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305 Vox Populi Podcast Season 5 Ep. 13 – Dennis Rodriguez

Welcome to a new episode of Season 5 of 305 Vox Populi.
Today the guest is Dennis Rodriguez

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Producer Mater Lakes Academy & St. Thomas University
Director Alberto Saez
Host Manny Cid

Welcome to a new episode of Season 5 of 305 Vox Populi.
Today the guest is Dennis Rodriguez

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Hialeah is changing again, with a focus on the arts. What the Amelia District offers

Rendering of Prestige Building Companies, a company creating an entertainment district that promises to revitalize the Amelia District with the Amelia Live project, which will offer restaurants, bars, shops and an art gallery. Rendering Prestige Companies

Entertainment is at the heart of the new Amelia District in Hialeah, a project that seeks to expand the city’s arts and culture scene.

On the west side of Amelia Earhart Park, the 16-acre district is trying to revitalize a part of the city that borders Miami Lakes.

Prestige Companies, a residential building firm behind the district, wants to innovate with events and entertainment venues. First on the list is La Romanita, a fusion Cuban-Italian restaurant. But it doesn’t end there.

One wall of La Romanita has a mural of Rome and the Coliseum.

Right next to the restaurant, in Plaza Amelia, Prestige will soon open LR Privato, amembership venue that will be available for private events.

A few blocks away, at the site of an old warehouse at 7445 W. Fourth Ave., a newentertainment complex, Amelia Live, will be built.

Prestige Companies plans to cover the Amelia District in an entertainment area in Hialeah, where there willbe a rooftop lounge, a coffee shop, a Craft Barbecue restaurant, a Cigar Bar and an art gallery. Cortesía

Alexander Ruiz, director of Prestige, told el Nuevo Herald that Amelia Live willhave 500 to 700 square feet, with a rooftop lounge, a coffee shop, a Craft Barbecue-style restaurant, a cigar bar and an art gallery.

Amelia Live, the new project that promises to expand the cultural and artistic scene of Hialeah, located inthe heart of the Amelia District, west of the city. Rendering Prestige Companies

The company recently also acquired the Valsan department store, which will bepartially modified. One area will keep the character of the store, and the rest willbe carved into mini-stores.

Although Ruiz said he doesn’t like comparisons, his plans shadow the WynwoodArt District in Miami. But he emphasized that each area has its own “identity.”

For Ruiz, “it is an organic project that has been growing. The area has given us theopportunity to bring something to the city that we didn’t have.”

The district, near Amelia Earhart Park, also connects to Red Road. It joins severalother efforts.
More than seven years ago the Leah District was proclaimed as an entertainmentand arts area. The district, centered at 1055 E. 15th St., also tries to emulateWynwood.

In the last year, Factory Town, a collection of outdoor warehouses and industrialbuildings that have been set up for bands and DJ raves, has come on the scene.These projects have made it possible to reactivate the eastern part of the city foryoung residents.

Developer Avra Jain, who revived the Vagabond Motel and half a dozen other Miami Modern historic districtproperties, is turning a former mattress factory in east Hialeah’s industrial district into a music, food, andevents venue called Factory Town. Jain walks through a gallery of murals by Hialeah artists painted on thewalls of an old warehouse whose roof has been removed as it’s converted into an open-air music, exhibitionand performance space. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com

AN EXPERIMENTAL EXHIBITION

Now, Prestige plans to open the first Amelia Live x Art exhibition during MiamiArt Week 2022. The Porsche Exhibition Private Collection will feature curatedworks of art and a private collection of one-of-a-kind Porsches in what Ruizdescribed as “a private and experimental event.”

The first exhibition of Prestige art gallery will feature more than a dozen local andinternational artists, among them Eric Alfaro, who recently painted aviator AmeliaEarhart in one of Poe’s Lofts company buildings, where the district begins.

