Developer Announces Plan To Build Nation’s Largest Mall And Theme Park In Miami

Developer Triple Five is proposing to build a mall near Miami Lakes that could be the largest in the U.S. In addition to the mall, the project would include a theme park with simulated ski slopes, an ice skating rink, a legoland, submarine rides and sea lions. It would cost as much as $4 billio…

Worldcenter To Begin Construction ‘In Four Or Five Weeks,’ Largest Project In Miami History

Construction on Miami Worldcenter will begin in four or five weeks, a representative of the developer said last week.  The announcement came as Miami commissioners approved a second reading of the Worldcenter development agreement at a February 26 meeting. The vote was necessary due to a lawsuit by…

Four New Lobbyists Registered Yesterday To Represent Resorts World Miami

Four lawyers registered yesterday (March 4) with Dade County as lobbyists representing Genting’s Resorts World Miami.  Javier F. Aviñó, a Partner in Bilzin Sumberg’s Land Development & Government Relations Group, Albert E. Dotson, Jr., a Bilzin Sumberg partner w…

Miami Moves Up In Ranking Of Most Important Cities For Ultra-Wealthy As Chinese Move In

Miami has moved up in the closely watched Knight-Frank survey of cities that are most important to ultra-high-net-worth individuals.  In the survey, Miami ranks sixth in the world, compared to a seventh place ranking in 2014. In the western hemisphere, only New York ranks higher.  The report…

Revenge of the megaprojects: The Country’s Largest Mall Could Be Coming to Miami

Added to the laundry list of malls under construction, about to go under construction, or in major expansions (Brickell City, Miami Worldcenter, Aventura Mall, the Design District, etc. etc.) is the biggest, most ridiculous one of all. The Miami Herald reports that the owners of the Mall of America…

Lots o’ slots: Oh mama, the Resorts World…

Oh mama, the Resorts World Miami casino battle is back on! A bill that sounds like it’s basically designed just for Genting’s Resorts World and maybe one or two other megacasinos in South Florida has been introduced in the State legislature, and includes extensive provisions, like a $2 billion mini…

Ten Reasons it is Better to Live in Miami than New York

Last week we mentioned the longstanding tradition of Miami-New York migration while complaining about the relatively new interloper in that situation, Los Angeles. But we didn’t want you to get the idea that we approved of life in New York City. Oh, far from it…

Houses of the Holy: Biscayne Boulevard’s Church-Topping Tower is A Go Go

Biscayne Boulevard’s giant church-topping-tower is a go go, having received historic preservation board approval, in only slightly less bad form than before. The parking garage that’s suspended over the church is being set back a little, which makes it look like a little less like it’s about to…

Drones: While some municipalities across the…

While some municipalities across the country are freaking the fuck out over drones, Miami-Dade County wants more, and is establishing a “drone and robotic hub” at the Miami Executive Airport out in Kendall. It’s mostly a marketing push, but it’s meant to encourage airborn innovation to go to a part …

Lifestyles of the Rich and Richer: The Miami River Commission has…

The Miami River Commission has approved an updated plans by architecture firm Bermello Ajamil & Partners for the Miami Mega Yacht Marina, now called SeaVault. The project now contains births for 14 mega yachts instead of 16, with living quarters for captain and crew and secured vehicle parking a…

National Commercial Real Estate News Roundup For March 5, 2015

2014 brought strong SW Florida commercial markets, Chase explores consolidating operations in a new skyscraper in the DFW area, U.S. office investment hits 7 year high: It’s all here in the Commercial Real Estate News Roundup for March 3, 2015

Miami’s Brickell Among Most Expensive Office Markets In Americas

Brickell ranked 10th with average rent of just over $50 per square foot…

Developer wants to build largest mall in U.S. near Miami Lakes

The developer responsible for Mall of America in Minnesota, currently the largest mall in the United States, is planning to outdo itself in Miami.  Dubbed American Dream Miami, the mall would double as a theme park with simulated ski slopes, a Legoland…

New Terranova buildings geared to expand Lincoln Road district

Terranova Corp. is developing two new three-story buildings near Meridian Avenue in Miami Beach, bringing additional retail stores and a rooftop restaurant to the Lincoln Road area, Chairman Stephen Bittel told The Real Deal.  The new sites, at 723…

Peebles sells oceanfront resort in Florida Keys

Peebles Corporation just sold a resort in the Keys to a Maryland-based hotel brand.  Baywood Hotels, which owns four hotels in South Florida, purchased the 80-room Key Colony Bay Resort for an undisclosed amount.  The oceanfront resort, which sold o…

Jeff Greene picks up 29.5 acres of industrial property in Palm Beach County

Billionaire real estate investor Jeff Greene just scooped up 29.5 acres of industrial property in unincorporated Palm Beach County next to Florida’s Turnpike for $7.1 million.  The property is made up of two vacant lots stacked on top of each other at 1501 Meathe…

Allegiance Crane rental company expands to 45K sf in Fort Lauderdale

Allegiance Crane, a crane rental company, has expanded to a second location in Broward County, commercial realtor Sperry Van Ness announced Thursday.  The company will split 45,000 square feet between office building and warehouse at 1700 to 1800…

Developer repositions Boca Raton country club condos

Plans for Florida-based developer Richard Siemens’ high end condos at Boca West Country Club now include more condos — some of which will be less than $1 million.  Construction on Akoya at Boca West will begin this month, the Sun Sentinel reported. The …

Preservation board endorses revised plan to build garage on top of historic church

