Written by John Charles Robbins on February 25, 2026
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A developer plans to bring new life to a property near Miami International Airport by constructing new multi-family buildings hugging an existing hotel at 1000 NW 42nd Ave.
MG Developer Miami LLC has proposed the new residential offerings, Regency Parc & Residences, to accompany the Regency Airport Hotel, a six-story 176-unit hotel built in 1982.
The new construction will include two additional multi-family residential buildings, five and six stories in height, with 208 dwellings, 88 hotel units, about 2,765 square feet of commercial-retail, and parking for 443 vehicles.
The existing hotel will be preserved and renovated.
The city’s Urban Development Review Board recommended approval with these recommended actions: Revisit the elevation planned along LeJeune Road, with an eye toward breaking up the center mass and having more articulation on the façade; and replace palm trees with shade trees.
The vote to approve was 5-to-1, with Manuel S. Gallardo voting no.
Mr. Gallardo had wanted a recommendation added to restudy proposed entrances to residential units on the ground floor to make them look less mechanical and more residential.
Board member Agustin Barrera, who made the motion, didn’t accept Mr. Gallardo’s additional item.
Attorney Melissa Tapanes Llahues, representing the developer, said the property is about 3.79 acres on the south side of Northwest 11th Street between 42nd and 43rd avenues, close to the Dolphin Expressway and the airport.
In a letter to the city, Ms. Llahues said the new construction will serve to bring the property further into conformity with the Miami 21 zoning code.
She wrote: “This includes activating all frontages with new liner units and vastly improving the condition of NW 42 Avenue where nothing exists today except driveways and surface parking areas.”
The developer is requesting waivers to Miami 21 to allow:
■Extending the parking into second layer on a secondary frontage, with an art or glass treatment approved by the Planning Director.
■Up to a 10% waiver for frontage at front setback.
■Pedestrian entrances at a distance greater than 75 feet.
Ms. Llahues wrote: “The garage has been purposefully tucked away to minimize its effect on NW 11 Street, which acts as a gateway from NW 42 Avenue to the neighborhood to the west. “The garage is proposed to have an artificial green wall with façade articulation to minimize its impact on NW 43 Avenue. It is set back over a foot more than is required, allowing for additional green space.”
She added that the density and residential use of the project will improve the walkability of the area and promote transit use.
The project was designed by Behar Font & Partners. Review board member Robert Behar recused himself from discussion of this project.
In an architectural narrative, the firm said the development is designed as an apartment hotel-style residential environment and is thoughtfully integrated around the existing hotel.
“Together, the existing and proposed structures form a cohesive, campus-like composition unified by shared open space, architectural character, and site circulation,” it reads.
Building 1 will be five stories with 163 residential units and includes multiple residential amenities, including a meeting room and a business center/café.
Building 2 will be six stories with 45 residential units; its first floor includes a residential lobby and commercial space to activate the street frontage on LeJeune Road.
The narrative continues, “Variation in massing reduces perceived scale and enhances visual interest, while façade articulation and volume modulation support a pedestrian-friendly environment.
“A defining feature of the development is the centrally located landscaped courtyard, measuring approximately 20,000 square feet, positioned between the existing hotel and the two proposed buildings.
“This courtyard serves as the primary amenity space for the development, which includes two swimming pools and a bar area of approximately 530 square feet. The courtyard is designed to function as an active social space while providing visual connectivity across the site, fostering interaction and a resort-style environment for residents and guests,” it reads.
Mr. Gallardo began the comments from the board stating, “This is almost like the gateway to Miami from the airport, very significant frontage.”
He suggested more defined façades, design elements to introduce more movement, “jagged areas or something to make it less flat … It reminds me of these old apartment buildings, long and repetitive.”
Board member Mr. Barrera said, “You did a good job breaking up the elevations.” He said he likes the courtyard and “overall, good design.”
Member Gia Zapattini said, “I think in general you did a really good job on the parti.” She did suggest using shade trees instead of palm trees in the landscaping plans, saying, “It feels very residential. Palm trees don’t help to create a neighborhood feeling.”
She said she agreed with colleagues who feel the building planned on LeJeune is not as successful as the other new building. “The façade feels a little long.”
Board member Anthony Tzamtzis said, “It’s an interesting infill project, in a dense, high traffic area.”
He voiced some concern with the building planned for LeJeune Road.
“It seems forced on that side,” he said. And he questioned placing balconies on units facing such a highly traveled urban street.
He concluded, “Otherwise, it’s a well-executed project.”