Residential tower to use Wynwood ex-trash processing site

A former industrial property in Wynwood that was a trash collection and processing site for years is planned for a revival as a mixed-use residential project.

Clearline Real Estate LLP has submitted plans to the City of Miami to build a 12-story mixed-use building with 310 dwellings, a parking podium, retail uses and amenities at North Miami Avenue and Northwest 20th Street.

The city’s Urban Development Review Board unanimously recommended approval with several conditions.

Brian Dombrowski, an attorney representing the owner-developer, said the property consists of a lot area of 60,136 square feet, or 1.3805 acres.

The principal frontages are on North Miami Avenue and Northwest 20th Street. The property fronts Northwest Miami Court to the west, the property’s secondary frontage. The property fronts an industrial structure on the north.

The developer is requesting waivers to allow:

■Up to a 10% increase in the maximum floorplate length above the eighth story for residential uses.

■Decrease of required parking by 30% within the quarter-mile radius of a transit corridor and within a half-mile of a Transit-Oriented Development area.

■Up to a 10% increase in the maximum lot coverage.

■Up to a 10% decrease in the minimum square footage for a one-bedroom residential unit.

■Up to 10% decrease in the number of required bicycle parking racks from 313 to 282 racks.

Attorney Iris Escarra, also representing the developer, told review board members some of them might be familiar with the site as it was a South Florida Waste Management site for years.

New architectural plans were prepared by the Leo A Daly firm, and Irena G. Savakova explained some of the plans and drawings.

She said the 2000 Wynwood project “is a building envisioned that will transform the area into an inviting gateway to the unique and art-defining community.”

A catalyst for this is to activate the pedestrian realm on all four sides, she said.

The design team tried to create a more polished look and not so imposing residential mixed-use element at the entry into Wynwood, said Ms. Savakova.

The development will have a pedestrian paseo, about 308 parking spaces, and an amenity level with a pool, community and co-working spaces, and a fitness center.

Board member Fidel Perez said, “I think you did a good design on the building. I like how you lined the parking to hide the parking.”

He said he loved the rendering of the paseo, but added, “I don’t think it’s going to work this way. I think the whole reason for a paseo is to create pedestrian movement, and based on your floor plan you only have that corner of retail.”

Mr. Perez said the developers have an opportunity to create more retail space and movement.

“I think it’s a great idea what you did but you didn’t finish it up. I think that’s going to be like a dark alley, with just the corner retail showing movement … I think the movement has to be from one side to the next,” he said.

Acting Chair Agustin Barrera said,” Architecturally, I really like the building. I like the massing of it, the way it’s articulated. And I love the flavors of Wynwood.”

He said he’s glad the Wynwood Design Review Committee asked the developer’s team to reconsider relocating non-essential support equipment off the street level.

Mr. Barrera also supported Mr. Perez’s suggestion of activating spaces with additional retail.

The motion to recommend approval of the project has conditions for the developer to add pedestrian and retail uses on 20th Street along the paseo; study the design of corridors to allow more light and more human environment in the corridors; and reconsider the design of some of the balconies.