Downtown Miami is going to look very different in the not too distant future thanks to Miami Worldcenter Associates' project that looks to transform the city’s urban core.
A new 27-acre mixed-use development that will feature public promenades and plazas and a pedestrian-oriented streetscape that will act as the retail focal point (anchored by a 120,000-sf Bloomingdale’s and a 195,000-sf Macy’s) is set to break ground in early March as a collaborative effort between Miami Worldcenter Associates, The Forbes Company, and Taubman. The promenade will run north and south from northeast 10th street to northeast 7th street and between northeast 1st and 2nd avenues. Surrounding the promenade will be residential towers, a hotel and exposition center, and numerous dining and entertainment options.
According to Nitin Motwani, Managing Principal for Miami Worldcenter Associates, this "High Street" retail concept is looking to take advantage of downtown Miami’s rise as a walkable and very connected neighborhood. The open-air concept looks to fit right in with surrounding streets while also developing its own unique experience to draw visitors from around Florida and from around the world.
A High Street retail model is defined by a mass of shops and boutiques in a pedestrian-oriented setting. And around the country, in areas such as San Francisco’s Union Square District, New York’s SoHo, and Lincoln Road in Miami Beach, it is proving to be very successful. Downtown Miami has become one of the country’s fastest-growing urban centers and, in recent years, its streetscape has become increasingly pedestrian-friendly. Miami Worldcenter looks to continue that progress.
Other aspects of Miami Worldcenter include a 700-foot-tall Paramount condominium, an 1,800-room Marriott Marquis hotel and expo center with 600,000-sf of meeting, exhibition, and convention space developed by MDM Group, a 429-unit luxury apartment building developed by ZOM, and two apartment towers built atop street-level retail along northeast 7th street. Additionally, the project calls for upgraded streets, expanded sidewalks, and improved pedestrian and vehicle flow. There will also be direct links to public transportation options to encourage mass transit.
The central space Miami Worldcenter's developers hope will evoke New York's Rockefeller Plaza. Its use is intended to swing with the seasons, ranging from a farmers' market to a super-tall Christmas tree for the holidays. Rendering courtesy Miami Worldcenter Associates
A street-level view of Miami Worldcenter's retail pedestrian promenade. Retailers have the option of either single story, two-story or possibly three-story spaces depending on their preference. Rendering courtesy Miami Worldcenter Associates
Related Stories
Smart Buildings | May 28, 2015
4 ways cold-climate cities can make the most of their waterfronts
Though cold-climate cities pose a unique challenge for waterfront development, with effective planning waterfront cities with freezing winter months can still take advantage of the spaces year-round.
Sponsored | Coatings | May 14, 2015
Prismatic coatings accent the new Altara Center
This multi-use campus will contain a university, sports facilities, medical center, and world-class shopping
Mixed-Use | May 10, 2015
Construction on Orlando’s massive ‘innovation hub’ is finally starting
The $1 billion Creative Village development will create a business and education hub.
High-rise Construction | May 6, 2015
Two new designs submitted for New York City Riverside Center
Both designs reference the cantilevers and other elements featured in architect Christian de Portzamparc’s original masterplan for the complex, which has now been scrapped.
Building Owners | May 6, 2015
Hackathons and RFCs: Why one developer killed the RFP
In lieu of an RFP process, Skanska Commercial Development hosted a three-week "hackathon" to find an architect for its 2&U tower in Seattle.
Mixed-Use | May 5, 2015
Miami ‘innovation district’ will have 6.5 million sf of dense, walkable space
Designing a neighborhood from the ground-up, developers aim to create a dense, walkable district that fulfills what is lacking from Miami’s current auto-dependent layout.
Hotel Facilities | Apr 30, 2015
Atlanta Braves partner with Omni Hotels & Resorts to build hotel near new Suntrust Park
The Omni Atlanta Northwest Hotel will feature 16 floors with 260 guest rooms and suites, rooftop hospitality suites, 12,500 sf of meeting space, a signature restaurant, and an elevated pool deck and bar overlooking the plaza and ballpark.
Hotel Facilities | Apr 29, 2015
OMA unveils design for the Netherlands' largest hotel
Once completed, and if approved, the structure will add three stacked cubes to the Amsterdam skyline.
High-rise Construction | Apr 23, 2015
Size matters in NYC, where several projects vie for the city’s tallest building honor
The latest renderings of 217 West 57th Street show a tower that would rise higher than the World Trade Center’s pinnacle, when elevations are included.
High-rise Construction | Apr 22, 2015
Architects propose sustainable ‘vertical city’ in the Sahara
Designers aim to make the 1,476-foot tower sustainable, relying on rainwater collection, solar power, and geothermal energy.