48-story St. Regis on Brickell wins an approval

A developer has gained unanimous support for a plan to construct a 48-story luxury condominium tower with 152 residential units and parking for 391 vehicles in Miami’s Brickell neighborhood.

Related Group proposes the new building, St. Regis Residences, at 1809 Brickell Ave., on Biscayne Bay.

The city’s Urban Development Review Board recommended approval with one condition: Study the balconies at the lower levels in an attempt to widen areas that cannot currently be fully furnished.

Brian A. Dombrowski, an attorney representing the developer, said the property contains 3.122 acres.

The site is bounded by Brickell Avenue on the northwest, the property’s only street frontage. The property also includes a principal frontage of Biscayne Bay on the southeast and a portion of the northeast frontage of the property.

The property has been held under common ownership since at least 1966, and multifamily residential buildings abut the property on all other sides.

United Teachers of Dade a decade ago was seeking federal approval in order to be able to sell the site’s Stanley Axlrod UTD Towers. A sale of the residential property sandwiched between luxury condos was subject to approval from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development because the tower was financed through the agency’s mortgage and housed retired teachers.

In a letter Mr. Dombrowski wrote, “In addition to not requiring any Variances, Exceptions, or Waivers, the Project satisfies the required Waterfront Setbacks and Side View Corridors.”

The property’s two curb cuts will be maintained and not modified, he said.

Iris Escarra, an attorney representing the developer, told the review board this is an as of right project.

The property is unique in that it has a 70-foot easement to the city on its frontage, she said. It was put there for a parallel road that was never developed.

“There is a significant tree canopy there that we’re preserving,” she said.

Paul Whalen of Robert A. M. Stern Architects (RAMSA) said this is the first tower design for his firm in Miami. The company has designed buildings in New York.

It is a long and narrow site, he said, which stretches out to the bay and has a beautiful canopy of banyan trees.

“We have five or six floors of penthouses at the top so we could really do a sculpted crown for the city, and to create a sense of individuality at the top of the building,” said Mr. Whalen.

The project is to include a waterfall. hanging gardens, pavilion, meeting rooms, co-work spaces, several swimming pools, fitness center and spa, two villas, outdoor and indoor lounge areas, and a private restaurant for residents of the building.

He said a typical floor will have four residential units.

Board member Anthony Tzamtzis said, “Congratulations on an outstanding building. Very well detailed. It’s reminiscent of a lighthouse, in a way. Very nice.”

Board member Gia Zapattini expressed concern about the villas being too close to one another, and some of the balconies being too small.
Otherwise, she said, it’s a great building.

Board member Fidel Perez said, “I think you have a pretty nice building,” but he had suggestions including removing columns from the design, and he didn’t like the changing “language” at the top of the building.

Acting Chairman Agustin Barrera said, “I think the building is very elegant. Very well detailed. I like the layering that was done vertically, with regards to how the massing was broken up. I love how it interacts with the water and with the street, and incorporating the banyan trees.”