CLIENT NEWS: 22-story office/commercial tower in Health District wins OK

October 1, 2021

A plan to construct a state-of-the-art office tower in the city’s Health District has been recommended for approval by a city review board.

Owner-developer TCD 212 Civica FL Property plans the commercial and office building at 1050 and 1000 NW 14th St., a high-profile site south of Northwest 14th Street, just north of the Dolphin Expressway (836) and west of Northwest 10th Avenue. Miami’s Urban Development Review Board recommended approval.

Overall, the building would have 731,472 square feet of floor space in 22 stories, including 367,012 square feet of offices, 56,677 square feet commercial-retail, and parking for 524 vehicles.

Phase I will update an existing three-story building on the site, built about five years ago. The tower is Phase II.

In a letter, Melissa Tapanes Llahues, an attorney representing the owner-developer, said the property is 2.14 acres. The western parcel was originally developed in 2015 with the existing three-story retail center.

The city approved development of 47,923 square feet of commercial space, including restaurants and retail, as well as outdoor dining.

According to Ms. Llahues, 82 parking spaces were proposed where 60 were required.

She wrote, “The outdoor dining area was provided on two floors as follows: the first floor accommodated 47 tables, 172 seats and eight vending carts and the second floor provided 111 tables, 458 seats and four vending carts.

“In order to expedite permitting and improvements to the existing structures, in 2020 the applicant submitted warrant and waivers application … (for Phase I) for the remodeling and renovation of the existing structure on the western parcel. The Phase I warrant approved the proposed renovations to the existing structure at the property to improve the aesthetic appearance by increasing fenestration and modern architectural features,” said Ms. Llahues.

She said the improvements also included interior modifications to meet today’s commercial and office tenant demands.

As part of Phase II, the applicant proposes “a state-of-the-art office tower on the south side of the property in the heart of the city’s health district.”

The developer is seeking a waiver to reduce the required parking by eight spaces, providing 524 spaces.

“Notably, to address the demand and encourage the use of alternate modes of transportation, the project includes 30 motorcycle parking spaces and 17 bicycle parking spaces.

“The Health District is a pedestrian friendly area with a multitude of public transportation options coupled with the motorcycle and bicycle parking spaces provided, the proposed parking reduction is de minimis and will not have any impact to the area,” wrote Ms. Llahues.

The new building was designed by architectural firm CUBE 3, whose Jon Cardello explained design elements to the review board. He said there will be outdoor terraces for office users at different levels and have amenities for office uses. Different façades will use fins and angles, modulating vertically and horizontally, to get a shadow articulation on the new building, he said.

Board member Robert Behar asked what type of office uses would be in the new building. Mr. Cardello said the tower would be for medical and general office uses, and a little bit of daycare.

Some board members expressed concern with no designated drop-off and pick-up area for vehicles, including ride sharing services.

Board chair Willy Bermello said, “Can you look at the ground floor again? Is there any way or consideration to provide a drop-off, pick-up lane for Uber, Lyft, and so on … without lowering the number of parking spaces? That would have been a good compromise.”

Mr. Bermello said he agreed with Mr. Behar, “I worry about how people will get there (to the medical offices) … with any medical office placement the parking spills over.”

The developer is asking for waivers to allow fewer than the required number of parking spaces, and to allow some spaces to be smaller than typically required.

“You have less spaces, and smaller spaces,” said Mr. Bermello, “It’s going to be harder to park. To me it’s a concern. If you had a way people could be dropped off, I think that would help out.”

Maritza Haro Salgado, an attorney representing the developer, told the board that a drop-off and pick-up spot was explored but they were told traffic lanes must remain clear for ambulances because of the close proximity to Jackson hospital.

Ms. Salgado said the developer is willing to accept a recommendation from the board to work with city staff on an internal drop-off location for vehicles.

The board’s motion to recommend approval has one condition: to reevaluate having a drop-off, pick-up on the ground floor or the second level.

Published September 28, 2021 on MiamiTodayNews.com

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