Plans for a massive mixed-use project were just approved by the Miami Beach Design Review Board, converting a former Shell station into 28,142 square feet of retail space with 36 residential units and about 200 parking spaces. Together with other family members of Turnberry Associates and principals of Elion Partners, Rock Soffer picked up the parcels on the corner of West Avenue and Alton Road in 2015. The project was designed by Touzet Studio.

The plans for the five-story project were initially submitted to the board last month. The application specified that 13,722 square feet of the retail space would be used for a grocery store, with parking being located on the second, third and fourth floors. The top two floors would house the residential units, ranging in size from 560 square feet to 1,851 square feet. The design also calls for a rooftop pool and an air bridge that will link areas of the building over an alley.

After reviewing the initial application, the Miami Beach Design Review Board decided to defer action on it until this month, due to concern with the project, mainly the air bridge. According to a recent article from The Real Deal, lawyers and designers on the project said they had modified the plans to address those concerns, resulting in approval from the board this past Tuesday.  One board member, John Turchin, expressed additional concern about the size of the project, stating that he thinks the scale of the buildings along Alton Road would fundamentally change the area. Turchin also pointed out that the one parking entrance to the building on West Avenue may negatively affect traffic in the already congested area. Soffer noted that they believe a second entrance on Alton Road could make the situation even worse.  

The project will go before the full city commission in June for final approval.

For more information about real estate in the Miami Beach and surrounding area, contact Oceanica Real Estate at (786) 270-1743 or info@oceanicarealestate.com.