" We're transforming art into an engine for marine ecosystem enhancement and education. What begins in Miami Beach - once seen as ground zero for sea-level rise - can become a model for cities around the world."
- Ximena Caminos, founder and artistic director of the Reefline, an art installation made from 3D-printed molds seeded with live corals 15 feet under the Atlantic Ocean off 4th Street
Inter Grove Gallery, a 150,000-sq.-ft. open air market, opened as part of Miami's Underline third phase. Stretching three city blocks under Miami's MetroRail, the gallery includes space for live entertainment, rotating art installations and two bocce ball courts.
A1rWater, which turns humid air into drinking water, has moved its headquarters from Abu Dhabi to Miami, hiring former Bacardi executives Pete Carr and Ryan Bibbo as CEO and COO respectively. The company signed a 10-year lease for 112,000 square feet of industrial space in Hialeah where it will bottle and can its products. It says it provides "sustainable, reliable alternatives to traditional water sources."
Elite International Realty is touting its purchase of a permanent headquarters in Aventura as a "strategic milestone. " The agency, established in 1994, has more than 80 real estate agents focused on South Florida residential and commercial properties with a focus on the luxury market. Elite previously rented space about three miles south. Lennar hopes to convert 990 acres of West Kendall farmland into a $2-billion master planned community with 7,800 new single and multifamily homes, 1.4 million square feet of retail space, 500,000 square feet of office space, a town center and about 250 acres in park and open space. An application with Miami-Dade County claims the development would create 13,000 permanent jobs. * A new luxury apartment building has added 178 units to Miami Beach. AVARA Residences, a project from Mast Capital and Boston's Rockpoint private equity firm, sits at Alton Road near the Julia Tuttle Causeway. Rents start at $3,200, The Namdar Group's plan to add more than 1,000 apartments in Miami's Central Business District is a big step closer to reality, thanks to $460 million in financing. Half the money is a SCALE Lending bridge loan to complete the first phase by the end of this quarter. A second 43-story tower has a spring 2028 targeted completion.
Developer Robert Fernandez of WBH Investments wants to replace a single-family home on a quarter acre in Naranja, near Homestead, with a six-story, 37-unit workforce housing apartment building. The site is close to a new South Dade TransitWay stop.
Opa-Locka's Invincible Boat company is shifting focus to a marine service and support center, eliminating 74 manufacturing, assembly, lamination, rigging and similar positions.
Jet Aviation, a General Dynamics subsidiary offering aircraft management, sales, maintenance and staffing, opened operations at Miami Opa-Locka Executive Airport. The operating base is still being built out but now offers a terminal, fueling services and a ramp big enough for larger-cabin, ultra-long-range business jets.
The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau tapped the Dana Agency as its main public relations agency. It is developing plans to promote the area as a haven for sports tourism, cruise ships, culture and dining. The GMCVP recently tapped rbb Communications for corporate communications.
The city of Miami Beach issued $5,000 grants to 20 small businesses to help ease inflationary pressure and seasonal slowdowns while supporting operations, recovery and growth. Recipients range from restaurants and retailers to childcare centers, a florist and a nail salon.
Overtown-based Lotus House, a 500-bed homeless shelter for women and children, opened a new 71,000-sq.-ft. Children's Village education and resource center. Citadel founder Ken Griffin's 55-million donation helped realize the village, which will house 14 nonprofit organizations providing education programs, counseling, legal services and more. More than 86% of Lotus House guests are able to leave the shelter system. Civic Construction donated its services as the village's contractor.
BrightStar Credit Union opened its first Miami-Dade branch on Arthur Godfrey Road in Miami Beach. BrightStar has more than 61,000 members and eight Broward County branches.
Monroe County has eliminated a 299-sq.-ft. cap on enclosed storage space underneath elevated homes. The move, which should take effect this month, means homeowners can apply for permits to build larger storage areas as long as they can't be converted into living space. This is to comply with federal food regulations.
67 Stories:
The Naftali Group obtained $465 million in financing to build the 67-story JEM Private Residences in Miami Worldcenter. With money from Nuveen Green Capital and Bank Hapoalim, the tower will add 259 condominiums on its top 25 floors as well as 29 floors of apartments. It is due for completion at the end of next year. One unit recently sold for $8 million.
