Wynwood project to include 54 small housing units as bonus

The booming Wynwood Arts District is preparing to welcome yet another mixed-use residential development with ground floor retail.

Owner-developer Alchemy-ABR-BCP Wynwood LLC plans the 12-story project at 18 NW 23rd St.

The development is to become home to 178 residential units, 13,498 square feet of retail uses, and parking for183 vehicles.

The City of Miami’s Urban Development Review Board is recommending approval of the project.

The site is bounded by Northwest 23rd Street on the north, Northwest Miami Court to the west, Northwest 22nd Street to the south, and North Miami Avenue on the east.

Javier F. Aviñó, an attorney representing the developer, said the property is within the Neighborhood Revitalization District (NRD-1), the intent of which is to facilitate Wynwood’s transition from an industrial district to an active, diverse, mixed-use neighborhood.

In a letter to the city he wrote, “The NRD-1 district aims to preserve the unique industrial character of the area while promoting a 24-hour environment where people work, live, and play.

“In furtherance of this goal, the project will include a mix of uses, providing much-needed residential space while activating the streetscape with commercial uses,” Mr. Aviñó wrote.

He said to accommodate 178 residential units, the owner-developer intends to utilize the Wynwood Transfer of Development Density Program.

In particular, the project will utilize the Affordable Housing Payout option, which allows for a 50% density increase subject to a cash contribution to the Wynwood Public Benefits Trust Fund, Mr. Aviñó said.

The 54 bonus units provided will each be less than 650 square feet, as required, he said.

The developer is requesting waivers to the Miami 21 zoning code, which would allow:

■A 30% parking reduction, for property near a public transit corridor.

■Parking within the mezzanine level. This parking level will be masked with the required art treatment for 100% of the impacted area of the façade.

■A 10% increase in lot coverage, for the first through eighth stories. This waiver will allow for the lot coverage of 87.71%, up from the base permitted lot coverage of 80%.

■Reduction in drive aisle width.

■A 10% increase in floorplate area above eighth story.

■A 10% increase in rooftop enclosed area. This waiver will allow for an increase from 20% to 22% of the rooftop to be enclosed space. The project includes a 3,812-square-foot enclosed rooftop area, which will accommodate resident amenity space as well as back-of-house functions.

■Parking in the second layer on primary frontage, and the secondary frontage, and all of this parking area will be masked by the required art treatment.

Mr. Aviñó told the review board that the project was recommended by the Wynwood Design Review Committee, with conditions including asking the developer to recess the lobby to break up the façade at the ground floor, and add some variety and interest to the design of the retail store frontage.

Arquitectonica is the architect. Ray Fort, of the firm, told the board this area of Wynwood is seeing major development with several mixed-use projects already underway.

Mr. Fort said loading will be off Northwest Miami Court and the parking entrance from 23rd Street right next to the lobby area.

Board member Robert Behar said, “Once again, I think you guys have done a great job, very nice job. I like the building.”

He added, “You did a really nice job addressing the public realm on the sidewalks, no issues. I commend you on the project.”

Board member Dean Lewis said the proposal was well appreciated and well presented.

He said, “The gridded cube revisited is always a refreshing thing … Overall, I think it’s an appropriate solution to Wynwood, and the integration of the art is remarkable.”

Board member Agustin Barrera said, “The quality of the design is very much in keeping with the fabric of Wynwood. I like the fact that when you look at all four sides of the building none of them are the same, they all have their own unique qualities.

“And I really like the pedestrian connectivity to the street,” he said.

“I wanted to note the exceptional completeness of your presentation,” said board member Anthony Tzamtzis.

“The drawings are exceptional … the drawings here include mobility at all levels, very well executed … a lot of creative innovations with the façades. A lot of playfulness that I really like, that is very appropriate for this area,” he said.

Board member Ligia Ines Labrada noted the landscaping plan, especially along 23rd Street, saying “one thing lacking in Wynwood as it develops is a little bit more greenery.”

Board Chairman Ignacio Permuy said, “It’s a beautifully designed project and articulated very well. I like how you treated the corners and responded to the pedestrian realm.”

The motion to recommend approval of the project passed unanimously.