The h.wood Group, based in Los Angeles, is collaborating with Rivani to launch a Tokyo-inspired speakeasy in South Beach. According to a news release from Rivani, the 2,000-square-foot venue will be located on the third floor amenity level of The Rivani building and is scheduled to open next summer. The name of the speakeasy has not yet been announced.
Robert Rivani is overseeing a $40 million renovation of the seven-story mixed-use property at 1691 Michigan Avenue in Miami Beach. The building is being marketed as “Class X,” which aims to highlight its high standard upon completion. In a previous interview with The Real Deal, Rivani stated that Japan is his “favorite place in the world.”
In August, PLBY Group announced it would move its headquarters to The Rivani building. Monarch Athletic Club has also leased 8,000 square feet at the site and plans to open next year.
Elsewhere in Palm Beach, Hill House Home has signed a lease at The Royal Poinciana Plaza’s retail center known as The Current, situated within the historic Hibel House. This follows recent openings by ScandyCandy and La Coqueta at the plaza. Developed originally in the 1950s, Royal Poinciana Plaza offers 192,000 square feet of retail space along with gardens and courtyards. WS Development holds the leasehold for the plaza while ownership records list Sidney Spiegel as trustee.
In Miami Design District, Spicy Hospitality Group led by Andre Sakhai opened Le Specialità at 40 Northeast 41st Street—its first U.S.-based restaurant—occupying 3,100 square feet. Spicy Hospitality previously launched The Joyce in Miami Beach.
Property records indicate that an affiliate of Miami Design District Associates owns this building; this partnership includes Dacra (Miami), L Catterton Real Estate (Greenwich), and Brookfield Properties (New York).
Additionally, Lily’s Handmade Ice Cream opened a new shop occupying 700 square feet at Village Square at Golf shopping center in Boynton Beach. Owned by Ronen, Ori and Tal Gilinsky, Lily’s Handmade recently expanded with another location in North Miami Beach earlier this year. Village Square at Golf was acquired last year by DRA Advisors for $31.1 million.
