Recent Projects
Gold Dust motel
Vagabond Group renovated yet another vintage motel on Biscayne Boulevard, this time working at the north end of the Historic MiMo neighborhood. As described in the Miami Herald on its opening day in 1957 “The Gold Dust represents a motel interpretation of Subtropical Modernism, an adaptation of The International Style to the local climate.” Differentiating it from the other motels on the Boulevard is it’s kitschy “Old West” detailing. Designed by Miami architect Maurice S. Weintraub, who also worked on Miami Beach, Gold Dust remains one of the most important examples of mid century “motor hotels” along the Biscayne corridor. Today it is home to digital nomad Hospitality group, Selina.
Local Designation Report (2019)
Factory Town
Factory Town is a 6-acre adaptive reuse project on the easternmost boarder of Hialeah. Built in 1932, it was once the largest mattress manufacturing plant in South Florida with self-contained interior streets. The project was a value add, adaptive reuse of 190,000SF abandoned warehouse structures located within an Opportunity Zone. Vagabond Group obtained an “Entertainment District” ordinance in addition to a Transit Oriented Development zoning overlay because of its proximity to Hialeah Market Station. Permitted uses include Music Festivals, Entertainment Venues, Creative Office, Retail, F&B Pop-ups, Art Events, and 24 hour liquor license.
222 Midtown crossing
222 Midtown is a one-of-a-kind, Class A boutique style office located in the heart of Miami's most sought-after neighborhood, where creatives, entrepreneurs, and influencers flourish. 222 Midtown will be a +/- 73,000 RSF boutique office building in the heart of Miami’s most sought after and convenient location, Midtown, along NE 2nd Ave and 35th St. There will be 8 stories in total, each floor is +/- 10,700 RSF with 14’ ceiling heights and floor to ceiling windows. Each floor also will have an outdoor balcony, in addition to the building's rooftop terrace. Estimated TCO is early 2025.
The Vagabond Group LLC is a real estate development firm with decades of experience and successful project execution, specializing in Adaptive Reuse and Historic Preservation. This women-led team works to create a sense of place through history and sustainability.
Notable projects include the iconic Vagabond Hotel in the MiMo Biscayne Boulevard Historic District and The Miami River Inn in East Little Havana.
Notable Projects
The Vagabond Motel is architecturally significant not only as an exemplary example of the mid-1950s Miami Modern style, but also as a work by prominent architect B. Robert Swartburg. It is particularly noteworthy for a design that incorporates elements of post-war automobile culture as reflected in its open-air verandah with catwalk, rock face feature area and nautical theme. The motel is historically significant as a reflection of the development trends in Greater Miami during the mid-twentieth century.
This collection of charming frame vernacular buildings comprise The South River Drive Historic District, all completed before 1915. These “painted ladies” are Miami’s oldest standing hotel. Located immediately west of downtown Miami in the area historically developed as the Knowlton subdivision. Formerly known as “Rose Arms” these buildings provided room and board for travelers rushing to Miami in the early twentieth century real estate boom. Today, you can visit the property by staying at the Hotel or visiting the award winning Casa Florida restaurant and cocktail bar.
Built in 1953 by architect Charles Giller, this garden style Motel is one of our classic adaptive reuse projects. Today, it is home to La Comunidad, a local ad agency. The letter “M” in the word “Motel” on the iconic neon sign was flipped to read “Wotel” since the building is now used for creative office. South Pacific remains one of the most photographed structures along Biscayne Boulevard, and has been featured in Vogue Mexico.
Built in 1965, the 225 Midtown building served as industrial shoe warehouse comprised of three stories. Located in the heart of Midtown Miami and within in an Opportunity Zone, the +50,000 SF project has been converted to Class A creative office. The 15,000 SF ground floor is home to Anatomy Fitness. The most notable architectural upgrade is the newly glazed facade, bringing daylight into the building for a higher quality indoor work space while keeping the industrial character of the elevations through design.
FACTORY TOWN SIZZLE REEL
Please enjoy this visual journey of the transformation of factory town.
Welcome to Factory Town, a Vagabond Group Adaptive Reuse project and Miami’s favorite spot for world class entertainment.
“A City without a past is like a person without a face.”
SALLYE JUDE | PRESERVATIONIST
