The city looks to put construction on the fast track
In a strategic move that promises to reshape the landscape for meetings and conventions in South Florida, Miami Beach has approved a significant investment in a new Convention Center Hotel. The Miami-Dade County Commissioners greenlit a measure allowing the county to incur up to $92.5 million in debt to facilitate the development of the Grand Hyatt Miami Beach Convention Center Hotel. Spearheaded by Terra Group and Turnberry Associates, this ambitious project is set to become a cornerstone for business travelers and meeting planners alike.
The Grand Hyatt, designed to bolster the city’s convention capabilities, will feature 800 rooms—including 52 suites—and an impressive 90,000 square feet of indoor meeting space, complemented by an additional 10,000 square feet outdoors. This blend of amenities positions it as a premier venue for conferences and business events, addressing the growing demand for high-quality accommodations in close proximity to the Miami Beach Convention Center.
Set to break ground soon, the hotel will utilize a 99-year ground lease structure, allowing the city to retain ownership of the land while the developers oversee construction and operations. The project, with a total estimated cost of approximately $600 million, is expected to open its doors by late 2027, providing ample time for meeting planners to consider it for future events.
The hotel’s strategic location at 17th Street and Convention Center Drive places it just a stone’s throw from iconic attractions like the New World Center and the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, ensuring that attendees will have access to both business and leisure opportunities. With a climate-controlled skybridge connecting directly to the convention center, the Grand Hyatt will eliminate the hassle of travel between venues, allowing attendees to focus on what matters most: their meetings and networking.
Miami Beach’s commitment to enhancing its convention offerings stems from a recognition of the $640 million taxpayer investment made in the renovation of the convention center in 2018. As Commissioner Alex Fernandez emphasized, maximizing the use of this facility is critical for attracting quality conventions and driving economic growth in the area. “We need to do whatever we can to finally, once and for all, move forward with the convention center hotel that our city desperately needs,” he remarked.
Commissioner Tanya Bhatt echoed these sentiments, highlighting the city’s shift toward attracting business travelers. “We are changing the direction of the city from a party atmosphere to a destination for serious business engagements,” she stated. For meeting planners, the convenience of an on-site hotel cannot be overstated; the ability to conduct meetings without the stress of transportation logistics is a significant advantage.
With five food and beverage outlets—including a signature restaurant already leased—two pools, a gym, and 320 parking spaces, the Grand Hyatt Miami Beach is set to enhance the overall experience for both planners and attendees. The anticipated creation of over 750 permanent jobs also underscores the hotel’s potential as an economic engine for the region.
As Miami Beach gears up for this transformative addition to its convention landscape, meeting planners should take note: the future of business travel and conventions in this vibrant city is bright, with the Grand Hyatt poised to be a key player in elevating the standards of service and convenience in the sector.
Any thoughts, opinions, or news? Please share them with me at vince@meetingsevents.com.
Photo: Miami Beach Convention Center
