Posts filed under 'Uptown: Media & Entertainment (PAC) District'
Image: Midtown Four and Midblock
The Foremost Symbol of Miami’s Emerging Urbanism
Midtown Miami is, in many ways, the most obvious symbol of Miami’s rapid urban transformation. It exhibits Miami’s architectural star power, represents the most ambitious push west for urbanism in the city thus far, sits on a formerly blighted and infrastructureless area of the city, and incorporates large-scale commercial and residential elements. For all intensive purposes, it is a city-within-a-city.
Image: The shops at Midtown Miami’s northwest side
The Skeptics Viewpoint
Yet, despite this, there are those that recall the past failure of the much hyped Omni Mall when considering Midtown’s prospects for success. However natural this historic allusion may seem, the Omni, which never had the residential component Midtown has, is currently owned by a New York-based firm with billion dollar plans that span 10-15 years. Suffice to say times have changed. Then there are those that claim the project is…
Continue Reading September 25, 2007
Image: Section of Biscayne Boulevard in the Upper East Side undergoing an extensive reconstruction.
Biscayne Boulevard is undergoing extensive work along the CBD, but the area north of the I-395 up to 36th street, represents a separate phase of Biscayne Boulevard’s enhancement, and is currently unaffected by the Boulevard’s improvement initiative. According to DDA records, the work in the Uptown section of Biscayne Boulevard is expected to begin sometime this year with completion slated for 2008. An area that is currently affected by resurfacing work is Biscayne Boulevard north of 55th Street where stores with US-1 frontage are facing bulldozers, barricades, and crawling auto traffic. There’s little doubt as to the negative effect that the resurfacing initiative is having on those businesses. As a retailer, you don’t want a construction site situated on your front door step. As a consumer, you don’t want to have to traverse through construction traffic, dust clouds, and fragmented roads unless you have to…
Continue Reading September 14, 2007
Image 1: An under utilized retail structure with blue awnings on NE 24th street and Biscayne Boulevard is shown in the foreground with new developments surrounding it.
Continued from Signs of Urban Life: Development Outlook (Uptown’s Woes)
Uptown is the largest of the three primary urban core segments (CBD and Brickell Village being the other two). It contains four unique sub-segments:
- Media and Entertainment District
- Edgewater
- Wynwood Arts District
- Midtown Miami & vicinity
Map: Uptown and its four subsegments are shown above. The Media and Entertainment District is shown in blue, the Midtown Miami vicinity is shown in yellow, Edgewater in green, and Wynwood in red.
Continue Reading September 12, 2007
Image: Site of the under construction Staples store. Paramount Bay is seen under construction to the right.
The new Staples store will stand on Biscayne Boulevard and N.E. 22nd Street next to Paramount Bay (under construction). Cite, with its new ground level retail space is one block to the South. Already, pedestrian activity in and around Cite has increased since its ground level retail space began filling. Neighboring Paramount Bay’s plans call for the incorporation of ground level retail space with the Edgewater Square aspect of the project.
September 9, 2007
Image: FEC Corridor facing north toward Midtown
There are many factors that influence retail and development activity. This installment is intended to describe those factors that are negative and may slowdown progress in the Uptown area, which is east of the I-95, north of the I-395, south of the I-195, and west of Biscayne Bay (the area includes: the Media and Entertainment District, Wynwood Arts District, Midtown Miami, and Edgewater)…
Continue Reading September 6, 2007
Image: FDOT-owned parcel being cleared (PAC is seen in right corner of image)
Weeks ago I noticed the demolition of an abandoned building across from (south of) the Carnival Center. Then I started getting questions emailed to me regarding this same issue. The building sat on FDOT owned land (1200 Biscayne - former site of Opus 2)–directly in the path of…
Continue Reading September 4, 2007
Image: Biscayne Boulevard cruisin’
At a ULI conference last May, a V.P. of Cushman Wakefield mentioned a bike and scooter shop in Uptown on 19th street and Biscayne Boulevard as being an indicator of urban progress. He said, “a few years ago I would never have imagined a bike shop in that area.”
Continue Reading August 23, 2007
Map of the area: N.E. 2nd Avenue is shown in green and Midtown Miami in blue
Economic Artery in the Making?
