Citadel developer goes back to drawing board, gets OK

A developer working to reactivate the rehabilitation of the historically designated Salvation Army Citadel building in Miami, and develop an adjacent property, has gained city support after a redesign.

Owner-developer 49 NW 5th Street LLC is proposing the major rehabilitation of the historic site at 49 NW Fifth St. and 50 NW Sixth St.

The applicant plans a restoration of the remaining historic portion of the Citadel building, demolition of a later addition, and construction of a new mixed-use residential development; a five-story podium with active retail and habitable uses along all frontages and 135 parking spaces, and a tower with 526 residential units and related amenities.

Last November, the city’s Urban Development Review Board raised concerns about the original design and the developer voluntarily withdrew the application until a later meeting, with the intent to address the board’s suggestions.

After a recent review of new design, the review board members commended the developer’s team for working to address the board’s suggestions.

The board then voted unanimously to recommend approval, with one condition: The developer must include a natural green wall, located behind the historic Citadel building.

The original design would have rebuilt the ground floor to include distinctive arches, a key architectural element of the original Citadel building.

The new design has done away with the arches, a move the review board suggested in November.

Board members had said the old arches did not fit with the overall project; that the arches and a partial canopy were not compatible with the look of the tower.

Board member Robert Behar had said, “I’m seeing two different projects. Your pedestal and your tower have nothing to do with one another – that’s a problem.”

Attorney Iris Escarra, representing the developer at the latest meeting, said, “In November, there were three major elements that we took away and our team has been working on.”

She noted the board’s concern and comments regarding a disconnect between the language of the podium arches and the new tower.

The project was designed by ODP Architecture and Design.

Gadiel A. Marquez of ODP detailed for the board the changes made since November.

He said, “We heard the commentary about the arches. We went back to the drawing board and started to rethink how we could appropriately pay homage to the historic portion but also allow it to breath in its own right.

“We’ve taken away the arches entirely, allowing it to still have the idea of thresholds and these kind of grandiose moves, but we’ve squared it off. So, it’s a little bit more modern, a little more up to the times of what Miami is.”

Mr. Marquez noted the board had also commented on the design of the tower on the north end coming all the way down to the ground, without a break.

He said, “It was really hard to break up the scale, so, what we’ve done is wrap the entire canopy around that northern end … it extends all the way to the pedestrian entrance. It helps break up the scale.”

Mr. Marquez said they also have added plans to use a mesh screen on the parking levels of the podium to reduce light pollution from vehicles.

Board Chairman Ignacio Permuy said, “I think you’ve done a beautiful job in responding to the board’s comments, and I’m very happy with it. Great job. I especially like how you treated the historical portion.”

Board member Mr. Behar said, “You listened to us. You did everything. I think this is a much better project because you’re not duplicating the existing. I’m good with it.”

Board member Ligia Ines Labrada noted she was not at the November meeting but she commended the developer for listening.

“I’m so happy that you listened to the board’s suggestions. I think this is a much more powerful project,” she said. “The way you’ve embedded the old with the new, the rhythm, the parti … you’ve given the historic building its place but you’ve also respected the scale for the new.

“I think it’s fantastic. I love the veranda … the verandas you have above the amenity deck, fantastic, the materials, and even the screen for your garage are top notch,” said Ms. Labrada.

Board member Agustin Barrera said, “The redesign, I think, makes for a better project. It ties better to the ground. It creates a distinction between the podium and the tower, and creates a distinction between the podium and the pedestrian level. I’m in support.”

Board member Fidel Perez said, “It’s a lot better building than before. I feel good that we commented on some of the problems the building had and you’ve come back and addressed them very well. It’s a very nice building.”

Board member Francisco Perez-Azua said, “I echo my colleagues. Great job. Great comeback. You really listened to the board. I like that you extended that canopy. That added a lot to the detail and scale of the building from the pedestrians’ point of view.”

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