After 60 years of serving as a major source of affordable housing in Miami, Robert King High Towers needed significant work.
Related Urban Development Group took on the task, rehabilitating the 315-unit property for its senior residents. For the first time, the development has important life-safety systems and central air conditioning.
The firm also repositioned the former public housing property under the Rental Assistance Demonstration program. The move converted Robert King High Towers to a Section 8 platform that has more stability to ensure the project’s long-term affordability.
“It is the largest single elderly public housing project in Miami-Dade County,” says Albert Milo Jr., president of Related Urban. “It is not only historically significant, but the sheer size of it makes it an important asset. After the full rehab, there’s no reason why it can’t be there another 60 years.”
As part of the $98 million project, developers fully renovated and expanded a small market on the ground floor, preserving a woman-owned business that has close ties with residents.
Developers also modernized a community center that serves the wider neighborhood, including installing a commercial kitchen. This is important because the center will serve as an emergency operations site during hurricanes and other disasters.
Robert King High Towers is within the $1 billion River Parc master plan, one of Miami-Dade County’s largest mixed-income developments. Upon completion, the community will span more than 2,500 affordable, workforce, and market-rate apartments.
