Former Cadillac Dealership to be Transformed Into Residential, Retail Urban Center

MIAMI/PRNewswire/ -- The 7 1/2 acre site on which Williamson Cadillac resided for the better part of three decades will soon be transformed into Downtown Dadeland, a $150 million mixed-use, re-urbanization project that will completely transform the popular Dadeland area.

The project includes a blend of 330 condominium residences, 150,000 square feet of prime retail shops, and limited condominium office space, all within a series of seven clustered buildings, ranging from four to seven stories in height.

The 7 1/2 acre site is bordered by North Kendall Drive to the North, South Dadeland Boulevard to the west, and U.S. 1 to the South and East. The condominium residences include studios, one, two and three-bedroom homes, ranging in size from 400 to 1,350 square feet, and in price from the low $100's to the low $300's.

Each building will have its own unique design and distinctive look within the development's overall Florida architectural style. The streets will be edged by wider-than-average brick-paved sidewalks, and include lush landscaping and plenty of shade trees for sidewalk dining and strolling.

Another amazing aspect of Downtown Dadeland will be its ample parking. Residents will enjoy private parking in a secured, residents-only underground parking level that is being specially constructed to allow natural light to stream in through multiple openings. There will also be street-side parking, as well as easy to access covered parking for the retail shops.

"We view this as one of the area's most unique projects," says Jackson Ward, principal of Gulfside Development, Inc., the project's developer. Gulfside has developed more than five million square feet of prime retail and commercial space throughout the Southeast U.S. during the past six years. "Its pluses are innumerable, with access to all major thoroughfares, and located walking distance to Publix, Dadeland Mall, major hotels, and numerous other popular destinations," he adds.

The amenities-rich community will include a private, air-conditioned elevator lobby for residents at the garage level of each building, wide sidewalks, lush landscaping, and a central, roof-top pool highlighting the development's common areas. Special attention will also be given to security and privacy, with a sound "buffer zone" to be created along the U.S. 1 perimeter of the property, and enhanced 24-hour security.

"Initial response to this project has been unbelievable," adds Ron Shuffield, president of EWM, Downtown Dadeland's exclusive sales representatives for the residential and office condominiums. "Simply on word of mouth, we already have a list of literally hundreds of people who have expressed interest."

"The retail component is having just as much positive response," continues Monette and Daniel O'Grady, principals of from Prime Sites, Inc., the projects exclusive retail representative. "We have signed agreements from Borders Books, Office Depot, Starbucks and CVS Drug Stores, as well as a number of local restaurants and retailers. An extremely impressive mix of tenants is actively pursuing the project," said Monette O'Grady.

The developers expect to break ground some time in late Spring of 2002, with an 18-month completion window.

SOURCE: Gulfside Development, Inc., 11/12/2001
CONTACT: Israel Kreps of Kreps-DeMaria-Treister, +1-305-663-3543, or Ikreps@krepspr.com, for Gulfside Development, Inc.