Development NEWS

City Approves First Live Local Tower in South Beach: 204 Feet of Workforce Housing at 663 Alton Road

With no public hearing and no board vote, the Planning Director signed off on a 16-story, 79-unit, all-workforce tower at Alton Road and Seventh Street — nearly four times the height the site's zoning allows — under the state preemptions of Florida's Live Local Act. Before anyone can move in, the developer must build out a substantial piece of South Beach's sewer system.

Journal Staff Jul 31, 2026

Development NEWS

Commission Sends 106-Year Lincoln Lease to November Ballot on 6-1 Vote

On second reading Wednesday, Miami Beach commissioners voted 6-1 to approve the RK Rivani ground-lease amendment at 1691 Michigan Avenue and called a November 3 special election to let voters ratify it. Commissioner David Suarez cast the lone no vote.

Journal Staff Jul 24, 2026

Elections

Development INVESTIGATION Members Only

Ten Evictions, One Deadline: Inside the Fine Print of the 1250 West Avenue Tenant Deal

As the city moves toward a final vote on the tower planned for 1250 West Avenue, at least ten tenants at the site have been sued for eviction since June 19 — and the relocation-assistance agreement the city negotiated on their behalf appears to cut off anyone who ends up in eviction court, regardless of why.

Journal Staff Jul 16, 2026

Planning

Development NEWS Members-only images

Bank of America Gets Green Light to Rebuild Its Alton Road Branch

Miami Beach's Design Review Board approved Bank of America's plan to replace a 1974 single-story branch at 1414 Alton Road with a new 4,955-square-foot building featuring two drive-through ATM lanes and a tile mosaic mural.

Journal Staff Jul 10, 2026

Development ANALYSIS Members-only images

Board Defers Vote on South of Fifth Infill Project Squeezed Between Single-Family Homes

Miami Beach's Design Review Board continued a vote on Sofi 935, a 3-story, 2-unit building proposed for a substandard lot at 935 2nd Street, directing the architect to soften the front facade and reconsider side-yard landscaping before returning September 11.

Journal Staff Jul 10, 2026

Planning Housing

Development NEWS Members Only

Miami Beach Must Skip Historic Preservation Hearing for Fontainebleau Pool Deck Project Due to State Preemption

In a June 29 Letter to Commission, the city manager and city attorney confirmed the Fontainebleau's Certificate of Appropriateness application will be reviewed administratively — with no public hearing before the Historic Preservation Board — following a state Attorney General opinion interpreting a 2026 preemption law now being challenged in court.

Journal Staff Jul 02, 2026

Planning Beach

Development NEWS Members Only

Commission Advances The Lincoln's 106-Year Lease and Public Benefits Discussion

Miami Beach commissioners voted 7-0 Wednesday to approve, on first reading, a ground-lease amendment extending RK Rivani's hold on the city-owned Lincoln property through roughly 2132 in exchange for a $50 million office expansion. The deal still needs a second reading on July 22 and approval in a citywide referendum — and a decision on whether to redirect its public-benefit dollars to infrastructure is headed into that next round.

Journal Staff Jul 01, 2026

Development ANALYSIS Members Only

Commission Advances Amended Deal for 1250 West Avenue Redevelopment

Miami Beach commissioners gave first-reading approval June 24 to an amended development agreement for 1250 West Avenue, adjusting baywalk deadlines, expanding basement amenities, and addressing flood-zone concerns for the 125-unit project.

Journal Staff Jun 27, 2026

Planning

Development ANALYSIS

Commission Advances Washington Avenue Upzoning to Give Rental Housing a Foothold in South Beach's Urban Core

Miami Beach commissioners cleared the first of two readings on a plan to raise the height and density limits at 1600 Washington Avenue, aiming to convert the city's commercial heart into a walkable, year-round residential district.

Journal Staff Jun 27, 2026

Planning Housing

Development ANALYSIS Members Only

Commission Advances Alton Epicure Block Upzoning, But Key Terms Remain Unsettled

Miami Beach commissioners voted 7-0 Wednesday to advance a major rezoning of the former Epicure Market block along Alton Road, but debates over lease terms, parking, and the residential share of new development will carry into a September second reading.

Journal Staff Jun 26, 2026

Development ANALYSIS

Commission to Decide Alton 'Epicure Block' Upzoning — No Vote Required From Residents

Miami Beach commissioners will hear first reading Wednesday on a proposal to allow 150-foot buildings and nearly double the allowable floor area on the long-vacant Alton Road corridor — a decision that, unlike past FAR increases, goes to the Commission alone, not the ballot box.

Journal Staff Jun 19, 2026

Development ANALYSIS

Commission to Weigh Lease Deal That Would Commit The Lincoln to a Single Leaseholder for Roughly 106 More Years — With No Competitive Bid and a Tenant Lawsuit in the Background

Miami Beach commissioners take a first reading Wednesday on a deal that would extend the city's ground lease at 1691 Michigan Avenue through roughly 2132, unlock a $50 million office expansion above the parking garage, and ultimately go to voters in a citywide referendum.

Journal Staff Jun 19, 2026