I
n a flurry of approvals and critiques, Miami's Urban Development Review Board tackled three high-profile projects. Braman Motors' 11-story automotive building in Edgewater sailed through with a 4-2 vote, despite some board members questioning the design's vertical breaks. The project, part of a larger special area plan, will feature a 960-foot-long auto building with five façades and a five-story showroom.

    Meanwhile, Acre's proposed Adela II multifamily development near Miami's MiMo Biscayne Boulevard Historic District hit a snag due to its bulky design and failure to incorporate the surrounding park. The board's 3-3 tie means the project will return for further review on May 21. Board members suggested reevaluating the concealed parking layout and incorporating more visual breaks.

    In Wynwood Norte, former Los Angeles Dodgers player Alex Guerrero's Live Local Act apartment tower won approval with a 4-2 vote, despite some perplexity over its vibrant color palette. The 41-story building will feature murals and vertical stripes of lime green, yellow, and red, designed to create visual interest for drivers on I-195 and pedestrians alike. Board members praised the project's unique design intent but questioned whether the colors detracted from the architecture.

    The board's critiques highlight the tension between creative expression and functional design in Miami's urban development landscape. As the city continues to grow and evolve, these debates will only intensify.