Developer Wants to Build Giant Millennial-Focused Apartment Complex in Wynwood

When the City of Miami changed Wynwood's zoning codes last year to make it easier for people to live in the area, everyone knew it was just a matter of time before a huge rental complex landed in the heart of the über-hip neighborhood.

That time is now, if developer East End Capital has its way. The firm has announced plans to build a huge mixed-use apartment complex on the west side of NW Second Avenue, between 24th and 25th streets. That's the block near Wynwood Walls, as well as the location of Panther Coffee's flagship.

According to the release, the whole complex — called Wynwood 25 — is aimed at "young urban creatives." You know, that guy who just grew out his beard and who might work in advertising but calls himself a "storyteller."

Though East End's project pales in comparison to developer Moishe Mana's plans for a huge new complex, it would still be significantly larger in size or scope than the only other major residential complex to open since the zoning law change — the nearby, and similarly named, 250 Wynwood Building. Where 250 Wynwood houses only 11 condos, Wynwood 25 would bring 289 new rental units, mostly studios and one-bedrooms priced at "less than $2,000 a month" to the area. The whole project would be 400,000 square feet.
According to the release, East End has designed the complex to draw in millennial creatives like moths to the flame of an artisanal beeswax candle.

"The development was designed for Miami’s creative class – millennial, knowledge-based workers, who recognize Wywnood’s existing values and are seeking highly amenitized living environments within vibrant, walkable neighborhoods," East End's release says.

And the company isn't kidding: The complex's other amenities are basically a millennial marketing buzzword grab bag. Wynwood 25 would include a fitness center and yoga studio, collaborative co-working spaces, a coffee lounge, bike storage, a rooftop pool, and even dog wash facilities. East End promises "vast amounts" of exterior art, because this is still Wynwood after all. There will also be 31,000 feet of ground-floor retail space and 340 parking spots.

(East End is also behind the newly completed Wynwood Arcade, which is shaping up to be pretty cool.)

East End's next step will be to get Wynwood 25 through a city administrative review and then past both the Wynwood Design Review Board and Miami's Urban Design Review Board. A potential groundbreaking is set for 2017.

The project is the logical extension of Wynwood's path toward becoming the young, commercialized heart of Miami. But critics are sure to note it as another step toward Starbucks infiltrating what was still home to a mostly underground arts scene just five years ago.