Self-powered apartment and retail complex coming to Coconut Grove Metrorail station

Terra Group and Grass River Property have teamed up to transformer Coconut Grove Metrorail station into a self-powered apartment complex and retail. The project is part of a pilot program from Florida Power & Light.

The new project, called Grove Central, will feature a tower with 330 units, with retail space, a parking garage, and bus station. The total cost of the project is $ 200 million.

Solar panels will cover the buildings generating two megawatts of power. From below the ground, giant batteries (the size of 6 shipping containers) will store 20-megawatts per hour of electricity.

A geothermal system will take care of the air conditioning using cold water that will be brought underground; groundwater and rainwater will also be used to provide cooling mist and to provide irrigation.

The electricity that can be generated will be enough to store and maintain the building as well as provide power to Metrorail, while it departs the station, according to the planners. The urban microgrid, how it is known the solar array and battery that will be installed, is the first of its kind in Florida.

Developers are awaiting final approval from county transportation officials, and the project is expected to be completed in 2021.

Renderings of Grove Central shows public space connecting shops, housing, and a new Metrorail station.
Credit: Terra Group/Touzet Studio