Jackie Soffer Breaks Ground on Grand Hyatt Miami Beach, a Transformational Hotel Next to Convention Center

By: Russ Spencer

After years of meticulous planning and coordination, construction has officially begun on the highly anticipated Grand Hyatt Miami Beach, a transformative development poised to redefine the hospitality landscape adjacent to the Miami Beach Convention Center. According to a report on YIMBY.com, the groundbreaking took place on the morning of Friday, May 16, 2025, marking a significant milestone for the 996,130-square-foot project.

The $392 million construction loan secured earlier this spring from TYKO Capital set the stage for this landmark project to move forward. With a targeted completion date set for late 2027, the hotel will serve as a new anchor for the Convention Center District, dramatically expanding Miami Beach’s capacity to host global conferences, events, and tourism traffic. The general contractor, Balfour Beatty, is now mobilized on site, bringing to life a vision shaped by Terra and Turnberry in close partnership with the City of Miami Beach.

As YIMBY.com reported, the Grand Hyatt Miami Beach will rise 17 stories and encompass 800 guest rooms, including 52 luxurious suites. The expansive program includes 90,000 square feet of indoor meeting and conference space and an additional 10,000 square feet of outdoor event space—elements designed specifically to complement and support the adjacent Convention Center’s programming.

Guests and visitors will have access to five food and beverage outlets, including a signature restaurant that has already been pre-leased, highlighting the project’s robust planning and demand. Additional amenities will include two pools, a resort-style pool deck, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a Grand Hyatt club lounge, and 320 structured parking spaces to accommodate the volume of both leisure and business travelers.

Architect Bernardo Fort-Brescia of Arquitectonica is leading the design efforts, and the report at YIMBY.com noted that the building’s contemporary aesthetic will reflect Miami’s distinctive architectural style while contributing to the city’s evolving skyline. Located at 17th Street and Convention Center Drive, the hotel sits at a strategic nexus between the cultural vibrancy of South Beach and the city’s growing business and convention sectors.

Terra and Turnberry’s involvement, combined with the support of the City of Miami Beach, speaks to the collaborative nature of the project. During Friday’s groundbreaking ceremony, Mayor Steven Meiner and Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava were joined by key industry leaders including Terra CEO David Martin, Turnberry Chairman & CEO Jackie Soffer, Hyatt Group President for the Americas Pete Sears, and David Whitaker, President & CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Turnberry is no stranger to high-impact development. The company, led by Jackie Soffer, boasts a portfolio that includes the JW Marriott Nashville, the ultra-popular Aventura Mall (with over 30 million annual visitors), and Destin Commons, a 500,000+ square-foot open-air lifestyle destination in Northwest Florida.

The Grand Hyatt Miami Beach is just one facet of Turnberry’s broader development ambitions. In collaboration with LeFrak, Soffer is co-developing SoLé Mia, a visionary 184-acre mixed-use community in North Miami featuring residential towers, retail, restaurants, and 37 acres of open green spaces. Notably, the community includes Laguna SoLé, a 7-acre swimmable Crystal Lagoon®, and Reserve Padel, a 16-court club dedicated to padel, the fastest-growing racquet sport in the world.

Also under construction at SoLé Mia is ONE Park Tower by Turnberry, a 33-story luxury condominium project that broke ground in early 2024, under Soffer’s visionary leadership. Other notable Turnberry developments include The St. Regis Nashville, The Residences at the St. Regis Nashville, Town Center Aventura, and multiple Marriott-branded properties in Miami. The company is also a managing partner in The Seagate, a prestigious hotel, golf club, and beach club in Delray Beach, Florida.

According to the information provided in the YIMBY.com report, the Grand Hyatt Miami Beach project is not only a boost to the city’s hospitality capacity—it is a symbol of Miami Beach’s strategic evolution as a premier destination for international business and leisure travel. Once completed, the hotel is expected to significantly improve the city’s ability to host large-scale events, draw international conferences, and accommodate an ever-expanding tourist base seeking both luxury and accessibility.

“This is more than just a hotel,” said Jackie Soffer during the groundbreaking. “It’s a beacon of economic opportunity and a catalyst for future growth.”

The Grand Hyatt Miami Beach is a statement of confidence in the region’s future and a powerful reminder that Miami Beach remains at the forefront of global tourism, innovation, and urban development.