Skyrise Miami was intended to serve as a massive entertainment venue for the residents and tourists of Biscayne Bay. However, after being in the works for nearly eight years, the project has been abandoned.
Per the Real Deal, the venture was called off after problems with lawsuits, funding, and the Covid-19 pandemic. However, Berkowitz Development Group has other active projects, mostly in the private commercial sector, according to the Construction Journal.
Conceptual plans for the abandoned venture
When Skyrise Miami seemed feasible, it was classified as an observation tower and entertainment venue. Comprising nearly 525,000 square feet of new construction, the building was intended to rise over 90 stories above grade, measuring 1,000 feet high. The foundation of the building itself was expected to take eight months to complete.
Specifically, the venture intended to host a 72-seat aerial theater, fast food joints, a cocktail lounge, and a banquet hall. A portion of the tower was allotted for commercial space, providing office space and a convention center. The Construction Journal notes that a fire station also factored into the building’s development.
The base of the structure alone would take eight months to build
In 2013, when Berkowitz Development Group was first pondering the venture, founder Jeff Berkowitz told the Broward Sentry: “I don’t think it is a pie in the sky. I have spent millions of dollars. I have committed to spend many millions more.”
Before cancellation, Skyrise Miami’s physical location was 401 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL, 33132.
An aerial view of the proposed build site
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This is very sad. Hopefully another developer takes on this project and brings it to fruition because Miami needs an iconic observatory just like any other major city!!