MIAMI – August 23, 2019 –CallisonRTKL, the global architecture, urban planning and design practice, is pleased to announce that construction has topped out for the North Parcel of The Plaza Coral Gables, the first phase of what will be the largest ever mixed-use development within the City of Coral Gables. Conceived as a fully integrated downtown district, The Plaza Coral Gables blends commercial uses, dynamic public spaces, civic amenities and multi-modal transit to create a new neighborhood for The City Beautiful.
“This is a once-in-a-career opportunity,” said Dan Freed AIA, LEED AP BD+C, CRTKL’s vice president in charge. “We are not only creating a large, complex mixed-use project, we are reinforcing the historic urban fabric of Coral Gables. These types of development don’t come along that often, and it’s a testament to the vision and perseverance of Agave Ponce to see it become a reality.”
The North Parcel of Plaza Coral Gables includes a 13-story Class A office tower with a two-story podium. The project’s 10-story residential component consists of 174 “smart units” that range from studios to three-bedrooms. And the retail element—some 160,000 square feet—will be carefully curated with a focus on restaurants and next-generation food venues as well as lifestyle and entertainment uses for Coral Gables residents and visitors.
The entire project has been designed to achieve LEED-ND certification, along with LEED certification for each building, emphasizing walkability and the interconnectedness of the uses.
“Our goal has been to create an integrated neighborhood,” says Freed. “And that means the uses have a symbiotic relationship with one another. Because this is Coral Gables, we’ve also emphasized the quality of the design—context, scale and, especially, the public realm. The new plaza and streetscape details were all major touchpoints for the design team.”
A series of smart growth strategies was used throughout the design process. Almost 50% of the total site area will be dedicated to open space, including rooftop green space designed to capture rainwater and reduce runoff. Trolley links, bike storage facilities and parking for over 2,000+ cars reduce the overall development footprint and mitigate the heat island effect.
The central and southern parcels will follow the northern parcel construction.
About CallisonRTKL
CallisonRTKL is a global architecture, planning and design practice. Over the last 70 years, we have created some of the world’s most memorable and successful environments for developers, retailers, investors, institutions and public entities. Our work has set us apart as the number one retail design firm in the world and a top-five architecture practice across multiple disciplines and sectors. Under the Arcadis umbrella, we continue to expand our sphere of influence and the depth and breadth of our resources. Our team of more than 1,500 professionals around the world is committed to advancing our clients’ businesses and enhancing quality of life. callisonrtkl.com
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