Want a Green Card? Buy Your Way Into the USA. Langford Hotel Coming to Miami.

Written by & filed in Commercial, Development Pipeline, Historic Preservation, Market Watch.

Langford Hotel- Scheduled to open December 2013.
Source:http://www.eb5hotel.com/index.php

Developer Daniel Pena-Giraldi (Stambul USA) is redeveloping the 1925 Miami National Bank building in downtown Miami into a luxury boutique hotel. The Langford Hotel is part of the EB-5 program that allows foreign nationals to invest in real estate and eventually obtain permanent US residency.

The historic luxury Boutique hotel is located in downtown Miami on 121 SE 1st Street.  The Langford Hotel will have 130 rooms, 2 luxury suites and a multiple purpose room located in the mezzanine to host conferences or special events. It is scheduled to open December 2013.

EB-5 Program Info and Advantages

– Provides for conditional, two-year resident status/green card to qualifying investors and their families who invest at least $500,000 plus costs. The conditional residence may be converted to permanent after 2 years.
– No requirements regarding age, business experience or language skills.
– Does not require hands on management of the investment. Investors are free to pursue other professional or personal ventures.
– Investor does not have to be continuously present in the U.S., and can maintain business and professional relations in their own country.
– Investors do not have to live in the city or state where the EB-5 investment is located.
– No restrictions to travel outside the U.S.
– No employment authorization is required to accept employment.
– Investors may have the ability to sponsor other relatives in the future.
– Investors will have the opportunity to become a U.S. Citizen once he/she has been a permanent resident for five years.
Fore more information on the EB-5 Visa Program, please visit www.uscis.gov/eb-5-investor.

Bloom Miami has been retained as the architect and will be leading the historic preservation of this magnificent building.

According to their website:

Bloom is in the middle of restoring and designing a boutique hotel in the heart of Downtown Miami – The Langford. Formerly used by financial institutions, the 1920s building is architecturally noteworthy as a unique record of early twentieth century commercial design in Miami, one which Bloom strives to respect and enhance.”

This is a great project for Downtown Miami.  I’m happy to see that developer Daniel Pena-Giraldi understands historic preservation and the value it will add to his project.  Click here to see a video interview with Daniel Pena-Giraldi about this project.

 

Downtown Miami’s Restaurant Scene on NE 3rd Avenue

Written by & filed in Commercial, Retail, Urbanism.

NE 3rd Avenue is a great one-way street with on street parking on both sides.  The sidewalks are wide which allow restaurant owners to set up outdoor seating. Drivers move slowly on this street and the parked cars provide a buffer between foodies and traffic, making for an enjoyable dinning experience. So it’s not surprising that this street is slowly becoming a “restaurant-row” of sorts.

One-way street with on-street parking. Great for business and pedestrian-friendly

Wide sidewalks makes for great outdoor cafes.

Ceviche105 arguably sparked the renaissance of NE 3rd Street. Juan Chipoco & Luis Hoyos, the owners of Ceviche105, recently opened Pollos y Jarras next door that has further activated the street. About a year ago Hibachi Grill and Noddle Bar opened its doors and is doing very well. So much so that the owner will soon open a 24/7 dinner across the street. Details to follow…

Pollos y Jarras

Hibachi opened about a year ago.

Opening soon next door to Hibachi is Porketta. Porketta will be serving Italian pork with crispy skinny. Sounds delicious.

Porketta will be serving crispy Italian pork soon…

In addition, The Flower Shoppe & Things and D’oro Caffe and Market recently became NE 3rd Avenue tenants.

The Flower Shoppe & Things- Pick-up some flowers for that sexy lady of yours…

D’oro Caffe and Market

Coming Soon to Brickell

Written by & filed in Commercial, Development Pipeline, Market Watch, Retail.

The Brickell retail market continues to show signs of strength. According to the Miami DDA’s most recent market report (June 2012) approximately 95%+ of all units in the Downtown Miami area are currently occupied. Retailers are taking notice of the increased density and are moving in.

Pasta Box is opening on SW 10th Street below Camden:

 

7-Eleven is opening (new construction) on SW 11th Street-across the street from the Brickell Metrorail Station. A convenience store was long overdue at this location.  7-Eleven is going to do well here-it’s really a no brainer with all the foot traffic from the station (Metrorail, Metromover and Bus)

Nailhouse is opening on SE 6th Street-below 500 Brickell. We want you looking good ladies-so check out the Nailhouse.

 

Maximizing Every Square Inch of Space

Written by & filed in Community, Condo, Quality of Life, Rental.

Sometimes city dwellers have to give up space for the convenience of living in a city and every square foot needs to be maximized. Check out these great space saving ideas. We just need to think out of the box sometimes and get creative with storage.

It’s about living well and smart. Good design is fundamental.

Source: ArchiEli

Source: ArchiEli

Source: ArchiEli