N.E. 2nd Avenue, which runs parallel to Biscayne Boulevard and the FEC Corridor in Uptown, has remained largely untouched by new development. This north-south thoroughfare is important because it links to the Performing Arts Center, Midtown Miami, the Design District, and is next to Edgewater and the Wynwood Arts District. Currently, the Avenue is mostly dotted with vacant lots and decrepit buildings for sale, which indicates a ripeness for transformation, but change, although small, is already turning N.E. 2nd Ave into something of an economic artery. Let’s take a quick gander:
Continue Reading August 21, 2007
A 120,000 square foot multi-level retail complex planned for 32nd street and Biscayne Blvd is now leasing. The project, which is unnamed in the display sign, is located directly south of the proposed 3333 Biscayne office/condo development. With the advent of so many high density residential units and the absence of new retail on Biscayne Blvd. (except the rapidly filling spaces at Cite), Uptown has become an area ripe for retail activity. Seth Gadinsky is the broker assigned to the project. The project is within walking distance from Midtown Miami and the Design District.
More:
Continue Reading July 30, 2007
The Filling Station Lofts, developed by Intrepid, has one of the most forward thinking marketing campaigns I’ve seen lately. The image above illustrates the ampleness of 18′ ft. ceilings and cleverly employs a silhouette of a 15′ ft. tall baby giraffe to show the excess space above.
According to the developer, three Hummers stacked on top of one another could fit in a Filling Station Loft. This is a neat way of showing the unit height dimensions. The Filling Station Lofts is being marketed extremely well, but the building’s design alone is impressive. Check out the project website.
The project is located in the heart of the M&E District on N.E. 17th Street across the street from the newly built Parc Lofts, and a short walk away from the proposed Bayview Market. The neighborhood remains unstable but has a great deal of potential.
July 6, 2007
This week’s Miami 2007 3rd Quarter Construction Tour ends with Uptown and the Media and Entertainment District:
Bayview Market, today, seems a visionary proposition. On the DDA map, it sits just outside of the designated Media and Entertainment District. This will change as the M&E expands. Bayview Market’s site is on N.E. 2nd Avenue and 17th Street. This neighborhood had been devoid of development activity for years until Parc Lofts was constructed. Today, Bayview’s site is surrounded by the newly built Parc Lofts, planned MAX Tower (does not appear on the DDA list), Filling Station Lofts, Urbana and Ellipse projects.
Bayview Market has lured Lowe’s as a retail anchor, and now, reportedly, Wal Mart too. If true, this would mark Wal Mart’s first step into Miami’s urban core. Except the M&E District, as recently as 2003, was not the urban core, but on the fringes of it. It represented the frontier of the urban landscape. Buyers at Parc Lofts were the urban pioneers. However, with Wal Mart present, the frontier era will end. Bayview Market will make the neighborhood a destination.
According to the Herald’s Elaine Walker, the Bayview developers are to announce new big-name retailers within weeks. As it stands, a Lowes and a Wal Mart will lure more well-known retailers. Bayview is suddenly at the forefront of Miami’s retail resurgence in the urban core. Wal Mart’s presence there will change the face of the community and attract shoppers from all over the urban core and as far as Miami Beach. Traffic will increase significantly. Owners at nearby developments will be in the center of this increasing activity. Expect more loft projects to be announced in the immediate area. The close proximity to the Omni and City Square project make the area a hotbed of activity with a high degree of potential.
May 6, 2007
I’m happy, joyful even, to see the Miami Herald put Midtown Miami on its Wednesday Final Edition front page. The article refers to the mega-project’s long term effects on the surrounding area; something I have long since emphasized to be the most important aspect of Midtown Miami. This former cancerous hole in the city, now stupendous multi-phase mega-project, is most symbolic of Miami’s urbanization progress. If I were an owner there, I’d be smiling all day long.
May 2, 2007
Last year, Zyscovich put forth plans for rezoning the 270 acre Omni District. This area today, is being referred to as the Media and Entertainment District. The new zoning incorporates mixed income developments and enhanced streetscapes. This area, as I have mentioned here before, represents the frontier of Miami’s construction boom. It has the most vacant land, the lowest acquisition costs, and now the zoning is ideal for fostering further densification and vertical development. With this plan, Zyscovich’s firm is playing an historic role in shaping the area’s future.
Here’s a vision of the future of the M&E District:
Currently, the area is seeing plans that include Pedro Martin’s massive City Square development, Argent’s 6 tower 15 year Omni project, Cardinal’s Symphony, the AOC Tower, the Chelsea, MAX tower, Bayview market, Filling Lofts, among others and there are several high profile parcels for sale. All of these combined with the Performing Arts Center and the impressive development in South Edgewater (Quantum, Opera tower, 1800 Club, Portico, on the Park, Cite, and Paramount Bay) make the M&E vicinity the most exciting to analyze. The area might, in the future, represent Miami’s urban core. As it is, the area is a blank canvas, but developers, architects, and investors have long been making plans to fill it in.
