Developers hope that transforming a historic location in the heart of downtown could re-energize Miami. The site of an empty Macy’s could soon house coffee shops, wine bars, restaurants, and nightlife.
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Macy’s to bring nightlife to downtown Miami
An artist’s rendering shows the mix of restaurants, lounges and cafes proposed for the Macy’s West building. The developer, Barlington Group, will unveil the plans before the Miami City Commission on Thursday.
In what some hope is a signal of Macy’s long-term commitment to downtown Miami, the retailer is leasing unused space on the ground floor of its store to a local developer with plans to create a new entertainment destination.
Miami developer Barlington Group will unveil plans Thursday to the Miami City Commission for a mix of restaurants, lounges and cafes to fill up the 20,000 square feet in the Macy’s West building at the intersection of Flagler Street and North Miami Avenue. This space, which has been vacant for at least six years, was slated to become a Macy’s Home Store before the recession hit.
Instead, the owner of Miami’s Transit Lounge will open Avenue D – Jazz & Blues Lounge, a club featuring nightly live entertainment; and Kork Wine & Spirits, a combination martini/wine bar and wine cellar/liquor store.
Kaña Cuban Coffee, a gourmet Hispanic coffee brand, is launching what it hopes is the beginning of a chain of cafes.
Other plans call for a national smoothie chain, a hip urban diner by a Miami restaurateur and one undetermined operator.
“We see the change going on downtown and we want to be part of it,” said Troy Lee, chief executive of Kaña Cuban Coffee, which is based in Margate. “Downtown is right on the verge.”
-Elaine Walker, MIAMI HERALD
Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/01/13/2013656/jazzing-up-downtown.html#ixzz1BWF5LEFP
