HISTORY

The site is situated in the heart of the Coral Gables “Crafts Section” on Ponce de Leon Blvd. and just across from the Ponce Circle Park.

 

The Coral Gables Crafts Section was originally planned and designed by George Merrick as a neighborhood where artisans and craftsmen would create items such as furniture, rugs, iron work and tile. Trades like contractors, electricians, photographers and printers would also have offices in the area. Even an apartment complex (San Sebastian Apartments) was built so that workers would have first choice to rent an apartment.

Aerial View of The Plaza Coral Gables

Aerial picture of the Site looking NE along Ponce de Leon Blvd. circa 1990

MODERN ERA

Since the area where The Project Site sits on is one of the main avenues of Coral Gables and following the tradition of its commercial use, a high-rise office tower with a parking garage was built in the north block between Sevilla and Palermo and other commercial buildings (former Century Bank Building) and parking lots were built. Other areas farther east remained as parking lots, unoccupied land and a few single-family homes.

EXCERPTS TAKEN FROM GEORGE MERRICK’S CORAL GABLES: “WHERE YOUR ‘CASTLES IN SPAIN’ ARE MADE REAL!” BY ARVA MOORE PARKS (2006)

 

CONSCIOUS RE-DEVELOPMENT

With the best Class ‘A’ Office space, 174 Luxury Rental Residences, a 4.5 Star Hotel, lower level retail space and almost 2,000 parking spaces, on a site over 7 acres, this state-of-the-art mixed-use development will finally transform a long-neglected and semi-abandoned site just a few blocks from Miracle Mile and the Coral Gables Central Business District.

The Project Final Design which is in full compliance with City and County Codes and Regulations, is conscious of the neighborhood, its history and privileged surroundings. Consequently, the project was reduced in height, area and density from a previously approved program. Now incorporating a 1-acre open to the public plaza that will feature a sculpture garden, water fountains, a central lawn area and many recreational and food & beverage amenities, energy efficient construction with LEED certification, green roofs, public transportation (trolley) stops, generous sidewalks and building setbacks, internal streets for deliveries and services, and even a “Coral Gables Townhome Liner” to serve as a transition between commercial space and the neighborhood to the East.

As part of the Art-in-public-space program, besides the percentage required by the City, Agave is contributing additional several million dollars to the art in public spaces in order to further develop and realize the cultural impact that this area of the city always deserved.

 

NEIGHBORHOOD STREET IMPROVEMENTS & PONCE CIRCLE PARK ENHANCEMENTS

Other project related items and improvements to the area, aside from the impact fees, include several million dollars’ worth of neighborhood street improvements (new sidewalks, pavement, landscaping and pedestrian lighting in the neighborhood and on Ponce de Leon Blvd.) and significant contributions for the Ponce Circle Park Enhancements, as well as the Coral Gables Public Trolley system that connects the project to the Metro-rail and the rest of the Coral Gables Business District.

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