April 27, 2007
Great news for the Media and Entertainment District. Argent Venture’s plans for the Omni Mall have been approved by the City of Miami. The developer’s legal counsel, Lucia Dougherty, paved the way for the approval, which Marc Sarnoff acclaimed. Mr. Sarnoff said that the project is like a “second Midtown Miami”. It has been stated here before that Uptown has three mega projects. These are massive city-within-a-city developments. Argent’s plans for the Omni will span 15 years and comprise 6 towers:
Continue Reading March 29, 2007
Lately, I’ve been in the Uptown mood. Nothing against Brickell, the CBD, or South Beach, but like a true Miamian, I appreciate change. Although all of Miami’s urban neighborhoods are experiencing drastic change, Uptown’s is, well, different. As far as Miami’s urban development goes, things change rapidly. Neighborhoods flourish and take on new identities in brief periods of time. This is the story of Miami, but Uptown is the city’s latest intriguing chapter. Sure Brickell and the CBD have several spectacular towers planed and under construction. Some are individual standouts: Brickell on the River, Jade, 50 Biscayne, Marina Blue, etc. Others come in pairs: One Miami, 500 Brickell, Villa Magna, The Plaza, Axis, Epic. There are even trios: Icon Brickell and Brickell Citi Center. However, Uptown takes it to a higher level.
Continue Reading February 16, 2007
I’ve been saying it for quite some time now. Just not on this blog which is new. The PAC District will be home to some of the city’s finest restaurants and lounges. Common sense has led me to believe this. Its hard not to draw that conclusion when you have a PAC that cost almost half a billion dollars and over a billion dollars worth of land acquisition and mostly high density residential development within a square mile radius. Projects like the Chelsea, AOC Tower, One Herald towers, Cardinal Symphony, and City Square will fill in the neighborhoods aesthetic appearance but more importantly social fabric as well. Although these towers may not be filled with residents during the time of occupation, they are bound to gradually fill in. Most of them are mixed use with retail/restaurant space on the lower levels, which will draw more restaurants. The advent of all these new developments and ensuing occupants means services have to be rendered nearby. Currently, the area isn’t exactly a dining/shopping/clubbing hot spot—far from it, but not for long. In a recent publication of Miami Today there is an article concerning the opening of a 20 million dollar upscale restaurant near the Carnival Center named Karu & Y (71 NW 1st Street). This won’t be a run of the mill eatery. The owner, Elliot Monter (a renowned Long Island Builder), plans a facility with a 120 person seating capacity and a 7000sq ft lounge. According to the Miami today article, “Karu” means eating and “Y” means water in a South American aboriginal dialect. Well, it sounds more interesting than Joe’s or Morton’s. Hopefully, if the dishes are going to have similar exotic names, the menu descriptions will suffice. Still, considering how expensive this restaurant will be to develop, it sets an unprecedented high standard for new restaurants in the area–fitting, considering the presence of a massive world class cultural venue with hundreds of formally dressed patrons near by. Mr. Monter’s efforts are that of a restaurateur pioneer in a neighborhood that will, in the near future, be synonymous with Haute cuisine and fine dining. For more information go to their website http://www.karu-y.com/ or continue reading for a press release on this same restaurant by QMG.
Continue Reading November 14, 2006
The Charts below are designed to track both the distribution of density and height of Miami’s proposed, under-construction, and recently topped off high-rise developments among three urban neighborhoods: Brickell Village, the Central Business District, and Uptown. Chart A, below, includes 97 of the newest and tallest projects in Brickell Village, Uptown, and the Central business District (CBD).
Continue Reading November 8, 2006
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 October 31, 2006
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 October 27, 2006
Currently, there is no theatre district. We have theatres spread throughout the county. In Miracle Mile, Coconut Grove, Miami Beach, and Downtown we have one theatre in each. However, there is no concentration of theatres as there is in NYC Broadway theatre district. I know that Miami is no New York City, but one can draw comparisons. In Miami, Park West is designated the Media and Entertainment district.
