Mila’s Founder Plans to Establish Restaurants and Hotel Along Miami River

Gregory Galy, the founder of Mila restaurant, and his partners are set to launch a new project called Casa Neos in Miami. The Riviera Dining Group, Pacific Star Capital, and a Spanish investor purchased the four-story building at 40 Southwest North River Drive for $9.5 million in 2021. The partners are renovating the interior and exterior of the building, and plan to open a beach club on the first floor, a formal restaurant on the second floor, a luxury hotel on the third floor, and a lounge with a Mediterranean and North African restaurant called Noora on the fourth floor. The project is estimated to cost roughly $400,000 for riverwalk and seawall improvements. It is expected to be completed by October in time for the tourist season.

The building on the Miami River was initially planned for a Sushi Samba restaurant. However, it was sold to Galy and his partners. Miami-based developer Melo Group sued to evict Sushi Samba’s parent company Orange Brands Management over unpaid rent. A judge granted Melo possession of the property in 2017. Sushi Samba has yet to open, and Galy’s partners are transforming the building into Casa Neos.

Miami’s development along the Miami River has been increasing in recent years, with the Chetrit Group planning a four million-square-foot project called River District and David Grutman’s Groot Hospitality partnering on the food and beverage operations. In addition, Edgardo Defortuna and Shahab Karmely secured a $38 million loan for their planned condominium development consisting of a pair of towers totaling 386 units at 24 Southwest Fourth Street.