Oak Row's First & Fifth Tower Approved by Miami UDRB After Design Revamp

Oak Row Equities secured approval for its 45-story Firt & Fifth apartment tower in Downtown Miami. The project will include 526 units, a five-story podium with retail, and 135 parking spaces. It is located at 49 Northwest Fifth Street and 50 Northwest Sixth Street, directly across from Brightline’s MiamiCentral station. A key feature of the site is the historic Salvation Army Citadel building, which will be preserved as part of the development.

Redesigning to Preserve History

After the Miami Urban Development Review Board rejected the initial design last year, Oak Row’s architects, ODP Architects, revised their plans. The original design featured exterior arches on the podium that conflicted with the tower’s overall aesthetic. Additionally, the Salvation Army Citadel was integrated into the project rather than being featured as a standalone structure. To address these concerns, the arches were replaced with a modern, squared-off design. A green wall featuring natural plants was proposed to break up the tower’s scale and complement the historic structure. The board ultimately approved the redesign, commending its alignment with prior feedback.

Board Recommendations and Final Approval

The Miami Urban Development Review Board recommended the project with the condition that the green wall option be implemented using natural plants. While the board’s role is advisory, the city’s planning and zoning staff will make the final decision.

Oak Row Equities’ Expanding Miami Portfolio

The First & Fifth tower is part of Oak Row Equities’ growing presence in Miami. The firm, led by David Weitz and Erik Rutter, recently entered into a $520 million contract for a significant waterfront site in Brickell, which includes the Brickell Bay Office Tower and Yacht Club Apartments. This site has the potential for redevelopment into multiple supertall towers with 3.1 million square feet of space.

Additional Projects in Miami

Oak Row is collaborating on several other developments in the city. These include Wynwood Plaza, a mixed-use project featuring luxury apartments, retail, office space, and a public plaza. In Edgewater, Oak Row is planning a 41-story tower with luxury apartments and commercial space. They are also partnering on a multifamily project at Northeast 29th Street and Northeast Fourth Avenue, with construction set to begin soon.

This approval marks another milestone in Oak Row Equities’ strategy to expand its footprint in Miami through innovative and high-profile developments.