Everywhere you look, crews are hard at work bringing Brickell City Centre to life — a 4.9 million square-foot mixed use development in the heart of Brickell in Miami.
“This is a transformational project, and it is transforming urban Miami,” said President of Swire Properties Stephen Owens.
7News got a sneak peak of the multi-billion dollar project ahead of the retail center’s grand opening, this Thursday, and got the scoop on the brand new Saks Fifth Avenue opening inside the center.
“With all the excitement going on in the center, and the city, it’s happening,” said Ramona Messore, Vice President and General Manager of Saks Brickell.
Sherri Gutierrez, director of Arquitectonica Miami and project director of Brickell City Centre, described the feeling of unveiling the new center. “Very much like giving birth to one of your own children,” she said, “so it’s a very rewarding day and proud level of accomplishment.”
And this is not your typical open-air retail center. They have created what they like to call a “climate ribbon,” which is a $30 million elevated trellis designed to control the environment. In doing so, the trellis harnesses the bay’s natural breeze, creating a pleasant environment.
“We capture the prevailing winds,” said Gutierrez. “Each blade is angled to allow sun or to block sun whether we want light or heat.”
Brickell City Centre is an innovative project that promises fashion, dining and entertainment.
A project that, in its first phase, alone included luxury condos, office towers and the East Miami hotel.
“We’ve sold more condos than we’ve ever sold in our history,” said Owens. “Our office buildings are nearly fully leased and a shopping center is 91 percent committed … A project like this is such a significant economic impact on our community.”
Brickell City Centre’s grand opening is this Thursday.
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