Miami Beach A Fast Pace Cinderella Story of Urban Transformation Part I

Part of the heritage of Miami Beach is the unbelievable pace of its transformation.  In the words of  William Cary, the city’s assistant planning director “What happened there in less than a decade is absolutely mind-boggling”.

High-end neighborhoods come and go, though few swing from blighted status to the height of luxury living in just one decade.

But in Miami Beach just about anything seems possible. There is no shortage of dreamers and visionaries, and men with the tenacity to battle to the bitter end for what they envision will play out — someday.

That’s what happened in the South of Fifth Street neighborhood, where the city took on an ambitious German real estate investor in the struggle to redefine an area that criminals and castoffs had all but taken over.

Almost implausibly, South of Fifth has emerged as the most expensive section of Miami Beach. A string of high-rise condos along the water, which were at the center of the struggle over the city’s development 15 years ago, are selling apartments for record prices.

Last year, a penthouse at one of two Continuum towers sold for $25 million, then the highest sale for an apartment in Miami Beach. In late December, a penthouse at the neighboring Icon tower sold for just under $21 million, a record for a bay-facing apartment in the city. A lower-rise 50-unit development, One Ocean, has yet to start construction, but has only three apartments that are not spoken for.

Today the area’s streets are clean, the vagrants are gone and the lower-lying Art Deco buildings the city fought to preserve by establishing a historic district have been upgraded. More than a dozen restaurants, including several considered the most exclusive in Miami Beach, have opened in the neighborhood, which is also home to the 18-acre South Pointe Park.

Of all the high-end stories of rapid urban renewal and massive accumulation of wealth I have encountered around the world in the past year, the area South of Fifth Street stands out for the sheer pace of its transformation. * Source New York Times

To Buy, Sell or Rent Properties in Miami go to http://www.JuanSolerRealtor.com  

S&P/Case-Shiller Index Registered Biggest Jump in 7 Years In U.S. & Miami Home Prices

Good news keeps saluting Miami Real Estate Investors and Homeowners.

South Florida home prices increased in April for a 16th consecutive month as the U.S. saw gains nationwide, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller home price index.

The Case-Shiller index compares prices of current sales to past sales of the same residential property, making it a more accurate reading of values than the monthly Realtor reports, which simply compare all sales to the prior year’s tally.

The index covering 20 metro areas posted its highest bump in seven years. All cities saw annual price increases, led by San Francisco at 23.9 percent. Housing prices in South Florida jumped 12 percent from a year ago, the biggest advance since July 2006.

Whatever the cause, the rising values come as welcome news to homeowners caught in the bust, though prices remain well off past peaks. The April Case-Shiller reading put values at 43 percent below the past record in South Florida, set in May 2006. But that’s still far better than the 51 percent drop recorded in the fall of 2011, the official bottom of the housing crash.

The recovery should continue as banks start to ease credit restrictions, David M. Blitzer, chairman of the index committee, said in a statement.

Some analysts say an expected rise in lending rates could slow price growth and activity. The index does not include prices for condos and trails Realtor data by one month. * Source The Real Deal & Miami Herald.

To Buy, Sell or Rent Properties in Miami go to http://www.JuanSolerRealtor.com  

Another $30 Million Sale within a Month in Miami

A spectacular Mediterranean-style estate at 42 La Gorce Circle, sold Monday for $30 million.

The sale was the highest to date in the gated community of La Gorce Island, Miami Beach.

The 8-bedroom, 9-1/2 bath house had once belonged to flamboyant Miami banker David L. Paul until federal criminal charges in the 1990s related to his misuse of bank funds while chairman of CenTrust Savings Bank resulted in his incarceration.

The ornate mansion features hand-painted ceilings, gold-leaf trim, two kitchens (one for the chef, one for the owner), a library, a theater and a rooftop lounge. It boasts 349 feet of frontage on Biscayne Bay.

The property, known as Castello del Sol, includes a 1-bedroom guest house, a 2-bedroom, 2-bath staff apartment, and a guard house on a 70,000-square-foot lot on a private island. Source: Miami Herald.

To Buy, Sell or Rent Properties in Miami go to http://www.JuanSolerRealtor.com  

Le Parc at Brickell A Greener Lifestyle will be soon in Miami

Community: Brickell Downtown Miami

Location: 1600 SW 1st Ave Miami, FL 33129

Building architect: Luis Revuelta

Views: Simpson Park looking out towards Biscayne Bay and Brickell.

Estimated  project completion Date: December 2014

Total condo residences: 124 / Studio, 1, 2, 3 bedrooms condos and two-story townhomes.

Number of Stories: 12

Le Pack residence Floor plans size: 576-1968 Sq. Ft

Pet Friendly: Yes

Condo Homeowners Association (HOA) fees: Contact us for more information

Condos for sale estimated price range: Preconstruction prices range from $280,000 to $700,000 (about $400 per square foot) All prices are subject to change without notice.

Le Parc at Brickell Condo Amenities:
- 24-hr Security
- Covered Parking
- Concierge
- Pool and Spa
- Gym
- Social Room
- Walk to Mary Brickell Village

AXA Developers and Strategic Properties Group have a new joint venture to build the first eco-friendly boutique style building in Miami, Le Parc at Brickell. Le Parc is a 12 story, 128-unit luxury condominium architecturally designed by Luis Revuelta. Located just blocks away from Miami’s urban center with panoramic views of Simpson Park, Biscayne Bay and Brickell/Downtown Miami Skyline. This is the first residential development in the United States inspired interior design by Lignet Roset. Le Parc at Brickell will offer 128 “ready to move-in” luxury residences including studios, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom floor plans as well as an expansive two-story townhome units. Floor plans range from 576 to 1,968 sq.ft. in size. In addition to option to purchase custom designed turn-key furniture packages exclusively offered by Ligne Roset.

The building is the first eco-friendly development in Miami featuring: LED certified energy efficient appliances, electric car-charging stations, eco-inspired natural finishes and wall coverings, high efficiency AC units, insulated and UV-blocking glass window.

Le Parc at Brickell will offer residents the convenience of a “big city” lifestyle along with the serenity that comes with living across from eight acres of protected botanical gardens, nature trails, and exotic vegetation found at the historic Simpson Park.

The building will feature interior design by Ligne Roset, gated entry and secure parking garage, 24-hour security monitored surveillance, security card key access, WIFI throughout the common areas, café station at lobby,  club & entertainment room, kid’s entertainment room, outdoor summer kitchen and private storage.

Le Parc is just a short walk away are Miami’s public transportation Metrorail and Metro mover systems, the Shops at Mary Brickell Village, Brickell City Centre complex, as well as dozens of additional retail, dining and entertainment establishments in the area

 LE PARC DEPOSIT SCHEDULE
10% at Reservation - 10% at Contract - 20% at Groundbreaking - 10% at Top-Off - 50% Balance at Closing



For reservation and final information in regard to the The Le Parc at Brickell
Contact us at JuanSolerRealtor@gmail.com

To Buy, Sell or Rent Properties in Miami go to http://www.JuanSolerRealtor.com