Isle of Dreams: 39-Story Mixed-Use Tower Moves Forward with Shoreline Review Application in North Bay Village
February 20, 2025 by Jacki Taylor
A significant milestone has been reached for the highly anticipated Isle of Dreams, as a shoreline development review application has been officially submitted. This 39-story mixed-use tower, planned for 1400 79th Street Causeway in North Bay Village, is being developed by Sunbeam 1400, LLC, an affiliate of Sunbeam Properties led by Andrew Ansin. Designed by the renowned architectural firm Arquitectonica, the tower marks the inaugural phase of the Sunbeam NBV Special Area Plan (SAP), a master-planned development spanning 13 acres. Initially approved in 2022, this expansive project will bring residential, office, retail, and hotel components to the area while enhancing public access to Biscayne Bay.
Set to rise approximately 450 feet (466 feet above sea level), the Isle of Dreams will feature 246 residential units, restaurant space, and a publicly accessible waterfront promenade. As part of the broader Island Walk initiative, the development incorporates an 18-foot-wide public easement along the shoreline, complete with a pedestrian walkway made of Ipe decking, native landscaping, and inviting seating areas. The tower’s stepped massing is intentionally designed to preserve open view corridors, preventing the "walled-off" effect often associated with waterfront developments.
Sunbeam Properties is seeking several exceptions to Miami-Dade County Code shoreline development requirements, arguing that these modifications will enhance public access while maintaining the integrity of the Sunbeam SAP’s vision.
- Shoreline Setback: The county mandates a 75-foot setback for structures of this height. The Sunbeam SAP permits a 25-foot setback, but Isle of Dreams proposes 35 feet. To offset this adjustment, Sunbeam will establish a public easement ensuring the permanent maintenance of the Island Walk.
- Visual Corridors: County code requires a 20% lot width unimpeded visual corridor, translating to a 57-foot-wide opening. Isle of Dreams exceeds this, providing a 68-foot-wide visual corridor, though a one-story café structure within this space requires an exception.
- Side Setbacks: While county regulations stipulate 25-foot side setbacks, the proposal varies: 29-39 feet along 79th Street Causeway, 67-68 feet along the southern property line, and 13 feet along Adventure Avenue. Due to the site’s irregular shape and dual frontages, an exception is being sought.
Sunbeam argues that these exceptions align with the Sunbeam SAP’s objectives, ultimately enhancing the public realm by improving waterfront access and pedestrian connectivity. The design prioritizes open spaces and public amenities, ensuring that Isle of Dreams integrates seamlessly into the community while offering unobstructed views of Biscayne Bay.
As part of the standard shoreline development approval process, Miami-Dade County will now review the application. If approved, Isle of Dreams will play a transformative role in North Bay Village’s future, redefining the area’s skyline and waterfront experience.
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