Related’s 3-tower Brickell complex
The overall project is to include three new towers, offering hotel and residential units, a centrally located podium atop a new parking structure, about 25,000 square feet of retail uses, and 40,000 square feet of office floor space.
Bernardo Fort-Brescia, founding principal of the architectural firm Arquitectonica, went through a presentation of site plans and renderings for One Brickell.
The three-building complex will form a courtyard, and the towers will have ground floor retail. Restaurants are also planned, as are two swimming pools. Loading is to be in the lower level of the central area.
The tower closest to Brickell, to be constructed in the final phase, is to be home to a five-star hotel with about 250 rooms and apartments on the upper floors.
The hotel lobby will be on the ground floor to activate the street, said Mr. Fort-Brescia, and planned restaurants too.
In addition, the entire frontage along the river is to be lined with “significant restaurants,” he said. By opening up the property along the river, the developer anticipates plenty of activity – “biking, jogging, parents with strollers” – said Mr. Fort-Brescia.
Review board member Fidel Perez had high praise for the development.
“This is a great project for Miami… an icon for the mouth of the river,” said Mr. Perez.
Carlos Rosso also spoke on behalf of The Related Group.
One Brickell will be built in two phases, he said. The two towers furthest from Brickell Avenue will be constructed first and at the same time, beginning in 2015, he said.
Of the residential back towers, one will be condo and one rental, he said.
The third tower will come in phase two. There is no timeline, he said, saying it “depends on the market.” Offices in the existing 10-story building have seven-year leases.
The final tower will probably be the tallest on Brickell and serve as a signature piece on the river, said Mr. Rosso.
Plans for One Brickell are expected to be reviewed in January by the Miami River Commission.
