In November, residential developer Melo Group topped out the 52-story East Tower on its Downtown 5th development in Miami, followed shortly after by its twin 52-story West Tower. The construction milestones were reached roughly 37 weeks after the transit-oriented development’s first foundation pour, which occurred in February. Expected to be complete this summer, the development—touted by Melo as the “single-largest multifamily development ever built in downtown Miami’s central business district”—will comprise 1,042 rental apartments and approximately 12,500 sq ft of ground-floor retail. The apartments at Downtown 5th will range from studios to three-bedroom units, with building amenities that include three swimming pools. “We’re bullish on the long-term future of downtown Miami. Despite a global pandemic, we never stopped building for locals who want to live and work in the urban core,” said developer Carlos Melo, principal of the Miami-based company. “We’re seeing a continued need from the community for good quality, attainably priced apartments in a convenient, walkable location with access to public transit and nearby amenities.” Melo Group, with more than 6,000 total condo and rental units completed throughout Miami, believes the area’s continued population growth will fuel more residential projects.  Says company principal Martin Melo: “As more businesses look to relocate or expand to downtown Miami, we’re building housing for the thousands of employees that will come with them and need a place to live.”

Miller Construction has launched the 30,000-sq-ft expansion of Lighthouse Learning Center for Children for the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind. The project will create a five-story center adjoining the existing campus. The Learning Center will include 8,595 sq ft of classroom and office space, plus two levels of covered parking. New construction will connect on each of four stories with a parking and classroom structure that was completed in 2018. “Miami Lighthouse has grown to meet demand with a series of expansions at the site over the years,” said Brian Sudduth, Miller Construction president. This project will tie all sections together seamlessly, adding new facilities and some flex space for future use.” Virginia Jacko, president and CEO of Miami Lighthouse, added, “Blind and visually impaired children from communities throughout Miami-Dade will attend alongside sighted classmates from the surrounding Brickell neighborhood.” Jacko expects the expanded facility for blind and visually impaired students in Pre-K through first grade will be open by the 2021 school year.