Longtime Miami developer Avra Jain is forging ahead with a plan to revive the historic Miami Modern district on Biscayne Boulevard.
Jain hopes next month’s reopening of the landmark Vagabond Motel ignites the district, which was a popular tourism destination in the mid-20th century but has languished in recent years. Architect Dean Lewis spearheaded the expensive renovation of the Vagabond, which was built in 1953. The hotel’s original neon signs are being restored.
Jain plans to acquire four more of the historic MiMo motels with a long-term goal of repositioning them as a group of boutique hotels, restaurants and entertainment space. She has raised money for the project by selling development, or air, rights to builders at other sites in the city. [Miami Herald] – Eric Kalis