SmartCity Miami LLC, an investment group led by Miami-based Terra and it’s CEO David Martin is set to acquire the former-Miami Herald headquarters development site for a record $1.225 billion from Genting Group. The investment group has finalized terms for the acquisition of the 15.5-acre site which features 800’ of direct frontage on Biscayne Bay, the closing is set to take place later this year. The site which sits on the nexus of Downtown Miami and Edgewater is regarded as one of the largest and most valuable development sites in the United States.

“This is a prized piece of real estate in the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic and fastest-growing cities, and we are honored to have been selected as the property’s next owner. At Terra, we have a long history of enhancing communities and transforming neighborhoods through careful planning, beautiful design, and a focus on connectivity and resiliency. Our development on Biscayne Bay will continue this tradition.” Said David Martin, CEO of Terra Group.

Genting Group announced in March that it had received five bids over $1 billion following a marketing period led by Avison Young’s Florida Capital Markets Group. The largest bid values the property at just under $1.5 billion for the rare Omni District waterfront site. The land is a ±15.5-acre development opportunity which was marketed as BayCity Miami and is currently host annually to ArtMiami and CONTEXT Art Miami during Miami Art Week as ArtMiami’s Art Wynwood show in February. The property was previously occupied by the Miami Herald headquarters which was demolished in 2014.

Located at 1431 N Bayshore Drive in Miami the property features 800 linear feet of direct Biscayne Bay frontage and highly aggressive zoning in one of Miami’s most dynamic and connected neighborhoods, it is considered the most desirable development site offering in the city’s history and one of the largest waterfront land assemblages currently available in the U.S. The property has the potential to build a landmark mixed-use office, retail, residential, hospitality, and entertainment destination.

“The scale and location of this site offers the opportunity to do something spectacular, something that all Miamians can the pride in, and we will deliver nothing short of that. For now, our team is focused on understanding the full potential of the property and the surrounding area. Our vision will evolve as we learn more. Over time, we will arrive at a plan that elevates Downtown Miami, improves access to the waterfront and is welcomed by our community.” Said David Martin, CEO of Terra Group.

Genting Group appointed Avison Young’s Florida Capital Markets Group led by Avison Young Principals Michael T. Fay, John K. Crotty, CCIM; David Duckworth, and Vice President Brian C. de la Fé to spearhead the marketing and sale of property. Genting Group, one of the largest resort and entertainment and gaming corporations in the world which operates Resorts World, will remain invested in the Omni area, maintaining ownership of parcels spanning 10 acres west of Biscayne Boulevard.

Spanning several lots, including the former Miami Herald headquarters site, the property is in the Metromover subzone of Miami-Dade’s mixed-use zoning of RTZ (Rapid Transit Zone). With South Florida’s most generous zoning designation, the site has unlimited buildable square footage, no setbacks, a height limited only by the FAA regulations (649 feet) and a potential density of over 8,000 units. The RTZ zoning provides developers an enormous, highly flexible building envelope and the opportunity to develop a singular waterfront development of incredible scale.

Terra is a Miami-based real estate development and investment company that creates communities, enhances neighborhoods and connects people. Led by David Martin, Terra was founded in 2001 and is involved in all facets of residential and commercial development, including realty, mortgage, marketing and construction. Terra owns and operates a carefully curated portfolio of real estate developments valued at more than $8 billion that elevate quality of life; maximize the way in which people work, live and entertain; and innovate the urban and suburban landscape with an eye toward resiliency and sustainability. Since its launch, Terra has developed more than 5 million square feet of residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects across South Florida. Current projects include the nearby Major Food Group-programmed ultra-luxury tower The Villa, Mr. C Residences Coconut Grove and Five Park in South Beach.

Over the past 2.5 years, Miami has become a Tier-1 American city, on par with New York City and Los Angeles. According to proptech platform AVANT by Avison Young, Orbital Insight, Miami is outperforming most top U.S. metropolitan cities, including New York, as far as daily visitors to the city’s downtown urban core. Additionally, high-income earners and some of the most successful financial services, technology and cryptocurrency firms continue to relocate to Miami from other major metros. Rents across commercial real estate asset classes in Miami are at all-time highs, and development sales continue to break records.