Park Grove

When the developer, Terra Group acquired the 5.4-acre site to develop Park Grove in 2013, they sponsored a design competition among many high-profile architects. The finalists included Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) by Rem Koolhaas and Shohei Shigematsu, Ateliers Jean Nouvel, Christian de Portzamparc and Diller Scofidio & Renfro. The winning proposal by OMA was for six organically shaped towers inspired by a literal “grove” of trees.

In Park Grove, OMA saw an opportunity to create not merely a residential development, but a work of intense intellectual rigor that would be a clear departure from almost all other properties taking shape throughout the city. After careful study of the neighborhood and local geography the final three-tower design celebrates the natural setting with sophisticated ambiance. Although these structures are undeniably modern, their flowing facades seem to grow upwards from the earth. In addition to a pleasing aesthetic, the buildings’ shapes also offer unique perspectives and panoramic views of the landscape and waterfront from the ground floor all the way to the penthouses. Acclaimed international landscape designer, Enzo Enea, then sculpted the five-acre site to further reflect Coconut Grove’s bohemian, tropical character with lush trees and plantings and sculpture-filled gardens overlooking Biscayne Bay.

Throughout the years, Terra has followed a right-sized approach to development that prioritizes matching the scale of a project to the surrounding neighborhood. Often, this means opting in favor of lower density rather than pursuing the highest-possible profit, choosing instead to find a balance that still pushes towards progress, but still respects the people and atmosphere of a given space. This was most definitely the case with Park Grove, which was originally zoned for up to 900 total units, a density that was reflected in OMA’s original six-tower design proposal. Terra wanted to make sure Park Grove maintained a sense of connection with the Coconut Grove community, and the design was revised so only three towers were built with a total of 271 units.

Development impact fees for Park Grove created funds for the City of Miami to create Regatta Park along Coconut Grove’s Biscayne Bay waterfront. For decades, the space had been previously underutilized by a small, outdated convention center, and little to no shoreline access for the public. The new Regatta Park contains multiple walking and bike paths, ample outdoor seating and shade, picnic areas, open play space, and a public boat ramp all adjacent to the historic Miami City Hall building. The park has since prompted additional redevelopment of the surrounding area with new restaurant and retail destinations designed to further activate the waterfront, increase property values, and provide additional tax revenue for future infrastructure, public works, and community-oriented spaces.

The thought-provoking work, The Three Poets, is an iconic element of Park Grove created by Barcelona-based artist, Jaume Plensa. For more than 25 years, Plensa has created a number of site-specific sculptures and installations for prominent outdoor spaces that seek to unify spirituality, literature, and art. He says he created the whimsical Poets to be “something so beautiful that people have an immediate reaction to it” and he imagines the figures as conferring with one another about music, dreams, and poetry. Positioned directly at the front of the property, The Three Poets is a piece of Park Grove appreciated by thousands of residents, commuters, and visitors each and every day.