Developers are pushing forward plans to demolish a significant portion of Miami First Presbyterian Church, one of Brickell’s last remaining historically designated landmarks, to make way for an 80-story, mega high-rise tower.
But the Brickell community has mobilized, formed a dedicated resident committee, Brickell Stronger Together, and submitted a formal appeal to contest what they say is the unjust declassification of the church’s historic designation. Or part of the church property, anyway. The item will be heard at Thursday’s city commission meeting. The appeal is formally submitted by Lawrence Silverman on behalf of IconBrickell Condominium No. Two Association.
Developer darling lobbyist Iris Escarra is representing the church, which wants to sell the back lot — now rented to a school and food trucks on occasion — to developers who want to build an 80-story residential tower at 619 Brickell.
Founded by Henry Flagler, the church, at 609 Brickell Avenue, is considered a focal point in the community’s heritage. A development there could reportedly disturb a mausoleum and native burial grounds. The congregation, which is active to this day, was founded in 1896, before the city of Miami was founded, originally in a downtown location. Much of the architectural features were saved and transported to the new location, giving it its historic, Mediterranean style, and its landmark designation.
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Critics of the plan say that more concrete will also add to Brickell’s already insufferable flooding and more residential units will bring more nightmare traffic. Last year, the city’s historic preservation board voted to amend the 2003 historic designation of the church property by shrinking its boundaries to exclude the back lot, making way for the development.
Ernesto Cuesta, president of the Brickell Homeowners Association, which represents more than 90,000 residents, is supporting the appeal, “to prioritize the voices of the community over the interests of developers.” He told Political Cortadito that he would not be able to attend the meeting Thursday, but wrote a letter to commissioners on Wednesday expressing his position.
“The Brickell community has long championed a balanced approach to development — one that respects historical integrity while accommodating thoughtful progress,” Cuesta wrote. “We support the historic preservation of the entire church. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.”
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The church has already entered into a “transaction and development agreement” in 2022 that provides the developers, 13th Floor Investments and Key International, the right to acquire the property and doesn’t change the actual footprint of the church building, leaving it adjacent to the new high-rise. This would still alter the historic nature of the church, opponents say.
While the developer has marketed their plans for a luxury, waterfront condominium tower as part of the “Manhattan of the South” vibe that Brickell has going on, residents worry about increased traffic congestion, heightened noise and air pollution, endangerment of ancient trees and green canopy, as well as the closure of a neighborhood school, Key Point Christian Academy.
The proposal has attracted the attention of Carolina Isabela Florez, better known as Caro the Tour Guide, who has quite the local following of South Florida history lovers on Instagram.
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