Changes coming fast

One interesting thing that came up at the luncheon the other day was the Sapient who said they left South Beach to come to the Grove because it's a small village and not congested. They like the little village feel and the lack of crowds. Sapient is the company that took over the Mayfair and they're the one putting the offices in.

They want their employees to enjoy quiet village life, to be able so stroll the tree lined streets and go off to the waterfront if they wish.

Ironically, the little village is turning into Sobe, with the condos, new "bayside" and Point Group project (this was one plan, as far as I know, there is no Publix now). 

Sapien has a plan for a "cool and hip" entrance where the Bookstore used to be. So that should be interesting to see. You may have seen the scaffolding around the building, which should last through the summer, so big changes are coming.

As for the Point Group, they have been trying to put in a mutli-use complex on six blocks in Village West for years. One disturbing thing is that the one area they want to build on, where the Saturday Farmer's Market is now, has variance for eight stories. So this low rise street will not be so low rise anymore.

They say that it's only that one parcel, but the parcel is going to house 220 housing units.

The new Harbour place at the waterfront, is said to be for tourists, but many feel it is also for the new condo dwellers that will be taking up residency in the slew of new condos coming in. Upscale people want upscale places to go.

The plan generally is for a more upscale Coconut Grove, hopefully keeping a lot of the history along the way.