MIAMI—River Landing Shops & Residences, a345,000-square-foot mixed-use development is on track to openduring the first half of 2020. The project will haveretail/commercial space, 135,000 square feet of office and 528market-rate apartments.

Andrew Hellinger, principal at Miami-based Urban-X Group, whoalong with Coralee Penabad, is developing River Landing, recentlyanswered a few questions about the project.

 What prompted Urban-X to initially invest along theMiami River and propose the development of River Landing Shops& Residence?

River Landing Shops & Residences is on a 10-acre parcelalong the shores of the Miami River and the location is almost hardto replicate anywhere in Miami. The parcel, near the JacksonMemorial Hospital west of downtown Miami, was once owned by MiamiPioneer Henry Flagler. When we were looking for opportunities fordevelopment almost a decade ago, we wanted to go to areas whereother developers were not building just yet. We wanted ourdevelopment to become a catalyst of change and spur economicactivity. Our goal wasn't just to build a project. We wanted tobuild a community with River Landing at the heart of it, pumpinglife into the community by providing quality retail, diningopportunities, cultural events, entertainment, market-rateapartments, Class A office space and, more importantly, access tothe bustling Miami River. Prior to developing River Landing, thearea lacked a cohesive environment and had few conveniences,despite being home to the country's second largest Health District.The area has one of South Florida's largest day-time populations ofnearly 50,000. River Landing is also within easy access to DowntownMiami to the east and the Miami Airport to the west giving it acentral location within the marketplace.