Miami’s historic preservation board has given its blessing to developer Fifteen Group for its proposed rooftop garage suspended over the Christian Science church on Biscayne Boulevard.  Fifteen Group first approached the board a month ago with its plan…

Flashback Friday: Miami Beach High History in Photos

Miami Beach Senior High began life as Ida M. Fisher High School — named after developer Carl Fisher’s mother — in the heart of South Beach on Drexel Avenue in 1924. It was later renamed Miami Beach High School and was moved to Prairie Avenue. Designed by August Geiger, Miami Beach High is the second-oldest high school…

Related’s $7.4M affordable housing project opens in Miami

Related Group’s affordable housing division celebrated the grand opening of a 7.4 million affordable housing community in Miami’s Shenandoah neighborhood Thursday morning.  Edificio Piñeiro, an affordable elderly rental building developed by…

Strategic Advice for Young CRE Professionals

Miami –“With the commercial real estate market strengthening, the timing is right for younger professionals interested in growing their careers in the real estate field,” JLL’s John Gilbert tells GlobeSt.com’s Jennifer LeClaire in part two of this exclusive interview….

Michael Grunwald on Jeb Bush and the Everglades …

As a first-hand participant and environmentalist during the Jeb Bush terms, it’s my observation that the key point about Jeb Bush gets made by Mike Grunwald but somewhat diluted in his analysis: that Jeb Bush does not tolerate dissent, that his decisions on the environment were based on pre-determin…

1000 Friends of Florida urges citizens to contact legislators on the latest awful ideas from the Great Destroyers

This is an important announcement from 1000 FoF. If you have time today, please call your state legislator.The House of Representatives is expected to vote tomorrow (Thursday, March 5) on House Bill 7003, a massive 94-page water resources bill which has drawn concerns from 1000 Friends and its…

Ecobus: Bringing Urban Agricultural Living to Wynwood

I stand in a lot just off NW 5th Avenue on the outskirts of Wynwood, a low-lying greenery extending from the curbside and wrapping around the block toward residences and billboards.  There’s plenty of grass, Spanish nettle, and piles of mulch dotting the landscape, but the battle against the typical urban refuse…

Perez Makes a Billion More

2014 Was the most profitable year ever for Related Group, helping Jorge Perez to increase his net worth by over 50%, Forbes wrote.  The magazine’s latest survey of billionaires lists Perez’s net worth at $3.1 billion. Just 12 months ago, the magazine estimated his worth at $2 billion. In 2013 he was valued at $1.2 billion…

Embattled SooWoo Miami Beach Now Closed

Well that was quick. Only open for about three months, SooWoo Miami Beach has officially closed according to Miami.com.  Tuesday evening was the restaurant’s last night of service with tables and chairs already removed from the premises by this morning, says the…

A Battle Over Development in Shorecrest

Two dramatically different visions of what constitutes an ideal urban community are at the heart of the latest battle over development along the Upper Eastside…

Comments Regarding University of Florida Water Institute Report on Water Storage to protect Florida taxpayers…

Comment by Richard Grosso, long-time attorney for the public interest: “Those willing to put profits or campaign contributions over restoring south florida’s drinking water, flood protection and ecological needs have been claiming that they will only act on “science”. The day before session begins a…

Help send a message to the state legislature: support the buyout of FECI properties and create Ludlam Trail the way residents want…

If you have time and interest this weekend, check out efforts by citizens, civic activists and land use planners to create a unique linear park in one of the most under-served areas of the county. Their plan depends on cooperation by one of America’s biggest hedge funds, Fortress Capital whose top

The Chinese Interpret The American Dream for Miami and it is a Mega Shopping Center with a Theme Park

Site of the American Dream Project in Red -It was recently put inside the UDB line. I am pretty sure Julio Robaina owns some of this land.Now the Chinese is from the Chairman of Triple 5. It says “You dummies in Miami w…

866-Foot Downtown Tower Called Liquid Lofts In The Planning Stage

Architect Charles Sieger could be planning a residential tower in downtown Miami.  Earlier this month, an application was submitted to the feds to build an 866-foot tower called Liquid Lofts. It would be located at 37 SW 1st Street, on what is currently a parking garage. The applicant could not be de…

Tibor Hollo Gets $340 Million In Financing To Build Miami’s Tallest Tower

Tibor Hollo’s Florida East Coast Realty has obtained a $340 million construction loan to build the 82-story Panorama Tower at 1101 Brickell Avenue.  Panorama is set to become the tallest building in Miami at 82-stories, or 830-feet above sea level, with a possibility of being…

Residence Inn by Marriott breaks ground in Miami’s Flagler Station

Driftwood Hospitality Management will break ground on its first EB-5 funded project Wednesday, the company announced.

After 19 Months Of Demolition, Former Herald Building Is Gone

Andres Viglucci’s tribute to the building…

Preservation Board Approves Plan To Build Residential Tower Above Historic Biscayne Boulevard Church

Fifteen Group won approval to build a 350-unit residential building above the historic Christian Science church on Biscayne Boulevard, but it will be an expensive proposition for the developer.  Andres Viglucci reports that Miami’s historic preservation board voted in favor of…

Brazilian Developer Buys Chicken Lot Across From Mary Brickell Village; 48-Story Ibis Hotel In The Works

The ‘chicken lot’ across from Mary Brickell Village has been sold to a Brazilian developer, and a 48-story project could be coming.  GW Brickell LLC, is the buyer. The company is managed by José Luis Galvêas Loureiro, the founder of Galwan, a developer based…

Forbes: 2014 Was Best Year Ever For Related Group, Jorge Perez Worth A Billion More

