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SUNSET PLACE Redevelopment

ENVISIONING A NEW SUNSET PLACE:
CONVERSATIONS WITH THE DEVELOPER AND THE DESIGNER

by Publisher

January 7, 2025

A new vision for the future of the ten-acre parcel on US 1 in South Miami was formally articulated at the City of South Miami Commission meeting on October 15, 2024. Culminating nearly four years of developmental planning the site plan of a new Sunset Place was presented and unanimously approved by the commission.  The site plan addressed the failures of the preceding projects, i.e., The Bakery Centre and The Shops at Sunset Place, and ushers in a bold new vision creating a dynamic neighborhood within our city town center.

To a packed house at the city commission meeting, renowned architectural designer Thomas Heatherwick presented his transformative plan.  
Photo: SOMI Magazine

Hear Thomas Heatherwick’s rationale for a new Sunset Place.

Background

Midtown Opportunities, spearheaded by Alex Vadia acquired the prized US 1 parcel on December 31, 2021 from Federal Realty Investment Trust and its local partners Grass River Property and The Comras Companies for sixty cents on the dollar of their investment.  While with the purchase Midtown Opportunities acquired the approved development rights with the city, which approvals had dragged out for several years, Mr. Vadia and his team wanted to take a new look at the site.  The project was not to be solely about Sunset Place, it is about the entirety of South Miami’s town center. Over the past decades other development firms have come in with grand visions for the site, it is fully anticipated that as it’s said: “the third time is the charm.”

Melding a Vision

In conversation with SOMI Magazine, Alex Vadia noted that “while visiting New York City and being impressed by Heatherwick Studio’s work, particularly Little Island, I became determined to bring their design approach to The Shops at Sunset Place.  We reached out to Heatherwick Studios, and after discussions, their team visited the site several times to understand the local culture and environment.  We aligned on the vision to transform the town center into a vibrant, sustainable community hub, with a focus on activating public spaces and supporting small businesses.”

Designer Thomas Heatherwick stressed the idea is to radically reclaim the streets and that in this sense, within the complex there would be streets which only pedestrians  could walk while deciding which store or restaurant to visit.  Heatherwick Studio’s ambition for Sunset Place is a district full of character and local variety on a human scale, a place to bring us together, a village of small spaces to explore and enjoy.

Richard Perez, executive director of Midtown Development noted in his remarks both before the planning board and subsequently the city commission, “We set out to change the canvas of this twice failed project.  This project will have real streets, create a neighborhood, not a regional mall, and activate Red Road and respect the charm of Sunset Drive.”

The redevelopment will feature 1,513 residential units, 287 hotel keys, a 1,300-seat movie /performing arts theatre, 140,506 square feet of retail space, 50,882 square feet of office space and 2,418 parking spaces.  The design will avoid the typical podium style seen in many developments, opting for slim towers raised columns, allowing pedestrian activity to flow underneath.

The site is divided into four zones: Sunset Place Zone, Village Zone, Central Zone and US1 Gateway Zone.
Note: Image distortions – photos above were taken of actual site plans.

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