Developer Russell Galbut is withdrawing three proposed residential towers in Miami Beach after discussions with Miami-Dade Commissioner Vicki Lopez and City Commissioner Alex Fernandez. Galbut confirmed the decision by email, saying he is pulling Live Local Act applications for 1575 Alton Road, 740 Alton Road and 880 71st Street.
The proposals sought mixed-use buildings as tall as 519 feet. City records show none had won final Live Local approval, and all three ran into problems during staff reviews. In a Monday email to City Manager Eric Carpenter, Galbut credited Lopez and Fernandez with persuading him to rethink the projects while still supporting more housing.
The largest of the three was a 43-story tower at the former Firestone property on Alton Road, with 163 residences, 72 of them workforce units. The area’s ordinary height limit is 60 feet. The 740 Alton plan called for a 28-story building, and the 880 71st Street proposal for a 28-story building with 100 residences. Staff stopped review of both over height or density concerns.
Under the state law, developers can build above local height and density limits if they reserve at least 40% of units as affordable rentals for 30 years. Qualifying projects receive administrative approval instead of votes by commissioners or land-use boards, which is why residents have pressed for changes.
Lopez said she and Fernandez spent several weeks talking with Galbut about residents’ objections. Fernandez thanked Lopez and said he hopes other applications can be resolved through dialogue.
