Bazbaz Development Plans 48-story Rental Development in Wynwood, Tallest 'Live Local Act' Tower Yet

Bazbaz Development aims to construct a 48-story apartment tower in Wynwood under the Live Local Act. This would be the tallest building proposed for the Miami neighborhood. The project, planned for a 1.5-acre site on North Miami Avenue and Northwest Miami Court, involves 544 units and includes a mix of on-site and off-site parking spaces.

Project Details and Specifications

The proposed development encompasses a total area of 755,700 square feet. It includes 321 parking spaces on-site and eight additional spaces off-site. The Wynwood Design Review Committee will vote on this project, with discussions expected around the requested parking space variances.

Live Local Act and Zoning Flexibility

The Live Local Act, recently updated, allows developers to build up to the highest density and tallest height within a one-mile radius if they allocate at least 40 percent of units for households earning up to 120 percent of the area median income. Although Bazbaz's 48-story proposal is below the 60-story maximum permitted under the Act, it significantly exceeds Wynwood's current 12-story limit.

Previous Proposals and Site Acquisition

This new proposal represents a shift from Bazbaz Development's earlier plan, which included an eight-story and a 12-story building with 339 apartments, retail space, and a 407-space parking garage. The Miami Urban Development Review Board approved the initial plan last year. Bazbaz acquired the development site in 2022 for $12 million, with ownership linked to Isaac, Jacobo, Simon, and John Bazbaz.

Broader Impact of the Live Local Act

The Live Local Act has spurred numerous development proposals across South Florida. In Fort Lauderdale, Moderno Development Group and 75Invest Group recently proposed the 27-story, 290-unit 500 Art Lofts. Similarly, in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, developers proposed an 11-story, 112-unit project in the Model City neighborhood. In Bal Harbour, Whitman Family Development's plan for mixed-use towers up to 275 feet tall at Bal Harbour Shops has faced significant opposition, leading to legal and legislative actions.