Miami is re-inventing itself as a creative and technology industries hub, with implications for the real-estate market. In 2014, Microsoft launched its first US-based Microsoft Innovation Center in Miami-Dade County to generate more high-tech jobs. Art Basel’s arrival in Miami Beach in 2002 established Miami as a destination for ultra-high-net-worth individuals every December — encouraging many to take up residence for longer stretches of the year, according to a report from agent Knight Frank.
And with a shimmering skyline that is starting to look more like Hong Kong or Dubai, Miami’s real-estate star is also on the rise. However, a piece of this skyline is a fraction of the cost of luxury properties found in comparable global cities. “Miami is one of the least expensive of the world’s global cities, with luxury unlike anything you’ve seen before,” says Valeria Avirett, editor of the LUXE City Guide to Miami and a local real-estate expert.
Here, Billionaire lists seven of the Magic City’s coolest residential buildings.
One Thousand Museum
1000 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami
Price: US$5–49 million
Delivery: 2018
One
Thousand Museum will be the first and only residential skyscraper in the
Western Hemisphere by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid. This
tower rises as a contemporary sculpture, having a robust
exoskeleton as its main exterior and architectural feature, which allows for
interior spaces to be open and unobstructed. The
exoskeleton is built from unique pieces of material that are shipped weekly
from Dubai. The 62-storey tower offers 83 residences, ranging from 4,600 square feet to more than 16,000 square feet — duplex town-homes; half-floor residences; full-floor
penthouses; and one duplex penthouse.
Porsche Design Tower
18555 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach
Price: US$6.9–32.5 million
Launched last month, Porsche
Design Tower has been designed to be daring, innovative and bold. This is the first global
entry in real estate for the Porsche Design brand. The 60-storey ultra-luxury
tower features a patented automobile lift system that will
allow owners to park their vehicles in ‘sky garages’ directly next to their units. This cylinder tower rising above the Atlantic Ocean boasts
floor-to-ceiling windows, outdoor kitchens and semi-open balconies, and almost every
residence comes with a private pool. At least 22 billionaires call
Porsche Design Tower home. Only five units of 132 remain in the
ultra-luxury tower, including a four-level, 19,403-square-foot penthouse that can accommodate up to 11 vehicles, soaring 56 storeys
high.
Faena House
3315 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
Price: US$3.6–55 million
Alan
Faena is behind the very popular Faena Hotels and other residential projects in Buenos Aires. Now in Miami, he’s opened a new district in the
mid-beach area, featuring a luxurious hotel, a cultural arts
centre and concert hall in a span of four blocks. Faena
House is a very selective development, featuring only 47 residences. Designed
by Foster + Partners, the black-and-white 18-storey condo
features a very distinct modern design, with
wraparound terraces and open spaces. Big
names in the art scene and in global finance have already purchased units. Faena is in Miami Beach — which commands the highest prices in Miami.
Palazzo del Sol
7009 Fisher Island Drive, Miami Beach
Price: US$6–35 million
Palazzo
del Sol is located in the exclusive Fisher Island, which is reported
to have the highest per capita income in the US. The island is exclusively accessed by private ferry, about 0.5km off the coast of
Miami Beach. Palazzo is a 10-storey building featuring Mediterranean
architecture. It offers 43 residences with only 14 remaining for sale. The
island also offers a Beach Club, a tennis centre, two marinas and several
restaurants. Amenities include private massage rooms and beauty salon; six-star, white-glove services; an indoor/outdoor aperitivo bar; a terrace
lounge; children’s playroom; and a state-of-the-art private movie theatre.
Residences by Armani Casa
18975 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach
Price: US$2–15 million
Delivery: 2019
There has recently been a wave of developer and designer collaborations in MIami. Residences by Armani Casa is one that stands out. It will be a 56-storey oceanfront tower offering 308 luxury residences that will showcase Armani’s refined and understated aesthetic (think rich textiles and custom furnishings). The glass tower will be designed by architect César Pelli. Expect chic amenities, including the Armani Privé Lounge on the lobby level, a fine-dining restaurant, cigar room and wine cellar, a two-storey spa and exclusive beach amenities on a 300ft stretch of private shore. Residences will range from 1,350 to 4,160 square feet.
Muse
17100 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach
Price: US$5–22 million
Delivery: 2018
Muse is a boutique luxury oceanfront building; a svelte 49-storey tower designed by architect Carlos Ott, sitting delicately on the Atlantic coast. A select
number of residences will be designed in collaboration with wellness guru Dr Deepak
Chopra and Delos. These residences have been designed to “awaken and restore the residents’
physical and emotional wellbeing”. The residences will offer hi-tech purification systems for air and
water, customised circadian lighting, among other high-end finishes. Muse will
offer 68 fully finished residences with outdoor kitchens and some of the
largest balconies in town (only two or one residences per floor, with views
of Miami and Fort Lauderdale).
Turnberry Ocean Club
Sunny Isles Beach
Price: US$4–35 million
Delivery: 2018
This 54-storey contemporary all-glass masterpiece, designed by architects
Carlos Zapata and Robert Swedroe, will feature 154 flow-through residences with direct ocean and bay views with private elevator access. Each residence will have an 11ft-deep oceanfront balcony, as well as a balcony overlooking the bay; plus a summer kitchen with barbeque grill on the oceanfront terrace. The project will boast over 70,000 square feet dedicated to amenities, including the signature three-storey Sky Club with
indoor and outdoor amenities, and concierge services.