Allen Morris & Black Salmon Unveil The Aurea in Miami's Highland Park

Key Points

• 352 units: The Aurea will rise 29 stories at 1321 NW 9th Ave, offering studios to 2-bedrooms.

• 40% workforce housing: 141 units reserved for households earning up to 120% of AMI.

• Live Local Act: Project leverages Florida’s zoning reform to exceed local density caps.

• Transit-oriented: Located near Culmer Metrorail Station with 291 car and 360 bike spaces.

The Allen Morris Company and Black Salmon have unveiled The Aurea, the inaugural residential tower in Miami’s $1B Highland Park master plan. This 352-unit high-rise is among the first to capitalize on Florida’s Live Local Act, enabling developers to bypass local zoning limits in favor of higher density and height allowances. With 40% of units designated as workforce housing, The Aurea aims to address the city's "missing middle" housing gap.​

Project Overview

• Location: 1321 NW 9th Ave, adjacent to Miami Health District.

• Height & Structure: 29 stories, reaching 300 feet.

• Unit Mix: Studios, 1-bedrooms, and 2-bedrooms.

• Workforce Housing: 141 units for households earning up to 120% of AMI.

• Amenities: Top-floor amenity deck with liquor lounge, pool, BBQ area, and lounge seating.

• Parking: 291 car spaces and 360 bicycle spots within the podium.

• Retail Space: 3,611 sq ft at NW 13th St and NW 9th Ave.​

Zoning & Density

The Aurea utilizes Florida’s Live Local Act (SB 102), which allows qualifying projects to adopt the highest density and height permitted within a one-mile radius, overriding local zoning restrictions. Originally zoned T6-8-O (max 150 units/acre), The Aurea achieves a 416 units/acre density, well above the previous cap.

The Live Local Act mandates that 40% of units be designated as affordable for households earning up to 120% of the area median income (AMI) for a minimum of 30 years. ​

Highland Park Master Plan

Highland Park is a 6.4-acre, $1B mixed-use development aiming to expand Miami’s Health District by 10%. The master plan includes:

• 1,130 residential units across four phases.

• 500,000 sq ft of medical office space.

• 150-key hotel.

• Open-air parks, restaurants, and service retail. ​

The development is near major employment centers, including Wynwood, Downtown Miami, Brickell, and the Design District. ​

Transit & Accessibility

Situated near the Culmer Metrorail Station, The Aurea benefits from transit-oriented development incentives, including reduced parking requirements. Despite this, the project includes substantial parking facilities to accommodate residents. ​

The Aurea exemplifies how developers can leverage Florida’s Live Local Act to address housing shortages while contributing to urban revitalization. By providing a significant portion of workforce housing and integrating into a larger mixed-use plan, The Aurea sets a precedent for future developments in Miami and beyond.