Board to Developer:
No Noise — or Else
Beach DRB Says It Will Put Restrictions on
Condo-Hotel If Neighbors Complain

Developer Keith Menin intends to “create an experience” at Mondrian South Beach. That’s what worries his neighbors. Photo by Antwon Tomas

“I can’t believe you are moving forward with this project … and [do] not have all your ducks in a row.” she said.

By Erik Bojnansky

If the city of Miami Beach receives complaints about noise, we’ll impose business restrictions on you.

Such was the message the Miami Beach Design Review Board sent to Keith Menin, co-developer of the Mondrian South Beach at 1100 West Ave., after board members approved various design requests that included construction of two new two-story cabanas at the rear of the site and a pool deck between eight and 10 feet “from the sidewalk,” during a meeting Tuesday.

The approvals came with conditions that include the creation of a public baywalk behind the property, and that the condo-hotel abides by city noise laws.

And if the public baywalk is not provided and complaints filter in, the city will remove its design approvals and even impose hours of operation on the Mondrian.

Menin, the nephew of Russell Galbut, president of Crescent Heights and one of the biggest property owners in Miami Beach, converted an apartment building on James Avenue into the zen-inspired Sanctuary Hotel in 2005 at the age of 24. The Sanctuary would later go condo-hotel.

Crescent Heights has been steadily converting three buildings on West Avenue known as Mirador Apartments into condominiums. Toward that end, Menin has partnered with Morgans Hotel Group, which manages The Shore Club and owns The Delano — among the most popular “boutique” hotels in Greater Miami’s nightlife world — to build the Mondrian South Beach condo-hotel. Among the hotel’s components: a marina slip, about three bars, restaurants both indoor and out and cabanas. So complicated is the proposed project that the developer has been seeking design approvals from the DRB piece by piece since December 2006.

Menin told the board he wants the Mondrian South Beach to “create an experience” that would benefit other hotels and the rest of Miami Beach. However, although the Mondrian South Beach is now sold out, he insisted the amenities being offered to its mostly second-home buyers are still “concepts and not plans.”

DRB member Gabrielle Redfern, who filed to run for city commissioner, didn’t trust Menin’s statements. “I can’t believe you are moving forward with this project … and [do] not have all your ducks in a row,” she said.

Many West Avenue residents attending the meeting said they were apprehensive about living next to a Delano-like club atmosphere with a busy marina. Although Henry Lares, vice president of the 1200 West Condo Association, believes Mondrian South Beach will increase his and his neighbors’ property values, he wants to make sure it’s also possible for them to sleep at night. “I like money,” he said, “but not that much.”

DRB members gave their own “noise” horror stories. “I lived at the Flamingo for seven years…. I finally moved out, thank God,” said DRB member Tom Delucca to Menin. “There is going to be an issue with noise level, something I highly suggest you work out.”

Recalling when he lived next to the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, DRB member Michael Steffens said all it takes is for someone to drop a tray late at night to keep you awake.

And then there was the marina component. Lares told the board there would not likely be sailboats tied to the docks and feared noise pollution caused by boat engines. “We began to realize these last few days the impact of a marina,” he told the board.

When asked how many boat slips were being offered, Menin replied this was also being planned but surmised it would be about 30.

“I went to the sales center. They said 200?” yelled 1200 West resident Carmen Page.

Assistant City Attorney Gary Held suggested that the DRB add language enabling it to impose additional conditions, including hours of operations, on commercial interests leasing within the Mondrian South Beach.

DRB chair Peter Cavalier at first feared the language would add more responsibilities for a committee primarily focused on design. “I don’t want us to be the complaint board.”

Steffens argued that such conditions were fitting since the DRB would be granting approvals to the very components that would make noise.

James Rauh, a Rosen Switkes attorney representing Menin, felt his client, who was even trying to open up a baywalk component, has already done a lot to appease the city’s demands. When Redfern made a motion that the Mondrian South Beach be continued for a month so firmer plans of the whole project could be presented, Rauh objected, saying any delays could prevent the venture from moving forward.

In the end, the DRB approved the cabana plans, with Redfern casting the lone “no” vote.

Comments? E-mail erik@miamisunpost.com.