Revealed: First Phase Of $1B Miami Project

Allen Morris Co. and Black Salmon have filed development plans for the first phase of their $1 billion mixed-use Highland Park project near the Miami Health District. The initial component, a residential building named Aurea, will be reviewed by Miami’s Urban Development Review Board on May 21.

The proposed development is located at 1321 NW 9th Ave., just south of the Dolphin Expressway (State Road 836), close to the Culmer Metrorail Station and the Health District. The property is currently vacant and is owned by HPM Lot 5 LLC, an entity affiliated with Allen Morris and Black Salmon.

Aurea is designed as a 29-story building totaling nearly 400,000 square feet. It will include 332 residential units, 3,611 square feet of retail space, 291 parking spots, and over 4,000 square feet of indoor amenities. A rooftop pool and spa are also part of the design. Units will range in size from 400 to 920 square feet, with apartments starting on the seventh floor. The architecture firm Arquitectonica is leading the design, and attorney Javier Fernandez is representing the developers in the approval process.

In compliance with Florida’s Live Local Act, at least 40% of the apartments will be designated as workforce housing for individuals earning up to 120% of the area’s median income. The law allows developers to bypass local zoning limitations when providing a certain amount of workforce housing. Although height and density increases don’t need approval under the law, the developers are seeking three waivers related to parking layout and entry dimensions.

Construction on Aurea is expected to begin in early 2026.

Spencer Morris, president of Allen Morris Co., emphasized the rooftop views of Brickell, downtown Miami, the Arts and Entertainment District, and Wynwood. He noted that incorporating workforce housing was always part of the vision for the Highland Park development, which was first announced in 2023. Highland Park will span nearly seven acres and include residential buildings, medical offices, and a hotel, aiming to meet demand from the nearby Health District.

Aurea is planned as the first of nine residential buildings in the district. To enhance the appeal of the area, which has seen limited development recently, the team is also planning temporary community features such as pickleball and padel courts, food vendors, and future green space funded privately.

Morris acknowledged that workforce housing in a high-rise like Aurea wouldn’t normally be financially feasible as a standalone project. However, as part of the broader Highland Park development with shared amenities, it becomes more viable. He described the initiative as a long-term investment that will gain value over time through successive development phases.