A 'City Within A City' Slated For Downtown Miami

"Despite the condos and cranes already lining downtown Miami, some developers believe there's still gold in Miami's urban core that's been overlooked.

For several years, Boca Raton builder Art Falcone and business partner Marc Roberts have been quietly buying pieces of nine city blocks between I-395 and the central business district.

Now, with more than 20 acres bought or under contract, they are preparing to lay out detailed development plans and seek city approval for the first phase of a massive project: soaring office and hotel towers, condos, shops and plazas immediately west of Biscayne Boulevard.

The project, if successful, could bind together a downtown already revitalizing rapidly but in disconnected pockets, like the Carnival Center area and near the mouth of the Miami River. The patch where Falcone plans to build, known as Park West, remains a scruffy area that's seen little development. Many parcels are still parking lots.

'We want to make a city within the city,' Falcone said."