Plans are underway for a new addition to Miami's bustling financial district, Brickell, as developer William Jacome proposes a 23-story mixed-use tower on the site of the former Babylon Apartments. Situated at 240 SE 14th Street, just south of the Jade condo building, the Babylon Racquet Club development aims to offer 34 condos, 15 hotel rooms, 4,400 square feet of office space, a 13,700-square-foot restaurant, and 14 tennis or racquet courts, positioning itself as downtown Miami's premier racket sports and health/wellness center in the heart of Brickell.
Having acquired the vacant half-acre property for $8.7 million earlier this year, Jacome's vision for the project aligns with the broader efforts to enhance accessibility to public transportation, evidenced by its inclusion within the Metromover Subzone by Miami-Dade County officials. This designation allows developers to reduce parking requirements, promoting ridership of the nearby rail line.
Renderings: MVRDV
The proposal, spearheaded by Jacome and represented legally by Nicholas J. Barshel of Akerman, reflects a strategic response to evolving urban needs. While the site has a storied past, once home to the Babylon Apartments celebrated for its distinctive design by Arquitectonica, its demolition in 2019 and subsequent developments mark a new chapter in Brickell's urban landscape.
Renderings: MVRDV
If approved, Babylon Racquet Club would join the ranks of Brickell's burgeoning skyline, which has seen significant growth in recent years with projects like Mast Capital's Cipriani condo complex and JDS Development's acquisition of a site along Brickell Avenue for a Dolce & Gabbana-branded condo tower. Additionally, Citadel is poised to develop a mixed-use skyscraper along Brickell Bay Drive, underscoring the area's status as a focal point for real estate development and investment in South Florida.
The project team includes ODP (architect of record), Rotterdam-based MVRDV (design architect), Bliss & Nyitrya (structural consultant), Power Design (MEP Consultant), and SLS/Socotec (life safety). The plans were prepared for Cloud and Co.
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