43-story Edgewater residences to feature robotic parking

A new mixed-use residential tower is planned for Miami’s Edgewater neighborhood, and with it a robotic parking system.

Nardware Properties LLC and 510 NE 34TH LLC are the owners and developers of the properties at the southeast corner of Northeast 34th Street and Fifth Avenue.

The project, One Edgewater, is to include a 43-story tower with 204 residential units, residential amenities, 910 square feet of commercial space, and a robotic parking system for about 300 vehicles at 510 NE 34th St.

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

Edward Martos, an attorney representing the developers, said the 510 NE 34th St. parcel is the newest phase of a larger development that includes the parcel to the north at 555 NE 34th Street, and one additional parcel one door over to the east, the 600 NE 34th parcel.

In a letter to the city, Mr. Martos wrote: “Combined, 510, 555 and 610 NE parcels … have a gross lot area of approximately 236,022 square feet or about 5.41 acres and a net lot area of approximately 234,207 square feet (5.38 acres).

“The Property will be served by the existing parking garage at the 555 NE Parcel with 468 spaces, the proposed garage at the 600 NE Parcel with 380 parking spaces, and a new fully automated parking garage at the 510 NE Parcel with room for 301 cars. Together, the plan will provide more parking than Miami 21 (zoning) requires,” wrote Mr. Martos.

He said, “The approach will help create a vibrant community in northwest Edgewater. Although part of a separate effort, that community will be anchored by a proposed pedestrian civic space on a to-be-closed-off-to-cars portion of the 34th Street street-end. Once closed to cars, the area will be enhanced with landscape and hardscape improvements and create a waterfront pedestrian plaza which essentially acts like a 15,000-square-foot public park on the water.

“Together with the enhanced Baywalk and pedestrian friendly street end, the proposed units will bring the kind of life and vibrant activity to Edgewater that Miami 21’s drafters have long envisioned,” wrote Mr. Martos.

The developer is requesting zoning waivers allowing for:

■Setbacks above the eighth floor; an 18-foot primary front setback where 20-foot is required, and a 27-foot south side setback where 30 feet is required.

■A 10% reduction to the minimum drive aisle width and parking stall width.

■Elimination of one loading berth.

■Reduced minimum required off-street parking by 30% given the location in a Transit Corridor area.

■Above ground parking to extend into the second layer beyond 50% of the length of the frontage or height of the pedestal.

Mr. Martos wrote: “Actually, the Project is phase 3 of a multi-phase project involving the entire city block immediately due west on NE 34th Street and potentially property to the north.

“The next phase is still under design but will be submitted shortly, with all zoning calculations for this application updated to address all phases,” he said.

Of the robotic parking system, Mr. Martos wrote: “The automated system allows for efficient storage of vehicles and reduces queuing. The system is operated with the help of valet attendants at the ground floor.

“Neither the drivers nor the valet attendants however will actually drive cars to their parking spaces on floors above. The enclosed plans illustrate the 20.7-foot pathway and turntables on each floor used by the automated system,” he said.

One Edgewater is designed by Stantec.

Board Chairman Ignacio Permuy said, “I want to commend the entire team on a job well done. It’s a complicated site. What you have achieved – it says a lot … it’s a slender, elegant building. I especially like how you treated the corners. The massing is well done and the articulation.”

Board member Gia Zapattini said, “It’s a beautiful project, very elegant … sophisticated.”

Board member Robert Behar said, “I like the project,” but added that he is “concerned about the way the parking is working.”

Some board members voiced concern about the lack of a defined walkway for some residents over a drive between the parking levels and the tower.

Ms. Zapattini asked, “Don’t you need a walkway?

Board member Agustin Barrera suggested a safe area for drivers to wait for their vehicles being brought to the ground level.

The motion to recommend approval passed 6-0 and included these conditions: that the developer evaluate the safety for residents while waiting for their vehicles to be delivered to the ground floor; add a pedestrian crosswalk at ground level; consider articulating the west and north façades with vertical elements; paint the façade in a way to create the perception of more depth; and have an official area for a dockmaster to control movement in the garage.