Forward-thinking real estate developer Newgard Development Group has revealed that the acclaimed Greek restaurant AVRA Estiatorio will be opening in LOFTY Brickell, a 44-story waterfront luxury condominium high-rise under development on the Miami River in the heart of Miami’s financial district. A collaboration between co-founders Nick Tsoulos, Nick Pashalis and Marc Packer, AVRA is a destination that transports diners to the whitewashed islands of Greece with its decor and cuisine including incomparably fresh seafood, vegetables and hand-pressed extra-virgin olive oil.

LOFTY is already one of the Miami condo market’s most successfully sold buildings and the most elevated offering in Newgard Development’s flexible ownership concept. AVRA’s flagship New York location opened on East 48th Street in 2000; today the brand has two more Manhattan locales, another in Beverly Hills, and most recently opened a fifth location at The Estates at Acqualina™ in Sunny Isles Beach. LOFTY will be the restaurant’s second South Florida location.

“We were looking to curate the right restaurant partner that is aligned with the elevated lifestyle that defines our LOFTY brand,” said Newgard Development Group CEO Harvey Hernandez. “AVRA offers a wonderfully creative menu and truly unique dining experience that fully complements the vibe we aim to create for our owners and guests.”

With interiors designed by Rockwell Group, AVRA Brickell will occupy more than 10,000 square feet and have a 300-seat main dining room along with elegant outdoor seating overlooking the Miami River. Other design elements will include a spacious bar area, an expansive seafood display on ice similar to those found at traditional Greek markets, and a sleek aesthetic inspired by the Greek village of Nafpaktos, where Avra’s co-founder Nick Tsoulos was born and brought up.

AVRA’s cuisine is inspired by the seaside tavernas dotted all over Greece’s coast and more than 200 islands. The menu offers iterations of fresh fish with familiar favorites such as branzino, red snapper and wild Dover sole, as well as rarer Mediterranean gems like fagri and lithrini. Picking your seafood from the ice display that features in-season catch is a signature part of the AVRA experience.

The wine program is as impressive as the food with a list that includes more than 1,200 varieties and spans the globe. When it comes to spirits, AVRA’s options number in the hundreds and include 25 varieties. Greek spirits are part of the mix with ouzos and mastichas, and the cocktails are creative and a nod to Greece.

Michael Comras, Michael Silverman and Jeff Evans of the Comras Company of Florida facilitated the lease transaction.

“AVRA is a world-class restaurant that aligns nicely with the LOFTY brand and provides further activation along the Miami River,” said Comras. “We are pleased to be associated with this innovative residential project and look forward to curating other exciting lifestyle-brands for Newgard.”

Designed by Arquitectonica, the 362-unit LOFTY features 309 tower residences including studio, one- and two-bedroom units alongside 40,000 square feet of thoughtfully curated amenities, including a private marina, a members-only social club, resort pool deck and fitness center, indoor/outdoor cigar lounge, co-working lounge and meeting rooms.

LOFTY’s 53-unit Penthouse Collection offers spacious two, three and three-bedroom plus den residences that are curated and will be furnished by revered design firm Artefacto. Penthouse prices range from $1.95 million to over $3.5 million.

Located directly across from Brickell City Centre, LOFTY is the next evolution of condo ownership, conceived to bring a 5-star alternative for the owner and traveler that might prefer to stay and own differently – yet does not want to compromise on the services and amenities of a hotel. Each residence will be delivered fully finished and furnished and, with professional management, will permit short-term rentals.

Cervera Real Estate serves as the exclusive sales and marketing partner for LOFTY Brickell. LOFTY Brickell is located at 99 SW Seventh St., Miami, FL 33130.

Images via LOFTY Brickell and AVRA Estiatorio