First Glass Installed At 648-Foot Miami River Tower

The ellipse shape of the 54-story, 648-foot Miami River tower can now clearly be seen, and glass is being installed, new photos by Phillip Pessar show.

The Kobi Karp-designed building will become the westernmost tower in Miami to surpass the 600-foot mark.

The phase currently under construction will include 632 apartments, retail space, and a public riverfront promenade that will be open to the public.

Additional phases are planned.

When all is completed, the project will have 1,961 apartments, 29,600 square feet of full service restaurant, 40,000 square feet of office, 120,020 square feet of retail, and 17 marina slips, according to a utilities filing.

 

(photos: Phillip Pessar)

 




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Anonymous
5 months ago

Watch it daily from my balcony and walk by almost as much – the crew here is killing it!! Looks like a floor a week now that they’re on to the residential floor plates after flying through the foundation and platform. Truly a transformational development along a key stretch of the river and will be incredible with a fully connected riverwalk soon.

Anonymous
5 months ago

Lower floors are painted and have most of the stud walls in as well. These guys are machines!

Anonymous
5 months ago

There’s another development along 2nd Ave and 10th that went up in a month! Couldn’t believe my eyes. It’s going to be a state of the art Brickell middle school with a world class design.

There’s a new luxury mixed use building going up next door now too with residential units and teachers at the school get perks living there, so smart to include this so Brickell focuses on education and not just business and entertainment.

Second Avenue is going to be a really upscale young family neighborhood when this is all completed 🤩

Anonymous
5 months ago

Exactly what this city is missing…

RESquire
5 months ago

Will there be condos? I know a few clients who are looking to relocate to this part of Brickell. They want newer construction but everything built in last ten years sells so quick.

RESquire
5 months ago

Looking to buy versus rent.

Anonymous
5 months ago

This is a stunning project and design! Because if it’s location, it may be one of the most influential projects of the decade.

It will activate the riverfront and bring residents and tourists further around Brickell and pull in more luxury developments and public space restoration along 2nd Avenue which has so much potential to be more like Miami or Brickell Ave.

New developments like this in the segment of Brickell east of I95 will enhance the overall community and City and complete Brickell’s modernization on all fronts.

Miami Stakeholder
5 months ago

I’m excited for this! The next thing you know more residences are walking throughout this NEW part of Brickell…

… the Miami Underdeck’s sister project, a massive grand sculpture and landscaped park, will be developed under the I95 highway, providing the much needed large scale covered outdoor public community space that Brickellites have been wanting.

This new Underdeck park will connect the new Riverside neighborhood on the west side of I95 to the riverfront in Brickell!

Ana
5 months ago

Also it should get development going in West Brickell/Riverside next to Jose Marti Park. That area needs more commercial and 15 story buildings yesterday.

Anonymous
5 months ago

Geez I wish they would move that FPL Service Center outta there.

Anon
5 months ago

Horrendous urban planning. That’s several city blocks not only downtown but WATERFRONT. What were they thinking!????

Anonymous
5 months ago

When it was built over fifty years ago, riverfront property wasn’t considered what it is today. It’s the same reason you see freeways built right along major water bodies and over rivers in many cities.

Anon
5 months ago

1. That was built more recently than 50 years ago and 2. No, waterfront property was absolutely valued in the 70’s what are you talking about?

Anonymous
5 months ago

I have a source and have reason to believe FPL does not plan to sell. They supposedly bought this plat for Pennie’s and are holding onto it for the right time. Maybe that’s soon, who knows.

I suggested installing some type of facade or covering and developing a public space along the water, and he laughed at me in a friendly way.

I think the City may be able to work with them or we can pass some type of law that utilities of this size anywhere near a financial urban center MUST have some type of facade covering, at least in the meantime it would be concealed and maybe some public riverfront temporary park around the concealment.

Anon
5 months ago

Thanks for the info. It was built fairly recently as well. It’s just mind boggling that a parcel like that is an FPL facility. It would be like having one on Miracle Mile in Chicago or next to the common is Boston. Wtf Miami..?

Anonymous
5 months ago

Built is not the same as bought. It may have been bought awhile before. Sure you can find the public records though….

Anonymous
5 months ago

It’s only a matter of time that they receive and offer they can’t refuse…but ya it’s fugly as hell

anonymous
5 months ago

it easily could sell for over $100 million. No way FPL sells anytime soon.

Anonymous
5 months ago

100m? They’d take it tomorrow

Anonymous
5 months ago

At the very least, they could build on the parking lot/yard portion across from Mint. Also could maybe relocate some of the riverfront infrastructure and fit a thin single-loaded building like Edge

Anon
5 months ago

Codify it.

Anonymous
5 months ago

Relocate it under I-95.

Anonymous
5 months ago

Best idea imo…and riverwalk on both sides is an absolute must!!

