Met 2, a joint venture between MDM Development and New York City-based MetLife Inc., is comprised of two separate towers connected by a first-floor lobby. The office tower is joined by a 42-story Marriott Marquis hotel and the city's first Hotel Beaux Arts.

Both buildings are part of Metropolitan Miami, a $1-billion mixed-use development under way in Downtown Miami. The project's residential tower, called Met 1, is already finished.

"We're extremely pleased with the progress and excited about finalizing this next stage of Metropolitan Miami," says Tim Weller, MDM Development vice president. He adds that the office building's glass enclosure should be completed by December, including impact-resistant windows designed to withstand Category 5 hurricane winds.

Met 2 will include a 1,300-space parking garage, telecommunications systems with fiber-optic capabilities, 24-hour security and valet parking. Greenberg Traurig, Deloitte and Business Centers International have signed on as tenants, taking up roughly one-third of available space.

The building at 345 SE Second Ave. is one of three new office towers currently going up in Downtown Miami, along with the 40-story Brickell Financial Centre and 35-story 1450 Brickell. Asking rents at Met 2 range from $43 to $50 per square foot, with Flagler Real Estate Services as its leasing agent.

"The value proposition for tenants at Met 2 is compelling," Weller stated in a release. "Metropolitan Miami is the epicenter of downtown Miami's emerging urban core, and includes condominium residences, office, hotel, retail and entertainment, on top of being within walking distance of the American Airlines Arena, Bayside, and much more. There's simply no better location."