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Miracle Mile staple JohnMartin’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, closed since April 2020, to reopen later this year

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SOUTH FLORIDA BUSINESS JOURNALS — MARCH 17, 2021 — BY MATTHEW ARROJAS A Coral Gables staple won’t disappear after all, with new ownership pledging to bring JohnMartin’s Irish Pub & Restaurant back later this year.

The 32-year-old eatery, at 253 Miracle Mile, closed in April 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and was unable to reopen, even after dine-in restrictions were lifted during the summer. However, Miami-based Breakwater Hospitality Group took ownership of the establishment and plans to reopen it in the fall.

But first, the restaurant will be renovated. Breakwater tapped Miami-based Bigtime Design Studios to reimagine the aging space.

Breakwater is perhaps best known for owning and operating the Wharf locations in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. It also operates the Rivertail and the Piefather restaurants in Fort Lauderdale.

“JohnMartin’s had a tremendous impact on South Florida’s bar scene, and you will be hard-pressed to find a restaurant or bar that rivals their iconic status and reputation for hospitality,” Breakwater Hospitality co-owner Emi Guerra said. “Our team is proud to breathe new life into JohnMartin’s, and to continue the tradition of providing the same welcoming service – but with a fresh new look and feel suited for the times.”

Martin Lynch and John Clarke are no longer owners of the eatery, but a representative said they are still involved as consultants. Lynch noted in a statement he’s glad to see the concept live on.

“[Breakwater is] carrying on a 30-year tradition,” he said. “It’s great seeing our vision evolve into something new that we know everyone will enjoy for at least another 30 years to come.”

Miami Beach-based Terranova Corp. owns the building that houses JohnMartin’s Irish Pub & Restaurant. The eatery is surround by a plethora of retail and restaurant options, as Miracle Mile is the most prominent shopping and dining strip in Coral Gables.

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Beloved Irish Restaurant JohnMartin’s Reopening Under New Management

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EDIBLE SOUTH FLORIDA — MARCH 17, 2021 There’s welcome news this St. Patrick’s Day – JohnMartin’s Irish Pub and Restaurant, the popular bar and restaurant on Miracle Mile that closed last year after 31 years, will reopen this fall.

Breakwater Hospitality Group (BHG), whose portfolio includes The Wharf, Rvertail and the new Ch’i, and Erick Passo, owner of Black Market Miami, will renovate and reopen the Irish eatery.

“Our team is proud to breathe new life into JohnMartin’s and to continue the tradition of providing the same welcoming service but with a fresh new look and feel suited for the times,” says Emi Guerra, co-owner of BHG. He says the idea to revive the pub came about last year, but few were taking on new projects during the pandemic. He and longtime friend Passo, who had the same idea, decided to wait. “I had such fond memories,” he says. “Certain places have an Irish soul.” JohnMartin’s, he says, is one of those places.

Guerra says they weren’t going to move forward without the blessings of the namesakes, Martin Lynch and John Clarke. They got them. “It’s great seeing our vision evolve into something new that we know everyone will enjoy for at least another 30 years to come,” says Lynch.

Miami-based Terranova Corporation, which owns the building where JohnMartin’s is located, plans to create a multi-functional environment in Downtown Coral Gables. “Our goal is to continue to grow while supporting these long-standing businesses that have been hit so hard this past year,” says Stephen Bittel, Terranova chairman.

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Terranova Founder and Chairman Stephen Bittel’s New Leases Provide a Glimpse at a Brighter Horizon

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REALTY BIZ NEWS — FEBRUARY 8, 2021 — BY JAMIE RICHARDSON 2020 brought to fruition many trends that may have just been a seedling of change pre-pandemic. No industry has come out of the initial impact unscathed. The commercial real estate market was no exception to this widespread avalanche of change and has taken a hard hit from the pandemic in seemingly every realm. Why rent out office space when the pandemic has proven work can be virtual? Why should shoppers go to a retail store when it’s safer to shop online? What’s the point in taking a risk at opening a restaurant during this? Fortunately, there is one thing the pandemic couldn’t change – human nature’s inherent need for connection. Meaning that while a paradigm shift may be in order for commercial real estate, extinction is not necessary. 

On account of its warm weather, Florida’s real estate market continues to drive the state’s economy, even amidst an ongoing global pandemic. Warm weather is certainly an advantage, but the path to a new normal has by no means been easy on account of the warmth. Innovative solutions to the suddenly outdated protocols, systems and operations have proven vital in helping the state get back on its feet. In particular, real estate firms’ response to this challenge heavily influenced the state’s rebound from the first few months of shutdown. Florida’s leading commercial real estate firm, Terranova Corp. led by Chairman Stephen Bittel, has certainly done its part. The firm and its partner’s portfolio includes nearly $1 billion in commercial real estate assets, with two of these properties being the heavily trafficked and coveted Coral Gables’ Miracle Mile and Miami Beach’s Lincoln Road. As a Miami native himself, Bittel’s core mission in growing his firm has always been rooted in community growth. 

Terranova, led by Bittel, has certainly carried its mission of community growth forward into its response to COVID-19. Outdoor dining is critically important for restaurants, but what about when they don’t have the outdoor space? The need to maximize outdoor dining space prompted Terranova’s building of Skyyard Miami. Skyyard Miami is a 3,320-square-foot lounge located above Lincoln Eatery food hall in Miami Beach that will provide additional space for people to gather safely. “Skyyard Miami will change the Lincoln Road experience,” Stephen Bittel said in a statement. “By launching a rooftop, visitors to Miami Beach will have the opportunity to mingle and celebrate among the stars. In the near future, guests will dine and drink together in a social environment on one of Lincoln Road’s only rooftop spaces.” In addition to providing the community with more space to safely gather, Skyyard Miami’s development and construction provided badly needed job opportunities. Even the backdrop of the lounge showcases local talent with a mural painted by local artists FL.MINGO, Marcus Blake and Z’FLORIST. 

Skyyard Miami is just one example of Terranova Corp.’s approach to the pandemic – work with the current of change rather than swim up river. Besides providing outdoor gathering space, Terranova has also been a leader in leasing during COVID. Under the strong leadership of Terranova Corp. President Mindy McIlory, Coral Gables’ Miracle Mile and Miami Beach’s Lincoln Road welcomed eighteen new tenants for a total value of $7.9 million. In an effort to fill a growing number of retail vacancies, Terranova found its footing in the rapidly evolving real estate landscape by lowering asking rates and trying out temporary occupancy, aka pop-ups. In total, three new pop-ups, four new food hall purveyors, a rooftop lounge, three new restaurants, six artist studios and a library joined Lincoln Road and Coral Gables’ vibrant mix of destinations. In Bittel’s words, “We wanted to provide an opportunity to small businesses, restaurateurs and artists to locate themselves in a bustling and enviable location, create increased activity, and simultaneously fill vacancies created by long-term shutdowns. Despite the ongoing pandemic, South Florida’s retail real estate market is healthy and active.” 

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