You're Welcome
5 months ago

How is it a good idea to move it from one river front spot to the next? That does not make sense. Here’s a few suggests, which I think you may think are better.

How about putting it underground?! Isn’t that better- I mean most electricity wires are already going underground.

Another idea. How about elevating it to a platform along the metromover where there is already a flyover.

Finally last better idea for now (you can even have the patent if noone owns it yet) make it a vertical transformer hub instead of a horizontal one that takes up grounds space.

There are SO MANY better ideas than the one this person proposed. I’d love to hear if any of these are feasible.

Miami Prophecy
5 months ago

No way! Under I95 is where the new Underdeck riverside community center, sculpture park and landscaped park is going to be. There’s already an older civic center, where I voted recently, and the views looking up at I-95 are phenomenal. Like any massive bridge above water, it could be quite regal and host large outdoor concerts (like the one Katy Pery did at the Brooklyn Bridge). It looked to me like the Brooklyn Bridge when I closed my eyes and imagined the future.

There’s limited public land for this type of large-scale public space, and this is one of the few spots that can’t be built with high-rises, so it’s the perfect plan. We can’t waste this spot under I95 like prior generations did when they put it on the river – that’s the same kind of absence of forethought that got it where it is today.

Anonymous
5 months ago

Wrong area

Anonymous
5 months ago

I know the one you’re thinking of, but there will be an additional Underdeck coming to Brickell/Riverside, just hasn’t been finalized/publicized yet.

Paul
5 months ago

I wish they would build an indoor substation on SW 3rd Street, freeing up the land fronting the river for higher-value land use.

Assuming the voltage is low enough to allow for an indoor substation, the land sale would more than pay for the building.

Anon
5 months ago

Why is a utility company allowed to prioritize profit over utility of the city?

Maybe Gov. DeSantis can help improve this key spot in Florida and America. If he can use his power to influence Disney over so called culture issues, isn’t this a more important culture issue? The riverfront expansion would do more for advancing culture in the US and Florida than Mickey Mouse.

Anonymous
5 months ago

Look, entities like FPL is becoming dying companies that grease the pockets of judges to stay relevant. People can get all the electricity they need from solar panels. They work so well that they can even sell electricity to places like FPL. Remember, FPL went to court to keep most of the homes in this county from putting up solar panels and got a decision in their favor.

Science can work in our favor and electric vehicles is one example. But the huge amount of money that these conglomerates have amassed and use in court is a vaunting task to overcome.

Anonymous
5 months ago

You think DeSantis wants to fight fpl?

Anon
5 months ago

It’s not a fight. It’s a partnership. FPL would make out like kings and get a lot of positive press.

Anon
5 months ago

Agree, moving it just north of present location (not valuable sw 3rd Avenue), I suggest two blocks north of the present location, between SW 2nd Street and SW 1st street, under the myriad of overpasses, there’s relatively low value for a park here and it concealed with some type of art/designed wall structure, would never be noticed – may even be appreciated.

Anonymous
5 months ago

This is a stunning project and design! Because if it’s location, it may be one of the most influential projects of the decade.

Anonymous
5 months ago

Whenever jose marti spreads out to flagler the river will be truly connected…

Interesting
5 months ago

No disrespect but who is that?

Anonymous
5 months ago

Its the nearby park

Brickell Stakeholder
5 months ago

Agree! Jose Martí Park will connect to the new Brickell Riverside Underdeck and create a large scale epic outdoor park and central gathering space for the entire city 🏙 🌴

Brickell Stakeholder
5 months ago

The developing area west of I-95 along 8th Street and the Miami River is being rebranded as Riverside, aka West Brickell (because it’s just west of I95 and Brickell).

All of Brickell east of I95 will remain to be referred to as “Brickell.” The entire Brickell neighborhood will be filled in with modern luxury residences, retail and offices, to complete Brickell, with the Underline at the center of the fully completed neighborhood.

Anonymous
5 months ago

Finally, more wave-like rounded designs coming to Brickell! Hopefully they bring more like this all along 2nd Avenue and Brickell can have another Avenue of interesting architecture to add to the collection.

Anonymous
5 months ago

At a minimum, One Brickell/Baccarat Residences should have looked something like this instead of more of Arquitectonica’s crappy jagged balconies.

Melo is sigma and Chad
5 months ago

Hope the other towers begin early 2023 and love the speed of this one.

Brickellres
5 months ago

Looks like its just a matter of time till publix sells thier land too

Brickell Stakeholder, Jr.
5 months ago

And Burger King, Ace Hardware (which I love, but have an idea for them) Wendys and McDonalds! They could be ground floor retailers with walk-up windows and build it into their purchase agreements. They could be Flagship modern interior designs, instead of the ones from the past.

Brickell Stakeholder, Jr.
5 months ago

We need a Trader Joe’s too! Walking on 2nd Ave, I noticed a huge store taking up the entire ground floor of the new luxury condo Brickell Ten.

