Developers Compete to Open Luxury Hotel at Miami International Airport

July 11, 2023

Miami International Airport may be entering a new era as two developers compete to construct a new hotel close to the busy transportation hub. The Miami International Airport Hotel, which connects to Terminal E, may soon have a rival after more than 60 years without one. To build a new hotel close to the airport, the county is now considering 50-year lease applications from FDR Miami Hotel LLC and Parmco Airport Hospitality LLC.

According to memoranda from Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, the chosen developer will be in charge of planning, constructing, financing, running, and maintaining the new hotel. A total budget of about $265 million has been proposed by FDR Miami Hotel LLC, while a budget of about $241.7 million has been offered by Parmco Airport Hospitality LLC. Each proposal has particular benefits and strengths.

The proposed Hilton hotel by Zyscovich Architects. Parmco Airport Hospitality LLC is to be credited.

Two well-known developers have submitted opposing plans for a new hotel connected to Miami International Airport. A proposal for a 451-room Westin hotel designed by Arquitectonica has been made by FDR Miami Hotel LLC, a joint venture between Fontainebleau Development LLC, directed by Jeffrey Soffer, and The Related Companies, fronted by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross. The prestigious Westin name would be present throughout the upmarket development’s assortment of amenities, which would include meeting rooms, restaurants, and a pool. In contrast, the construction of a Hilton hotel with the famous architectural skills of Zyscovich Architects has been offered by Parmco Airport Hospitality LLC, a Miami-based development company specifically established for this project and led by developers Paul Lambert and Darryl Parmenter.

The memos estimate that during the course of the proposed 50-year lease, FDR Miami Hotel LLC will earn around $240 million in revenue for the county. The county would earn more than $20 million in rent in exchange for leasing the site to the chosen developer. The mayor’s staff emphasized the project’s potential community advantages while highlighting the financial features of FDR Miami Hotel LLC’s proposal, notably its increased rent payments.

The new hotel complex would have a pedestrian bridge connecting it to Terminal D. It would be built on a 1.8-acre property next to the Dolphin parking garage on the airport’s northeast side. The goal of this prominent position is to provide travelers with comfort and accessibility. Although the new hotel won’t take the place of the Miami International Airport Hotel, it will improve guest lodging options and expand the airport’s amenities.

The selection process for the winning plan, however, took a while. In December of last year, Mayor Levine Cava rejected all early offers and demanded a fresh round of discussions that would put the needs of employees, local employment, the environment, and the community first. After some time, the proposal from FDR Miami Hotel LLC was accepted, and on June 14 both FDR and Parmco submitted their ideas to the Aviation and Economic Development Committee of the county commission. The commission meeting set on July 18 is anticipated to produce the ultimate verdict.

To accommodate all types of travelers, from those who have lengthy layovers to business people who need conference space, the Miami International Airport has long needed more hotel rooms. There has only ever been one hotel connected to the airport, the more than 60-year-old Miami International Airport Hotel. Miami’s airport would solidify its position as a dynamic and active transportation hub with the probable addition of a new hotel.

The hotel project’s building schedule is still up in the air and dependent on funding and municipal planner permission. Unique difficulties arise when constructing an integrated hotel inside of an airport, such as strict security and safety regulations. The chosen developer will be able to design Miami’s new airport hotel, which will give tourists from all over the world access to contemporary conveniences, cozy lodgings, and first-rate service.

The opening of a new hotel at Miami International Airport will have a significant impact on the development of the airport’s economy and the hospitality industry. This project is an important step in providing travelers with the high-quality hotel options they want and in improving the overall travel experience for those taking flights into and out of Miami.