MIAMI—After a nasty battle to the end with Portman-CMC, South Beach ACE took home the prize on Wednesday night. The ACE group, features Tishman Hotels Group and Robert Wennett, who developed 1111 Lincoln Road, has won the right to redevelop the Miami Beach Convention Center District.
Miami Beach City Commissioner Michael Gongora motioned to award the contract to ACE. After Comissioner Jorge Exposito seconded the motion, Comissioner Ed Tobin made a final pitch for Portman-CMC, a group that included Portman Holdings and CMC Group. Portman also had support from Miami Beach City Manager Jimmy Morales. But in the end, ACE won every vote but Tobin's and Commissioner Jonah Wolfson.
"The South Beach ACE team would like to thank the Commissioners and residents of the City of Miami Beach for their engagement and support throughout this master planning process,” says Dan Tishman, head of Tishman Hotels & Realty. “The ideas and feedback we received helped shape an exciting new vision for the City's convention center. We are grateful we will now have an opportunity to help the City realize that vision." Portman was not immediately available for comment.
The ACE convention center plan emphasizes integration and efficiency, with outdoor function areas, moveable walls that allow for programs beyond the exhibit halls, and a concourse running along building's southern end that aims to improve east-to-west mobility and provides flexible event space. The building also offers access to Lincoln Road Mall and hotels to the east.
The next step for ACE is to agree on the financial terms and the final plans. The total cost is expected to run about $600 million.
"We have long believed that a renovated convention center, adjacent hotel, and reimagined convention center campus are critical to Miami Beach's ability to maintain and grow its desirability as a tourism and convention destination," Tishman says. "We now look forward to working with the City and the community to bring this project to fruition.”
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