Florida East Coast Industries (FECI) has hired leading commercial brokerage firm Metro 1 Commercial, LLC to spearhead retail leasing efforts for the state-of-the-art development, MiamiCentral, Miami's most connected, mixed-use transportation hub. Metro 1 will target approximately 130,000 SF of MiamiCentral’s newly constructed retail space, with a focus on food & beverage, health & wellness and other lifestyle-driven tenants.

Andres Nava, VP of Commercial Leasing and Grace Chance, a leasing associate who recently joined Metro 1 after several years leasing Brickell City Centre, will lead efforts on behalf of Metro 1. Metro 1 Commercial’s emphasis on transit-oriented development (TOD) and proven track record for successfully utilizing retail to differentiate and elevate emerging neighborhoods played a key role in the firm’s selection.

“Metro 1 has been a catalyst in the evolution of South Florida’s most engaging projects and neighborhoods,” said Tad Templeton, vice president of retail leasing for FECI. “We are eager to have Tony and his team on board and look forward to working together in delivering that same dynamic to MiamiCentral.”

Located in the heart of Downtown, MiamiCentral aims to address the steady increase in demand for walkable, retail-driven centers caused by the area’s sharp increase in population. A recent report published by Miami’s Downtown Development Authority shows a nearly 40% increase in Downtown residents since 2010, with an average of 1,500 new residents per year. This growth not only positions MiamiCentral as the focal point for downtown commerce, but also primes the project to have far-reaching effects on the entire district.

“More than a leasing agreement, we see this as an opportunity to play a key part in downtown’s rebirth,” said Tony Cho, Founder and CEO of Metro 1 Commercial. “Finding retail partners who bring something new and exciting to an area while staying true to its historic identity is a unique challenge, but one that inspires our entire team. We’ve had incredible results throughout neighborhoods like Wynwood and Magic City, and look forward to bringing our unique approach to MiamiCentral.”

"MiamiCentral is poised to become one of Miami’s most connected, mixed-use hubs featuring transportation, retail, residences and offices. Its status as one of the city’s most high-profile transit-oriented projects, the built-in rental units and, of course, the thousands of people already using Brightline, makes this a dynamic property with huge potential,” said Nava.

MiamiCentral represents the city’s most central, multimodal transportation center considering its  proximity to I-95 within the Central Business District and several key neighborhoods including Park West, Biscayne Corridor, Arts and Entertainment District, Brickell and the Health District. In addition to its connection to Metromover and Metrorail, MiamiCentral serves as Brightline’s southern terminus featuring inter-city, express passenger rail service between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Future mass transit expansion plans and upcoming developments—including Brightline’s Orlando service, integration of Tri-Rail’s Downtown Miami Link within MiamiCentral and the delivery of the Miami Worldcenter Marriott Marquis World Convention Center Hotel. Additionally, MiamiCentral will house Downtown Miami’s only food hall, Central Fare, set to feature unique and authentic vendors and well-crafted experiences focused on bringing food and beverage concepts that build community.