market was so strong they sold 75% of inventory in the first nine months.

In May 2022 the company announced sales had reached 84%.

The 1,049-foot tower is rising at 300 Biscayne Blvd. at the northwest corner of Biscayne Boulevard and Northeast Third Street, directly across from Bayfront Park.

The structure will also be home to about 1,321 square feet of commercial-retail use, and would have parking for up to 694 vehicles and space for about 350 bicycles.

The partnership says the nine spiraling offset glass cubes will transform Miami’s skyline and distinguish the property’s architecture from anything on the East Coast.

Concept designer Carlos Ott, and architect of record Sieger Suarez, worked in tandem to create an iconic structure in Downtown Miami, says PMG.

The tower consists of nine cubes of differentiated position. The top cube moves from the tower’s central axis toward the southeast, creating dynamic visual tension.

Near the bottom of the tower, the third cube rotates in response to the pool deck while the second cube is positioned farther to the east, creating an outdoor dining platform for an upscale restaurant.

At street level, the first cube rotates upward to receive residents and visitors, supporting the entire tower.

Signature spaces are to include Peacock Alley; a specialty restaurant; indoor/outdoor pre-function and function spaces; meetings and boardrooms; a resort-style pool deck with private cabanas; and a spa and fitness center.

The developers also partnered with California-based interior design firm BAMO.

Developers say residences will offer the latest smart-home technology with custom mobile app access to concierge service. The app is to feature a full menu of available offerings, including dining reservations, 24/7 room service, spa and fitness treatments, house car reservations, access to valet service, package delivery service and dog walking.

Residences start at $1 million, with sales and marketing being led in-house by PMG Residential.

The project marks the debut of one of the world’s iconic hospitality brands, Waldorf Astoria, in the Miami market.