New Luxury: Ponce Park in Coral Gables

"The world doesn’t need another building,” W. Allen Morris tells the gathered. 

That’s certainly an unorthodox way to kick off a groundbreaking ceremony for an 11-story tower that will house a “boutique collection of 58 bespoke residences, offering impeccably designed two- to five-bedroom homes and penthouses with breathtaking views.”

If the bright yellow excavator in the background could speak, it might very well say, “Oh, really?”

The Allen Morris Company chairman and CEO is, however, only all too happy to answer that unasked question: “I want to inspire people with the beauty of our projects,” he says. “I want to impress them with the excellence of their experience. And I want to improve the lives of everyone we touch. And that’s what gets us excited. Not just building another building…But if we can do something that will inspire people and bless their lives and improve their lives, and improve the lives of those in our community, that’s what we’re about. That’s what Ponce Park is intended to be and that’s why we’re excited about it.”

The renderings and floor plans of the future iconic structure designed by Zyscovich Managing Principal John Cunningham are inspiring, indeed. 

“Our vision for Ponce Park was to craft a space that honors the essence of Coral Gables—its lush landscapes, timeless elegance, and vibrant community,” Meyer Davis associate principal Nancy Santorelli, a member of the team designing the residence interiors, explains in press materials handed out at the event. “Working with a developer who shares our passion for creating harmonious spaces, we have designed a destination where lush greenery, European-inspired details, and inviting pathways come together to celebrate community, history, and the art of living beautifully.”

Well, mission accomplished. And no need to take our word for it—the world and market have taken notice as well.

“The day that I met [Allen Morris President] Spencer [Morris] and he shared his vision with me, it was just a dream,” ONE Sotheby’s International Realty President Daniel de la Vega says. “But honestly, it was not until we walked the sales gallery for the first time that I said, ‘Oh my God, Coral Gables has never, ever seen anything like this…’ This is one of the most spectacular buildings that Coral Gables has—and arguably ever will—see…And it’s reflected in our sales. It’s reflected in our price point. We are achieving the highest price per square foot that Coral Gable has ever achieved [from] buyers around the world.”

Other details of the project slated for completion in 2027 include 22,000 square feet of ground floor commercial space. 

“The project will provide residents a boutique lifestyle experience and access to over 100 shops and restaurants located at the $1 billion mixed-use The Plaza Coral Gables directly across the street as well as the Miracle Mile corridor located a short walk away,” the official website notes. Additionally, Ponce Circle Park, opposite the building, will undergo a $9 million renovation, also by the Allen Morris Company. Midway through the presentation, a bit of drizzle passed across the ceremony. W. Allen Morris just smiled. “Rain in the Bible is a symbol of God’s blessings,” he says, “nourishing the earth and making all the beautiful things grow.”

For more information, visit poncepark.com.

Photographs by Shawn Macomber; Renderings courtesy of the Allen Morris Company