Pacific & Orient Properties broke ground on their latest project in North Bay Village. 7918 West Drive will be a waterfront 21-story, 54-residence condo community that is being designed to showcase the simplicity of Japanese living. This ground breaking is the first in 10 years for North Bay Village and is paving the way for many more new developments on this island.

The building features design elements from Tokyo-based ONE DESIGNS Co. Ltd and world-renowned architect Juan Azulay. Surrounded by water and situated on a 33,600-square-foot lot on the Intercostal Waterway, resident will enjoy the swimming pool, fitness center, an elevated garden, a club room with a state-of-the-art fully equipped chef’s kitchen.

With only four units per floor, every unit is a corner unit and every balcony will have an irregular shape that will include partially shaded areas. The building also boasts advanced technology, including customized software automatization for privacy, security and convenience. The thoughtful details in this building make it truly exceptional and is perfect for young, affluent buyers looking for luxury waterfront living.

We asked the developer Thye Seng Chan of Pacific & Orient Properties to take us behind the scenes of this new project.

 

What inspired you to create a Japanese-inspired waterfront condominium development, and what do you hope to achieve with this project?

The Japanese style was not an inspiration. The inspiration was to create an oasis of serenity when you walk into the lobby, and it happens that is reflected by Japanese design. With 7918 West Drive, we wanted to create a sanctuary where residents could feel calm and at peace. Our goal was to provide an environment that inspires relaxation and contemplation while being surrounded by the beauty of nature.

Can you tell us about the design process and how you captured the essence of Japanese living in the building’s architecture?

The design process strikes a balance between modern minimalism and parametrically designed elements. As such, there’s an intention to strike a balance for composition and spaces, material cleanliness and texture, and open planning.

How did you approach the challenge of creating unique units with the same level of functionality and comfort, and what was your thought process behind the innovative design of shadow and light?

The unique units are derived from the geometric play of the glass perimeter outlines and the balcony outlines. Each unit enjoys different balcony and indoor-outdoor configurations, and each piece of the building exterior skin has a unique interplay of shadow and light.

How did you balance the desire for simplicity with the need for modern amenities and comfort, and what role did the surrounding natural preserve play in this process?

The key to luxury is simplicity. We focused on few but well-curated amenities, privacy, silence, and being surrounded by nature. The surrounding natural preserve played a huge role in our design process. We wanted to create a space that was both beautiful and functional, while also preserving the natural beauty of the area.

Can you talk about the decision to have residents able to see the sunrise and sunset from all units, and what impact do you think this will have on the residents’ experience?

Having a minimum amount of units per floor affords each unit two frank orientations and a 270-degree view cone. It’s an essential feature to perceive the passing of time for relaxation and contemplation. We believe that this feature will have a huge impact on the residents’ experience. It will allow them to feel connected to the natural beauty of the area, and to experience the passing of time in a serene and contemplative way.

How did you choose the location for the building, and what was your criteria for selecting a site near a natural preserve?

It was in the intercoastal and next door to a public park, which makes it unusual. Directly opposite from us is a nature reserve. Our criteria for selecting a site near a natural preserve was simple: we wanted to create a space that was both beautiful and functional, while also preserving the natural.

Can you share your vision for the community that will reside in the building, and what steps are you taking to foster a sense of belonging and connection among residents?

One of the most defining elements of the integration of 7918 with the community that is integrated in is the new boardwalk. The boardwalk will be integral part of a communal project which will connect the entire island in one big path along the calm and beautiful Biscayne Bay.

How do you plan to maintain the building’s unique character over time, and what steps are you taking to ensure that it remains a desirable place to live in the future?

All of the elements of this building are thought through and have a future maintenance plan. As an example, the cladding on the tower walls will have a clip-on system in order to make it more accessible and simple whenever it needs to be repaired or needs to give access to the ventilation system that it covers.

How do you balance the creative and financial aspects of real estate development, and what metrics do you use to evaluate the success of a project?

We have an amazing architect – Juan Azulay – creating this building so it has very much been our goal since the beginning to make sure the design intent is met. MTTR worked with us though out the years to create this balance between the creative design and the budget available coming up with great solutions that wouldn’t compromise the overall quality of the architectural design. For us, a successful project is one that achieves the best product at balancing design and budget.

What are some of the key trends and changes you’ve seen in the real estate industry over the past few years, and how have they impacted your approach to development?

We believe clients are more and more demanding to the product they look for. It is not enough to say it is a luxury product, it needs to be in fact one. From the way it is built to the quality of the materials, to the workmanship. And that is what we look to deliver – high quality products, constructed and installed by high quality teams.

What do you think sets successful real estate developers apart from those who struggle, and what traits or qualities do you think are essential for success in this field?

Thinking about how the customer will live in an environment that is both aesthetically pleasing and practical from the a customer perspective. For example, using a plumbing system that can individually shut off each bathroom or kitchen without affecting the rest.

Can you tell us about a particularly challenging project you have worked on, and what lessons you learned from it?

All projects have its challenges, it is the nature of construction. I believe it is how we decide to approach and deal with them that will gives us the most valuable lessons for the future.

How do you evaluate potential real estate markets and choose the best locations for your projects?

We look for unique opportunities and that uniqueness can come from area, the lot location, etc. North Bay Village was definitely an overlooked location when we first purchased the lot and started the development, but we saw the opportunity of an amazing geographical location – right between Miami and Miami Beach. Now, about eight years later, you have several developers interested in the area.

What role does community engagement play in your development process, and how do you build relationships with local stakeholders and residents?

North Bay Village is a very small community and we definitely want to respect it and be part of it. We understand construction can be very disruptive in someone’s life so we have been reaching out to the residents to make sure we accommodate their needs during this process. We have also made contributions for the growth of the public spaces and infrastructures of the Village.

Can you talk about the role that innovation and technology play in real estate development, and how you stay up-to-date with these trends?

Technology is definitely one of the most important elements in this building. 7918 West Drive’s advanced technology will include customized software automatization for the latest in privacy, security and convenience. Each unit will feature a high-speed fiber internet IT control center.