Los Angeles-based h.wood Group will partner with Rivani to open a 2,000-square-foot speakeasy on the third floor of The Rivani building in South Beach next summer, according to a news release from Rivani. The name of the speakeasy has not been announced yet.
The planned venue will be inspired by Tokyo, as stated in the release. Robert Rivani is currently 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,” highlighting its intended high-end status upon completion.
Rivani relocated his company, previously called Black Lion and now bearing his name, from Los Angeles to Miami in 2022. In an earlier interview with The Real Deal, he described Japan as his “favorite place in the world.”
In August, it was announced that PLBY Group, the parent company of Playboy magazine and related assets, will move its headquarters to The Rivani building. Monarch Athletic Club has also leased 8,000 square feet at the property and is expected to open next year.
Elsewhere in South Florida retail leasing activity, Hill House Home signed a lease at The Royal Poinciana Plaza at 340 Royal Poinciana Way in Palm Beach. According to a release from the plaza’s management, Hill House Home will open at The Current within Hibel House at the historic plaza. This follows recent openings by ScandyCandy and La Coqueta at Royal Poinciana Plaza.
The plaza covers 192,000 square feet and was originally built in the 1950s; it features retail space along with gardens and two courtyards. Boston-based WS Development manages the leasehold for the property while ownership remains with a trust led by Sidney Spiegel. Management did not disclose how much space Hill House Home leased.
In Miami’s Design District, Spicy Hospitality Group has opened Le Specialità—its first U.S.-based Milanese trattoria—at 40 Northeast 41st Street. According to Spicy Hospitality’s announcement, founder Andre Sakhai leads the group behind both Le Specialità and The Joyce restaurant on Española Way in Miami Beach.
Records indicate that ownership of the Design District location belongs to an affiliate of Miami Design District Associates—a partnership among Dacra (Miami), L Catterton Real Estate (Greenwich), and Brookfield Properties (New York).
Additionally, Lily’s Handmade Ice Cream has opened a new shop in Boynton Beach after leasing 700 square feet at Village Square at Golf shopping center located at 3837 West Woolbright Road. Owners Ronen, Ori and Tal Gilinsky previously launched another location this summer—a 1,050-square-foot store—in North Miami Beach’s Biscayne Commons shopping plaza.
Property records show DRA Advisors acquired Village Square at Golf last year for $31.1 million.
