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SkyRise Miami Construction
Last week construction started on SkyRise Miami, which began in order to beat a June 12 deadline that would enable them to build to 990 feet.
However, a referendum will still need to be approved by voters that would be held in either August or November.
ExMiami reports that Gov. Rick Scott vetoed $2 million in state funding for the project.
Below are construction photos thus far.
Ocean Drive Before the Crowds
Looking Down Ocean Drive From the End of the Strip
Miami Beach Commissioners have debated the idea of closing Ocean Drive in South Beach for cars and making it a pedestrian only road. Making it a pedestrian only road would make it similar to Lincoln Road, which is not too far away.
Not surprisingly hotel and restaurant owners on Ocean Drive are against the idea because they believe that people will stay away from the area instead of having to deal with parking. It is already difficult to find parking in the area and closing that road will only add to the congestion.
Parts of the street are closed for certain events such as the Super Bowl and Memorial Day weekend, but to close the road permanenlty would be a bad idea for Miami Beach.
Construction on Brickell City Centre is continuing to move rapidly and the changes are readly apparent when you stand at the 8th St. Metromover.
What was an almost 180 view of Brickell is now slowly blocked by the construction of Swire Properties Hotel East and Wellness center.
Brickell City Centre is changing the landscape of Brickell and it's been amazing to watch the transformation unfold.
Construction of the first phase is expected to be completed at the end of 2015.
Below are photos of the construction progress.
May 2012 - They are beginning to remove the trees from the land and move them to Museum Park. They have started the freezing process to be able to dig underground. Construction has not yet started at NINE at Mary Brickell Village or 1100 Millecento.
August 2012 - The trees have been removed and workers are in the process of removing all the dirt to create the underground parking.
October 2013 - Over a year later, Hotel East is beginning it's vertical rise. Digging is still continuing for Condo West and Condo North. NINE at Mary Brickell Village and 1100 Millecento can now be seen.
December 2013 - Hotel East is growing taller and NINE at Mary Brickell Village is not visible anymore. Swire is starting the process of building out the underground parking. Condo North has not started to rise yet.
April 2014 - The underground parking has completed its rise and concrete has been poured to make way for the construction of the steel beams. Tobacco Road can no longer be seen. The Wellness Center, Condo North and Condo West have started to rise and their parking garages have been completed.
May 2014 - West Brickell is slowly disappearing and all four towers are growing in size.
June 2014 - 1100 Millecento can be barely seen and Swire has started to lay metal sheets where the Hotel East pool deck will be a few floors above.
Jimbo's Place Before It Was Demolished
Jimbo's Place was a famous open air beer and fish bar that was located on Virginia Key. It was an eclectic place with colorful shacks and where locals could relax to get away from the pretentious South Beach vibe.
It's previous place had been on the waterfront in Miami where the Miami Herald Building is being torn down.
After being kicked out of his Miami waterfront spot where Jimbo has a shrimp operation, he relocated to Virginia Key in 1954 where the City of Miami gave him land, lease free.
Many TV shows and movies have been filmed there including Miami Vice, Dexter, Flipper, 2 Fast 2 Furious and Wild Things. Esquire Magazine even voted it one of the best bars in America.
Jimbo's owner, Jim Luznar, allegedly sent a letter to Mayor Tomas Regalado saying he was giving the land back to the City of Miami in April 2012. Since then, family squabbling between the siblings threatened to close the place for good, which eventually happened in May 2012.
The City of Miami kicked out the remaining people living there. The City of Miami demolished all of the shacks and towed away the buses and cars left behind.
Now the place is completely covered with new grass with a no trespassing sign in front.
Nothing remains and looks as if nobody had been there for the over half a century.
Before Photos - March 2012
After Photos - October 2012
Coconut Grove Playhouse
After making an apparent deal to save the Coconut Grove Playhouse from creditors, it has been revealed that Strategic Properties Group has a levy against the property.
Henry Pino of Strategic Properties Group is claiming to be owed $549,000. According to the Real Deal, If he is not paid in four weeks then he can take the property or put it up for sale.
PortMiami Tunnel at Night
Last week the PortMiami Tunnel had it's opening ceremony, which was dedicated by Gov. Rick Scott. (This can be read here)
Recently, the Arquitectonica designed portal entrance has been lit at night with vibrant red lightning on the front and side of the structure which there is no mistaking when driving over the MacArthur Causeway.
The $1 billion PortMiami Tunnel is expected to be open for trucks and traffic sometime this week. Every day that contractors are not finished by the completion date they will be fined $115,000.
*Update* The PortMiami Tunnel is experiencing delays and won't be open until Mid-June.
Below are photos of the PortMiami portal entrance at night.
Site for the Planned Riverfront Condos
New York developer Chetrit Group has unveiled plans for four 60 story condo along the Miami River, which will also have retail, office space, a hotel, riverfront restaurant, small marina and a public river walk. The condo would have 1,449 units.
Located east of I-95 on 6.5 acres between SW 7th St, SW 3rd Ave and SW 2nd Ave, the new development would force the relocation of four businesses including Finnegan's on the River, according to Miami Today.
Miami Today reports that the Chetrit Group would seek a Special Area Plan, "to allow sites greater than 9 abutting acres to be master planned to allow greater integration of public and private improvements and infrastructure “and greater flexibility so as to result in higher or specialized quality building and streetscape design within the Special Area Plan.”
To reach 9 acres, the site would also have to include some of Jose Marti Park and the baseball diamond.
