"I was strongly considering building green, but one day, after three hours spent talking with the mayor, I became convinced and all the more motivated that this was the right and the only thing to do," said Foram Development CEO Loretta Cockrum, during a ground-breaking ceremony.

The first phase will consist of a 40-story class AA office tower with 602,721 sf and is expected to be completed in summer 2009. The groundbreaking and completion dates for the second phase have not yet been determined, but it will consist of a 68-story mixed-use tower. Retail space will be located at the base of the building, with parking, office space, a 300-room hotel and condominiums stacked in ascending order.

An important aspect of the project is its green building design. Although there are several smaller green buildings in Miami, Brickell Financial Centre is the first green project of this size. It was designed to achieve the US Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver certification. "I commend Loretta for being a pioneer in the sustainable building movement. It is my hope that, with buildings like Brickell Financial Centre, Miami will soon become a model for the rest of the country," said Miami Mayor Manuel Diaz.

CB Richard Ellis was named the exclusive leasing and management agent for the project. CB Richard Ellis senior vice president Randy Olen and first vice president Sim Wilson will lead the leasing team responsible for the property.