The proposal comes nearly two years after voters approved an increase in density for the new Town Center district.
Architect Giorgio Antoniazzi summarized the purpose of the new Town Center as encouraging walkable, high intensity areas with good urban design and to promote more affordable and diverse housing for the area. “That really is aligned with what we are trying to do with our project here,” he said, noting the plan for the residential space is to have co-living units, a concept with smaller apartments that have more common amenities. In his letter of intent to the Board, Antoniazzi said the 21 units would average 546 sq ft in size, ranging from 455 sq ft to 1,091. The staff report indicates 20 units are planned as co-living units, while one measuring 1,091 sq ft would not be in that category.
Each unit would have its own private balcony. There is a pool and barbecue area planned for the roof.
The new Town Center-Core (TC-C) regulations require a setback to allow for a 10 foot pedestrian corridor in front of the building. Antoniazzi said, in addition, the owners are proposing “an exterior room within our setback” with folding doors to create a covered seating space, “a semi exterior, semi interior space” for the restaurant that would be comfortable for people coming and going from the beach to be there.
According to the staff report, the proposed building’s height would be 55 feet measured from Base Flood Elevation (BFE) +5’.
With regard to the height, Antoniazzi said, “I think it fits in pretty well, especially as a counterpoint to the taller buildings that are across Collins Avenue.” The building directly across the street is the three-story Normandy Plaza Hotel, also owned by the family that owns Las Vegas Cuban Cuisine, which has been boarded up since 2013 and declared an unsafe structure. That building is under the jurisdiction of the Historic Preservation Board which recently asked the City to hold off on any potential demolition until the building’s condition could be determined. The two properties are owned by two different corporations.
At a recent City Commission discussion to approved a contractor for a potential demolition, Commissioner John Alemán made reference to this Design Review Board application and asked if the DRB could be made aware of the unsafe structures violation at the Normandy Plaza which is located at 6979 Collins Avenue.
“After discussing the matter internally, it has been concluded that formally advising the DRB of the property owners unsafe structures violation at 6979 Collins Avenue could, potentially, prejudice the DRB application,” City Spokeswoman Melissa Berthier wrote in an email to RE:MiamiBeach prior to the DRB hearing. “As such, City staff will not be providing any type of formal notification to the DRB.”
Renderings: Antoniazzi Architecture
