PROFILEMiami | September 16, 2021
The Chicago-based global real estate investment management company Nuveen Real Estate has acquired LaVida for $98 million. LaVida is the first Class-A lakefront multifamily apartments within the prominent Blue Lagoon corporate park. The project was developed by Pinnacle and Ascend Properties, who were also the sellers. The sale of the 272-unit apartment breaks down to $360,294 per unit.
The Cushman & Wakefield team of Robert Given, Troy Ballard, Zachary Sackley, and Mike Mulkern led the marketing efforts and brokered the transaction.
Designed by Behar Font & Partners, LaVida, which opened in 2019, consists of two eight story residential buildings containing 272 units of one, two and three-bedroom homes ranging from 728 to 1,295 SF, each with an outdoor terrace, with top floors offering magnificent south-facing views of Downtown Coral Gables. The elegant apartment residences boast a warm, natural palette with custom details including porcelain flooring throughout, dramatic designer-inspired kitchens and bathrooms, quartz counter tops, energy star-rated appliances, and full-size stackable washer and dryer. Floor-to ceiling exterior doors provide incomparable sunrise, lake and downtown city views with balcony apartments overlooking the lake.
“With the increasing demand for luxury rentals in South Florida and many returning to work in the nearby Blue Lagoon offices, we determined this was the right time to sell,” said Richard Finkelstein and Michael Wohl, partners, Ascend Properties. “LaVida’s central location caters to working professionals and business travelers as well as those looking to live the luxurious Miami lifestyle without having to sacrifice easy access to everything Miami has to offer.”
Located at 6600 NW 7th Street, adjacent to the intersection of the Dolphin and Palmetto Expressways, LaVida offers a live/work option for the 12,000+ working professionals and corporate executives in Blue Lagoon and convenient access to Downtown Miami, Miami International Airport and Doral’s growing business center. LaVida features expansive city and lake views, luxurious design curated by Venus Williams’s V Starr Interiors and a two-story resort-style clubhouse and pool.
“With first-class units, high-quality amenities and a central Miami lakefront location, LaVida continues to transform the way professionals view the Blue Lagoon community,” said David O. Deutch, co-founder, Pinnacle. “The success of LaVida represents the strength of this unique luxury lakefront product in a corporate center in the growing South Florida market.”
Unparalleled community amenities include two covered garages; dog park; two-story lakefront clubhouse with grilling stations; oversized hourglass-shaped pool and jacuzzi with a resort-style sun deck and southern exposure making it the ideal pool experience with poolside cabanas and day beds; state-of-the-art fitness facility with yoga studio and group class space; gourmet coffee bar; media room; Wi-Fi in all common areas, and more.
“LaVida is a Class-A apartment deal, fully occupied, in a high barrier to entry market with access to major employment centers such as Waterford Business District, West Doral and Miami International Airport,” said Carlos Burneo, Senior Director and Florida Housing Sector Lead at Nuveen Real Estate. “South Florida’s continuous employment and population growth is a clear match to Nuveen Real Estate’s investment strategy. We are excited to continue expanding our investments in the Waterford – Blue Lagoon market.”
“The outstanding execution quality and strong operating performance of LaVida led to significant investor demand,” noted Robert Given. “We continue to see robust activity in the market throughout South Florida.”