2014 Was the most profitable year ever for Related Group, helping Jorge Perez to increase his net worth by over 50%, Forbes wrote.  The magazine’s latest survey of billionaires lists Perez’s net worth at $3.1 billion. Just 12 months ago, the magazine estimated his worth at $2 billion. In …

Aventura homeowners demand condo developer remove sidewalk

A group of homeowners in Aventura asked a judge to make the developer of the Prive at Island Estate condominium remove a sidewalk running through their properties in a dispute that already has led to two arrests…

Republican Releases Bill That Would Allow Casino Resorts In Miami, With High Entry Barrier

A bill that would permit destination resorts was released by House Majority Leader Dana Young yesterday, but the cost will be high for potential casino operators.  Genting, Las Vegas Sands, or other interested operators would be required…

Hangover Observations: This is a Bar Modeled After a City of Miami Trolley

Remember that report from the Downtown Development Authority that came out earlier this week that made major waves through the real estate community basically because it said real estate prices in the Downtown area were leveling off and that the boom had cooled a bit?

Parks & Rec: Brickell Flatiron Model Shows Nearby Park Spaces Preserved

Hey Brickellites, remember when the fight for the future of Brickell Flatiron Park was a big thing? The park has been around for a while now, with the sales center for Brickell Flatiron occupying some of it recently. There is a model of the future condominium tower inside that sales center that…

Eulogies: The Miami Herald Building is Completely Gone

The last girder of that grand, hulking dame, the old Miami Herald Building, formally known as One Herald Plaza, fell yesterday, leaving nothing but blue sky, a mountain of rubble, and the mystery of what might follow in its place. In a long, sent…

Baylink is back: Officials are now talking about…

Officials are now talking about funding sources (yay!) and a three-year study to identify the adverse environmental and social impacts of BayLink, the absolutely vital proposed light rail system that would connect Downtown Miami with Miami Beach. Of course having to wait three more godforsaken yea…

Starchitecture Watch: Renzo Piano’s Plan for Biltmore Terrace Got Approved

The Renzo Piano-designed plan to replace the historic Biltmore Terrace was approved at yesterday’s Design Review Board, reports the Real Deal Miami (Which has a few facts wrong. From what we can recognize, the MDPL officer’s name is Daniel Ciraldo, not Michael, and that’s the wrong rendering bub)…

Lack Of Seaport Terminal In Jacksonville Has Company Opt For Miami Instead

Applying for public incentives to build its $30.1 million headquarters, Exquisite Import/Export Trading Co. is moving its headquarters from South Carolina to the Miami River…

Coconut Grove Playhouse Shady Dealings?

I got a call last week from County Commissioner Xavier Suarez, he said he wanted to personally invite me to the Commission meeting on March 12. It involves an update on the Playhouse. His office was going to send me more information, they have not…

Commercial real estate outlook bright: JLL’s Pulse360 panel

South Florida’s prime office rental rates could rise as much as 15 percent to 25 percent during the next two years, as absorption increases and construction of new wo…

River Landing development gets $7.5M in county funds

The River Landing development in Miami has won approval by the Miami-Dade County Commission for $7.5 million from the Economic Development Fund.  The development had requested $12.5 million in assistance from the county for infrastructure…

Developer of Panorama Tower lands $340M construction loan

Florida East Coast Realty, which is developing the Panorama Tower on Brickell Avenue, has secured a $340 construction loan for the project.  Wells Fargo Bank, acting on behalf of a group of lenders, provided the mortgage to TWJ 1101, an FECR affiliate, a publication reported….

New Miami real estate firm to service Chinese buyers

A new real estate firm is opening in Miami, and it’s focusing on helping Chinese investors buy in South Florida.
American Da Tang Realty, Chinese businessman Dr. Shanjie Li’s latest venture in Miami, will celebrate its grand opening Thursday.  Li is the firm’s…

Cresa parts ways with CEO Jim Leslie

Cresa, one of the largest tenant-focused corporate real estate companies, has reportedly parted ways with its CEO Jim Leslie.  According to an email sent out to Cresa em…

Plaza, DevStar Ink $85M Construction Loan

It’s one of the largest construction loans offered to a South Florida developer this year…

What Concerns Fannie and Freddie

PNC Realty’s Daniel Cunningham moderated a discussion between John Kovacevich, director of Fannie and Richard Martinez, vice president of Production and Sales at Freddie, to get some answers during RealShare Apartments East in Miami last week….

Wynwood Finally Gets a Craft Beer Market

It was only a matter of time that the neighborhood producing the most craft beer in Miami would have a beer market — and that time is now as Boxelder Craft Beer Market has officially opened in Wynwood.  Located right next door to the Ducati shop on 2825 …

Comments Regarding University of Florida Water Institute Report on Water Storage to protect Florida taxpayers

Comment by Richard Grosso, long-time attorney for the public interest: “Those willing to put profits or campaign contributions over restoring south florida’s drinking water, flood protection and ecological needs have been claiming that they will only act on “science”. The day before session begins a…

Former Navarro Discount Pharmacies HQ building sold for $18 Million

The building that formerly served as Navarro Discount Pharmacies’ headquarters in Medley was sold for $17.85 million.  NDC Properties, an affiliate of Miami-based MMG Real Estate led by Marcel L. Navarro, sold the warehouse/office at 9400 N.W. 104th Street to Columbia Florida 104th Industrial, an…

Failed Doral Bank made $20M loan to Wynwood developer in final week

A week before Doral Bank was closed by federal regulators, it made a $20 million loan to a company managed by Israeli investor Moishe Mana for 17 different properties around Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood, according to Miami-Dade…

Museum of Science Construction Update, with Pics

Construction is going just swimmingly at the Frost Museum of Science. As you can see in these construction photos, the giant fishtank, ahem, shark tank known as the Gulf Stream Tank, is in, with that big hole in the bottom that will hold the ginormous oculus. The spherical planetarium is also in, and other…

Old Pics: Miami and Miami Beach Playboy Clubs
Miami Playboy Club, 1961.  Miami Beach Playboy Club bunnies with SammyDavis Jr. in the early 1970s.  Miami Playboy Club bunnies, late 1960s.  Miami News, Jan.15, 1961.  Miami News,  Jan. 17, 1961.

