Get ready for the idea of giant sail-looking buildings staring at you from Biscayne Bay, and perhaps more important, prepare for the idea of a casino in downtown Miami. Genting has revealed its plans for the giant resort complex it wants to plop onto the current site of the Miami Herald building -- as well as the nearby Omni Center complex, which Genting gained control of Wednesday -- and, well, nothing about this project is subtle.
The resort, designed by locally based, internationally renowned architecture firm Arquitectonica, includes a total of 10 million square feet. Four hotel towers with a total of 5,200 rooms will be joined by two residential towers with a total 1,000 units. Yeah, that's just what downtown Miami needs -- more condo units! The resort will also include a convention center, the largest ballroom in the nation, and space for more than 50 shops, restaurants, and nightclubs.
There are also two stories set aside for a casino, which as you might know, is technically prohibited by Florida law. Yet Genting, with its billions and billions of dollars, doesn't seem too deterred.
There's nothing low-key or subtle about the plans. This is the kind of project that will dominate the skyline and forever change the feel, culture, and purpose of downtown Miami. So, what do you think?
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