Convention Center Battle Gets Uglier

MIAMI—As Miami Beach weighs two plans for the redevelopment of the Miami Beach Convention Center and its 52-acre site, an operating proforma recently filed with the City reveals that Portman-CMC plans 186,200 square feet of retail and commercial space. That's roughly 50% more than the 125,000 square feet the team is promising publicly.

A spokesman for Portman says these are actually earlier and inaccurate numbres. the newst loi calls for 125,000 square feet. of rtail and commercial.

What's more, the team plans commercial kiosks around the site and along Washington Avenue that they have not defined in scope, according to public documents submitted to the City. That runs contrary to the Miami Beach community's opposition to significant retail and commercial space on the convention center site. This new revelation contrasts sharply with South Beach ACE's plans for a minimal amount of retail space designed to link the convention center site with Lincoln Road Mall, according to city records. Portman-CMC could not immediately be reached for comment, but we will update the story if the group responds.

South Beach ACE, led by New York City-based development firm Tishman; OMA, the international architecture firm led by Pritzker Prize winner Rem Koolhaas; and Miami Beach developer UIA, has stated that any new retail development should complement surrounding businesses and direct foot traffic to Lincoln Road. South Beach ACE plans 59,500 square feet of retail on the ground floor of a renovated 17th Street Garage. Nearby, 40,000 square feet of food and beverage space is planned in a standalone building as part of the team's hotel program, with the goal of encouraging hotel guests and event attendees to explore the Miami Beach streetscape.

"South Beach ACE has been transparent with the Miami Beach community since the beginning of this process," an ACE spokesperson tells GlobeSt.com. "Our plans are clearly outlined in our Letter of Intent and operating proforma, which are public documents."

“South Beach ACE has been listening to Miami Beach residents and business owners from day one, and we have heard their vocal opposition to plans for a shopping mall loud and clear,” says South Beach ACE principal Dan Tishman. “Lincoln Road is one of the world's great outdoor retail and entertainment destinations, so we have created a plan that encourages people to visit existing shops and restaurants. Portman-CMC's proposal for more than 185,000 square feet of commercial space will hurt businesses and cause traffic headaches in surrounding neighborhoods. It's the last thing Miami Beach needs or wants.”

The South Beach ACE proposal has won widespread support from Lincoln Road businesses and property owners, including Vornado Realty Trust, owner of the Regal Cinema Building at 1100 Lincoln Road; Fryd Properties, which owns property on Lincoln Road, Washington Avenue, 41st Street, Alton Road, and 5th Street; Lincoln Center Associates, which owns 618-690 Lincoln Road; the owner of The Sterling Building at 927 Lincoln Road; 900 Lincoln Road owner Gombinski Properties; the Brody family, owners of 1000 Lincoln Road; and RC LR Holdings, LLC, which owns the Van Dyke Building at 846 Lincoln Road.

Among the factors that have contributed to this support is the prospect of bringing OMA's iconic designs to Miami Beach. South Beach ACE principal Robert Wennett was among the first developers to bring a world-renowned architecture firm to city when he built the 11 11 Lincoln Road complex in 2010. Since then, the mixed-use development designed by Herzog & de Meuron has emerged as a Miami Beach landmark and a source of positive economic impact for the neighborhood.

“As a Lincoln Road property owner, I support the City's efforts to redevelop the Miami Beach Convention Center,” says Sam Herzberg, CEO of The Sterling Building, Inc. “I have reviewed both plans and feel the South Beach ACE proposal is a better fit for our community. South Beach ACE understands what Miami Beach needs, and members of its team have already demonstrated an ability to change our City for the better through smart development and world-class design.”