Jim Leslie no longer CEO of Cresa

Longtime Dallas real estate executive Jim Leslie is no longer CEO of Boston-based Cresa LLC, one of the largest tenant-focused corporate real estate companies, according to sources inside the company.  An email was sent out to Cresa employees late Tuesday saying Leslie and Cresa parted ways…

Julian Schnabel Made Brickell Flatiron’s Wonderful, Sort of Weird, Sales Center a Giant Piece of Art

Site prep for the planned Brickell Flatiron tower will be underway before the end of the month when demolition of Baru, a restaurant occupying the corner of the tower’s lot, completes. Although the building itself was designed by Luis Revuelta, the sales center, which…

In December, Prices For Homes In Miami Rose The Fastest Nationwide

Home prices in Miami rose faster than any other major U.S. city in December, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price released.  Miami home prices rose 0.7% for the month. Nationally, home prices were down 0.1% on average for the month.  For the full year 2014, Miami ranked second nationwide w…

Jeremy Larkin Named Secretary of NAI Global 2014 Members’ Leadership Board

Larkin will also serve on the NAI Global Board’s Coordination Council, comprised of executive committee officers, past chairs, and NAI Global’s executive leaders.

West Palm apartment complex sells for $10M

An apartment complex in West Palm Beach sold for $10 million, according to Broward County records.  Essex House apartments, at 537 South Sequoia Drive, sold to HH Essex House last week. The 3.85-acre site last sold for $3.45 million in 1985.  Bajon Enterprises…

Chatham Lodging Trust moves headquarters to West Palm Beach

A hotel investment company and its independent management firm are moving their headquarters to the Esperanté Tower in West Palm Beach, leasing agency Cushman & Wakefield announced Tuesday
Chatham Lodging Trust and Island Hospitality, which together manage…

Greater Downtown Miami faces 11-year supply of new condo units

The Miami Downtown Development Authority — a public taxing agency responsible for promoting economic investment in the area — should be applauded for knowingly releasing at this time of year a new 44-page study with a bearish outlook about the …

Tri-Rail seeks funding to open downtown Miami station

Tri-Rail wants to bring its commuter rail service to downtown Miami. The catch: It says it needs $69 million in funding to make the project happen.  During a round-table talk on Tuesday, officials discussed ways to get Miami-Dade County and the city of Miami…

Shariah-Compliant Financing Added Twist to Sale

Merrick Plaza Sale Familiar Turf for Sperry’s Lonardo

John C. Lonardo represented the seller in the Jan. 26 sale of the Merrick Plaza Office Building for $14 million.

Miami’s Greater Downtown condo market cooling down: report

The downtown Miami condominium market is cooling, as many foreign investors retreat to the sidelines amid currency devaluations against the U.S. dollar, according to a report released Tuesday by Miami’s Downtown Development Authority.  The presale absorption of units has slowed…

Ross to Open 4 South Florida Stores

More stores means more discounts for Ross Dress for Less lovers: The retailer will open four stores across South Florida…

Parkhaus 1 is Coconut Groves Own Porsche Boutique

If you wander down SW 28th lane, on the other side of the highway, you never know what you’ll find. I usually start out at Shell Lumber and end up down at The Daily Bread. In between there are all sorts…

Pics from 1961: Miami Playboy Club at 7701 Biscayne Blvd.

Miami News, Jan.15, 1961.  Miami News,  Jan. 17, 1961.  Miami News, April 8, 1963.

Rumor and Truth Factory: Miami Dade County

Yes I do report rumors and truth… Codina Partners in February hired a shitload of lobbyists. Now what is he up to?Lennar’s Mega-Development Parkland, (on the wrong side of the Urban Development Boundary) a DRI from 11/2005 — according to the South Florida Regional Planning Council is still alive….

Downtown Miami Formula E Deal in Works

As days wind down to the inaugural Miami ePrix downtown March 14, city commissioners will consider cementing a deal to host the Formula E races for the next five years.

Fine Herald OPED by Dan Gelber …

I would have added something about climate change denial and the awful state of Florida’s Water Wars, the fate of Amendment 1 and Fair Districts, but Dan Gelber makes a clear and convincing argument that Florida could be so much more … The state of the state is strong, but . . .

