In Miami Beach’s South of Fifth neighborhood, more density is the carrot. And three hotel owners are the rabbits.
And at least one of those hospitality landlords, an affiliate of Miami-based Key International, is eyeing that carrot.
The Miami Beach City Commission on Wednesday approved a measure that would encourage South of Fifth hotel owners to redevelop their properties into condominiums or multifamily projects. By agreeing to convert their land from transient uses such as hotels, hostels and short-term rentals to residential use, the owners would get an increase in the allowable floor area ratio, or FAR, to 2.75 from 2.0, according to a city memo.
Key International owns the Marriott Stanton South Beach at 161 Ocean Drive, through its affiliate Komar Investments, records show. The Key International affiliate is interested in exploring possible redevelopment of the 224-room hotel and taking advantage of the density bonus, said Christopher Penelas, an attorney for the hotel owner.
The legislation, sponsored by Miami Beach city commissioner Alex Fernandez, was mandated by Miami Beach residents. In November, 66 percent of voters approved a referendum directing the city to enact the legislation.
In order to receive the density bonus, property owners must pledge that any new projects will not allow rentals shorter than six months.
Source: The Real Deal
