MIAMI-Locally based Alayo Building Co. and Grupo San Jose SA are planning to break ground in January on Lincoln Square, an $11-million, 35-unit condominium building. The project is rising at 1681 West Ave.

The project, which will include 6,000 sf of retail on the ground level, is being designed by New York-based architects Alayo Architects. The building is designed to be a hybrid of a modern glass tower and garden courtyard and will feature expansive windows and wrap-around balconies with an atrium and roof deck serving as a common meeting and circulation space. The project is expected to be completed in fall 2009.

Alayo Building Co. principal Juan Alayo tells GlobeSt.com that the project is located at 17th Street, one of the main entrances to Miami Beach. "We're a block away from Lincoln Road," he says. "That side of West Avenue is a very established residential neighborhood but it also has a commercial presence."

Sales of the units are being handled by Gary Hennes Realtors. Prices for the residential units start in the $300,000s and for the retail units start in the $700,000s for a 900-sf to 1,000-sf space. Alayo says three residential units have been sold. "We anticipate that the retail buyers will be local established businesses that see the benefit to owning their own space," he says.