Shoma Group proposes two 40-story towers with 748 apartments along the Underline

Shoma Group has unveiled revised designs for a mixed-use venture located on Bird Road in Miami, now featuring twin 40-story edifices. The updated pre-application for Shoma One was submitted to Miami-Dade County authorities for the 2.4-acre parcel at 3650 Bird Road, a site previously occupied by an auto dealership acquired for $34 million in 2022 by the Coral Gables-based developer.

Earlier, the proposal entailed the construction of two 18-story structures housing a total of 391 apartments. However, a recent extension of the Rapid Transit Zone area around public transit hubs by the county has facilitated greater density, enabling applications to be processed through county channels instead of city officials. The project site is proximate to the Douglas Road Metrorail Station and aligns with the Underline linear park beneath the Metrorail.

The revised Shoma One blueprint also seeks to leverage the county's workforce housing density incentive. The new design encapsulates 748 apartments, 20,000 square feet of commercial arena, and 718 parking spots, with 12.5% of the housing units earmarked for workforce housing. These apartments are set to vary between 400 to 1,200 square feet in size.

The architectural plan situates the two towers at opposing ends of a parking podium, crowned with a pool and amenity deck, as per Masoud Shojaee, the Shoma Group's President and Chairman. Central to the parking deck, an 18,000-square-foot food market named Shoma Bazaar is envisioned, with windows overlooking the Metrorail station. Adjacent to this, a separate two-story edifice housing the leasing office is planned, topped with an active rooftop.

Shojaee highlights the project's harmonious integration with the Underline, facilitating easy access for individuals on foot or bicycles to the outdoor seating in front of Shoma Bazaar. He also mentions enhanced window thickness for lower floor apartments to mitigate noise from the Metrorail trains.

The plethora of amenities within Shoma Bazaar include a cinema, a pool, a pet spa and park, a splash pad, a spa equipped with a sauna and steam room, a gaming room, and a daycare facility for toddlers. In a bid to deviate from the architectural monotony in Miami, Shojaee aims to create a distinctive yet functional landmark visible to those transitioning from I-95 to U.S. 1.

The project, conceived by local architect firm Bermello Ajamil & Partners, has attorney Mario Garcia-Serra representing the developer. With ongoing coordination with county staff for approval, Shojaee anticipates initiating construction around the middle of 2024.

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