Crews have begun sitework in preparation for the groundbreaking of Miami Freedom Park, the $1 billion soccer stadium-anchored mixed-use project proposed by Miami billionaire Jorge Mas, retired fútbol star David Beckham and their partners.
This month, Miami Freedom Park LLC obtained a notice of commencement to erect a temporary construction fence and start soil improvements at the former Melreese Golf Course owned by the city of Miami, records show. Miami Freedom Park has a 99-year lease to redevelop the 131-acre site at 1400 Northwest 37th Avenue.
In addition to a 25,000-seat stadium, the project would entail three hotels with a combined 750 rooms, 400,000 square feet of office space and 600,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space. Designed by Miami-based Arquitectonica, Miami Freedom Park would also have nearly 5,000 parking spaces with rooftop sports fields and a 58-acre public park.
The development entity is an affiliate of Inter Miami CF, the Major League Soccer franchise owned by the Mas and Beckham partnership group. The joint venture also includes Mas’ brother Jose Mas and Los Angeles-based Ares Management, which recently boosted its stake to $225 million with a $75 million infusion. It made the investment shortly after Leonel Messi, considered the greatest fútbol player in the world, joined the Inter Miami CF roster last month.
Messi, who won his World Cup championship with Argentina last year, is reportedly shopping for a new home in Broward and Palm Beach counties, despite owning three condos in Sunny Isles Beach.
Crews and heavy equipment are now on the Miami Freedom Park site, performing earthwork and sitework that will move across the 131 acres concurrent with vertical construction, a press release states. An official groundbreaking is anticipated for later this year. And leasing and commercial partnership efforts are underway to sign office tenants and retailers, the release states.
Last year, the Miami City Commission approved the ground lease, changed Melreese’s land use designation and approved a special area plan and a development agreement. Voters approved Miami Freedom Park in 2018.
Inter Miami CF currently plays at DRV PNK Stadium, which is on a 34-acre site the team leases from the city of Fort Lauderdale.