New Rendering of Island Gardens Released

Island Gardens has just released a new rendering, and the project seems to have undergone a significant engineering change. In 2002 Mehmet Bayraktar got approval to build a twin-tower and retail project on taxpayer-owned land, but he never made it. So far only floating docks for superyachts have been installed, as well as a private club.

Now the developer is suing the city of Miami after commissioners voted to hold them in default of a lease for the land, which could cost the city $ 200 million should it proceed to trial. A settlement that would compel the city to pay $ 20 million is scheduled to be voted by commissioners on May 9.

Globest.com says the project will include:

• Twin towers, 575 feet, and 375 feet
• 200 hotel rooms and 105 timeshares in the taller tower
• 300 hotel rooms in the shorter tower
• Shopping center with 221,000 square feet of retail
• Parking garage with 1,500 spaces in three stories