CLIENT NEWS: Rivian to open first South Florida showroom at Aventura Mall
June 10, 2024Rivian Automotive, Inc. is on track to open its first South Florida retail showroom at Aventura Mall.
On June 4, the mall’s owner, Turnberry Associates, received unanimous approval from the Aventura City Commission, to move forward with its plan to welcome another electric vehicle retailer.
Turnberry requested permission to open a Rivian location, which would be the second electric vehicle showroom at Aventura Mall. The city’s land development regulations dictate commercial properties with shopping centers are allowed to have “no more than one” showroom.
The mall welcomed a Tesla (Nasdaq: TSLA) showroom in 2018 and the location is still in operation.
Michael Marrero, a partner at Miami-based Bercow, Radell, Fernandez, Larkin and Tapenes, filed the application on Turnberry’s behalf.
The mall has proposed the Rivian showroom open at 19565 Biscayne Blvd., Space 1966. The address is close to the Tesla showroom.
“Aventura is well known for being a friendly environment to businesses,” said Evan Ross, communications director for the city. “The car industry has changed substantially in the last few years. Newer companies like Rivian and Tesla have moved away from the traditional large lot dealerships into more retail type models.”
Ross said having more than one electric vehicle company at the mall provides the community options.
Before the vote, the Aventura Community Development Department recommended the commission approve Turnberry’s request in a letter written on May 31.
City Manager Ronald J. Wasson and Community Development Director Keven R. Klopp signed the letter, which stated Turnberry’s request is consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan and there have been no citizen comments on the proposed showroom.
The community development department’s analysis indicated the 2.8 million-square-foot Aventura Mall is “uniquely situated to accommodate more than one electric vehicle retail showroom,” and should be granted variances to the city’s land development regulations.
The analysis noted Turnberry’s proposed Rivian showroom meets the district’s criteria of having no more than six electric vehicles stored on site for test driving purposes. The department added the showroom won’t deliver or service vehicles.
“Given the increase in popularity of electric vehicles and increase in prominence of electric vehicle companies employing modern sales tactics since 2016, allowing only one electric vehicle retail showroom creates a particular hardship on [Aventura Mall],” the letter said.
The city’s resolution stated the showroom project must obtain a building permit within 12 months of the commission’s decision. If deemed necessary, the commission could grant extensions.
Rivian is an Irvine, California-based electric vehicle manufacturer and automotive technology company that was founded in 2009 by Robert “RJ” Scaringe, an engineer-turned-CEO. Its products are designed to complement lifestyles that incorporate outdoor recreation.
The company’s showrooms are typically 3,500 square feet, according to a Rivian real estate and retail strategy presentation Marrero attached to Turnberry’s application.
A prototypical floorplan shows the retail locations have designated spaces for a vehicle studio, gear shop, lounge, storage, IT, management office and employee breakroom. Product information kiosks are sprinkled throughout the shop.
Vehicles are purchased directly online. Rivian showrooms are meant to educate customers and provide road tests, according to the company’s presentation.
Rivian did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The company has showrooms in California, Washington, Colorado, Illinois, Tennessee, Georgia and New York.
Rivian went public (Nasdaq: RIVN) in November 2021. The electric vehicle company’s stock traded at $11.41 per share Wednesday morning, a near 1.7% increase from the previous day’s close.