Florida Water Wars turned to high boil … at stake: Miami-Dade water prices, the estuaries and the Everglades

Where do Miami-Dade state legislators fall, on the boiling Water Wars in Florida? Here, we seem curious immune to either the controversy or the political logjam to fix multi-billion dollar problems. Roughly speaking, that logjam is caused by Big Sugar’s insistence that its profits in the Everglades …

Publix Super Markets to invest in new stores and real estate in 2015

Publix Super Markets released its annual report on Monday, highlighting its profits in 2014 and plans for new stores this year.  The Lakeland-based grocer will invest $1.3 billion in new store construction, remodeling, technology and real estate, according to published reports.  Out of …

Metro 1 launches leasing for East End Capital’s Wynwood Arcade

East End Capital’s plans for a new Wynwood commercial space are now entering the leasing phase, Metro 1 announced.  The Wynwood Arcade, which consists of 20,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space at 74 Northwest 24th Street, breaks down into available spaces…

Downtown Miami Aria condo tower gets FAA approval

Aria on the Bay, an upcoming luxury tower from the Melo Group, was recently approved for construction by the FAA.
The 53-story tower had planned to build up to 535 feet,  but the FAA suggested to downtown Miami developers in January that they should limit the height…

Will Millennials Eventually Buy Instead of Rent?

Miami – The general consensus is that this demographic prefers to rent instead of buy, but could that change? That was one topic of discussion at RealShare Apartments East….

Michael Schwartz to Open Pop-Up Cafe in Design District

Miami.com is reporting that James Beard winning chef Michael Schwartz is adding another concept to his growing roaster of Design District restaurants come April 1. Named after his eldest daughter Ella Schwartz, it’ll be a pop-up breakfast, lunch and cafe just a f…

Baru Will Be Demolished By The End Of This Month To Make Way For Brickell Flatiron

Brickell Flatiron will be a step closer to the start of construction later this month.  Demolition of the former Baru building on the site will be complete by the end of March, according to a source at the developer. Crews are awaiting one final permit approval before beginning work.  With t…

This Is What Michael Schwartz’s Restaurant And Beach Club At Paraiso Bay Will Look Like

Meyer Davis Studio has released early sketches of the restaurant and Beach Club planned at Paraiso Bay.  Plans show a restaurant on the ground floor with indoor and outdoor seating. A lounge and bar occupy the second floor, along with with a pool deck.  This is the second project for New York-based Me…

Paraiso Bay Ownership Structure: Jorge Perez, Stephen Ross And Partners

Ever wondered who owns the massive Paraiso Bay project?  While the majority is controlled by Jorge Perez and Dolphins owner Stepehen Ross, there are significant stakes owned by others.  A breakdown is below:
PRH NE 31 Street , LLC breakdown of ownership: 100% Owner: PRH Investments, LLC.  PRH Inves…

Workplaces keep on shrinking — even for the status driven

It’s not your imagination.  That annoying coworker whos chomps on potato chips at their desk, enjoys kimchi for lunch and talks on their Bluetooth all day is getting closer and closer to you.  The American workplace is shrinking with companies alloting less and less square for cubicle domiciled…

Flashbacks: Fort Lauderdale Magazine looks at Stadium.

Fort Lauderdale Magazine looks at the history of Fort Lauderdale Stadium, once a spring training home for the likes of the NY Yankees and Baltimore Orioles and now empty and forlorn, as the city works on building a Schlitterbahn water park there and making the whole area a walkable urban hub.

Bike-opolis: Sure our bike lane infrastructure…

Sure our bike lane infrastructure is left a little wanting, but bicycle culture is booming in Miami, we have Citi Bike, and Miami-Dade County is showing its support by throwing a month of all-bike, all-the-time events. Highlights of Bike305 Month include bike polo, a weekend ride to Key Largo, and…

Development Update-O-Rama: Plans of One Brickell that…

Plans of One Brickell that the Related Group submitted to the Miami River commission for approval show a megaproject similar in layout to Related’s neighboring Icon Brickell: basically three towers, two residential and one hotel, with a large common pool and amenity deck in the middle, above a park…

The Impact is Being Felt

The University of Miami held its fourth annual Real Estate Impact Conference on February 18th at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami in Downtown Miami. In front of a standing room only crowd of approximately 600 people, both local and national real estate heavyweights spoke on topics such as Retail Evolut…

Coya to open first U.S. restaurant on Brickell Avenue

Trader Joe’s is coming to Davie

Despite rumors of a new Trader Joe’s in Miami, the grocery store chain is opening a store in Davie, the company announced today.  Trader Joe’s signed a lease at The Tower Shops on South University Drive and 23rd Street.  The 9,300-square-foot store is scheduled to open…

The Most Important Multifamily Factor of All?

Miami–What Real Source’s Michael Anderson said at RealShare Apartments East last week could change the way you think about developing multifamily on the East Coast….

Developers Pushing FAA for Sky-High Miami Towers

Just weeks after the Federal Aviation Administration pushed back against plans for high-flying Miami skyscrapers, developers are joining efforts to save their tall proposals.

Why Some Office Users Are Moving North to Broward

Why would multinationals prefer Broward County over Coral Gables or Downtown Miami? Hogan’s Stephen Smith gives GlobeSt.com’s Jennifer LeClaire his take on the topic….

A Rooftop Basketball Court for Nike Flagship on Lincoln Road?

Nike wants to build a basketball court and jogging track atop of a proposed flagship on Lincoln Road. The store would take over the corner…

Vintage photos of Miami Beach’s Lincoln Theatre

Check out these old photos from Miami Daily News on Jan. 15, 1936 of the Lincoln Road Theater opening.

