Miami isn’t losing Biscayne Boulevard’s grand Christian Science church — it’s gaining a mixed-use high-rise tower.
On Tuesday, Miami’s Historic and Environmental Preservation Board voted during an unusual and a somewhat testy hearing to approve one of the most uniquely designed towers in the city’s history. They designated the shuttered First Church of Christ, Scientist, 1836 Biscayne Blvd., as a historic landmark, and by a 5 to 2 vote gave developer Fifteen Group the nod to build a 38-story condo tower, parking garage and retail space above and around the empty sanctuary.
Designed by ADD, Inc./Stantec with the assistance of preservation architect Richard Heisenbottle, the project includes a rounded condo tower that extends on a sliver of land south of the church to 10 feet off the boulevard. An 11-level parking garage directly above the church on the north side of the property sits back 30 feet from the church’s front.