Related Group, one of the country’s largest real estate conglomerates, had subsidiaries of the group recently file for three new, cheap and cozy housing buildings in Little Havana. The Gallery at River Parc LLC, under Related Group, is planning for a 150-unit building at 750 Northwest 13th Avenue and Brisas del Rio Apartments; another tie-up of the group has plans for a 168-unit building at 800 Northwest, 13th Avenue.
Both of these projects were submitted to Miami’s building department. Currently, it is the home of Haley Sofge Towers, a 475-unit apartment building which Miami-Dade Housing Authority has control over.
If the permit application is approved, the estimated cost for both the buildings can go up to $48.8 million.
A complete separate application saw Related housing arm, known for its affordability, Related Urban, file for a new 112-unit, 35,000-square-foot apartment. This project is meant to be developed on Smather Plaza, and is currently a senior housing complex, developed some time ago at 1025 Southwest 30th Avenue.
The public record proves that Related Urban was looking towards HOME and AHTF for up to $1.925 million to help build the project. It is suspected that the second phase, referred to as the Gallery at Smathers Plaza, would cost at least $7 million.
Related and Related Urban’s spokesperson refused to disclose more information regarding the project, suggesting it’s too early to reveal their plans. Which is understandable as the project appears to be still in its initial planning stage.
Miami Urban Development Review Board had already approved the second residential phase of Liberty Square Rising at the start of the year. This is an exquisite ambitious redevelopment project from the Related Urban Group that promises to replace Liberty Square.
Liberty Square has a significant impact on the community, and it would be hard to replace it as it is a 753 unit apartment complex that has housed low-income residents for over 81 years. Currently, the rate of low-income individuals is 600.
A year ago, it was revealed that Related Urban was facing probation because of the U.S. Attorney Office in South Florida’s affordable housing industries. The company was accused of embezzlement as the federal authorities began investigating whether money was pocketed from the costs allocated for a senior housing project in Miami’s Shenandoah neighborhood. Related’s Vice Chairman Adolfo Henriques and the developer’s attorney both claimed that the company was not the target of the investigation by any means, but reporters found out that the prosecutors were working to build a criminal case against the company.
The company’s spokesperson even went on to say that the events surrounding other companies in the industry are at fault and they understand why the federal government would be looking into them. The company agrees that it is the right thing to do, and they are working with the authorities to accelerate the investigation process.
However, since the company is deeply involved with the happenings and have access to confidential information, it would be inappropriate for them to comment on anything without prior approval from the federal government.
Nothing has come to fruition as of the moment. All we can do is to wait and see how both the investigation and the plans for expanding the reach of the Related Group turn out. If everything works out in their favor, it could be a moment of joy for both Related Group and the community.