Miami – Avison Young’s Florida Capital Markets Group completed the $105 million sale of Biscayne Place, an area-defining residential and mixed-use development opportunity comprised of one full city block measuring ±3.04 acres. The property is located at 1700 Biscayne Blvd. in the Edgewater neighborhood, just north of Miami’s Arts & Entertainment District. The Melo Group, a Miami-based development firm, purchased the property in an all-cash deal with plans to build apartments, condominiums, and retail spanning four 60-story towers.

Avison Young Principals Michael T. Fay, who is also Managing Director of the firm’s Miami operations; John K. Crotty, CCIM; David Duckworth; Vice President Brian C. de la Fe; and Associate Berkley Bloodworth represented the Fort Lauderdale-based selling entities led by James Goldstein. Global Investments Realty Principal Joel Rodriguez represented the Melo Group.

“At $69,000 per buildable unit, the Biscayne Place sale marks the highest price per square foot for any non-waterfront property in Miami’s Arts & Entertainment District and the second-highest in Edgewater,” said Fay. “It was a pleasure to work with the seller, James Goldstein, a long-standing client, to sell the property for what will be an iconic mixed-use project for the area.”

The transaction underscores the high demand for apartments, which continue to garner record rental rates throughout South Florida. Rent in Miami is 10% higher than projections from the beginning of the pandemic, according to studies. Avison Young research further indicates Metro Miami’s projected population growth, due to domestic and international migration, in the coming five years is expected to exceed 9%. Currently, the Edgewater submarket outperforms both the Greater Downtown and the Miami-Dade County markets in rent growth and occupancy.

Positioned between Biscayne Boulevard and Northeast Second Avenue and between 17^th Street and 17^th Terrace, the site sits in an Opportunity Zone that ranks in the top 1% in terms of population growth and total retail sales. It is currently home to a Burger King, a two-story mixed-use commercial building, a house converted for commercial use, and parking lots as well as several vacant parcels. The property’s future development will enjoy spectacular views, walkability, and frontage on Biscayne Boulevard which provides a marquee address and superb accessibility.