The Symphony Park Hotel proposed for 1685 Washington Avenue across from Soundscape Park and the New World Symphony begins working its way through the official process this week at a hearing before Miami Beach's Planning Board. Because the proposed development is greater than 50,000 sq ft, it needs the Planning Board’s approval for a Conditional Use Permit.
Then it’s on to the Historic Preservation Board in July for design approval.
The property’s owners (LLCs controlled by Ronald Finvarb, Richard Finvarb, and Jacques Chahine) plan to demolish the existing one-story Citibank building constructed in 1996, the bank’s drive-through and the parking lot to construct a new eight-story, mixed-use building with 150 hotel rooms. The new project includes two restaurants, a reception bar/lounge and 6,052 sq ft of commercial ground floor space including a new space for Citibank at the northwest corner of the site. The lot is zoned CD-3, commercial, high intensity.
McG Architecture and Planning has designed what SOBE Center LLC attorney Mickey Marrero calls a “small boutique hotel.”
According to the application before the Preservation Board, the developers are requesting a variance for an additional 3 feet “for a limited portion of the 8th floor, to permit 83’ where 80’ is permitted”; a variance for 8 stories where 7 are permitted; and setback variances for the front balconies from the 6’ allowed projection to 8’-10” and for the side facing street balconies from the 4’ allowed to 9’-4”.
To comment on the operational details of the project, either attend the Planning Board meeting and speak in person or send email comments to Antoinette Stohl.
Planning Board
Tuesday, June 26, 1 pm
City Hall Commission Chambers
Item details
To comment on the design, either attend the Historic Preservation Board meeting and speak in person or send email comments to Victor Nunez.
Historic Preservation Board
Tuesday, July 10, 9 am
City Hall, Commission Chambers
Item details
Rendering: McG Architecture and Planning

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