A George Merrick structure gets a new lease as the Old Spanish Village sales center in Coral Gables.

A historic structure that once belonged to Coral Gables founder George Merrick — the site where he first laid out plans for the city — has gained a new lease on life as the Old Spanish Village Sales Center.

Merrick’s Art Center and architectural headquarters at 2901 Ponce de Leon Blvd. was once so dilapidated that it was “red-tagged” by the city of Coral Gables as likely to collapse. After its acquisition by Ponce Circle Developers, the building was returned to its original grandeur under the direction of Jorge Hernandez, AIA, a renowned architect and University of Miami professor who specializes in historic Mediterranean design. Local historian Arva Moore Parks also served as a consultant on the project to ensure its authenticity.

The $1.7 million restoration began in November 2005 and required a complete gutting of the building, extensive structural repairs and new interior everything. Hernandez’s plans also included the addition of a balcony, which had been part of the building during Merrick’s tenure but had been removed over the years.

 The landmark building will provide potential buyers with a glimpse of the Old World splendor planned for Old Spanish Village, including cobblestone streets filled with fountains, vine-covered porticos, courtyard entrances and other intricate features typical of historic buildings in Spain. Developer Rafael “Ralph” Sanchez , managing partner of Ponce Circle Developers, LLC, and the man behind the Miami Grand Prix and the $100 million Homestead Motorsports Complex, announced that sales are under way for the Merrick-inspired, seven-acre community of condominiums, townhouses, offices and shops that will take shape a few blocks south of Miracle Mile.

Construction of Old Spanish Village will be completed in phases, with Phase I consisting of 38 three-story townhouses, each with a two-car garage, elevator and rooftop terrace with panoramic views. Plans also call for several other components, including Casa Palermo, a residential condominium with views of the Village, and Ponce Circle Condos, two towers that will be located at 3001 Ponce de Leon Blvd.

All residences will include a variety of amenities, including luxury finishes, oversized balconies, European-style wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, walk-in closets and high-speed elevators.

Mixing It Up in Aventura

With no Spanish tradition in Aventura, City Place Aventura, the new live, work and play community designed by architect Bernardo Fort-Brescia, of Arquitectonica, will show off a more modern design appropriate for a still-young city.

Aventura-based Sky Development, Inc., has received site plan approval from the city of Aventura for its project planned for a 7.4-acre site at 2900 Waterways Blvd. (Northeast 207th Street) just east of U.S. 1. Phase One will commence at the end of 2007 and will include 150,000 square feet of Class A professional office space for lease in an eight-story building, a parking garage with 1,027 spaces, and the first part of the 46,435-square-foot total retail space (to include multiple dining options, full-service bank branch, boutiques and coffee shops when complete). Phase Two, incorporating 53 townhomes and 51 two-story condominium and private penthouse residences, will begin in the first quarter of 2008. Phase Three will begin in the first quarter of 2009 and will include the remainder of the retail component and the 16-story hotel with 198 guest rooms and extensive public space. Leasing for the office and retail component began at the end of May and is being handled by Cushman and Wakefield; sales for the residential component will begin in the fall of this year.

High-flying Agent

Forget a real estate nose dive; the sky’s the limit for Tamra Sheffman, owner/broker of Miami Beach’s Royal Palm Realty (and a director of the Florida Association of Realtors, as well as director and past president of the Miami Beach Association of Realtors). From June 19-22 Sheffman and co-pilot Kristin Jurn will be flying high in their single-engine Cessna 182 airplane competing in the 31st Annual Air Race Classic (ARC), the longest all-women transcontinental air race in the world.

Taking off from Opa-locka Airport, Miami, they will join the start of the race in Oklahoma City, Okla.; then flying for four days under VFR (visual flight rules) weather restrictions during daylight hours, they’ll follow the 2,500-statute-mile course to St. John, New Brunswick, Canada.

The Big Guns Are Coming

Global commercial real estate firm DTZ Rockwood is expanding to Miami with a new office open in the Four Seasons on Brickell Avenue. This is the company’s third Florida office after Palm Beach Gardens and Orlando.

The company works on a global referral basis with fully integrated groups that include investment sales, financial services, asset management, hospitality services, portfolio disposition, debt and equity finance, corporate real estate services and advisory services. Through its partnership with London-based DTZ, DTZ Rockwood can access a broad range of real estate services and resources through more than 9,000 employees and 193 offices in 46 countries.

According to industry veteran John Bell, managing director of the Miami office’s investment sales activities, “We’re not affected by any slowdown in residential property as our focus is on office, retail and industrial sectors, where prices are rising.”

He notes that the Miami office is opening in response to the area’s strength in attracting institutional investors from around the world. “These investors are helping to fuel the demand for commercial properties.” Donald B. Cartwright, senior vice president and another industry veteran, who will concentrate on growing the already robust retail business segment, adds, “The retail market in Florida is extremely strong and a focus of many of our clients.”

Quite a Stretch!

After buying some old-style hurricane shutters, I was interested (and frustrated) to learn of an innovative product from Miami-based Shield Technology Group, which claims to be affordable, easy to install and easy to use. Trademarked ImpactShield consists of an impact-resistant, high-strength fabric stretched over the window to create a hurricane-resistant barrier against flying debris. The translucent fabric is stored in a small weather-resistant housing located on the outside just above the window. The system, code approved by ASTM (American Standards Testing and Measures), FBC (Florida Building Code), IBC (International Building Code), IRC (International Residential Code) and Miami-Dade Protocol, can be made to fit almost every type of window and provides both light and protection. Cost for a window 37 by 60 inches starts at $199; for an average house, estimates are around $4,000 installed. ImpactShield can be purchased directly through Shield Technology Group and will also be available through qualified retailers, distributors and dealers nationwide by August.

Correction. The Groundwork May 24 piece on 400 Sunny Isles should have clarified that the project boasts two noted Miami-based architects. Chad Oppenheim is the design architect and Kobi Karp is the architect of record.

Coming Up

Thursday, June 14, 5-9 p.m., Miami International University of Art & Design, 1501 Biscayne Blvd., Ste. 100, Miami. Reception and award ceremony where Cardinal Development Corp. and the city of Miami will announce the winners of the 3333 Biscayne Art in Public Places Competition. Info: www.3333biscayne.com or www.mymiu.com.

Helen Hill is a freelance writer specializing in real estate and lifestyle topics. Please send news items on Miami-Dade real estate to hhill@miamisunpost.com.

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