Sunbeam Realty Unveils Plans for 39-Story Luxury Tower in North Bay Village

Sunbeam Realty, led by WSVN Channel 7 owner Andy Ansin, has announced its first luxury residential tower as part of a large-scale development in North Bay Village. The project, Isle of Dreams, marks a significant step in the area’s transformation.

The developer submitted a shoreline review application to Miami-Dade County for a 2.72-acre waterfront property at 1400 79th Street Causeway. The site currently houses a 75,295-square-foot office building—acquired by Sunbeam for $13.76 million in 2015—and is poised for a complete redevelopment.

According to Ansin, only the ground floor of the existing four-story building is still occupied, primarily serving as parking for WSVN employees. “My dad [the late Edmund Ansin] always thought it would be a good apartment site,” Ansin said. “Here we are today and moving forward with it.”

Isle of Dreams will feature 246 residential units across 39 stories and 23,043 square feet of restaurant and retail space. The tower will offer underground and above-ground parking. Plans call for three waterfront restaurants—two on the ground level and one on the second floor. Street-facing dry goods retail will cater to both residents and the surrounding community.

Designed by the renowned Miami-based firm Arquitectonica, the sail-inspired tower will also feature an island-walk pedestrian path along the bay. Ansin shared that a pedestrian bridge connecting the path across the causeway is also being worked on for a later phase.

Amenities will span nearly 100,000 square feet and include a pool deck with four pools (including an Olympic lap pool), a spa, a gym, a golf simulator, and pet grooming facilities. The average unit size will be 1,500 square feet, with most units offering two to three bedrooms. Larger residences will exceed 4,000 square feet, while smaller 500-square-foot units will serve as guest accommodations.

While the final decision on whether the project will be condos or rentals remains open, Ansin emphasized the long-term investment perspective of his family. “There is a quicker profit to be made in condos, but given our family and its long-term perspective on real estate investment, we would like to do apartments,” he said. “We feel the design and prominence of this first building will benefit the remainder of our property on the island.”

Sunbeam owns approximately 14 acres in North Bay Village. In 2022, the village approved a broader master plan for the site, encompassing about 7.1 million square feet of development, including over 1,900 residential units, office space, retail, and a hotel.

As part of the long-term redevelopment plan, WSVN will eventually relocate to Sunbeam’s Miramar property, clearing the way for future North Bay Village transformation phases. Groundbreaking for Isle of Dreams is expected around 2027.