Construction Update: Related Group's One Paraiso Tops Off in Edgewater

Related Group continues to reach milestones as One Paraiso is now topped off in Edgewater. One Paraiso is the third, most premier tower in the Paraiso District and features spectacular views of Biscayne Bay and Miami Beach. One Paraiso rises 53 floors and features 276 luxury condominium units and penthouses. The tower was designed by Arquitectonica with interior design by world renowned, Italian based designer Piero Lissoni. One Paraiso is the most private of the 4 towers and has only six residences per floor. The tower also features 2 full floors of amenities on the 9th and 8th floors including a restaurant by award winning chef Michael Schwartz, 2 outdoor pools, Beach Club, cigar room, business center, library, wine tasting salon, theater, spa, state-of-the-art fitness center, plus a marina with private slips.

The 4-towers that make up the 11-acre Paraiso District include One Paraiso, Paraiso Bay, Gran Paraiso and Paraiso Bayviews. The buildings were designed by Arquitectonica with interiors by Piero Lissoni and landscaping by Enzo Enea. All of the buildings and the overall Paraiso community include some of the most luxurious amenities include tennis courts, screening rooms, residents' lounges, fitness center(s), bowling alley, spa, yoga room and multiple pools including a 100 ft diameter lagoon pool with "beach" entry. The property will be decorated with works of art and sculptures by Pablo Atchugarry. Paraiso will also feature the Paraiso Beach Club, which will be the home of Michael Schwartz’s new restaurant as well as plans to dedicate a half-acre of land onsite along Biscayne Bay’s for a public park. 

Carlos Rosso, President of Related Group's Condo Division

Carlos Rosso and Sonia Figueroa of Related Group

Carlos Rosso of The Related Group

PROFILE Exclusive: How the Melo Group Took Edgewater Real Estate to the Next Level with Aria on the Bay

PROFILEmiami had the exclusive opportunity to sit down with Carlos and Martin Melo, founders and principals of The Melo Group, as well as tour their brand-new luxury condo development on North Bayshore Drive, Aria on the Bay. Their multi-generational family business is thriving as they continue to deliver projects across all neighborhoods and price points as their vision continues to drive the city of Miami forward. Find out how they brought Aria on the Bay from concept to reality in just a few short years.   

PM: The lot that Aria on the Bay now stands on was such a prime lot on a road with major residential demand, how did you guys get access to such a great lot/ opportunity? 
 
MM: We bought this land about nine years and what we found was a beautiful land in a premier location, so we held on to it until we decided that it was the proper time to develop it. It was also the last piece of land in front of the park and in front of the water. We worked on the design for some years and then we decided it was the moment to start!

Aria on the Bay at Top-Off

PM: How did the concept for Aria on the Bay come about? What was your main goal with the project?
 
MM: Our main goal was to build a spectacular building, in an extraordinary location with amazing views. It’s situated in downtown Miami’s burgeoning Arts & Entertainment District, which is home to some of South Florida’s top destinations for arts and culture, entertainment, dining and shopping. It’s one block from Venetian Causeway, one block from 395 and it’s very close to the airport, Downtown, the Metromover, Adrienne Arsht Center, the museums, and the arena. 
 
When you live in a crowded city like New York or Buenos Aires, you really know what the location and views mean. We’ve seen the transformation of the city in the last 15 years, and knew that this was a prime location. You have to select what is the best place to build if you are a developer, or to buy if you are a buyer.

Flagler on the River 

PM: What do you think of the recent new developments in Edgewater and the new energy they have brought to the area?
 
CM: The recent new developments are extremely nice and have changed the area. I think that people now realize the value of the Edgewater location and are starting to see the neighborhood come alive. Residents of all these new buildings and Aria on the Bay will live within blocks of world-class venues such as the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Museum Park’s Perez Art Museum Miami, the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science, and the American Airlines Arena. 
 
