In the heart of downtown Miami, a monumental urban development project is finally coming to fruition after 22 years in the making. The Miami Worldcenter (MWC) spans an impressive 27 acres and stands as one of the largest private master-planned developments in the United States. Once a neglected area filled with trucks, it has transformed into Miami’s new epicenter, earning the epithet, a ‘city within a city.’
The vision for this ambitious project was sparked back in 2002 when Marc Roberts, co-owner and co-founder of the renowned E11even Nightclub, identified a significant opportunity in the Miami landscape. Alongside Arthur Falcone, the founder of the Falcone Group, their unique partnership and shared vision quickly set the foundation for what would become the second-largest mixed-use urban development in the country.
In March 2003, Roberts and Falcone acquired their first one-acre parcel, marking the beginning of what they described as the greatest land assembly of modern times. This seemingly modest land was located at a strategic intersection — NE 1st Avenue and NE 10th Street — adjacent to the future development of Paramount, showcasing their remarkable foresight.
Where many saw an empty space, the developers pinpointed a prime opportunity. Bounded by I-395 and I-95, their location was conveniently close to the Performing Arts Center and the Kaseya Center. Just a five-minute drive from PortMiami, which annually welcomes over 8 million visitors, the site benefits from unparalleled connectivity and commercial advantages.
“I always say, try going to Brickell on a Friday night and then making your way over to the Design District; it’ll take you 30 to 45 minutes,” said Roberts. “But if you’re leaving from Miami Worldcenter, you can get there in 5 to 10 minutes at most.”
However, the developers faced significant challenges to achieve this ideal accessibility. Two major hurdles loomed large: a constant convoy of 800 to 1,000 cargo trucks traversing the neighborhood daily and a considerable homeless presence near Camillus House.
These obstacles were the primary reason why such prime real estate had remained undeveloped for years. Prospective solutions arrived in the form of a tunnel built under I-395, which diverted truck traffic away from the area, coupled with the relocation of Camillus House that paved the way for this grand vision.
“143 parcels were acquired from 44 different sellers,” Arthur Falcone recounted. “That was the missing link of this deal.”
A masterclass in land assembly had begun, as Roberts and Falcone meticulously pieced together properties like a complex puzzle, crafting a vision that few could see. In 2006, Nitin Motwani joined the team, and they set into motion what became known as the “Special Area Plan,” establishing a framework that required a minimum of nine acres and transforming their vision into a reality.
Architectural visionaries soon followed, with Howard Elkis becoming a key figure as he spoke passionately about the importance of creating spaces for people over simply constructing grand buildings. “The moment Howard walked out of the room and pitched to us, we all looked at each other and said, that’s our guy,” Motwani recalled.
More than 100,000 square feet were committed to public spaces, and by 2008, the team had assembled $250 million worth of property. Yet, as the developers moved forward, obstacles continued to emerge.
Carving out the heart of Miami required unwavering determination. The journey was fraught with trials that stretched back two decades, when skepticism abounded about the city’s potential. While today Miami is recognized as a global hotspot, the early 2000s painted a starkly different picture for the region.
“I would often say, I don’t understand how the rest of the world hadn’t recognized Miami’s value until COVID hit,” Falcone reflected. “I saw it all along, and we put our money where our mouth was, believing it would eventually turn around.”
Motwani echoed his sentiment, stating that while they sought to attract ground-floor retail and vertical buildings, others often viewed them as unrealistic dreamers. “People would take meetings with us just to verify that we were serious about developing this land in Miami.”
At the time, many considered Miami a ‘no man’s land,’ and the only way to gain traction was to pivot towards a mall format. Significant resources were invested in planning for potential constructions involving large anchors such as Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s. Progress seemed imminent.
Then came a turning point on December 11, 2015, when the chairman of Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s announced they would be closing 150 stores. The news hit hard. “It was a rough weekend,” Motwani admitted.
Yet, in hindsight, this seeming setback proved to be a blessing in disguise. It propelled the team to refocus their efforts on the original vision: vibrant public spaces, ground-floor retail, and beautiful high-rise buildings that would anchor the new downtown neighborhood.
This development team wasn’t just any group; they transformed into true land assemblers, united not merely by business interests but by familial bonds. In early 2004, a pivotal moment occurred when Roberts purchased a Fort Lauderdale property for $20 million from Nitin’s mother, Ramola Motwani. This transaction paved the way for their future collaborations.
