Developer Planning Tower Near Brickell City Centre Signs Public Benefits Agreement

The developer planning a 39-story residential tower just one block from Brickell City Centre has entered into a public benefits agreement, allowing the project to move forward.

The agreement, which was officially recorded on December 10, pertains to the site of the former Starlite Motel, which has recently been demolished.

This project is being developed under Miami-Dade’s Rapid Transit Zoning plan, and a special exception has been requested, with approval contingent upon providing public benefits.

The developer has committed to several benefits, including:

• A $500,000 payment to the county for the repair or upgrade of Brickell Metrorail or Metromover stations.
• Workforce housing, with 5% of the units designated for income-restricted renters.
• The donation of 40 trees, each at least 20 feet tall, to be planted either on the property or within the right of way (in addition to required landscaping).
• A cross-block passage to provide pedestrian access between SW 7th Street and SW 8th Street.
• The burial of telecom utility lines at the property, at the owner’s expense.

The planned development will feature 517 apartments, 9,700 square feet of restaurant space, and a six-level parking garage with 506 spaces.

A construction permit for the tower was applied for in August and is currently under review. The estimated construction cost is listed at $190 million. Suffolk Construction has been hired as the contractor, while Focus, based in Chicago, is the developer and Gensler is the architect.