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The Plaza Coral Gables
Located in the heart of downtown, The Plaza Coral Gables is the city’s largest mixed-use development, introducing over 2.25 million SF of new residential, commercial, and public space.
DeSimone served as structural engineer for this multifaceted project, which brings together a 17-story five-star hotel, a 14-story Class A office tower, 229 luxury residences, ground-floor retail, and nearly one acre of public plaza.
| Client | Agave Ponce LLC |
|---|---|
| Architect: | CallisonRTKL |
| Size | 17 stories (hotel), 14 stories (office); 2.25 million SF (209,000 SM); 229 Units |
| Office: | Miami |
| Completion: | 2022 |
Occupying a constrained urban site left dormant for years after the collapse of a prior plan, the two new towers topped out in under one year, thanks in part to a reinforced concrete structural system with post-tensioned slabs, which allowed for high floor-cycle efficiency. Deep foundations—comprising over 650 auger cast piles, including battered elements—support the scale and complexity of the program while navigating subsurface conditions from earlier construction.
Drawing from Coral Gables’ Mediterranean heritage, the project incorporates the restored façade of a 1926 art center. A sculptural podium connects the buildings above an integrated parking structure, while generous setbacks and landscaped edges enhance the pedestrian experience. Together, the complex transforms a central city block into a vibrant, high-density node that merges private development with civic revitalization.
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