Residential project due south of Miami International Airport

A developer has plans for a new residential project south of Miami International Airport, in the Flagami area of Miami.

The Richman Group and its affiliates have proposed Parkview, a nine-story building offering 120 dwelling units, rooftop pool and amenity deck, and parking for about 194 vehicles, at 5645 Southwest Eighth St.

The city’s Urban Development Review Board recommended approval of the project, with a few recommendations.

Marissa A. Neufeld, an attorney for the developer, said the property is comprised of three parcels, bounded by an alley to the north, an existing commercial development to the west, Southwest Eighth Street to the south, and Southwest 56th Avenue to the east.

In a letter to the city Ms. Neufeld wrote the property is along a major city corridor, Southwest Eighth Street, is within walking distance of multiple modes of public transportation, and the project will include a mix of vehicular and bicycle parking options.

The developer is seeking several waivers to the Miami 21 zoning code that if approved would allow:

■Up to a 30% reduction of required parking for a development within one-half mile of a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) area or one-quarter mile of a Transit Corridor.

■Substitution of one commercial loading berth for two residential loading berths.

■Up to a 10% reduction in the required drive aisle width from 23 feet to 22.

■A 10% reduction in the required front setback.

■A 10% reduction in the required drive aisle at ramp width from 20 feet to 18.

■A 10% reduction in the required parking depth from 18 feet to 16-feet 2-inches.

■Parking above the first story to extend into the second layer, if an art, glass, or architectural treatment of a design approved by the planning director, with the recommendation of the review board, is provided.

■Development of the ground level to match the dominant setback of the block and its context.

The project is designed by Behar Font & Partners. Review board member Robert Behar recused himself from the dais during review of this project.

Javier Font, of Behar & Font, told the board the property is a great site, and while it is “small and tight … it has some really exciting features.”
The property has impressive vistas, he said, including J. Fritz and Frances Gordon Park just across the street to the south.

Mr. Font said the building will be of a lower scale, and will have a lot of glazing and larger balconies, giving it more of a linear horizontal feel.
The ground floor will offer a 100% active gym, clubroom, lobby, and coworking spaces. The ninth story is the pool deck and some residential units, he said.

Board member Anthony Tzamtzis said, “What saves this building is, there’s a beautiful park in front of it.” He noted that Eighth Street is all “hustle and bustle.”

Of the building’s design, Mr. Tzamtzis said, “It’s a very long building … the front façade is a little monotonous. It needs a break, something different.

“I encourage you to think about some kind of horizontal (element) that would celebrate the entrance (more), with some movement of building back and forward, to break the massive façade,” he said.

A representative of the developer said, “we agree, the view of the park is one of the nicest assets of this building.”

Board member Gia Zapattini said when she first saw the proposal she was quite shocked by the length of the building, “but you articulated it in a very elegant way. It is long and repetitive but done in a beautiful way.”

Board member Agustin Barrera said the design is “a great solution for a very challenging site.”

The motion to recommend approval of the project included recommendations to consider opening the south façade to improve the entrance; consider using an alternate material on the podium façade that will last longer in Miami’s weather; and take another look at the east and west elevations with an eye toward “juicing up” the elevations to more closely resemble the north and south elevations.

The motion passed unanimously.