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Board approves mixed‑use building to support Miami City Ballet, artist housing and workforce units at Liberty/Third
Summary
The Historic Preservation Board unanimously approved June 15 a mixed‑use project at Liberty Avenue and 20th/Third Street that will provide Miami City Ballet facilities, artist/workforce housing and street‑level retail while preserving pedestrian connections to Collins Park.
At its June 15 meeting the Historic Preservation Board unanimously approved a mixed‑use redevelopment on the southeast corner of Liberty Avenue and 20th/Third Street that will provide cultural space for the Miami City Ballet, artist and workforce housing, and street‑level retail.
The project (HPB20‑0448) will be constructed on a city‑owned surface parking lot assembled with an adjacent parcel that includes the Miami Beach Public Library. The developer, Cervitas (selected via an RFP process), proposes retail and nonprofit/cultural spaces at the Ground Floor, dormitory and rehearsal/ancillary spaces for the Miami City Ballet, and 16 units of artist/workforce housing on upper floors. City economic development staff said the project stems from a city initiative to repurpose surface lots into parking, cultural amenities and workforce housing.
Staff recommended approval and supported two variances: (1) a reduced two‑way driveway width (requested 16 feet rather than required 22 feet) to preserve pedestrian‑friendly Paseo connections to Collins Park; and (2) a reduction in formal loading‑space requirements from three to one legal loading space, an arrangement staff said will still function operationally given the site layout and shared service courtyard with the library. Conditions included submission of additional loading/operations details and coordination with the parking department on on‑street loading rules.
The board praised the proposal for its urban design — raised Ground Floor arcade, landscaping and stepped massing — and noted the project’s compatibility with the recently completed Collins Park parking garage across Liberty Avenue. City staff and Cervitas representatives said the project is sized to meet flood elevation requirements and will be coordinated with the library for shared service access.
Votes: Certificate of Appropriateness approved 5–0; variances approved 5–0. Staff will continue plan review and process building permits once final materials and operational details are submitted.
Why it matters: The project adds cultural and workforce housing capacity in the Collins Park area and repurposes a city lot to create a stronger north–south pedestrian connection to the park.