Painting of the aviator Amelia Earhart at the beginning of the Amelia District, located to the west of thepark, which borders Hialeah. The artist in charge of the work is Eric Alfaro. Cortesía

Miami artist Alex Mijares will also be there. Mijares was the artist in charge ofdesigning the official poster of the Calle Ocho festival in 2017. More recently hehas had exhibitions at the Milander Center in Hialeah. He also has exhibited his colorful handbag designs at the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science. In2022 he was the creator of the Cuba Nostalgia poster.

Alexander Mijares, creator of the Cuba Nostalgia poster. Cortesía Alfredo Armas

The exhibition will feature the works of Fredy Villamil, a painter and cartoonistwho, with his art, transports the viewer to a unique world of emotions andmemories.

Entertainment is at the heart of the new Amelia District in Hialeah, a project that seeks to expand the city’s arts and culture scene.

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Amelia Live x Art | Private Porsche Collection

Hialeah, FL – November 30, 2o22 – Another milestone for the Amelia district. Enveloping the vision of Prestige Companies, Dennis Rodriguez and his partners along with his executive team have brought the first-ever art and culture event to the Amelia District.

Amelia Live welcomed over 700 guests to an unforgettable night. The exclusive event  Amelia Live x Art | Private Porsche Collection combined art, Porsches, and live performances by DJ Rascal, Raul Morera, Maria Quintana, and Yasniel Pedraza. The event featured curated pieces by Eric Alfaro, Armando Blanco, Roberto Blanco, Omar Corrales, Roberto Crespo, Astrid Fuertes, Juanma García, Alex Mijares, Julio César Pacheco, Ramón Pedraza, Rubén Rodrigues, Julia Vence, Fredy Villamil, and Sabrina Yanguas who painted a baby grand piano live while pianist, Yasniel Pedraza played. Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and cocktails from La Romanita. Attendees were immersed in a collection of carefully curated pieces of art and exclusive GT 911s along with antique Porsches

Dennis & Casey Rodriguez
 Jencarlos Canela, Dennis & Casey Rodriguez

 

Dennis & Casey Rodriguez

Casey & Dennis Rodriguez

Billy Blue, Dennis & Casey Rodriguez

Ricardo Lara, Julia Vence, Alex & Tatiana Ruiz, Dennis & Casey Rodriguez

Cara Lively, Jonathan De La Rosa, Robin Cruzval, Casey Rodríguez, & Dennis Rodríguez

Casey & Dennis Rodríguez, Tatiana & Alexander Ruiz, Marty & Patty Caparros

Dennis Rodriguez, Lizette Fernandez, Alexander Ruiz, & Marty Caparros

Dennis & Casey Rodriguez

Dennis Rodriguez

Billy Blue & J.C. de Ona

Elizabeth Gonzalez, Devin Bender, & Allison Sannuto

 

Alex Rizo, Ramon Pedraza, & Carl Zogby

Blanco

 

Fredy Villamil

The developer will move forward with an apartment project near the 100-year-old racetrack.

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Prestige buys development site at Hialeah Park, sells apartments

The developer will move forward with an apartment project near the 100-year-old racetrack.

More

The developer will move forward with an apartment project near the 100-year-old racetrack.

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La Romanita Restaurant & Lounge in Hialeah stirs Cuban flavors into Italian favorites

 

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Food fusions are when you take two types of cuisine and make something super. A new restaurant in Hialeah is mixing things up and bringing together some of your favorite foods. Your stomach and your mouth can now sample the best of Europe mixed with a neighbor to the south.

They’re serving up a world of deliciousness at La Romanita in Hialeah. It’s an Italian restaurant mixed with Cuban flavors.

Alexander Ruiz: “We have many of the traditional Italian dishes you would recognize both in high-end and traditional cuisine, but we have Cuban subtle changes we add in to make it more unique and recognizable.”

These food combinations will have your taste buds thanking you.

Alexander Ruiz: “There are a lot of Mediterranean influences, specifically Italian, in Cuban cuisine and on the island, so our chef realized it would be a wonderful marriage of the two to incorporate traditional Cuban ingredients into Italian dishes.”

They’ve got dishes you know and love … but with a twist.

