Project Approvals Secured by Witkoff, Swire, Related, Eden, Dermot, and Jenny Bernell
June 30, 2023
Several prominent developers have achieved design approvals for significant projects in Brickell, Overtown, and Wynwood. On Wednesday, the Miami Urban Design Review Board unanimously granted permission to a range of proposals, including an office tower at Brickell City Centre by Swire Properties and The Related Companies from New York, a three-building apartment complex by Witkoff based in New York, and Monroe Capital from Chicago, and a St. Regis-branded condominium by Related Group and Integra Investments, both Miami-based firms.
In addition, the board also greenlit designs for two projects in Wynwood. The first is a venture led by former Kushner executive Jenny Bernell under Clearline Real Estate. At the same time, the second is a collaboration between Eden Multifamily in Coconut Grove and The Dermot Company in New York.
The proposed apartment buildings by Witkoff and Monroe at the former Miami Arena site are set to heights of 577 feet, 589 feet, and 615 feet, according to the site plan. The complex will encompass approximately 2,350 rental units, 30,500 square feet of commercial space, and nearly 2,100 parking spaces. Witkoff and Monroe acquired the 5-acre site for $94 million in July 2021. During the review board meeting, Melissa Tapanes, the joint venture’s lawyer, expressed confidence in the market demand for the project.
The board members expressed few critical remarks about the project, praising its architectural elegance. Agustin Barrera, the board chairman, highlighted the challenge of accommodating numerous units without overcrowding the site.
In a significant development at Brickell City Centre, Swire and The Related Companies, led by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, has received approval to proceed with a 1,000-foot office tower, which will become the tallest commercial high-rise in Florida. The building’s floor plates for office suites will range from 40,000 to 60,000 square feet, with a total area of 2.85 million square feet. The joint venture aims to attract prominent finance and technology firms. It worked closely with the city to meet its requirements for larger office floor plates. Arquitetonica, a Miami-based architectural firm, is responsible for the project’s design.
The board also approved the joint venture between Related Group and Integra to develop the St. Regis Residences Miami, a 46-story waterfront tower with 152 units, adding to the city’s skyline.
In Wynwood, a mixed-use project by Clearline Real Estate, situated at 2010 North Miami Avenue, obtained waivers for a 30 percent parking reduction. The board also approved reducing the size of the project’s multifamily units. Additionally, an apartment project proposed by Eden Multifamily and The Dermot Company received a favorable response from the review board. The joint venture plans to construct a 43-story tower with 430 units and 455 parking spaces on the site at 1018 North Miami Avenue, owned by Park West investor Michael Simkins. Both projects enlisted the expertise of Kobi Karp, a renowned Miami-based architect.
