Current media coverage and upcoming developments hand-picked from the industry.

Coral Gables Bittel hotel

Hotel proposed on popular Coral Gables street

SOUTH FLORIDA BUSINESS JOURNAL — JULY 24,  2019 — BY BRIAN BANDELL Terranova Corp. wants to redevelop a retail buildling on Miracle Mile in Coral Gables into a hotel with ground-floor retail and restaurants.

The heart of the city’s downtown and entertainment district, Miracle Mile recently received a streetscape enhancement.

On July 26, the city’s Development Review Committee will consider plans for a six-story building at 200 Miracle Mile. The 23,940-square-foot site is owned by Gables Miracle Mile, LLC, an affiliate of Miami Beach-based Terranova. It currently has a two-story, 46,646-square-foot retail building constructed in 1950.

The project, the Mile Hotel and Shops, would total 102,061 square feet. It would have 120 hotel rooms in 65,283 square feet and 36,778 square feet of retail and restaurants. The developer would purchase transfer of development rights from nearby properties to boost the density.

Arquitectonica designed the project, which would cost about $20 million, according to the application.

“There hasn’t been a new hotel built in Coral Gables in a long time,” said Stephen Bittel, chairman of Terranova. “As the business community has grown all around it, it would be the best use to continue the resurgence of Miracle Mile.”

Bittel said Terranova would hire a hospitality partner to operate the hotel. It would carry a national brand for the reservation system, but carry a local boutique name, he added.

Most of the retail and restaurant space would be on the first two floors, including outdoor dining terraces on the second floor. There would also be a restaurant and bar on the rooftop, along with a pool, a fitness center, and an outdoor deck.

“It is important when people look down on it from taller building they see something active and attractive,” Bittel said.

There would be a pedestrian paseo on the ground floor.

Terranova also requested a waiver to provide no on-site parking for the project. Bittel said the hotel will sign an agreement with the owners of nearby parking garages so the hotel staff can use them for valet parking. There will be an off-street vehicle drop-off area at the hotel.

Bittel said most visitors to urban hotels take ride-sharing companies or taxis. Demand for hotel parking is generally higher at night, when office parking garages are mostly empty, he added.

As for the current tenants in the retail building, including Relax the Back, Conde Contemporary, Copper Bar, and Le Macaroon, Bittel said he would do his best to accommodate them. Terranova has 10 properties on Miracle Mile.

The Mile Hotel and Shops would ultimately need City Council approval.

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MC2 Saint Barth inks deal for first U.S. location on Lincoln Road

MIAMI’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — JULY 19,  2019 Saint Barth meets Miami with the new beachwear retailer, MC2 Saint Barth bringing their first U.S. location to Lincoln Road. Thriving with over 34 stores worldwide, MC2 Saint Barth’s new location in Miami Beach is expected to open later this year.

Terranova has signed a 4-year lease with MC2 Saint Barth for 748 SF at 608 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach’s premiere retail, entertainment and restaurant high street.

Inspired by repeated trips to the Caribbean island of St. Barth, two young entrepreneurs developed MC2 Saint Barth, a beachwear collection for the entire family. Their newest location coming soon to Lincoln Road will showcase men’s, women’s, and children’s swimwear, beach apparel, and accessories. Their beachwear collection drew inspiration from the gorgeous Caribbean sea colors, white sand and shells of St. Barth’s island.

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Miami Beach’s Lincoln Road Now Home to 500 Blooming Orchids

MIAMI’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS – JULY 19, 2019 – BY MIAMI BEACH CHAMBER Miami Beach’s Lincoln Road District, recognized as the cultural and social hub of Miami Beach, announces its latest permanent installation – 500 orchids, planted along the pedestrian street’s trees between Meridian Avenue and Jefferson Avenue. The orchids, which more than a century ago blanketed oak and mahogany trees throughout South Florida, will be attached to the Road’s existing trees as part of Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden’s The Million Orchid Project.

Lincoln Road already welcomes more than 11 million visitors annually, and now those strolling through its eateries and boutiques will also be able to marvel at the beauty of 500 colorful orchids, take social media-worthy photos along the path and learn about Fairchild’s program to introduce native orchids into South Florida’s urban landscape.

The orchid project was funded by Stephen Bittel, Chairman and Founder of Terranova Corporation, a property owner on Lincoln Road, as a gift to the City of Miami Beach. Born and raised in Miami, Stephen grew up with a passion for orchids, and envisioned green spaces along Lincoln Road blooming with these colorful flowers. His gift was warmly accepted by the City commission in a public hearing and orchestrated in partnership with Fairchild.

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