Wynwood Design Review Committee (WDRC) Meeting – March 10, 2026

The Wynwood Design Review Committee (WDRC) met on March 10, 2026, to consider five design and signage applications and receive an update on the Wynwood Vision Plan. The meeting began with approval of the February 10, 2026 minutes and closed public comment period with no testimony. Key outcomes included approval of an Apparatus showroom, a Pitbull-affiliated office/recording studio, and two Arlo nightclub signs, while a monument sign for the Amara residential building was disapproved. The Frida Kahlo Winwood Residences project was approved with conditions emphasizing art on the primary facade.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes from February 10, 2026 were approved unanimously without discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No oral or online public comments were received; the public comment period was closed by consensus.

Discussion Items

• Apparatus Showroom (Address: WDRC – West 20th NW 26th St; Adaptive Reuse in T5-0 Zone)

  • Gabriel Hendifar, founder of Apparatus, and Tommy (head of interiors) presented a design for a showroom featuring a stucco facade with black mosaic tile, travertine, and custom brass elements. The art narrative includes a painted gilded sun, figure, and abstracted grid on the facade, intended as changeable art. The project was described as a living environment, not a traditional retail space.
  • Committee members praised the design but suggested considering lighting (warmer tones) and landscaping contributions to the streetscape. The applicant noted they had a lighting study using 2700K interior lights.
  • Motion: Approved with comments for consideration on lighting and landscape. Unanimous vote.

• Amara Monument Sign (Address: 45 NE 27th St; NRD1 Wynwood; Sign Permit)

  • Applicant Katia Cáceres (Signalite) presented a single-sided illuminated monument sign (corten steel face, aluminum cabinet) for the Amara residential building. The sign measured 8 ft wide x 4 ft high, with halo illumination from 3000K LED modules.
  • Committee members raised concerns: the location on the southwest corner was partially hidden by the building and neighboring property; the corten steel material did not match the building's aesthetic and felt like an afterthought. The applicant mentioned the owner wanted a creative material but was open to alternatives.
  • Motion to disapprove (by a member who passed the gavel) based on awkward location and incompatible material. Motion seconded. Vote: Unanimous for disapproval (all members voted aye for rejection). The committee recommended revisiting both location and material.

• Pitbull Office/Recording Studio (Address: 25 NE 28th St; 1,728 sq ft office; NRD1 Wynwood; T5-0 Zone)

  • Mark Coleman (Riley Group) and Javier Barrera (Deforma Studio) presented an 8-story, 25-ft-wide infill building for office and a recording studio for artist Pitbull. The design uses reclaimed brick, floor-to-ceiling glass, a rebar-and-brick screen at ground level, and placeholder art on the east facade. The project required no waivers.
  • Committee comments: commended the clever infill design and vertical organization. Suggested refining the ground-floor screen and adding art on the south facade (which will remain visible) and on balcony undersides.
  • Motion: Approved with comments to enhance art and design details. Seconded. Unanimous.

• Arlo Midline Wall Sign & Blade Sign (Address: 2217 NW Miami Court; T6-80 Zone)

  • Agustin Arias (Modulex Miami) presented two signs for the Midline nightclub: a wall sign (6 ft wide x 2 ft? total 12 sq ft) and a projecting blade sign (3 ft x 4 ft, 11 ft above ground). Both use layered aluminum with cutout logo and acrylic backlight (5000K). Design inspired by Wynwood's industrial history.
  • Committee noted the speakeasy feel and suggested studying light color temperature (5000K may be too bright). Applicant agreed to review.
  • Motion to approve both applications (first the wall sign, then the blade sign) with a condition to study Kelvin temperature. Both motions seconded. Vote: Unanimous for both approvals.

• Frida Kahlo Winwood Residences (Address: 119 NW 29th St; 143,653 sq ft; 8 stories; 244 units; 212 parking spaces; split zone T5/T6 and NRD1/NRD2)

  • Attorney Andreas Rivero, architect Eric Samuelson (Cube3), and landscape architect Chris Cabezas (Kalda Design) presented a project honoring Frida Kahlo, with a licensing agreement from the Frida Kahlo Corporation. The design features a 12-story tower on 29th St (T6/NRD1, under WDRC purview) and a lower portion on 30th St (T5/NRD2). A large mural of Kahlo’s reinterpreted self-portrait is proposed on the east facade, with a mural along 30th St ground floor. The amenity deck draws inspiration from Kahlo’s garden.
  • Committee discussion: Concerns about the east mural being blocked by future development on the adjacent corner property (from which development rights were purchased, but no height restriction agreement exists). Members urged focusing art on the 29th St primary facade rather than relying solely on the potentially obstructed east wall. The applicant agreed to explore adding art/color to the 29th St arcade (GFRC columns) and enhance ground-floor art.
  • Motion to approve with conditions: (1) applicant to enhance art on the 29th St facade, (2) applicant to make best efforts to maintain the east facade mural (no formal covenant required). Motion seconded. Vote: Unanimous for approval with conditions.

• Wynwood Vision Plan Update (Discussion Item)

  • Britney from the Planning Department presented an 8-month vision plan kickoff led by Gensler, aimed at documenting neighborhood history, establishing architectural/public art guidelines, and improving code implementation. A neighborhood walkthrough with stakeholders was conducted. Committee members emphasized the need to address lighting (pole coordination with FPL and city), street furniture, and ensuring that future guidelines prevent poor-quality materials (e.g., fake brick veneer). A public hearing date is expected before August recess.

Key Outcomes

• Approvals: Apparatus showroom, Pitbull office/recording studio, Arlo wall and blade signs (all unanimously approved).
• Disapproval: Amara monument sign (unanimous disapproval on grounds of location and material).
• Conditional Approval: Frida Kahlo Winwood Residences (approved with conditions to add art to 29th St facade and maintain east mural).
• Next Steps: The applicant for the Amara sign is encouraged to resubmit with a revised location and material. The Wynwood Vision Plan team will continue community engagement and return to WDRC for a dedicated meeting.
• Vote tally on Amara: All members voted for disapproval (motion carried unanimously).