Almeria Row

Location: Coral Gables, Florida, USA. Multi family development project

In a rare collaboration between city, owner, and architect, the zoning code was changed to allow for the building of traditional townhouse typology in this project. Almeria Row is a multi family development project which consists of ten townhouses built on ten fee simple parcels measuring on average 23' x 120'. The townhouses are each two stories high and range in size. The development introduces a new residential type to the city of Coral Gables, one with characteristics of the "classic" townhouse common in London and New York. Because of its fee-simple scheme each unit is built on its own parcel and shares a "common wall". The size of the parcel establishes a new minimum size parcel in the zoning code and allows for higher densities without relying on oversized apartment blocks. The proportion of the width to height characteristics of the townhouse type, the repetition of the unit and the proximity of the stoop to the sidewalk results in a street elevation which is at once familiar.

The townhouse is composed of two volumes connected by a courtyard. The first floor of the main volume consists of the public program of the house including the living room and dining room, kitchen and family room, with access to a two car garage on the first floor, and an alley behind the property. Overall, the project recalls the traditional town home all while meeting the requirements of modern day living.

Lessons learned: The importance of the participation of and collaboration amongst patron, municipality and architect. These commitments endowed the city and its urban residents with better and more sustainable housing options. Prior to Almeria Row, fee simple townhouses in Coral Gables were not included in the zoning code. As a result of the patron and architect's efforts, the city revised the zoning code to re-address the front and rear setbacks for single family residences and reduce the minimum size lot required for residential units by half.

Transect Zone(s): T5 center.
Status: 26-50% Built
Project or Plan's Scale: Building
Features: Civic buildings & parks.
Land area (in acres): 70
Total built area (in sq. ft.):
Total project cost (in local currency):
Retail area (in sq. ft.):
Office area (in sq. ft.):
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Number of hotel units:
Number of residential units (include live/work): 10
Parks & green space (in acres):
Residential types: Townhouse/rowhouse/maisonette.
Project team designers: de la Guardia Victoria Architects & Urbanists, Inc., Manuel I. Ortega, P.E.
Project team developers: Fernando Menoyo

Previous site status: Redevelopment

Starting/Ending date of construction/implementation: - 2010