A joint venture between Miami-based real estate developers 13th Floor Investments and Adler Group has completed the first phase of Link at Douglas, a 7-acre master planned development that has transformed Miami-Dade County’s Douglas Road Metrorail Station into a mixed-use transit hub at the confluence of Miami’s Coral Gables and Coconut Grove neighborhoods. Now complete and open to the public, the project’s first phase encompasses two residential towers with a total of 733 apartment units – the 312-unit CORE and the 421-unit CASCADE buildings – and more than 30,000 square feet of Milam’s Market-anchored retail space. The developers are also completing more than $17 million in public infrastructure improvements, including a fully renovated Metrorail station, and the development of a public plaza that connects with a section of The Underline linear park.

13th Floor Investments is now moving forward with plans for Link at Douglas’ second and final phase, which will encompass an additional two residential towers with approximately 850 multifamily units. Construction of Phase Two is estimated to get underway in late 2023.

Link at Douglas is the latest example of a successful public-private collaboration with Miami-Dade County in which the developers have entered into a ground lease for publicly-owned land in exchange for privately-funded transit and infrastructure upgrades at a critical connection point within the County’s transit system. Link at Douglas’ mobility plan includes connectivity to Metrorail, County buses and municipal trolleys. All told, Link at Douglas is expected to generate $800 million in new revenue for Miami-Dade County over the life of the lease.

“As Miami-Dade County’s population continues to experience rapid growth, we need to come up with forward thinking ways to reduce road congestion and that begins with connecting people with alternative forms of transit,” said Arnaud Karsenti, Managing Principal of 13th Floor Investments. “We’re extremely proud of our partnership with the County with Link at Douglas, which is setting a new standard for urban living in Miami, improving access to jobs, attainable housing opportunities, everyday amenities, and lifestyle-oriented retail for our residents and neighbors.”

The completion of Link at Douglas’ first phase was commemorated at a celebratory event on Monday, February 27, 2023. The ceremony was led by Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Cava, Director of Public Works Eulois Cleckley, Commissioner Raquel Regalado, and principals from the project’s development team.

“Link at Douglas is a model for the future of development and mobility in Miami-Dade County. The project will enable more residents to live, work and play without having to worry about traffic or parking, while helping to offset expenses, reduce emissions and promote increased ridership on our Metrorail system,” said Eulois Cleckley, Director and CEO of the Department of Transportation and Public Works for Miami-Dade County.