Goulds Village Center Project Scales Down to 300 Units

Developer Details

Lockhart Management Group, historically recognized for its self-storage developments across Florida, is adjusting plans for its Goulds Village Center project. Originally slated for 342 apartments, the company has decided to reduce the total to 300 units. This market-rate residential complex will feature two five-story buildings, strategically situated on a 3.7-acre site located between U.S. 1 and the South Dade Busway, along Southwest 216th and 220th streets in the Goulds neighborhood of Miami-Dade County.

Project Features

• Unit Breakdown: The revised plans now include a variety of housing options:

  • Studios
  • One-bedroom apartments (including options with a den)
  • Two-bedroom units

• Parking and Retail:

  • A total of 388 parking spaces will be provided across the first two levels of the structures.
  • Retail spaces will occupy the first level of the buildings, enhancing accessibility for residents and community members.
• Amenities: The revised plans also indicate that amenities will be located on the ground level, bridging the two buildings.

Background and Timeline

In 2022, Lockhart Management, under the leadership of James Lockhart, acquired two vacant lots for $4 million. Their previous approvals from Miami-Dade allowed for a more extensive project, but the current modifications reflect a strategic pivot to meet market demands.

Construction Timeline: According to the company’s website, construction for the Goulds Village Center is anticipated to commence later this year.

Urban Development Context

The Goulds Village Center is nestled within the Goulds Community Urban Center District—a designated area for denser, mid-rise developments. This district was established to encourage more vibrant urban living, a departure from the predominantly single-family homes and shopping plazas that characterize much of Miami-Dade’s southern regions.

Historical Context

County commissioners laid the foundation for these community urban center districts several decades ago, approving plans for various neighborhoods, including:

• Naranja
• Perrine
• Princeton
• Leisure City

The master plan for the Goulds urban center district was sanctioned in 2003, yet it wasn’t until recently, amid South Florida’s real estate boom, that developers began capitalizing on these opportunities for larger-scale developments.

Industry Trends

Recently, many developers, including Lockhart Management, are embracing multifamily projects under Florida’s Live Local Act. This legislation allows for larger developments, provided a minimum of 40% of units are dedicated to renters earning no more than 120% of the area median income. Through this act, projects can extend to maximum building heights permitted within a mile of the development site.

Other Notable Developments

In addition to Lockhart Management’s project, other developments are emerging in the Goulds area:

• RCC Developers has proposed a 25-story, 300-unit tower on the northeast corner of Southwest 214th Street and U.S. 1.
• K2 Capital Group, led by Mariano Karner and Esteban Koffsmon, is seeking to build an eight-story building with 206 apartments.

Conclusion

The scaled-back Goulds Village Center project reflects an evolving landscape of urban development in south Miami-Dade County, where the demand for multifamily housing is on the rise. As the community adapts to new trends in urban living, projects like these will continue to shape the future of the area.

For more on urban development trends, check out Florida’s Live Local Act and explore Miami-Dade’s Community Urban Centers.