Architectural rending of the SOMI Tower in South Miami at 5959 SW 71 st St..
A 16-story luxury apartment tower marketed exclusively to University of Miami students is rising in South Miami, complete with a rooftop pool and golf simulator. SOMI Walk reflects a broader shift in how developers approach off-campus college housing.
FULL STORY: University of Miami students get luxury off-campus tower — with a rooftop pool
Here are key takeaways:
SOMI Walk will offer 173 apartments and 673 beds along Sunset Drive near U.S. 1, with amenities including two swimming pools, a wellness center, paddle courts, a golf simulator and a cold plunge and sauna. Nearly every apartment will have a private balcony, and every bedroom will have its own bathroom.The project rises on the former site of a Rodeway Inn, which sold for $29 million and was demolished in June. SOMI Walk is scheduled to open for the fall 2028 semester and will be leased exclusively to UM students.Jonathon Pavlov, executive vice president of acquisitions and asset management for Alta Development, said most housing serving students in this market wasn’t built for them. He said rental rates aren’t finalized but will be competitive with nearby student communities.Location is a major selling point, with residents a two-minute walk from the South Miami Metrorail station and within walking distance of restaurants, coffee shops and The Underline. UM tuition runs $66,300 a year before room and other expenses.UM is also modernizing its own dorms, many dating to the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s. University spokeswoman Megan Ondrizek Afkham said the second phase of Centennial Village opens in August and will serve out-of-town freshmen, who are required to live on campus.
This report was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence and using our own originally reported, written and published content. It was reviewed and edited by our journalists.
This story was originally published August 3, 2026 at 5:58 AM.
Luisa Yanez covers real estate and the impact of wealth migration in South Florida for the Miami Herald. In her work, she will be using both traditional reporting and AI tools.