A partnership of developers is prepared to transform a vacant five-acre site in Midtown with multiple residential towers, office space, parks, restaurants, retail, and a major racquet and padel club.
Midtown Park is designed as a sweeping master plan for 3055 N Miami Ave., connecting Midtown, Wynwood and the Design District in Miami.
The city’s Urban Development Review Board recommended approval with two conditions:
■Revisit design of the pedestrian hardscape, specifically the scale of the paving pattern (requesting a smaller scale pattern than as presented).
■Study the roof material and massing of the center pavilion (padel club).
After the vote, the developers issued a news release to tout what they are calling a $2 billion mixed-use community that will reshape Midtown into a vibrant, walkable hub.
The massive undertaking was announced by Rosso Development, Midtown Development, and Proper Hospitality.
The project will rise in phases as a Major Use Special Permit and include four residential buildings of varying heights with 924 dwellings, about 48,991 square feet of offices, and retail totaling 106,651 square feet, and parking for 1,118 vehicles.
Towers 1 and 4 equal 48 stories, while towers 2 and 3 will rise to 18 stories.
Midtown Park is to be anchored by two public plazas and a network of pedestrian-oriented streetscapes that prioritize walkability and public life.
The developers say the project will introduce a world-class racquet and padel club featuring eight courts, operated by ULTRA Padel.
“This is Miami’s most significant mixed-use redevelopment and will transform the future of urban living in the area,” said Carlos Rosso, founder and CEO of Rosso Development.
The property fronts Northeast 31st Street to the north, Midtown Boulevard (Northeast First Avenue) to the east, and Northeast 29st Street to the south and North Miami Avenue to the west.
Brian Dombrowski, an attorney representing the developers, opened his remarks to the board saying, “I want to give you a little bit of context before we jump into this one. This project is in Midtown. It is the southwestern most corner of the site.
“You may remember, this was originally slated as a Walmart site that was tied up in litigation for a few years, and ultimately died. But I think we have a much better project here for you today.”
He said Midtown Park will be a real live, work and play neighborhood.
The master plan was designed by Arquitectonica. Architect Raymond Fort explained the fine details of the sweeping plan.
“We’ve tried to conceal the garages with active uses, not only toward the pedestrian side but primary frontages on the east and west sides … and we have some office uses on the corners of North Miami Avenue and Northeast First Avenue,” Mr. Fort said.
Above the garages will be amenity decks with swimming pools, and a pedestrian plaza is part of phase one.
He said, “We’ve also included several areas for public art.”
Board member Dean B. Lewis said, “I’m really in appreciation of the project, the structured approach. There’s good logic, there’s sensitivity to the detailing. Overall, the planning works, it doesn’t get out of focus.”
Mr. Fort responded, “We chose not to make a mega block. We had the opportunity to bring lobbies to the corners. We dedicated the corners to retail fronting our paseo zones … We see this as a very walkable neighborhood once it’s completed.”
Mr. Lewis added, “I again wanted to underline my support of the organization. That’s what’s key in the success of the project … I wanted to compliment you on the structuring and detailing to avoid an overall singular style. There’s a work there … congratulations.”
Board member Manuel S. Gallardo said, “I think you’ve done a nice attempt to create a community inside Midtown … I like how you’ve broken it up in pieces, where people can stop and rest for a while, eat or drink or whatever.”
He asked about open community spaces.
Mr. Fort said, “We didn’t want to put our public space in a zone that felt like it was private to this project. So, we put one on the side facing Midtown Boulevard, and another on the side facing North Miami Avenue. That way it felt as open and inviting to anybody, not just this project.”
Board Chair Ligia Ines Labrada said, “Look, the way you’ve accomplished to break up this mega block … the crosswalks from north to south, east to west, was super responsible urbanistically. The plaza is such a gift back to the community, and in addition it’s going to add value and foot traffic and excitement to your programming.
“The layout and the program is fantastic, very thoughtful … a gateway. And the way you’ve delineated these entrances and the porticos from the west side into the site is lovely. It’s great.
“You’ve added enough interest in language architecturally from one building to the other without it being overwhelming. It adds interest,” she said. “It’s one of my favorite projects so far.”
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