More on Big Sugar’s Big Squeeze, The Estuaries, the Everglades and Florida taxpayers

Recently an anonymous reader commented on land ownership in the Everglades Agricultural Area and the deal to acquire US Sugar lands. The best chance for the taxpayer investment in the Everglades, to save what is left of the rivers and estuaries and billions in property values, is being snuffed out…

Big Sugar, The Big Squeeze, Estuaries and the Everglades

A picture is worth a thousand words. Here is a picture of the Big Squeeze: wealthy farmers — mostly through growing sugarcane — in the Everglades Agricultural Area between Lake Okeechobee in the center of Florida holding hostage the fate of public lands including water conservation areas…

The Rules For Representing Your Local Business On Google Maps

It’s monumentally important for any business open to the public to make sure it appears on Google Maps. It’s such a big deal that property management and commercial leasing professionals are adding consulting and value-added services to help tenants get that critical chore…

One Brickell’s Riverwalk, Rental Units, Parking & Other Details

Arquitectonica has released updated renderings of tweaked plans for One Brickell, the three-tower megaproject planned at 444 Brickell Avenue.  Related Group and GTIS Partners bought the property in 2014 for $104 million, with plans to develop the project in phases.  The developer recently told th…

Investing in NNN Triple Net Leased Commercial Real Estate Properties

Not all real estate investors are created equal. A large number of them simply are looking to place their hard-earned money into a safe haven to avoid the often unpredictable nature of the financia…

Four big developments proposed in Miami Beach…and more

Four big developments proposed in Miami Beach. Panorama Tower, Miami’s tallest tower, is about to go vertical.  More…

South Florida Office Tenants Beware of This Reality

Across South Florida there is very little office space under construction. Some say that translates to a huge demand for office space in three to four years. What should tenants do?…

Panel debates North Beach’s potential for hotel development

Real estate professionals say Miami Beach may need to intensify its efforts to encourage hotel development in the city’s long-overlooked North Beach area.  “There’s no reason North Beach s…

Politicians Are Negotiating Again On Revising Gaming Laws, Including Possibility Of Destination Resorts

Could 2015 be the year that Florida legalizes destination casino resorts?  In an interview with the News Service of Florida, incoming House Speaker Steve Crisafulli signaled that he is open to the idea of destination resorts. In previous years, conservatives in the House have stymied&n…

Toll Brothers Wants To Build Condos In Miami, Scouting For Sites

Toll Brothers, one of the nation’s largest home builders, wants to build condos in Miami, and is looking for development property.  Executives of the Pennsylvania-based company said on a conference call yesterday that they have been searching for land in Miami to expand their urban de…

With 60 Percent Of Units Sold, Developers Prepare To Break Ground On Muse Sunny Isles

Site work is underway at Muse Sunny Isles, with groundbreaking for the 47-story tower expected soon.  Developers say that they have sold 60 percent of the 68 units planned. Buyers have come from New York, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil.  Muse will feature futuristic amenities such as a robo…

Claim: Met Square Archaeological Dig Is ‘Proof’ Of Sea Level Rise

The archaeologist hired by MDM Development to dig at the Met Square site says that he has uncovered evidence that the sea level has risen at least a foot over the past 150 years.  Bob Carr told the Herald that he found bricks from Fort Dallas, dating back to the 1860s, that were submerged a foot belo…

Embattled nonprofit Plaza Health Network sells property, insider pockets millions

The original facility of the Plaza Health Network, the Hebrew Home of South Beach, was sold last year for $13.6 million.  When nonprofit Miami-Dade nursing home operator Plaza Health Network sold a prime slice of Miami Beach real estate for $13.6 million…

Guitar Center: Is It Doomed?

When trends analyst Eric Garland — a musician in his spare time — checked out the financials of the 262-location national musical instrument retailer Guitar Center, he heard a whole lot of noise. The company’s complicated history of involvement with …

Going from bad to worse: the new southbound exit at Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood airport

The new southbound exit ramp out of the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport funnels vehicles to an intersection so congested it is rated near the bottom for traffic flow, according to a study commissioned by state transportation officials.

Town’s class action RICO lawsuit says Florida public records law misused to extort settlements

Town of Gulf Stream in South Palm Beach County has rolled out the heavy artillery in its legal war against residents Martin O’Boyle and Christopher O’Hare, filing a class action RICO lawsuit F…

Miami-Dade commissioners find $30 million to fix iconic courthouse

Jeb Bush’s missing emails detail his lobbying support for Bacardi as contributions flowed

The mass release this week of emails covering presidential aspirant Jeb Bush’s years as governor omitted at least a dozen emails documenting behind-the-scenes lobbying support he gave to liquor giant Bacardi…

Federal highway agency takes a hit over safety report on electronic billboards

Why did the billboard cross the road?  It sounds like the opening line of a corny joke, but it’s actually a question raised by a baffling glitch in a Federal Highway Administration study on the safety of electronic billboards. Billboards that se…

History Lessons: To celebrate Miami Beach’s first…

To celebrate Miami Beach’s first 100 years, Ocean Drive Magazine has a nifty timeline of 47 big moments in the city’s history. From Rosie the Elephant to Gianni Versace, and of course Ocean Drive’s premier issue, there’s a lot of history on this little sandbar. Did you know the Shah of Iran came to …

Bikeshare-a-Palooza: Citi Bike Miami Beach Upgrades Will Finally Start on Monday

After a few delays, Citi Bike will finally start taking out old bike share stations on Miami Beach and installing new ones on Monday, according to an email sent out to members last night. They warn that things may be a bit hectic until the transition is completed, hopefully by March 15th…

Marvels of Zaha!: Construction crews at Zaha Hadid’s…

Construction crews at Zaha Hadid’s One Thousand Museum condo tower drilled down 160 feet for the augercast concrete pile foundations, the deepest augercast piles in Miami-Dade County. They’re needed to hold up the tower’s 62 stories stuffed with multimillion dollar apartments.

