DFRE Builds 112-Unit Workforce Housing Project in Miami Health District

• DFRE is building The Triangle, an eight-story, 121,636-square-foot mixed-use project at 1750 NW 15th Street Road in Miami.
• The $35 million development will include 112 income-restricted rental studios, all measuring about 450 square feet.
• The project is being developed under Florida's Live Local Act, with units reserved for households earning up to 120% of AMI.
• Construction is underway, with completion targeted for early 2028.

What DFRE Is Building At The Triangle

Miami-based DFRE is transforming an irregular parcel at 1750 NW 15th Street Road into an eight-story workforce housing development near the city's Health District. The project will deliver 112 rental residences, all income-restricted, along with ground-floor commercial space, parking and extensive resident amenities. ODP Architecture & Design is handling the design. The project is particularly notable because DFRE is applying the Live Local Act to the entire residential program. Miami's guidelines require qualifying projects to have at least 40% of units affordable to households earning up to 120% of AMI, with affordability preserved for at least 30 years.

What The 112 Apartments Will Offer

All 112 apartments will be studios of roughly 450 square feet, targeting households earning up to 120% of area median income. Each residence will include a private balcony and in-unit laundry, giving the workforce housing project features typically associated with higher-end multifamily properties. The building will also include a 10,000-square-foot fifth-floor pool terrace with cabanas, grilling areas, gathering spaces and an outdoor television. At ground level, a 3,500-square-foot fitness center will include a health food and juice bar, while private fitness studios and cardio rooms will be spread across the second through fourth floors.

What The Design Means For An Unusual Site

The Triangle gets its name from the shape of its development site, which created a challenge for DFRE and ODP. The irregular parcel has a single point of vehicle access along NW 15th Street Road, forcing the team to carefully organize the building footprint, circulation and structural system.

DFRE principal Laura Weinstein-Berman said, "Some developers see difficult sites. We see opportunities."

She added that the team wanted to prove "workforce housing does not mean compromising on design or quality." The architecture uses a dark charcoal exterior with projecting balconies, recessed glazing, vertical fins and landscaped elements. The result is a more distinctive façade than the basic apartment construction often associated with affordable housing.

What The Health District Location Adds

The project sits near Jackson Memorial Hospital, the University of Miami Health System, public transportation, retail and neighborhood services, putting residents close to one of Miami's major employment centers. DFRE estimates that the Health District supports more than 46,000 jobs, creating a strong connection between the project's housing supply and the area's healthcare and institutional workforce. For landlords and investors, that location is important. Workforce housing near major employment centers can help address the gap between local wages and housing costs while keeping workers closer to their jobs. DFRE principal Daniel Dias said the company's goal with The Triangle is "giving Miami's workforce the opportunity to live closer to where they work."

What The Project Means For Miami's Housing Market

The Triangle is part of a broader push to add workforce housing in Miami-Dade, where developers are using state and local incentives to increase attainable rental supply. Miami-Dade County offers incentives for workforce housing, including density bonuses and expedited plan review. The county's 2026 AMI for a four-person household is listed at $89,800, underscoring the income gap the program is designed to address. Construction is now underway, with topping out expected in mid-2027 and completion planned for early 2028. DFRE plans to retain ownership and operate the property after completion.