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When one thinks of South Florida, non-automobile transportation is not the first thing that comes to mind. That being said, things are changing in the ways of transit in Miami. With the recent addition of Virgin MiamiCentral (formerly known as MiamiCentral), the landscape for transportation in Miami as well as intercity transit in Florida has shifted dramatically. Originally introduced back in 2014 with a goal to redevelop a 9-acre site in the Government Center District, the past five years have shown just that. Since our last update on the project back in late 2018, much has changed and grown at Virgin MiamiCentral.
Developed by All Aboard Florida, the project ties in transportation, residential, office, and public space. The transportation component comes in the form of a multi-modal transit hub, located in the base of the structure. The current plan calls for a 5 track train station to serve both Virgin Rail (formerly Brightline) and Tri-Rail trains. Both trains run service to various destinations spread throughout Florida effectively giving MiamiCentral a similar purpose to that of Penn Station in New York.. In addition, MiamiCentral will be connected via a pedestrian walkway to the Government Center Station that serves both Miami Metrorail and Metromover.
Residential living at MiamiCentral is offered in the two Parkline Towers rising 33 and 30 storeys respectively. Together, these two towers will house upwards of 1,200 residents across 816 units in a range of sizes. An array of residential amenities will be offered at the Parkline Towers, including a large communal deck, pool, and many others spaces.
Since we last covered MiamiCentral, much construction progress has been made on the various components that make up the project. Construction on the two Parkline Towers has all but wrapped up with occupancy soon to follow. Additionally, the office tower component has been completed. Within the station itself, many new retail and dining offerings are coming online in the form of 180,000 sq. ft. of retail space, as well as a 50,000 sq. ft. European-style food hall sure to appease the hungry hordes of transit commuters passing through the station daily. With Virgin Rail trains already running through the station, Tri-Rail service is set to start sometime in late 2019, turning Virgin MiamiCentral into a true multi-modal hub.
The development was designed by famed architecture firm Skimore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) and features a design reflective of current trends in Miami including an emphasis on reflective glass and concrete.
Virgin MiamiCentral has already transformed a car-centric city into one that now embraces multi-modal transit and will continue to do so for years to come.
SkyriseCities will be sure to return to this project as progress continues. For more information, check out the associated Database file and Forum thread, and as always, feel free to join the conversation in the comments section below.
