Miami Riverbridge Project Receives Approval for Construction in Downtown Miami
On May 11, Miami commissioners voted overwhelmingly to accept the waivers required for the reconstruction of the Hyatt Regency in downtown Miami, Miami Riverbridge. This new supertall tower has also seen the release of new renderings.
Estimated to cost approximately $1.5 billion, the project calls for three new towers, two of 61 stories and one 95-story supertall, which would contain over 1,500 residential units, a new flagship 615-key Hyatt Regency hotel and 264 branded serviced apartments, 190,000 square feet of Class A meeting and events space, commercial and retail spaces, over 1,000 parking spaces and 50,000 square feet of open public space including a 480-foot-long rejuvenated riverwalk.
Arquitectonica is the architect of the Miami Riverbridge, which is being built by Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Gencom under the HRM Owner LLC.
The public benefits that the massive project would bring to the site and vicinity were underlined by Miami Riverbridge's developers. Improvements to the streetscape for a better pedestrian experience and quicker access in and out of Miami's urban core would relieve the congestion and traffic flow in this area of the city, which is frequently crowded and polluted by traffic.
The developers consented to give $25 million to help fund affordable housing in Miami. The project's development would result in the creation of 4,500 jobs, with a rise in permanent employment from 350 to 900. Miami RiverBridge would bring in nearly $1.5 billion in city taxes, levies, and ground rent that could be used to expand public benefits throughout the city. Land leasing rent would rise from $250,000 to a minimum of $2,500,000, or 2.5% of gross receipts. A project park impact fee may also be used to pay for the renovation and reopening of the nearby Fort Dallas Park and the preservation of the nearby historic Flagler Worker's House, which is located on city-owned property.
The convention center and the 40-year-old Hyatt Regency would be demolished to make room for the new complex if the proposal were to be accepted. By 2023's end or the beginning of 2024, the developers hope to secure financing. The third tower is expected to be completed in Q3 2029, with the first two towers arriving by Q3 2028. Construction is anticipated to start in 2025.