Curbed Maps: Ten of Miami’s Greatest Tiny Public Spaces

As Miami grows and urbanizes and the need for public space in the vertical city becomes more and more evident, the large efforts—bay walks, pedestrian streets, and new parks—will grab the most attention, but arguably more impact will be made by the smaller…

Privé-licious: Things are getting weird over…

Things are getting weird over at Privé. Developers Gary Cohen and Dan Lebensohn were able to get the Third District Court of Appeals to vacate a restraining order restricting them from finishing the sidewalk through the neighboring Island Estates that would allow them to build their two lux…

Going Up: Panorama Tower, Miami’s Tallest Tower, is About to Go Vertical

Foundation construction at developer Tibor Hollo’s Panorama Tower in Brickell, the future tallest tower in Miami, has reached ground level, and appears poised to go vertical any moment now. A full photo gallery of construction shots is over at Golden Dusk Photography. Last…

NAI Miami Named NAI Global Member of the Year

The award recognizes NAI Global Member firms for their leadership within the network and commitment to the organization’s strategic vision, as well as performance and growth.

Rick Case Auto Moves to Sunrise, a mega-yacht facility called SeaVault could be coming to the Miami River…and more

A mega-yacht facility called SeaVault could be coming to the Miami River.  Rick Case Auto Group moves headquarters to Sunrise.  Key Biscayne seeks to immediately…

Palm Beach Gardens Azure development sells $40M in units

Azure, a 14-acre residential community in Palm Beach Gardens, has sold $40 million worth of condos, developer Frankel Enterprises announced Thursday.  Contracts have been signed for 30 of the 46 units made available during the first phase of development. These units will…

Panel debates North Beach’s potential for hotel development

Real estate professionals say Miami Beach may need to intensify its efforts to encourage hotel development in the city’s long-overlooked North Beach area.  “There’s no reason North Beach s…

Miramar shopping center sells for $6.1M

Naples Hotel Group to develop new Miami International Airport Hotel

A Naples-based hotel management company signed a contract to develop a new hotel at Miami International Airport, developers announced on Thursday.  Naples Hotel Group, which currently has five projects in progress in Florida, will develop and manage…

Lease roundup: Coral Gables Sawgrass 1 warehouse complex sells out and Miramar Park expands

Sawgrass 1 at Prologis Park completely leased… A nearly 100,000-square-foot Coral Springs industrial complex, Sawgrass 1, is 100-percent leased after a car dealer leased the remaining 31,208 square feet, Cushman & Wakefield announced Thu…

County study recommends raising Miami Heat rent on vacant lot

A recent Miami-Dade County study recommends tripling the rent paid by the Miami Heat on a waterfront lot behind the AmericanAirlines Arena.  The Heat is reportedly pushing back against higher rent, which is estimated to generate an additional $150,000 annually for the coun…

Savvy Developers Moving North of Miami

With land prices escalating in Miami–and fewer parcels of developable land in strategic areas left to buy–savvy developers are moving north….

Coral Springs Shopping Center Bought, to be Repositioned

Executives aspiring to build 13M square feet in Miami dish on projects

The developers of four of Miami’s largest projects shared details on their plans — and their predictions and aspirations for Miami’s future — during a Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce luncheon Wednesday.
The featured speakers …

Why Multifamily Overbuilding Is Not a Big Issue

MIAMI–At RealShare Apartments East, AvalonBay’s Ronald Ladell got perfectly frank and blunt with his comments….

Commercial Real Estate News Roundup for Feb. 25 2015

Moscow’s high rise vacancies, Atlanta’s high job growth, and the high risk of credit for Sears: It’s all here in the Commercial Real Estate News Roundup for February 25, 2015

CRE experts see continued moderate growth in regio…

Will This Lending Strategy Become The Norm?

Financial institutions are focused on selling problem loans to capital companies and other investors, typically in large portfolios. So what does this trend mean for the commercial real estate market?

Miami archaeological dig unearths evidence of sea rise, Chatham Lodging takes loss in Q4 and misses analyst expectations…and more

Miami archaeological dig unearths evidence of sea rise.  Chatham Lodging takes loss in Q4, misses analyst expectations.  Port rail line hauls bonanza.  Street Art Reinvigorates Architectu…

Dania Beach distribution center gets first tenant

The Port 95 Business Center has its first lessee — a Pembroke Pines-based produce distributor.
Premier Produce signed a lease for 37,205 square feet at the newly constructed Dania Beach distribution fac…

Reports: Home prices are up and hotels absorb new inventory

Miami ranked second for rising home prices in 2014, growing 8.4 percent over the last 12 months.
“Movements in home prices show clear regional patterns. The western half of the nation plus Miami and Atlant…

Wynwood warehouse trades at more than double last sale

Beckham brings on lobbyist Naeem Khan to score stadium site

Retired soccer star David Beckham has brought on another Miami-Dade County lobbyist in his search for a stadium site to house his Major League Soccer team.  Rosario Kennedy, who has represented the developers of Wynwood Plaza and designer Naeem Khan, registered as a lobbyist for Miami B…

Wynwood art and concert venue listed for sale at $12.9M

The LMNT complex, a popular multi-use venue in Wynwood, has been listed for sale at $12.9 million.  Metro 1, a Wynwood-based real estate firm, is handling the listing. The firm said LMNT is completely turnkey, with event production permits, liquor licenses and future booking contrac…

Craig Robins wants to expand Miami’s Design District

Craig Robins is far from done with his plans for the Miami Design District. Dacra reportedly wants the city of Miami to expand development allowed in the area.  The city’s planning and zoning board will consider on Thursday the application to inco…

CRE Gurus on Miami’s Big Potential

“Miami is now the third-biggest market after New York and L.A. for luxury retail,” said David Forbes, a partner at the Forbes Company….

