As Miami has become a more sophisticated city, the demand for more creative and distinctive residential properties has increased—every detail, it seems, is scrutinized by an increasingly savvy population of buyers and renters, said the construction/design speakers at Bisnow's 4th annual South Florida Residential Development event recently. At the same time, construction costs have been escalating, so developers have to offer more on a tighter budget. Snapped: Plaza Construction president, SE region Brad Meltzer, and Stantec senior principal Jon Cardello.
The world's architects are now coming to Miami to make their marks on the urban texture of the city, which is an important part of the evolution of Miami into a global city, our design speakers said. Working with starachitects is about cooperation, they emphasized. It isn't always easy, but when when it works, truly world-class structures are created. ID & Design International president Sherif Ayad and Kobi Karp Architecture & Interior Design president Kobi Karp.
Walkability is now the most popular amenity for new properties, and that's driving a focus in mixed-use developments here on large sidewalks, green spaces, and connectivity to shops and restaurants and other urban amenities, our mixed-use development speakers explained. If it isn't walkable, it isn't going to work, period. Here's Unitas Development Group COO Hector Torres and The Trillist Cos CEO Scott Leventhal.
Mixed-use development is hot nationwide, and it's finally taking off in Miami, according to our mixed-use experts. That represents a fundamental shift in the way people want to relate to where they live and work. The more a property allows individuals to integrate the elements of their lives (the cliche is live/work/play), the better. The challenge for developers is to create the right mix—to balance the elements of a mixed-use project so that it promotes not only healthy physical lifestyles, but a healthy balance of living, working and playing. OneWorld Properties CEO Peggy Fucci, who moderated, Miami Worldcenter Associates managing principal Nitin Motwani, and Crescendo Real Estate VP Lilianne Braun.
