Two developer teams are facing off to win Miami Beach’s biggest public prize in a century, and one of the most buzzed-about urban renewal projects in the U.S. today – the redevelopment of the city’s convention center and a 52-acre parcel of city-owned land. Both projects envision condos, parks, cultural space, retail and a hotel, in addition to upgrading the convention center and adjacent ballroom. The lucky winner is expected to be announced July 17.
Portman-CMC is led by Atlanta developer Portman Holdings and CMC Group and Danish architect Bjarke Ingels. Behind South Beach ACE is New York developer Dan Tishman’s Tishman Hotel and Realty and UIA Management with Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas. The revamp costs will be roughly split between the city, through a new penny tax on hotel beds, and the developer, who will pay rent to lease the land.