Miami Office Market Tightens Amid Slowdown In Construction

Prime office space in downtown Miami is scarce and corporate tenants are looking at alternative properties such as converted warehouses in Wynwood.

Office Depot and Staples store closures are great news for landlords, Embattled nonprofit Plaza Health Network sells property and insider pockets millions…and more

Office Depot and Staples store closures are great news for landlords.  Embattled nonprofit Plaza Health Network sells property, insider pockets millions.  More…

Total Wine & More opening in South Beach

Muse condo tower preps for groundbreaking, 60 percent sold

Muse Sunny Isles, an upcoming luxury condo tower by Property Markets Group and S2 Development, has sold 60 percent of its units and has begun demolition in preparation for groundbreaking.  The 47-story tower at 17141 Collins Avenue will have 68 units ranging from two o…

Miami River development hits sales milestone

A waterfront condo project on the Miami River hit a milestone this week, reaching its 100th sale, the owner announced in a press release.  Unlike most new developments, down payments of at least 15 percent are required for the condos. Most developments during this cyc…

The rise and fall of Nicholas Schorsch

From the New York February issue: A year ago, Nicholas Schorsch was guiding American Realty Properties — part of a complex empire of publicly traded and private REITs — through a spending spree. The REIT was flying high, snapping up companies and property portfolio…

Moishe Mana adds to Flagler Street assemblage

Israeli investor Moishe Mana picked up another Flagler Street property in downtown Miami, Sterling Equity Commercial announced in a press release.  Jersey Art Holdings, linked to Mana, paid $5.1 million for the Thomas Center at…

Zom to begin construction on Pompano Beach apartment complex

Construction of a luxury apartment community in Pompano Beach will begin in March, Orlando-based developer Zom announced Tuesday.  The Residences at Palm Aire will have 404 apartments in 19 three-story buildings.  Zom, a multifamily developer, is building the project as par…

21st new SoFla condo tower completed this cycle

The 21st new condo tower to be developed in this current South Florida real estate cycle, in the area east of I-95, in the tri-county region of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach, has been completed.  The Related Group’s 1100 Millecento Residences, with 382 units, …

New renderings of Meliá Costa Hollywood Beach condo-hotel in Hollywood

Developers of the Meliá Costa Hollywood Beach Resort in Hollywood have released new renderings of the oceanfront property now under construction.  The 304-unit condo-hotel, developed by Liberty Gr…

Chatham Sees Nearly 7% RevPAR Growth in Fourth Quarter

PALM BEACH, FL–Locally-based hotel REIT Chatham Lodging Trust saw its fourth quarter RevPAR increase 6.5% in the fourth quarter….

How Two Factors Are Changing Capital Markets

MIAMI–Hunt’s Marc Suarez tells GlobeSt.com’s Jennifer LeClaire how the uncertainty over the future of the GSEs and the injection of fresh and alternative sources of capital changing the market in part two of this EXCLUSIVE interview….

When the Capital Markets Go Hybrid

MIAMI–Hunt’s Marc Suarez tells GlobeSt.com’s Jennifer LeClaire how equity providers are beginning differentiate themselves in a crowded market….

Levinson’s Jewelers’ Mark Levinson Commits Suicide

Mark Levinson of Fort Lauderdale’s Levinson Jewelers, who allegedly played a supporting role in disbarred attorney Scott Rothstein’s $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

February 2015 Florida Real Estate Case Law Updates (Part 2)

Title to a residence was vested in a husband and wife. By warranty deed they conveyed the property to themselves as tenants in common. On the same day the husband deeded his one-half interest…

Charm, eateries — and location, location, location — lure companies to Coral Gables, the five tallest buildings in Miami are…and more

Charm, eateries — and location, location, location — lure companies to Coral Gables.  The five tallest buildings in Miami are…  Carlos Rosso talks about Miami, the universe & everything.  AutoNation se…

Le Macaron is coming to Cocowalk

Cocowalk is getting a sweet, new addition: Le Macaron, a fast-growing, French pastry franchise will open in the fall, Terranova Corporation said Monday.  Le Macaron has signed a five-year lease for 1,027 square feet at the open-air shopping, dining and entertainment cen…

PHOTOS: On the scene at Christie’s Art Wynwood event

Christie’s International Real Estate kicked off its sponsorship of Art Wynwood recently at the art fair’s VIP opening night.  Christie’s and EWM hosted a booth at the entrance of Art Wynwood…

Nike to replace Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma on Lincoln Road

Nike is reportedly checking off another location with its plans for a high-tech store on Lincoln Road.  The sportswear giant will take the place of Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma, both set to close on March 22, according to published reports.

How High Can Multifamily Rental Rates Go?: EXCLUSIVE

MIAMI–South Florida multifamily rental rates just keep rising. The question is, how high can they go?

Due Diligence In A Hot Commercial Market

The character of commercial real estate markets all over the US has changed for the better in the past few quarters. Heightened volume means more deals and more competition, which adds up to extra time pressure on buyers. Particularly in the area of due diligence &nda…

Miami Industrial Real Estate Market Report Year End 2014

Florida has a long history of being a great state for real estate. The old time salesmen have a saying: “pay them in sunshine”. In addition to great weather, Miami in particular has the opportunities, the trade routes and the relationships that other markets simply do not. Miami possess…