Alexander Ruiz: “In the carbonara, instead of using a traditional pancetta, we are substituting that and using a Cuban smoked pork chop that has traditional spices like cumin.”

J.C. De Ona: “The Cuban smoked pork chop gives it that different flavor in the dish that is absolutely delicious.”

If you like fish, you’ll be passionate about this one.

Alexander Ruiz: “The Crudo Mixture is a trio of freshly cut fish with branzino, which is a traditional Mediterranean fish, Italian fish, along with tuna and salmon, and we top it with spicy oil and a passion fruit dressing. Passion fruit is a tropical dish and used in many Cuban cuisines.”

Mamma mia! Check out this pie-in-the-sky idea.

Alexander Ruiz: “One of our pizzas that we are very proud of is the Vaca Frita Pizza, which is shredded meat with Cuban spices.”

La Romanita is even a home run with the locals. Just ask Marlins great Alex Fernandez.

Alex Fernandez: “You really don’t expect this in Hialeah, but it’s a great restaurant, great food, great people around us. You gotta try it. It’s really good.”

FOR MORE INFO:
La Romanita Restaurant & Lounge
7755 W 4th Ave.
Hialeah, FL 33014
305-400-8727
laromanitarestaurantandlounge.com

Food fusions are when you take two types of cuisine and make something super. A new restaurant in Hialeah is mixing things up and bringing together some of your favorite foods.

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New Restaurants to Try This Week: Flaming Grill, Moloko, and La Romanita

Miami’s latest round of openings includes a newcomer to Hialeah’s Amelia District with La Romanita, a new restaurant in partnership with Miami chef Jose Mendin dubbed Moloko, and the first Florida location for Flaming Grill Buffet in Broward County.

La Romanita Restaurant & Lounge

7755 W. Fourth  Ave., Hialeah

305-400-8727

Prestige Hospitality Group opened its first restaurant, La Romanita Restaurant & Lounge, in the new Amelia District, Hialeah’s newest mixed-use development. The menu, created by executive chef Reinier Mendez, channels Cuban and Italian influences while drawing inspiration from his time at some of Miami’s most notable concepts, including STK Miami, Fort Lauderdale’s Naked Crab, Casa Tua Cucina, and Lure Fish Bar. At La Romanita, Mendez offers a selection of seafood, salads, select cuts of meat, house-made pastas, and pizza. Expect a robust wine list and live entertainment on the weekends. Monday through Thursday noon to 10 p.m., Friday noon to 11:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

 

Prestige Hospitality Group opened its first restaurant, La Romanita Restaurant & Lounge, in the new Amelia District, Hialeah’s newest mixed-use development.

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$18M loan to fund trailer park redevelopment

This is one of multiple projects the developer has in the city.

An affiliate of Prestige Builders obtained an $18 million construction loan to replace a Hialeah trailer park with apartments.

Miami Lakes-based BRP Capital LLC assumed the $3.18 million mortgage of 1451 W 29th St LLC, led by executives of Miami Lakes-based Prestige, and boosted it to $18 million. It covers the 2.63-acre site at 1451 W. 29th St., just east of U.S. 27 and the mixed-use Pura Vida project.

The developer recently rezoned the property to multifamily, with approval for 120 apartments in three three-story buildings. The community would include a dog park, a playground and a domino plaza.

The developer acquired the property for $4.2 million in 2020.

With rents rising sharply in the urban core of Miami-Dade County, border towns such as Hialeah have become more attractive because of their comparative affordability. Prestige has a handful of projects in the works in Hialeah.

It is building apartments just south of the Hialeah Metrorail Station, it acquired the Salvation Army site to redevelop into apartments, and it recently filed plans for apartments near the Hialeah Market Metrorail Station.

This is one of multiple projects the developer has in the city.

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Garden-style apartments planned near Hialeah Market Metrorail Station

Prestige Builders wants to rezone a site near the Hialeah Market Metrorail Station for a mixed-use project.