Also, nearby are dozens of luxury retail shops and restaurants in the Miami Design District, Midtown Miami, Brickell City Centre, and the upcoming Miami Worldcenter project. Several public transit and alternative transportation options are within walking distance, with trips to South Beach and the Brickell Financial District only a few minutes away.  
 
The area is new and it is up-and-coming. We are creating a new building that will be part of a new kind of neighborhood that will fulfill necessities for the modern lifestyle and what is coming in the future. 

Bay House Miami

PM: Edgewater has seen some great towers be built in recent years. What sets Aria on the Bay apart from these other developments? What makes it so unique?
  
CM: It’s the last one to be built in front of the park, and we have a price point that is extremely reasonable for the high-end product we are delivering. We were able to have this price point because we got a good value on the land, when we bought it years ago, before anyone knew what Edgewater was. 
 
We are also a vertically-integrated firm, meaning we handle everything in-house because it allows us to have complete control of our projects – from the design process to the development/construction phase – we typically act as our own architects, general contractors, property managers and developers. The system has worked very well for us over the years, allowing us to complete our projects on time and within budget, control construction costs and move on to the next project ahead of the real estate cycle. 
 
All of the decisions are made by my father, my brother and myself. All of this allows us to reduce the price and give a better product at the best price for our buyers. 

Rendering of Aria on the Bay 

PM: What is the best feature that residents will enjoy?
 
MM: They will be impressed with the units because they are very well designed. Units feature floor-to-ceiling glass, expansive wrap-around terraces, private elevator access, open-plan living areas, designer finishes and fixtures, European-style kitchens, and modern custom-designed cabinetry.
 
We also have a 14th floor resort amenity deck with two sunrise/sunset-facing swimming pools, a jacuzzi, custom-seated fire pits, barbecue grills and outdoor summer kitchens. Additional perks include a private spa with massage treatment facilities, a state-of-the-art fitness center, yoga studio, entertainment lounge, and a screening room. 
 
Our location can’t get any better- Aria on the Bay overlooks Margaret Pace Park giving residents access to a host of additional amenities and activities. Situated directly along Biscayne Bay, the 8-acre, the pet-friendly waterfront park offers jogging paths, biking trails, tennis courts, basketball courts, soccer fields, an outdoor gym, daily yoga and fitness classes, as well as barbecue areas, picnic and playground areas.

PM: What will Aria on the Bay mean to Edgewater in the short & long term?
 
CM: For Miami, it adds value-the beautiful architecture and design of the tower, are the creation of internationally-acclaimed design firm Arquitectonica. We had buyers from 42 different countries making it a very international tower, continuing to position Miami as an international destination and hub. 
 
In the past, when immigrants arrived in the U.S. they would often all choose to live in one neighborhood, where they could feel a piece of their homeland by sharing with other immigrants from the same county. Nowadays, Miami has become so multi-cultural that wherever you go, you feel the urge to want to be interconnected with different cultures and dive into the energetic vibes the city gives off as a whole. The world is moving towards one community and both Miami and this building are a great example of this! 

PM: Where do you see Edgewater's place in Miami in the next 5 to 10 years?
 
MM: I think it will be an extremely desirable residential area in the next 5 to 10 years. Edgewater is an option for residents who want to get away from downtown Miami’s traffic congestion, yet want to live in the urban core. If you want to work in Downtown you can walk to the Metromover and in two minutes be in Downtown. With its waterfront location, luxury buildings and pedestrian-friendly setting in the center of Miami’s thriving urban core, Edgewater is one of the best value-buys in all of South Florida.

About The Melo Group:

The Melo Group was originally founded in 1948 by Armando Ferreira de Melo in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Melo Group is one of the strongest family-owned, full-service real estate development firms operating in South Florida today. To date they are behind more than 50 successfully completed projects which offer a combined total of more than 5,000 residential units. The company also remains actively involved in real estate development in Argentina as well as in Montevideo, Punta del Este, Uruguay. Dr. Jose Luis Ferreira de Melo acts as the President and managerial leader of the company along with his sons, Mr. Carlos Ferreira de Melo and Mr. Martin Ferreira de Melo. Their contributions to Miami include Aria on the Bay, Bay House Miami, Flagler on the River, and Melody amongst others. 