It has shelves/fridges throughout, and modern finishes. I’m hoping it’s a Trader Joe’s or specialty market. It would break bank in this part of Brickell (esp. with this new project… there will be a lot of new Brickellites to feed).

Anonymous
5 months ago

Publix will develop a mixed use apartment like the one in brickell then sell out I believe

Anonymous
5 months ago

This area should become a newer more upscale version of BCC. There’s a lot of high-end retailers who would love to enter the market and have a Brickell location near BCC and riverfront. Id love to see a Trader Joe’s or Wholefoods. (Brickell doesn’t need 3 publix stores).

Robin Stan
5 months ago

I hope it’s as glassy as it is in the rendering, but the photos are already showing lots cinder block with cut out’s for windows, so looking like the renderings are a bit optimistic.

Anonymous
5 months ago

Not to mention that from the northern side they’ve already begun installing glass (surprised that wasnt included here) and painting up to the 4th floor, which you can see slightly on the first photo.

Anonymous
5 months ago

*second photo

Anon
5 months ago

It’s going to be stucco with windows, like every other building in Miami.

Anonymous
5 months ago

Boo hoo…it looks dope!

RenRich
5 months ago

I hope you’re wrong. The glass makes the building. Hopefully doesn’t end up like a majority of the thoughtless crap being toss in as infill.

Interesting
5 months ago

Stucco is so much more beautiful than wood and brick up north. Stucco HAS a great brand and vibe in Florida – you know why? It’s what has kept people’s structures secure and resilient during hurricanes for the past few decades. That sense of security breathes into the design and people love it. Just because you’re not used to seeing it up north doesn’t mean it’s ugly. It looks solid and had a beautiful texture.

When I first went up north I thought why are all these expensive homes made of flimsy wood, they all look like the lackluster sheds we have in Florida. It’s because stucco cracks when water turns to ice so they can’t have it up north – if they could, they would because it looks so much more solid and beautiful

Anonymous
5 months ago

Um, most buildings that appear completely glass don’t have windows from ceiling to floor.

RenRich
5 months ago

Unfortunately so!

Really?
5 months ago

We live in a state that has hurricanes. You all are so unrealistic – You want to spend all this money on towers of cards/glass, silly. There needs to be concrete to keep them together. Also do you know how quick all that glass is going to get dirty, and how infrequent it will be to be cleaned. Think logically and conservatively. I love a lot of glass, but yall are whining about 10% concrete is silly.

RenRich
5 months ago

I never thought this project would become a reality. I agree, very much hoping for it to be glassy like the rendering.

Anonymous
5 months ago

It’s gonna surprise a lot of people…54 floors and 4 buildins is transformative not mention the riverfront activation

Brickell Stakeholder, Jr.
5 months ago

It’s not just riverfront activation, its entire 2nd Avenue from here to the new One Southside Park. This is going to be the happening IT spot in Brickell.

Vincent
5 months ago

Brickell winning

anan
5 months ago

G.T. McDonald is making a name for themselves with this performance.

Not Anonymous
5 months ago

This building isn’t an infill. It is the first phase of a large project of 3 towers on the river.

Melo, the true giga Chad
5 months ago

Some people said this one would never happen!

Miami Stakeholder
5 months ago

They also said there would never be a large-scale sculpture and landscaped park in Brickell, but the new Sister Underdeck under I95 will be coming sooner than people think!

Maybe if the City and DDA team up with existing contractors working on 395 Underdeck they can get it done faster at a discount 🙂

Land Reclamation
5 months ago

Can we get a underground metro instead?

Anonymous
5 months ago

Why do you want an underground metro? They flood, smell, get hot and have rats and crazy people roam in them… above ground is nicer experience.

Anonymous
5 months ago

For the same reason he wants a new MIA in Biscayne Bay off Dinner Key….because he’s clinically insane.

Ana
5 months ago

LOL, the reality of Miami’s geology is something hard to fathom for these under-earthers

Anonymous
5 months ago

This project is not being built on a man made island like Miami Beach.

Anonymous
5 months ago

This is a stunning project and design! Because if it’s location, it may be one of the most influential projects of the decade.

It will activate the riverfront and bring residents and tourists further around Brickell and pull in more luxury developments and public space restoration along 2nd Avenue which has so much potential to be more like Miami or Brickell Ave.

New developments like this in the segment of Brickell east of I95 will enhance the overall community and City and complete Brickell’s modernization on all fronts.

Anonymous
5 months ago

Can anyone tell me what the odd looking structure with the faded mural on the left hand side of the complex in the first pic of renderings is please?

Brickell Stakeholder
5 months ago

Yes it’s a concept of what the bridge attendant tower could like like with a mural,

Anonymous
5 months ago

Thanks.

Anonymous
5 months ago

Seem to be getting the shape to match the drawings thus far. So far so get. We’ll see about the quality going forward. Some of these are suspect.