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A church complex at 1836 Biscayne Boulevard in Miami is set to be preserved and incorporated into a 38-storey condominium development. The 352-unit project, by developer Fifteen Group, received final zoning approval in late January following revisions to the proposed building's scale.
The existing First Church of Christ, Scientist contains a 16,935-square-foot sanctuary and 1,200 seats. A 600-seat Sunday school facility and a 3,030-square-foot reading room is also included on the one-acre property. As part of its adaptive reuse, the auditorium may become a grocer or other retailer, ensuring that the space remains open to the public.
The older iteration of the project asked for 47 storeys and featured a more glassy exterior. The massing of the 637-stall garage was amended following criticism from the Historic & Environmental Preservation Board. Alterations to the 19th Street facade have also been axed. Instead, the west face, which is out of public view, will undergo changes.
Large columns suspend the ADD Inc-designed tower above the church in an effort to minimize the impact on the historic property. Fifteen Group campaigned for heritage designation of the church, which proved successful, netting the developer millions in Transferable Development Rights (TDRs). The TDR system enables owners of heritage buildings to sell their unused development capacity, such as air rights, to another property owner who can then add "bonus" height and density to their land. Fifteen Group can now sell two million square feet of TDRs.
We'll keep our eyes on the project as the sensitive integration of the church unfolds. You can visit the Database file linked below for more information. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum thread or leave a comment at the bottom of this page.