About Aria on the Bay: 

Aria on the Bay is a luxury condo development located on the coveted North Bayshore Drive in Edgewater. Units at Aria on the Bay range from 1 to 4 bedrooms and $400K to $6 million and sold around $550 per square foot. Residences feature floor-to-ceiling glass, expansive wrap-around terraces, private elevator access, open-plan living areas, designer finishes and fixtures, European-style kitchens, and modern custom-designed cabinetry. Amenities include a 14th floor resort amenity deck with 2 sunrise/sunset swimming pools, a jacuzzi, custom-seated fire pits, barbecue grills and outdoor summer kitchens, a private spa with massage treatment facilities, a state-of-the-art fitness center, yoga studio, entertainment lounge, and a screening room. More than 80 percent of the units at Aria on the Bay have been sold. For more information about Aria on the Bay, please contact Cervera Real Estate at (305) 537-0666 or visit the project’s sales gallery at 250 NE 25th Street, Suite 101, Miami, FL 33137. Learn more at www.ariaonthebay.com.

Miami's Historic Preservation Board to Review Plans to Update the Miami Woman's Club

Miami’s Historic Preservation Board will review a proposal to renovate and update the Miami Woman's Club, which was originally completed in 1930. The proposal calls to bring back the original look of the building and turn the property into a restaurant, rooftop lounge and event or ballroom space. The Miami Woman's Club is located on Margaret Pace Park at 1737 North Bayshore Drive across the street from Opera Tower and adjacent to The Grand. MWC Development LLC is the developer on record. 

Miami Marlin's Star Giancarlo Stanton Buys a Penthouse in Melo Group's Aria on the Bay

Giancarlo Stanton of the Miami Marlins has purchased a penthouse in Melo Group's Aria on the Bay. The purchase comes two years after signing what was the largest contract in MLB history. The unit is 5 bedrooms, 7.5 bathrooms and spans 3 stories. It features panoramic views of Biscayne Bay, a rooftop terrace with an outdoor summer kitchen and a private pool. Aria on the Bay is expected to be completed in 2018. 

“After looking at other buildings with my broker, Ben Moss, Aria on the Bay’s downtown location with sweeping views and the developer’s attention to detail sold me on this property,” said Giancarlo Stanton.

“We’re thrilled that Giancarlo Stanton is putting down roots in his adopted hometown of Miami and that he ultimately decided on Aria on the Bay when it came to choosing his new home” said developer Carlos Melo, Principal of the Melo Group. “We’re seeing the building continue to attract full-time residents who love our central Arts and Entertainment District location, our beautiful design, and water views that stretch for miles.”

Enjoy the photo tour below and check-out our May 2017 Construction Update at top-off. 

Construction Update: Biscayne Beach from Two Roads Development & GTIS Partners Receives TCO, Moves Forward With Unit Closings

Construction is finally complete and residents will begin moving in this summer at the highly anticipated Biscayne Beach from Two Roads Development and GTIS Partners in Edgewater. The 52-story luxury condo tower received its initial TCO, Temporary Certificate of Occupancy, and is moving forward with closings. Residents can now take ownership of their units and begin their interior build-outs as they prepare for move-in and the official grand opening over the next few months once Biscayne Beach receives its Final Certificate of Occupancy. Sales initially launched in 2013 and 99% of the 391 units at Biscayne Beach have been sold. Prices ranged from $400,000 up through $9 million. Only 2 premium penthouse residences and 1 beachouse residence currently remain priced from $1.6 million to $9.4 million. Biscayne Beach's interiors were designed by Thom Filicia in his first residential project where he used a "Beach Chic" style throughout. Resort-style amenities include a private members-only Beach Club level overlooking the bay with an elevated sandy beach, private cabanas, zero-entry pool, daytime concierge services, as well as a renowned restaurant and bar, an indoor/outdoor great room with a library and billiards room, an outdoor summer kitchen and lounge area, a state-of-the-art fitness center, as well as a full-service spa complete with a sauna, steam room, blow-dry bar, and massage treatment rooms.

