City's progress shines in South Florida CEO
By Bari Auerbach


In a recent issue of South Florida CEO, the business magazine of Miami-Dade, Broward and the Palm Beaches, Sunny Isles Beach is featured in a glossy City Report impressing Chief Executive Officers reading all about the city's success story.

The feature provides a comprehensive overview of the renaissance that has taken place in Sunny Isles Beach since the city incorporated in 1997 as well as a look back at the historic heyday of "motel row."

Focusing on the phenomenal rise of new multi-million dollar developments, the City Report, notes, "From the sleepy motel row of just a few years back, Sunny Isles Beach is now transforming itself into a city of mega high-rises with a soaring tax base and a new influx of younger, far more affluent residents.The sky's the limit."

'Nothing short of extraordinary'
The introduction to the City Report notes: "Even by the 'go-go' standards of South Florida growth, the redevelopment of Sunny Isles Beach in the last few years has been nothing short of extraordinary. From a tax base of less than $1 billion just a decade ago, Sunny Isles Beach is heading toward a tax base of $5 billion, propelled by a parade of high-rises that are among the tallest anywhere in South Florida.

"The buildings themselves are being developed with highly affluent residents in mind, many of them foreigners who will be staying there only part-time. What that means is that, on the one hand, you may actually have a reduction in traffic as part-timers replace the bevy of tourists who traditionally have flocked to the inexpensive motels along the Sunny Isles coast. The other thing it means is the above-mentioned spike in [the tax base] - monies that can be used to take Sunny Isles to its next level of development."

'Q&A with Mayor Edelcup'
The City Report features an interview with Sunny Isles Beach Mayor Norman Edelcup, who explains why he feels Sunny Isles Beach has been so successful in attracting high-end developers; and how new construction has positively impacted the city's escalating tax base.

"Mayor Samson had the vision," Edelcup says. "In the 1990's, we had prime real estate on the ocean occupied by older hotels that had served their useful life. We wanted to encourage high-rise development.In 2003, our tax base was $2.7 billion, up from $2.2 billion in 2002, and it will go to [at least] $5 billion when all the new oceanfront developments are completed in about five years."

Commenting on the city's ever-growing population of young families, Edelcup notes:
"We are planning to build a K-8 public or charter school within the city by 2006 or 2007, and feasibility studies are now underway. We are also planning a new active park with an enclosed gymnasium, basketball court and rooms for arts and crafts activities."

When asked what the most exciting thing about the city is, Edelcup responds: "It's a wonderful challenge to be here at this time. The city is going through a metamorphosis. We have had a vision for our city and now we are turning that into reality."

'Impressive developments'
The City Report also includes a "who's who" list of prestigious developers recognizing the potential and allure of Sunny Isles Beach.

Commenting on the goal to preserve view corridors in Sunny Isles Beach, Mayor Edelcup explains, "Our philosophy has been to build 'tall and skinny' buildings with wide view corridors. We believe this approach is better than having 'short and squat' buildings that block the ocean views. It allows us to accommodate developers while making our city pleasant for residents. That approach is working well for us."

Early pioneer J. Milton & Associates developed Sands Pointe and Pinnacle. J. Milton & Associates is now involved with bringing "Sayan," an Indonesian themed condominium to 162nd Street and Collins Avenue, as well as the "King David" condominium slated for the northeast corner of 175th Terrace and Atlantic Boulevard. Intracoastal Yacht Club, a luxurious J. Milton & Associates rental community is also enhancing the city's choice of residential properties.

The dynamic father/son team, Gil and Michael Dezer, are also recognized in the City Report for being among the first to redevelop old, rundown motels into new millennium oceanfront towers.

Now partnering with Donald J. Trump in Trump Grande Ocean Resort and Residences, the Dezers' success was emulated by The Related Group of Florida, developers of Ocean I, II, III and now IV; plus yet another famous Trump family: The Trumps of Williams Island, are bringing the virtually complete Acqualina to 178th Street and Collins.

The hotel component of the Dezers' joint venture with Donald Trump is being managed by Sonesta; and the boutique hotel that will complement Acqualina will be managed by award-winning Rosewood Hotels & Resorts.

Renowned Turnberry Associates has also landed on Sunny Isles Beach, already ensuring the success of Oceania V, and now Turnberry Ocean Colony, coming to the south end of the city.

Other renowned developers such as Fortune International, developing M Resort Residences, managed by Le Meridien and Jade Beach; the Cornerstone Group, bringing La Perla to the property by the Newport Beach Resort; and Argentine developer Enrique Soltanic creating Fanstasy of the Ocean condo/hotel at 157th Street and Collins are also contributing to the remarkable renaissance taking place in Sunny Isles Beach.

'Continued progress'
The City Report also notes that in keeping with the transformation taking place on the east side of Collins Avenue, the City of Sunny Isles Beach is planning millions in comprehensive capital improvements. The plan primarily targets beautification; park development; a streetscape plan; future property acquisitions; and road resurfacing. Revenues from property taxes will also be utilized to fund the capital projects - yet the city will still have one of the lowest property tax rates in Miami-Dade County.

With a new active park coming soon (between 181st and 182nd Drive) featuring a little league baseball field, recreation center, multi-purpose field and playground plus a state-of-the art Government Center now under construction, "impressive progress" continues as the City Commission and members of city staff remain committed to enhancing quality of life for residents of all ages.

According to the City Report, there are even more exciting plans for the future."The extraordinary transformation of Sunny Isles Beach has mostly taken place along the ocean. But the 'gateway' to the city from the mainland is the 163rd Street corridor, also known as Sunny Isles Boulevard.Plans by the city include creating a mixed-use Town Center that would be modeled after Mizner Park in Boca Raton. The Center would feature retail, office and residential space, with an open pedestrian plaza."

'Vitality statistics'
One of the things that makes Sunny Isles Beach such a great community is the diversity of its residents. The City Report shows the population of Sunny Isles Beach is estimated to have grown to 17,000 this year (up from 15,315 in 2000). Other statistics include the fact that Sunny Isles Beach has more than 250 residents who are Holocaust survivors - recently honored at a city-sponsored event held at Temple B'nai Zion.

The City Report further highlights: "Sunny Isles Beach has one of the largest contingents of Russian residents of any South Florida community. In addition to visitors and part-time residents, nearly ten percent of residents are of Russian background. Sunny Isles Beach also has a large contingent of Italians (almost six percent) and Poles (five percent)."

'The crown jewel in South Florida'
It's a virtual certainty that CEO's reading the City Report in South Florida CEO are impressed by the remarkable success story of progress and heightened quality of life. But this quote from Mayor Edelcup sums up the city's "sunny future": "No one benefits more from the city's growth than potential residents. Not only will the city have greater revenue to provide services, but the new condominium towers, resorts and restaurants add a new dimension to the city's quality of life. I believe we will have the crown jewel in South Florida when we are finished."

 

TOP