History of EPIC Miami

EPIC Miami Residences and Hotel has gone through many incarnations. Built by Henry Flagler in 1896 as the Royal Palm Hotel, it was one of the first area hotels in Miami, Florida. Welcoming wealthy winter visitors to Miami, the Royal Palm Hotel reigned thirty years in Miami till it was damaged in 1926 hurricane and later raised in 1930.

In 1956, approximately thirty years after being destroyed by a hurricane, the Royal Palm Hotel rose like a phoenix from the ashes and was reborn as the Dupont Plaza Hotel. Continuing the legacy for nearly a quarter of a century, this popular Miami hotel lured vacationers and business professionals from all over the globe to stay there.

Once again the building is reborn. This time as EPIC Miami Residences and Hotel, a $370 million mix-use development. The first 342-unit tower is scheduled for completion in Summer 2008; a second nearly 600-unit tower is planned to be constructed afterwards. The 414-room hotel will be managed by Kimpton Hotels.

Miami Urban Lifestyle

MiamiHerald.com | Retail goes urban

Growing group of South Floridians are buying into an urban lifestyle that allows them to live, work and play in the same area. Mixed-use development -- combining stores, restaurants, condos and offices -- is all the rage. Rather than moving west, condo buyers are interested in urban environments that developed naturally in major metropolitan areas.

"We're just at the beginning of a trend that's going to go on for a long time," said Michael Beyard, senior resident fellow for retail and entertainment with the Urban Land Institute. "It reflects the maturing of our cities. We're really seeing a generational shift in retail that's as important as the introduction of the suburban shopping mall."

Society is fueling this shift towards this mix-use development. Baby boomers are empty-nesters now, so they are willing to trade the big house in the suburbs for convenience. The Miami urban lifestyle also appeals to time-strapped young professional who can't stand the daily traffic jams.

New Carnival Center for the Performing Arts Opens in Downtown Miami

With EPIC Residences & Hotel less than two miles from the new Carnival Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Miami, future residents will be only minutes away from fabulous opera, theatre, ballet, comedy and cabaret performances. The center is comprised of two main buildings: the Sanford and Dolores Ziff Opera House and the 22,000 seat Knight Concert Hall. After a grand opening celebration including performances by Gloria Estefan, Andy Garcia, José Carreras and more, the Carnival Center boasts a future line up that includes the renowned opera AIDA, comedic genius Bill Cosby, famed trumpeter Arturo Sandoval and legendary composer Burt Bacharach, to name a few. Just yet another reason why EPIC’s location is unparalleled among all other South Florida luxury condos.

Home is Where the Heart is…The Heart of Downtown Miami

Benjamin Baum, a long time South Florida native has fond memories of traveling on the number 10 bus to visit Bayfront Park, the Miami Library and the original Downtown Miami site of the Japanese Gardens. So, it’s no surprise that he works, and will soon live, in the heart of Miami’s downtown.

When Baum heard that the Dupont Plaza was in disrepair he figured the site might eventually be developed. Because of its close proximity to his office and beautiful views of the Biscayne Bay and Miami River, he knew it would be an ideal residence – if the conditions were right.

“I found out at a dinner party that Ugo Colombo was going to develop the Dupont site with the Lowensteins,” Baum notes. “I went down the very next morning, and if my check wasn't the first one in, then it was in the first five. It took literally five minutes for me to decide that I wanted to live there.”

Baum's love of the Brickell area, especially the Miami River, led him to purchase a two-bedroom-plus-den townhome overlooking the river. He asks, “Why shouldn't I live downtown and be where all the action is?”

“This is going to be a signature building - probably the best in Miami,” he said. “What Ugo does so well is meld energy, enthusiasm, and pride into his projects. He creates momentum in the areas that he builds, and there's already a buzz surrounding EPIC.”