Miami developer Michael Swerdlow, who built the Dolphin Mall in Doral and is developing a shopping center at North Miami's Biscayne Landing, could join Hellinger in the venture.
"If Andy needs my help, I will provide it to him in any way I can," he said.
Swerdlow is familiar with the property and called the project "ambitious."
"He has a good piece of land," he said. "He is a smart guy, and if he can get the right tenants, it is going to be a fabulous project."
Swerdlow himself is planning a project along Northwest 14th Street in the heart of the district. He has a site under contract to build a combination of retail and residential uses and plans to close on the property soon.
"We are considering very, very seriously the possibility of a two-story building first followed by another building," he said. The building would bring "some food … some gathering place" to the health district.
"There is nothing to eat except for a couple of Subways in the whole place," Swerdlow said.
The second building could have 270 residential units or be a medical office building.
The University of Miami also is also promoting investment in the area. During the recession, UM leased land to Wexford Science + Technology to build the UM Life Science and Technology Park off I-95 now 75 percent leased, and is planning a second building with some hotel rooms.
Paola Iuspa-Abbott can be reached at (305) 347-6657
Subscribe to Daily Business Review
