Miami OKs 59-story Miami River tower on ‘a really small site’

A new skyscraper is planned for a small riverfront lot in the Brickell neighborhood of Miami.

Developer Newgard Development Group plans a 59-story tower at 99 SW Seventh St., a home to 169 residential units and ground floor retail of about 1,200 square feet.

The project is on the same property as the One Riverside project, which will provide the required vehicle and bike parking for this latest project. One Riverside is under construction.

The city’s Urban Development Review Board is recommending approval, with one condition.

Brian Dombrowski, an attorney representing the developer, described the property as “a really small site,” one with multiple challenges.

The developer is asking for waivers from the Miami 21 zoning code that if approved would allow:

■A reduction of the principal and secondary frontage setbacks above the eighth story to zero feet along Southwest Sixth Street and 15 feet 9 inches for the Miami River frontage for lots having one dimension less than 100 feet.

■A 10% reduction in the tower-to-tower separation above the eighth story from 60 feet to 54 feet.

■A 30% parking reduction within a Transit Oriented Development area.

■Up to 10% decrease in required bicycle parking racks. The required bike parking is within the One Riverside project, which provides centralized bike and vehicular parking for the One and Two Riverside projects.

■The project to match the dominant setback of the block and its context.

■Up to a 10% increase in the maximum floorplate length above the eighth story for residential uses.

■Up to a 10% decrease in the depth of the second layer from 15 feet to 13 feet 6 inches.

The latest project has the Miami River as the principal frontage and Southwest Sixth Street as a secondary frontage.

Parking for both towers will be in the first building, which has a parking podium for up to 900 vehicles. Parking for Two Riverside will be valet.
Brandon Haw Architecture is project architect.

Board Chair Ignacio Permuy said, “I’ve got to tell you, it’s a beautiful design.”

In reference to the site’s small size, he said, “I think it has some resemblance in scale to my iPhone – very challenging. I believe this structure, if it gets built, will be one of the most challenging structurally, but it’s going to be an incredibly beautiful addition to the Miami skyline.

“I like how you gave importance and you prioritized on the river side, so I’m in agreement with that.… You’ve done everything very well … the corners are very well defined. I think you’ve done an exceptional job.”

Board member Anthony Tzamtzis said, “I agree, the architecture is well executed. I don’t have anything against that part … I don’t find that the building has any functionality in terms of use … it’s a very difficult site.”

He added, “I don’t know, the fact you have to park in another building, you have to valet. Everything is so forced.”

Board member Fidel Perez said, “Beautiful building … beautiful building, with a lot of problems. It’s challenging, challenging, challenging. First of all, having a building of this magnitude, those apartments are going to be very expensive, without parking I think it’s a problem.”

Mr. Permuy asked the total height of the new tower and was told 720 feet.

He said he’s concerned about the impact wind may have on the new structure.

Mr. Permuy concluded by saying, “It’s a beautiful design. It is. It does have its challenges … it will be an iconic building once it’s built.”

Board member Ligia Ines Labrada said it is “a stunning project,” and she likes the treatment given to the design of the public riverwalk, which she called “phenomenal.”

Mr. Permuy commended the developer’s team and said the project will have an immediate impact on the Miami River and downtown area.

The motion to recommend approval has a condition that the developer provide details of the artwork to the planning director for final approval.
The vote was 3 to 1, with Mr. Tzamtzis voting no.