The City Council will consider rezoning the 2.03-acre site at 1001 S.E. 11th St. from “industrial district” to “transit-oriented development district” on the evening of June 28. This will be the first of two readings.

The site currently has a 13,880-square-foot warehouse. It’s just north of Home Depot and about two blocks to the northwest of the Metrorail station, which takes passengers to major employment centers such as downtown Miami, the Health District and Miami International Airport.

Hialeah MarketStation North LLC, managed the Alexander Ruiz, chief operating officer of Miami Lakes-based Prestige, acquired the property for $5.75 million in March.

The application states the project would have a 3-story, garden-style apartment complex with 114 units, 4,400 square feet of retail and 122 surface parking spaces.

“The proposed project, the first phase of a proposed transit-oriented development, will incorporate appealing architecture, urban design elements, and quality materials and finishes that will enhance the attractiveness and visual appeal of the surrounding neighborhood,” the developer stated in the application. “This project will also serve as a catalyst for the redevelopment of this strategically located area of the city, that will allow many residents to transport easily throughout Miami-Dade County without the need of the car.”

Miami-based attorney Alejandro J. Arias, who represents the developer in the application, couldn’t be reached for comment.

With rents rising dramatically in the urban core of Miami, more workers are looking for less expensive apartments in cities further west like Hialeah. Being near the Metrorail station allows them to travel into the city without dealing with traffic.

Prestige broke ground on another apartment complex near a Hialeah Metrorail station in January.

Prestige Builders wants to rezone a site near the Hialeah Market Metrorail Station for a mixed-use project.

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Prestige JV pays $15M for Salvation Army site in Hialeah, plans 112 rentals

Prestige Companies is a big believer in Hialeah. After building several residential projects in the city, it is now targeting a new multifamily development site.

A joint venture between Prestige and Florida Value Partners bought the closed Salvation Army at 7450 West Fourth Avenue for $15 million, according to a deed. Seller Hialeah 4.9 QOZB is managed by Alexander Ruiz, COO of Prestige. The entity had bought the 4.9-acre property from the Salvation Army in December for $8.3 million, a separate deed shows.

The plan is for 100 two-story townhouses and a separate three-story retail and apartment building, according to Dennis Rodriguez, a Prestige partner. The townhouses, which will be rentals, will all have two bedrooms and two baths. The adjacent mixed-use building will have 5,000 square feet of retail and 12 apartments.

Construction is expected to start this summer and would be completed next year. The project has site plan and zoning approval, but the developers are awaiting city building plan approval, Rodriguez said.

Prestige’s projects in Hialeah include several Amelia-branded multifamily developments and an Amelia mixed-use district, all named in honor of pilot Amelia Earhart. In 1937, she attempted to become the first woman to fly across the globe, with one of her stops in Miami, but disappeared over the Pacific Ocean.

Prestige built the 174-unit Las Vistas at Amelia at 7925 West 2nd Court. The Amelia mixed-use district consists of 30 apartment units and two commercial units totaling 17,000 square feet.

Miami Lakes-based Prestige, led by CEO Marty Caparros, previously partnered with Florida Value Partners on The Trail garden-style apartment community at 1040 Southwest 70th Avenue in central Miami-Dade County. The project consists of two three-story buildings with 84 units, and a second phase with five three-story buildings with 230 units.

Miami-based Florida Value Partners invests in various types of real estate, according to its website. Gus Alfonso is managing partner at Florida Value, his LinkedIn shows.

Hialeah, long a residential area overlooked by investors and developers, has seen an influx of new projects.

In May, Dacar Management, based in Dania Beach, scored an $81 million construction loan for the Residences and Shoppes of Highland. The project will have 244 apartments and retail at 3685 West 85th Path in Hialeah.

Prestige Companies is a big believer in Hialeah. After building several residential projects in the city, it is now targeting a new multifamily development site. A joint venture between Prestige and Florida Value Partners bought the closed Salvation Army at 7450 West Fourth Avenue for $15 million, according to a deed. Seller Hialeah 4.9 QOZB […]

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