Historic-preservation board reviews proposal to replace Hohauser-era building with 210-unit market-rate tower at 1600 Washington Avenue

The Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board on Oct. 21 heard a public presentation and comment on a proposal to demolish a contributing Henry Hohauser building at 1600 Washington Avenue and build a proposed 210-unit market-rate rental tower that the applicant said would require increases in allowable height and floor-area ratio (FAR).

The proposal, presented by representatives for the property owner, seeks design approval and the demolition of the existing contributing structure before any separate legislative action on a Washington Avenue overlay that would raise height and FAR limits. The design team said the project will be residential, will include a covenant prohibiting short-term or vacation rentals, and includes revisions recommended by staff, notably new brise-soleil shading elements and a revised ramp to meet the city's flood-elevation requirements.

Why this matters: The parcel sits within Miami Beach's historic downtown and the proposed demolition would remove a building the public preservation group characterized as a “contributing” resource. The project also hinges on legislative zoning changes — a height increase from the current allowable 100 feet to 150 feet and a 0.5 FAR increase — that must be acted on separately by the City Commission. Those legislative changes, if adopted, would affect future development along portions of Washington Avenue.

Applicant presentation and project details

Project representatives, including presenter Enrique Norton and a separate speaker identified as Mr. Cherry, described the design as a contemporary, “simple” building that responds to modern-period context and said they had already incorporated staff recommendations. Norton said the project team had revised facades…