Continue Reading October 22, 2006
UPTOWN
High Rises:
1. 1490 Biscayne 73 floors 744ft/227m Residential—Proposed 1490 Biscayne
2. Omni Development (6 towers) 72 floors 700ft Residential—Proposed 1400 Biscayne
3. One Herald Plaza I 64 floors 649ft/198m Residential—Proposed
4. One Herald Plaza II 64 floors 649ft Residential—Proposed
5. Chelsea 52 floors 649ft/198m Residential/Office—Proposed
6. Florida Grand Opera 57 floors 649ft Residential/Office—Proposed
7. City Square I 62 floors 640ft/195m Residential—Proposed
8. City Square II 62 floors 640ft Residential—Proposed
9. Cardinal Symphony 60 floors 600ft Residential—Proposed NE 16th Street
10. Platinum Bay 56 floors 590ft/180m Residential—Proposed NE 29th Street
11. Element 54 floors 577ft Residential—Approved NE 31st Street
12. Quantum S. Tower 51 floors 554ft/169m Residential—Construction 1900 N Bayshore
13. Urbana 48 floors 549ft Mixed Use—HAI -Proposed 1755 NE 2nd AVE
14. Onyx 2 49 floors 543ft/166m Residential—Approved NE 28 st.
15. Opera Tower 56 floors 530ft Residential—Construction 1500 N. Bayshore
16. Soleil 43 floors 514ft Residential—Approved 3100 Biscayne
17. 31st Park 49 Floors 510 ft. Residential—Proposed 350 NE 32 St.
18. Max Tower (Verite) 39 floors 508 ft. —Proposed 1600 NE 1st St.
19. Paramount Bay 47 floors 496ft Residential—Approved 21 N. Bayshore
20. Lima 41 floors 144m 473ft Residential—Proposed 2955 Biscayne
21. Quantum North Tower 44 floors 471ft Residential—Construction 1900 N. Bayshore
22. Electra Bay 41 floors 463ft Residential—Proposed 700 NE 26th Ter.
23. Portico 50 floors 461ft/141m Residential—Proposed NE 4th Ave.
24. Park Lane 33 floors 437ft/133m Mixed Use—Proposed NE 32nd St.
25. Blue 36 floors 425ft Residential—Construction NE 36th Street
26. 1800 Club 40 floors 423ft Residential—Construction 1800 N. Bayhore
27. Electra I 31 floors 412ft Residential—Proposed
28. Lyghte 32 floors 357ft Residential—Approved
29. Four Midtown 31 floors 350ft Residential—Approved
30. Two Midtown 29 floors 320ft Residential—Approved
31. Three Midtown 29 floors 309ft Residential—Approved
32. Sky Residences 36 floors 295ft/90m Residential—Approved NE 34th St.
33. Biscayne Park 26 floors 277ft Residential—Construction
34. Ellipse 24 floors 273ft Residential—Approved
35. Unique 24 floors 251ft Residential—Proposed
36. Cube 23 floors 244ft Residential—Proposed
37. Electra II 22 floors 243ft Residential—Proposed
38. Platinum 22 floors No Height Residential—Construction
39. Ice 34 floors No Height Residential—Approved
40. Onyx 28 floors No Height Residential—Construction
41. Star Lofts 23 floors Residential—Approved
42. Biscayne Tower 21 floors Residential—Construction
43. 5th Ave Lofts 22 floors Residential—Approved
44. Biscayne Plaza 21 floors No Height Residential—Proposed
Mid Rises:
New Wave 19 floors 239ft Residential—Construction
Avant 18 floors Residential—Approved
Aria 18 floors Residential—Approved
Vista Biscayne 17 floors 215ft Residential—Approved
SoHo 16 floors 202ft Residential—Proposed
Mondrian 17 floors 199ft Residential—Approved
City 24 15 floors 182ft Residential—Approved
Filling Station 10 floors 179ft Residential—Approved
District Lofts 12 floors 153ft Residential—Construction
Kubik 14 floors 150ft Residential—Approved
Los Suenos 13 floors 143ft Residential—Approved
Bayview Market 5 floors 140ft Retail/Residential—Approved
Midtown Midrise 11 floors 130ft Residential—Approved
Pompeii 10 floors 130ft Residential—Proposed
Pinnacle Park 13 floors 126ft Residential—Proposed
5220 Biscayne 11 floors 120ft Residential—Approved
Silverton 10 floors 113ft Residential—Approved
Milebella 8 floors 108ft Residential—Approved
Pinnacle Place 10 floors 100ft Residential—Proposed
Zafire 9 floors 100ft Residential—Proposed
Cynergi 11 floors Residential—Proposed
Cite 15 floors Residential—Completed 2004
Pinnacle View 14 floors Residential—Proposed
Uptown Lofts 12 floors Residential—Construction
Rive Gauche 10 floors Residential—Proposed
Yorker 10 floors Residential—Completed 2005
Bay Lofts 9 floors Residential—Completed 2005
Seven 7 16 floors 163ft Residential—Proposed
Gallery 14 floors 215ft Residential—Proposed
Casa 18 floors Residential—Approved
Boulevard 16 floors 169ft Residential—Approved
Villa Patricia 17 floors 165ft Residential—Approved
Moonbay
October 22, 2006