The relationship was strengthened further when Falcone, having served as the best man at Roberts’ wedding, solidified their team dynamics. “Nitin’s mom told me, you need to meet my son — he’s a very bright young man,” Roberts explained with a smile. “How old were you when I first laid eyes on you?” he joked. Nitin responded with laughter, “24.”
As Roberts and his partners began assembling land along nearly all of 11th Street, they envisioned incredible new residential developments emerging in tandem. Entrusting Motwani with the crucial responsibility to navigate the political landscape was a strategic decision that proved vital.
“Nitin took the reins and the bull by the horns to do a monumental job,” Roberts remarked. “Nobody else could have pulled it off alongside Falcone after the recession.”
Entrusting someone in his early twenties with the responsibility for the future of both Miami and such a transformative project may have seemed audacious — or perhaps a stroke of genius.
The partnership was exceptional, but the resilience they showcased during the Great Financial Crisis was even more remarkable. “We had three of our banks that we were borrowing from that failed,” Falcone recounted. “It was an ugly time from that standpoint.”
Amid the fear of losing their acquisitions to foreclosure auctions, they never wavered in their commitment to one another or their dreams. With funding from CIM, a prominent real estate and infrastructure investment firm dedicated to urban revitalization, they managed to acquire their properties outright, effectively erasing debts and driving progress forward on the project.
After emerging from the financial storm, they finally glimpsed the light of their long-awaited dream. The foundational mega structures — Paramount and Caoba — emerged first, followed by additional residential, retail, and parking projects, each contributing a new note to the urban symphony. From the ground up, a vibrant mini-metropolis came into being.
Innovative concepts such as a Museum of Ice Cream, entertainment venues like Lucky Strike, and dining options like Maple & Ash, Go Greek, and Earls transformed the landscape. A testament to sustainability, the world’s most carbon-neutral Apple store proudly stands within the development, directly adjacent to Brightline’s MiamiCentral Station. This dynamic integration allows seamless connections to Metrorail and additional transit systems, creating a hub for shopping and pedestrian traffic.
But the ambition didn’t stop at ground level. Seeking to revitalize the space further, planners envisioned The Underdeck — a visionary 33-acre public park being constructed beneath the I-395 Signature Bridge. Miami gained a pivotal boost when the U.S. Department of Transportation granted a record $60 million towards this $83 million initiative, marking the most significant federal grant in city history.
“When we think about Miami World, it’s always been about creating a community — a place where people, families, and pedestrians can thrive,” said Motwani.
As of now, Miami Worldcenter is about 40-50% complete, with a bright future on the horizon. Once finished, the project will include over 11,000 residential units, more than 1,000 hotel rooms, exceeding 1 million square feet of office space, 500,000 square feet of retail, and an anticipated population of 40,000 to 50,000 residents.
Bringing such a large-scale project to fruition required an exceptional commitment to community engagement. The developers held over 100 public meetings and faced the city or county 12 times, consistently receiving unanimous approvals — an unprecedented feat in Miami.
They established what they refer to as the “most extensive community engagement agreement in Miami’s history,” creating frameworks that subsequent projects now follow. This included local hiring initiatives, job training programs in collaboration with Miami-Dade College, and commitments to higher wages.
Support from three consecutive mayors — Mayor Diaz, Mayor Regalado, and Mayor Suarez — along with vital commissioners like Commissioner Hardiman and Commissioner Sarnoff, facilitated the development process.
As Miami Worldcenter continues to evolve, its creators envision it as much more than a successful real estate project. They see it as a convergence of arts, culture, entertainment, transportation, and education — setting a new standard for urban development across the country.
When asked about their journey in executing such an ambitious project, the founders readily provided their guiding principles.
“Fortitude and never quit,” emerged as Falcone’s succinct answer.
“Patience and perseverance,” Motwani added thoughtfully.
“Relentlessness and mental toughness,” Roberts concluded. “I always say when the going gets tough, the tough gets going.”
Reflecting on their journey, Motwani observed that when they first embarked on this project, many thought they were crazy. After surviving the financial crisis, skeptics began labeling them as misguided, yet today some say they’re simply lucky.
“Some would say they’re probably right on all three,” he remarked.
Fueled by this unyielding mindset and the unwavering support from the Miami community, these developers persevered through what they aptly describe as a “22-year overnight success” that breathed new life into the heart of Miami.
“When people think of developers, they often assume that success comes overnight,” Falcone emphasized. “This was a 22-year overnight success.”
“The vision from the very beginning was about identifying the best land in Miami. And before long, it will be recognized as the best land in the country,” Roberts stated confidently. “Then, this story will grow and evolve, much like every great narrative across the globe.”
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