Edgewater project more than doubles units to 1,300 in 42-story towers

A major mixed-use residential project already in progress has expanded and will bring another 800-plus residential units to Miami’s Edgewater neighborhood.

Developer-owner 1900 Biscayne Property Owner LLC and 2000 Biscayne Fee Owner LLC recently presented their latest project to the city’s Urban Development Review Board.

It includes two 42-story towers that will be home to about 872 multi-family residential units, ground floor retail, and a nine-level parking podium, at 1900 Biscayne Blvd.

The review board recommended approval with some conditions.

The owner-developer boasts the latest dual tower will offer a robust amenities program and a significant master-planned pedestrian circulation zone – paseo – to connect 1900 Biscayne to 2000 Biscayne.

A residential tower previously approved for 2000 Biscayne is under construction next door.

Together the overall project, sometimes referred to as Edgewater Collective, will provide about 1,300 residences.

Marissa Neufeld, an attorney representing the developer’s team, wrote of the latest project: The property is bound by Biscayne Boulevard on the east, commercial property on the west, Northeast 20th Street Alley on the north, and Northeast 19th Street on the south.

She said the project proposes an extensive pedestrian-friendly hardscape program, including a pedestrian passageway to connect the project with the Edgewater neighborhood.

“As such, each frontage provides a unique opportunity for pedestrian civic engagement,” she wrote.

She described the passageway as a significant pedestrian zone that will be hardscaped and designed into the right-of-way along 20th Street, offering “a sense of place and community by emphasizing the pedestrian experience.”

The latest development is to include 17,000 square feet of ground floor retail, strategically placed to activate three frontages: 19th and 20th streets and Biscayne Boulevard.

The developer is requesting waivers from the Miami 21 zoning ordinance that include:

■Permit along a principal frontage (Biscayne Boulevard), parking above the first story to extend into the second layer, if an art, glass, or architectural treatment of a design approved by the planning director, with the recommendation of the UDRB, is provided for 100% of that portion of the façade.

■Permit along a secondary frontage (Northeast 20th and 19th streets), parking above the first story to extend into the second layer.

■Allow up to a 30% reduction of required parking for a development within one-half mile of a transit-oriented development (TOD) or one-quarter mile of a transit corridor. The applicant seeks a parking reduction of 30%, or 435 parking spaces. The project’s proximity to both Biscayne Boulevard and Northeast Second Avenue, major travel corridors containing city and county transit facilities, and multiple transit routes “provides the project’s residents and guests the opportunity to take advantage of the public transportation system right at their doorstep.”

■Allow a substitution of one industrial loading berth with two commercial loading berths, and one commercial loading berth with two residential loading berths.

■Allow up to a 10% reduction in the required drive aisle width from 23 to 22 feet.

The overall project is designed by Kobi Karp Architecture & Interior Design. Mr. Karp made a presentation to the board on the latest dual tower proposal.

Board member Robert Behar said, “You’ve done a great job.” But he did question the façade planned for the parking podium.
“I don’t like the façade of the garage fronting on Biscayne Boulevard. I think it should have been activated, and not with cars but with linear units,” he said.

Mr. Karp said he would study it.

Board member Willy Bermello noted that the vertical clearance of the covered paseo is diminished at one point, and he suggested revisiting that.

“Otherwise, I think you’ve done a great job… I like the scale of it, in the shade, a pleasant walk. Reminds me of areas around Rockefeller Center, that kind of feel, so I think it’s going to be a very special place. I commend you,” Mr. Bermello said.

Board member Gia Zapattini said she agreed with having the developer’s team consider elements to extend vertical lines onto the parking podium, instead of a series of boxes.

Mr. Behar said incorporating more vertical elements on the podium would make a big difference.

Board Chair Ignacio Permuy said, “I want to commend the whole development team… a job very well done.”

The motion to recommend approval includes conditions that the developer’s team study incorporating vertical lines on the podium, extend the façade linings on the building corners, landscape the paseo, study the scale of paseo, and extend lighting onto the corners of the building.

Source: https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2023/01/31/edgewater-project-more-than-doubles-units-to-1300-in-42-story-towers/