27-story Edgewater hotel-condo wins backing

A developer plans to construct a 27-story condo-hotel in Miami’s Edgewater neighborhood.

Urban Network Capital Group LLC plans to build the mixed-use project at 445 NE 36th St., near Biscayne Bay and the Julia Tuttle Causeway on I-195.
The city’s Urban Development Review Board unanimously recommended approval of the project with several conditions.

Designed by Kobi Karp Architecture, the project will provide 180 lodging units, about 7,290 square feet of ground floor retail-commercial space, and 121 parking spaces, including 24 electric vehicle (EV) spaces.

Ben Fernandez, an attorney representing the developer, said the property is 19,292 square feet, and after a required right-of-way dedication, the net lot area is 17,866 square feet.

The building will have about 175,557 square feet of floor area.

In a letter to the city, Mr. Fernandez wrote: “The proposed structure will feature contemporary architecture designed to complement the developing Edgewater area. There is an amenity area and a pool on Level 5 of the building.

“Both frontages are lined with habitable area or attractive architectural screening and the loading area is fully internalized. The project also activates and promotes pedestrian activity at the intersection of NE 36th Street and NE Fifth Avenue with habitable space,” he wrote.

The developer is requesting two waivers from the Miami 21 zoning code.

One would allow above ground parking in the second layer beyond 50% of a secondary frontage along Northeast Fifth Avenue.

Mr. Fernandez said the plans propose parking and associated circulation areas above 50% within the second layer along Northeast Fifth Avenue on the second and third floors.

He wrote, “An attractive screen comprised of vertical metal louvers is incorporated along the entire length of NE Fifth Avenue and NE 36th Street in order to screen the area where cars will be located along the façade.”

The second waiver would allow parking to extend into the second layer above the first story along Northeast 36th Street primary frontage.

Mr. Fernandez wrote, “The code allows parking to encroach into the second layer, above the first story, up to 25% of the primary frontage, by waiver, if an art or glass treatment is provided, of a design to be approved by the planning director, with recommendation of the Urban Development Review Board.”

He said the parking podium proposes a minor encroachment to allow parking spaces to partially encroach into the second layer on the second and third floors.

“The elevation along this limited area of the podium includes an artistic screen component that provides movement and visual interest to this corner of the building,” wrote Mr. Fernandez.

The project includes substitution of loading berths and reducing the driveway width by 10% from 23 to 22 feet; items formerly requiring a waiver but now are allowed by right after the city recently amended the code regarding waivers.

“The property is in an area that is overdue for some redevelopment,” Mr. Fernandez told the board.

Kobi Karp said the building will have an amenity level atop the parking podium and one on the rooftop.

The screening for the podium is on all sides and will be uplit and backlit.

Board member Ligia Ines Labrada said, “I think this is a nice little missing piece for the site, in connecting (the area) with the rest of the city and bringing commercial onto that corner.”

Board member Agustin Barrera said, “For being such a small site, I think you’ve done a great job in providing access for both pedestrians and vehicles. I like the building and how it addresses the pedestrians.

“I like the façade on the garage. I like the amenity level, how it’s at a greater height. It really provides an opportunity for guests at the hotel to utilize that level, so I’m in support of the project,” he said.

Board member Gia Zapattini said, “I agree with my colleagues, it is a very nice building, very clean and contemporary.”

Ms. Zapattini suggested relocating the FPL vault to another part of the site.

She added, “To me, the language of the tower is very beautiful, very clean. I love the balcony but when I come to the podium it seems to be a little disjointed. The middle section has its own language… I don’t know if it’s the material why it seems like a third element. I’m wondering if you’d consider changing that screen to white and then it would kind of blend in.”

Mr. Karp responded, “Yes, absolutely, to make it more monochromatic up and down.”

Ms. Zapattini said, “It would just look more united.”

Mr. Karp said, “I want it to be monochromatic from top to bottom. Good comment.”

Board member Fidel Perez said, “I think you have a great building.”

Board Chairman Ignacio Permuy said, “You have a beautiful building. I love the articulation, the massing, the breaking up. It’s very well done.”

The motion to recommend approval has these conditions: relocate the FPL vault; restudy the maneuvering plan for trucks to protect the right of way; restudy the landscaping plan; make sure all mechanical items on the roof are screened entirely; maintain a monochromatic color scheme throughout the podium.