Frida Kahlo Wynwood residential buildings to rise

A development team has designed a Frida Kahlo-inspired mixed-use residential project to rise in Miami’s growing Wynwood neighborhood.

Frida Kahlo Wynwood Residences will bring dual buildings, one 12 stories and the other eight, with 244 residential dwelling units, about 15,460 square feet of offices available to tenants only, and 4,645 square feet of commercial space.

Owner-developer Wynwood 29th Street Trustee LLC plans the structures at 119 NW 29th St., with the project showcasing a large mural of the celebrated Mexican painter.

The city’s Urban Development Review Board voted to recommend approval, with a condition and a couple of recommendations.

The motion to approve has a condition: Increase the sculptural elements on the façades, especially on Northwest 30th Street and more specifically the columns on the Northwest 30th Street façade.

The motion recommends revisiting roof line to include similar architectural expressions as the ground floor, and integrating balconies into the south façade (Northwest 29th Street).

The project was heard by the Wynwood Design Review Committee, which unanimously recommended approval, with these conditions:

■East façade: Ownership to maintain art with the adjacent property.

■Shift art treatment to the lower ground level and Northwest 29th main facade. Explore additional art interventions, maintaining color aspects, and elements of Frida Kahlo permanently.

Attorney Javier F. Aviñó, representing the developer, said the property has street frontages on Northwest 29th Street, Northwest 30th Street and Northwest First Avenue.

In a letter to the city Mr. Aviñó wrote, “The property serves as a transition point between the Wynwood Arts District to the south and the Wynwood Norte neighborhood to the north.”

The developer is requesting warrants and several waivers to the zoning code.

The property is split between two zoning designations, and because of that some of the requested waivers are duplicative but required.

Mr. Aviñó explained that because deviations from the same standard in different transect zones require separate warrants or waivers, the project requires several more warrants and waivers than it would if it were not split-zoned.

Two warrants are requested: For micro dwelling units, and for additional shared parking divisors.

The application says 38 of the project’s 244 residential dwellings are proposed to be micro units of less than 400 square feet.

Mr. Aviñó wrote, “The proposed micro dwelling units will allow the project to more efficiently provide increased residential density in Miami’s urban core and promote walkability and transit use, in furtherance of the guiding principles of Miami 21.”

The waivers requested would allow, in part: Parking in a mezzanine parking level; parking in the second layer on a secondary frontage; up to a 30% reduction in required parking for several uses, residential, commercial, office; up to a 10% reduction in required open space; and more.

The project will include 124 on-site parking spaces, with 88 to be provided by a payment-in-lieu into the Wynwood Parking Trust Fund.

The project was designed by CUBE 3.

An architectural narrative reads: “Frida Kahlo Wynwood Residences is envisioned as the next architectural muse of the Wynwood district. A design is focused on creating a thoughtful balance between Architecture and Artistry, reflecting the creative spirit that defines its surroundings.”

An art narrative noted: “The design ethos at Frida Kahlo Wynwood Residences draws inspiration from Frida’s unmistakable strength and spirit, shaping spaces that feel both expressive and intentional. Luminous interiors, balanced by moments of contrast, create a refined interplay of light throughout the residences, revealing her influence in subtle, expressive ways.”

Members of the UDRB liked many aspects of the overall plan but some had very specific criticisms as well.

Board member Anthony Tzamtzis said, “I think there’s a lot of things within this project that are, in my opinion, very forced. I’m disappointed with the uses on Northwest 30th Street. You’re almost denying that street entirely.

“You have a very small portion, which is a lobby, and then you have an FPL vault, a generator room, bicycle racks, two driveways. There’s really nothing of any pedestrian value whatsoever.”

Mr. Tzamtzis added, “This is an area that deserves pedestrian attention and there’s not. Northwest 30th Street is dead, completely – you killed it.”

Board member Francisco Perez-Azua said, “Interesting building. I love the art. There are aspects that are very nice, especially the overall scale. You guys have done a great job there.”

He suggested more compatibility with the elevations saying, “Look at the façades, integrate more play there. It needs to be a little more joined together.”

Board member Ignacio Permuy said, “I like this project a lot. The massing is very well done. I like the articulation, and with the dual zoning I think it was handled very well. The way the program is resolved, the massing, I think it’s going to be a very positive and immediate impact in the area.”

Board member Manuel S. Gallardo said, “I see the inspiration, but it hasn’t been carried out. It’s a little lackluster … it needs more balconies. Make it more sculptural. Right now, it’s more like a box.”

Board Chair Ligia Ines Labrada said, “The scale is wonderful.”

She did suggest bringing some of the lower level architectural features to the top.

She said, “Take a look at the roofline on the south façade, how it ties in architecturally on the base, bring that up to the skyline.”