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Whats up in Downtown Miami?


UrbaniDesDev

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I'm a former resident of Sobe. It's been almost 10 years now oi!

I worked at bayside :sick:

I remember walking around downtown Miami and thinking of all the possibilities that it will have, An urban center at the heart of one of the fastest growing regions in the world, my fantasy palette. I remember thinking how disapointing most of the projects proposed were. They were not addressing any of the established urban amenities. There was all high rise development happening but no amenities addressing pedestrian trraffic. It was all centered around the car. Waterfront highrises were like bunkers from the streets. With the direction definately being high rise construction I wondered if they would take any clues from New York or would be more like LA. I also thought that Miami, in many ways was probably the most unique situation in the country and will be interesting to see its progress.

Not being there in a long while I am curious to hear peoples opinions on its growth and development. speaking particularly of the downtown area proper.

Has it become an urban center?

Are developers just running a muck?

Has it become just a continuation of the string of condo buildings that are choking the waterfront or has it become the center of South Florida?

I am particularly curious of the area just to the north of the center. Between the Venetian causway and 22nd street and the waterfront/Pace Park and Biscayne Blvd. This area made my urban designing heart pound. I always felt it could be the catalyst in showing how a pedestrian friendly neighborhood be built in a rather forbidding downtown area.

Let me know what you think?

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I too would be very curious to hear folks opinions about this. I am not a regular to the area of DT. As I have mentioned in other threads I am very skeptical of what's getting built in DT proper. And agree with you that the most promising area is around the old OMNI and Wynwood/Edgewater.

For those that live there, are you seeing more pedestrian traffic, something other than restaurants opening (laundromats, bookstores, boutiques, small banks, hair salons, that sort of thing) that indicates a reviving neighborhood. Or is it too early?

Also, are there garage-less buildings getting built anywhere?

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  • 2 weeks later...

These are some projects proposed for Downtown miami. The Met is great.

None seem to have any appreciation for promoting pedestrian traffic or city living. They all sit on a large parking lot, though necessary, not the most conducive to urban neighborhoods

http://www.capitallofts.com/

http://www.evergladesonthebay.com/

http://www.theloftdowntown.com/

http://www.one-miami.com/

http://www.metropolitanmiami.com/

http://www.metropolitanmiami.com/

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I guess my point is, is that there is so much development going on in Southern Florida that Downtown Miami has a chance of becoming something more than the rest of what is happening. So much of it is just "Vertical" gated communities, Im just curious if there is a concerted effort to be something more. The original charm of South Beach was that you could walk to everything. You find that a bit in the Gables but not many other places in Southern Florida. Downtown Miami could become like a "Tropical Manhattan". They should have more regulations in place to prevent a lot of disconnected developments but develop an urban neighborhood. I'm hoping, because it is probably the most unique situation in America if not the world. So much of Southern Florida is a victim of poor planning and over zealous developers.

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^A very good point!

My hope is that downtown Miami will see some interesting, unconventional developments. We already have condos galore, so why not some attractions?

I'm not talking about cheesy, tourist attractions, though interestingly enough, DT Miami has a lot of tourists, especially at Bayside. But what downtown needs is art galleries, unique restaurants and flagship retail, more offices and hotels, and most important: good public space.

I would hope that throughout the CBD there would be places to sit and relax: pocket parks. One shouldn't have to walk all the way to Bayfront Park to find some grass and trees.

In essence, downtown Miami needs to be more than a concrete jungle. It needs to have all the jungle wildlife that live on the rainforest floor. (ok, what a cheesy metaphor...lol)

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