Simply Abu Dhabi Magazine XVIII

1 3 8 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I private, captained VanDutch 40 day yacht, prepared to transport residents from the private beach to a nearby Miami hotspot at a moment’s notice. WhileMiami was once known for its smaller one to two bedroom apartments, it is now the grand oceanfront condominiums with large expanses of space that are proving most popular, but with far fewer residences per floor as exemplified by L’Atelier’s $33 million three-floored penthouse. However, in the sought-after area of Miami Beach a scarcity of land for any future developments is already driving up prices and forcing developers to look further afield. “The tide is certainly rising on theMiami River district as the next frontier of waterfront development in Miami,” says KAR Properties CEO and developer of One River Point, Shahab S. Karmely. “As well as seeking properties designed by the best architects, wealthy global travellers prefer purchasing a full floor or large open floor plans and having all the amenities of a five- star hotel right at their fingertips without living at a hotel.” Designed by Rafael Viñoly, One River Point is a soaring residential tower located in the city’s buzzing epicentre, just steps from the Brickell financial district, and due to commence construction in May 2015. Steven Owens, president of Swire Properties and developer of the five million square foot Brickell City Centre scheduled for build at the end of 2015, also regards this buzzing area to be the focus of Miami’s next wave of development. “We find the Downtown Brickell area very sought after,” he says. “Brickell has international brand recognition, is the hub of Miami’s public transportation modes, and is one of the city’s most walkable neighbourhoods.” As one of the largest mixed-use projects Miami has seen to date, the development will include an open-air shopping centre, a stylish 263-roomhotel and twin condominium towers.