“The proposed substation will feature a visually beautiful, undulating, modern façade to properly situate the property within its urban context,” Karp wrote in the application for the Design Review Board (DRB).
In a February 21 email to Assistant City Attorney Nick Kallergis, FPL Project Manager/Land Planner Bruce Barber wrote the substation is necessary “to meet the critical new growth demands of the City of Miami Beach.” An earlier proposal for a substation was approved in 2004 but was “postponed due to the economic downturn,” Barber wrote.
The site is a 7,650 sq. ft. lot located on the north side of Fourth Street in a CPS-2, Commercial Performance Standards Zoning District. The proposed height is 50 feet with a total FAR (Floor Area Ratio or density) of 10,330 sq. ft. which is under the allowable maximum of 15,300 square feet, according to Karp.
The “[p]roject has taken the future raising of the public right of way into account” and “[a]ll mechanical and electrical systems will be above base flood elevation where feasible and appropriate,” the application states.
The application will be heard at the DRB’s next meeting in May.
Details of the FPL Substation plans are here
Design Review Board
Tuesday, May 7, 8:30 am
City Hall, Commission Chambers
Attend in person or send email comments to Monique Fons.
Renderings: Kobi Karp Architecture & Interior Design

