Billionaire Ken Griffin, who is the the richest man in Florida, has revealed new details of his plans to remake Miami in an interview with Bloomberg.
In addition to building a headquarters complex in Brickell, Griffin said he plans to lure major US businesses to Miami, boost education in the city, and become a huge player in philanthropy and politics here.
Here’s what Griffin said about the new Brickell headquarters complex:
- It is estimated to cost $1 billion
- The tower height could exceed 1,000 feet
- He wants to build retail and restaurants on the ground floor to bring foot traffic, similar to Brickell City Centre
- A helipad, marina, and windows that open to Biscayne Bay are planned
- It will be “iconic,” he said: “If it takes longer to fill the building, so be it. It’s more important to me to create the right environment to draw human capital that drives Citadel”
- Griffin plans to personally pitch some of the most valuable US companies, including Apple, to fill the new tower
- A computer science program could also be in the new complex, in partnership with a local university
- Completion is expected in 5 or 6 years
- Citadel’s Miami headcount is expected to reach 1,500 in 10 years
Griffin said he has spent a lot of time walking around Brickell, which he said contrasts favorably with Chicago when it comes to safety.
He said is making education in Miami a top philanthropic priority, and is already talking to private schools and public institutions about opportunities.
Griffin has already donated $25 million to Miami philanthropic causes, and is ready to give more, as he did in Chicago. If Mayor Francis Suarez contacted him with a good idea, he “would certainly consider backing it.”
