Monthly Archives: October 2006
Is the CBD Shifting to Brickell or Uptown? (Continued)
Data can be misleading at times, whether it is in this case will soon be determined. I have employed the use of bar graphs that are designed to visually represent new building density in three neighborhoods, which will be the subject of this analysis: Brickell Village, CBD, and Uptown. According to the bar graphs (scroll down to view all), the current CBD seems to be in for an uphill battle, especially versus Brickell Village. BV has more new development taking place. The neighborhood’s newest buildings are going to be averaging the mid-500ft. level in height. There will be 7 buildings at, near, or above 800 feet in height. To put that in perspective, the once city’s tallest Wachovia tower is shorter than all of them. Already, the city’s current tallest, the Four Seasons is in Brickell Village. Density is spreading west from Brickell Avenue towards South Miami Avenue and west along the Miami River. There are impediments to the growth, however. Continue reading
Is the CBD shifting to Brickell or Uptown? (Intro)
What is a CBD? Central Business District: generally an area of intense commercial development in the center of an urban area. The CBD as defined in a transportation study may differ from the census definition. In the case of Miami, the CBD has always been in the Financial Disctrict where the Bank of America and Wachovia buildings reside. Now, with the dramatic influx of residential skyscrapers in the Financial District, the area is becoming less commercial and more residential. Continue reading
Filed under BoB Articles
Building Profile: Onyx2 (Uptown-Edgewater)
This 543 ft. cylindrical tower is nice to imagine looking at. One has to imagine because it currently doesn’t exist. Regardless, Onyx 2 is visually stunning and downright well situated. In a neighborhood that it is helping define—the Edgewater area of Uptown. Continue reading
Filed under Residential Developments, Uptown: Edgewater
Building Profile: 500 Brickell (Brickell Village)
The 426 foot 500 Brickell tower complex is well situated, although not waterfront. The two rectangular towers are connected at the top with a bridge-like architectural structure with a large oval opening allowing in sunlight. Such a connecting architectural feature is exciting and novel by Miami Standards. It will create a great visual effect for the building’s residents on the amenities deck; a sense of inclusion in exclusivity and proportional grandness. Continue reading
Filed under Brickell Village, Residential Developments
Building Profile: 50 Biscayne (CBD)
The 549 foot ft. 50 biscayne is located in a very conspicuous spot right on Biscayne blvd. The One Biscayne Tower, once the tallest in Miami, is now going to be overshadowed by this new 54 floor neighbor. The building’s design is a simple rectangle. Jorge Perez hired Sieger-Suarez for the architecture and the Rockwell Group for the interior. It has a unique crown similar to Jade Brickell Continue reading
Homelessness in Miami
This morning I went looking for Jackie. I couldn’t find him. Instead, I found Bill, a homeless Vietnam veteran. He said he hadn’t seen Jackie all morning. Jackie’s also homeless. I first met him about two and half years ago. Walking in Downtown, you get used to the homeless people. You smell the urine sometimes. You realize some urinate on the same spots daily and you could even notice and avoid the urine stream stains. Continue reading
Filed under BoB Articles, Homelessness
Architect Profile: Chap Oppenheim Architecture + Design
Award winning architect, Chad Oppenheim’s designs, although not limited to Miami, are mainly concentrated in and around Miami. His influence is being felt most in the Design District and Uptown. Visually, the Cornell graduate’s projects are sharp and stunning. There are patterns to the designs, however. Continue reading
Filed under Architects, BoB Articles
A Closer Look: Uptown (PAC District)
I will begin my analysis of Uptown with the Performing Arts Center District. First let me geographically define the PAC District as being north of the I-395, west of Biscayne Bay, East of North Miami Avenue, and south of 17th street. It is actually the smallest of the four (4) neighborhood segments that I seperate Uptown into (Edgewater, Wynwood Arts District, and Mid-Uptown being the other three). Continue reading
A Closer Look: Uptown (Introduction)
For the sake of analysis, I will divide Uptown into 4 sections. The south eastern portion, which I will refer to as the PAC District, the east of Biscayne Blvd. corridor, which I refer to as Edgewater, the area in … Continue reading
Filed under BoB Articles
Developer Profile: Hyperion
Jim Clark is considered by some to be America’s most effective and successful serial entrepreneur. His worth is estimated at 2 billion dollars. He founded Silicon Graphics, Inc., Netscape Communications Corp., and Healtheon Corp. All have been monumentally successful. He has competed with Bill Gates and is considered a legend in technology sector. Continue reading
Filed under Developers