East Edgewater has seen a massive influx of new development as the area has seen a great rise in demand for luxury high-rise living including including the Paraiso District from Related Group and Elysee, which is Two Roads Development's next project with an expected completion in 2019. 

“The launch of Biscayne Beach set the bar for the revitalization of the now-thriving East Edgewater neighborhood, marking a new era for an area that had gone underutilized for years. Miami’s urban core has quickly become a place where people want to work, play and now, live – and we’re excited to be a part of that transformation,” says developer Reid Boren, Managing Partner of Two Roads Development.

Biscayne Beach was developed by a joint venture between South Florida-based real estate developer Two Roads Development and GTIS Partners, a global real estate investment firm headquartered in New York. 
 
“Recognizing Miami’s status as an international city and the special waterfront setting of the Biscayne Beach site, we had a strong conviction that this was the right project for us to invest in and develop. We knew there was demand for luxury condos in East Edgewater because of its central location and proximity to downtown and the beach, but the velocity of the pre-sales we saw at Biscayne Beach exceeded our expectations. We’re proud to say what started with a special location and a vision has now officially become a successful reality,”  says Rob Vahradian, Senior Managing Director of GTIS Partners.

Construction Update: Melo Group’s Aria on the Bay Condominium Tops Off Construction at 53 Stories

Aria on The Bay, one of the most highly anticipated new residential condo towers in Edgewater has topped off construction at 53 stories. The Melo Group has reported the 648 unit building over 80% sold which was designed by Arquitectonica. Aria on the Bay is expected to be completed in Q1 of 2018. The Melo Group has also lowered deposit requirements from 50% to 35% to help close out remaining inventory.

“Since we’ve already closed and covered our loan and construction is moving quickly, we’re able to relax our deposit requirements. We’ve sold 80 percent of our units to buyers from over 42 countries across the globe. Lowering deposit requirements is an incentive to attract more local and domestic buyers and sell out our remaining units in advance of the building’s delivery early next year,” said Carlos Melo, principal of the Melo Group. 

Units at Aria on the Bay range from 1 to 4 bedrooms and $400K to $6 million and sold around $550 per square foot. Residences feature floor-to-ceiling glass, expansive wrap-around terraces, private elevator access, open-plan living areas, designer finishes and fixtures, European-style kitchens, and modern custom-designed cabinetry. Amenities include a 14th floor resort amenity deck with 2 sunrise/sunset swimming pools, a jacuzzi, custom-seated fire pits, barbecue grills and outdoor summer kitchens, a private spa with massage treatment facilities, a state-of-the-art fitness center, yoga studio, entertainment lounge, and a screening room. Check-out our October 2016 Construction Update here. 

Elysee Unveils Les Grandes Maisons Limited-Edition Collection of Residences

Elysee, a luxury boutique high-rise under development in Edgewater neighborhood from Two Roads Development has unveiled Les Grandes Maisons, a collection of limited-edition residences. Les Grandes Maisons will be among the largest, most luxurious residences in the building and will be located on the upper floors from 46-56. The residences feature large 5-bedroom floorplans measuring up to 3,891 SF. They come complete with penthouse-level upgrades, extra-deep balconies, and a suite of integrated health and wellness enhancements including an aromatherpy infurser integrated HVAC system, LEED-Certified Wellness Habitat interior paint with antibacterial, anti-mold and odor-eliminating properties and a pre-installed water filtration system that eliminates impurities. Buyers will have the option to have their residences designed by famed Parisian interior-designer Jean-Louis Deniot. Elysee’s Les Grandes Maisons start at $2.8 million.

Elysee is a 57-story bayfront, hyper-luxury condo tower that features 100 half-floor and full-floor residences, located at 788 NE 23rd Street. The building is designed by world-renowned architect Bernardo Fort-Brescia of Arquitectonica with interiors created by France’s top designer Jean-Louis Deniot. Residences include floor-to-ceiling glass windows and sliding doors, private elevators and foyers, 10 to 12-foot ceiling heights, designer finishes and fixtures, premium appliances, top-of-the-line Italian cabinetry, and flow-through floorplans with 2-terraces for sunrise and sunset views. Amenities include 2 resort style pools, a health club with state-of-the-art fitness center, yoga studio, spa with sauna, steam and shower facilities and private massage rooms, exclusive entire 30th floor Owners Sky Lounge featuring a great room, a grand salon entertainment area with a full bar and piano lounge, grand dining room, wine room, chef’s kitchen, library, and Elysee Attaché, a premium concierge service that will be available to residents 24/7 for travel arrangements, dinner reservations, concert and event tickets, etc. Construction is expected to get underway in 2017 with an expected delivery in 2019.

Fifteen Group Requests to Replat 1836 Biscayne Boulevard, Build Residential Apartments

In a a proposal to Miami-Dade county, Fifteen Group has requested to replat the former Christian Science Chruch site at 1836 Biscayne Boulevard in order to build residential apartment units directly above the existing structure. The proposal would include a 38-story tower with 352 residential apartment units as well as leaving the current church structure and renovating that into 20,000 SF of retail. 

Paraiso District Overview

Rising quickly and changing the Edgewater skyline is Related Group's Paraiso District, the 11-acre, four-tower, master-planned community that has attracted celebrities, investors and future residents alike. Paraiso Bay was the first tower to top off at 53 floors in November just as Related Group also broke ground on the lush Paraiso Beach Club, which will be the home of Michael Schwartz’s new restaurant. The Related Group also announced plans to dedicate a half-acre of land onsite along Biscayne Bay’s for a public park. 

The 4-towers include One Paraiso, Paraiso Bay, Gran Paraiso and Paraiso Bayviews. The buildings were designed by Arquitectonica with interiors by Piero Lissoni and landscaping by Enzo Enea. All of the buildings and the overall Paraiso community include some of the most luxurious amenities include tennis courts, screening rooms, residents' lounges, fitness center(s), bowling alley, spa, yoga room and multiple pools including a 100 ft diameter lagoon pool with "beach" entry. The property will be decorated with works of art and sculptures by Pablo Atchugarry. Closings were originally anticipated to start in mid-2017.

Check out the November top-off of Paraiso Bay and tour the Piero Lissoni renderings of David Guetta's future penthouse. 

Gran Paraiso

One Paraiso

Paraiso Bay

Paraiso Bay Homes

Michael Schwartz Beach Club

Resorts World Applies to Renovate The Omni into Office Space & Boulevard Shops Update

Change may finally be coming to the vacant Omni Mall in Edgewater at 500 Biscayne Boulevard as Resorts World Omni, LLC has applied for a construction permit to renovate 24,550 SF into office space. Blufin Construction is the contractor on record for their application. Currently both Resorts World Bimini and Crystal Cruises use 500 Biscayne Boulevard as their headquarter address. Crystal Cruises last year leased 40,000 SF of office space in the Omni Building, adjacent to their Boulevard Shops sales center. Resorts World Bimini and Crystal Cruises are owned by Genting Group, a Malaysian conglomerate that has business interests in leisure, hospitality, plantations, properties, power generation, oil and gas, e-commerce, information technology and biotechnology.

Last year Crystal Cruises began reconstruction of The Boulevard Shops on an adjacent lot at 1401 Biscayne Boulevard. Their plan was unveiled at the 2016 Fort Lauderdale SeaTrade show for the Boulevard Shops project for Crystal Cruises which will include a renovation and expansion of the historic building to offer a cafe and bistro with indoor and outdoor seating, cigar bar and sales center for Crystal Residences. Crystal Residences will be onboard condos featured on 2 of their cruise ships. The renovation of The Boulevard Shops is being designed by architect Richard Heisenbottle.