NuRock Companies has submitted plans for a new 130-unit affordable apartment complex near Opa-locka in Miami-Dade County. The proposed development, named Heritage at Gratigny Park, would be built on a nearly one-acre vacant lot at the southwest corner of Northwest 120th Terrace and Northwest 27th Place, according to documents filed with the county this month. The area is primarily industrial.
The company is seeking zoning verification from Miami-Dade County. This step is typically required to confirm the development regulations that apply to a property and check for any existing violations. NuRock’s application also indicates it will seek funding from the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC), which provides financing for affordable and workforce housing projects, including through low income housing tax credits. A zoning verification is usually necessary as part of FHFC’s funding process.
This project would be NuRock’s second planned affordable housing development in the immediate area. Nearby, the firm has proposed another 130-unit multifamily building called Residences at West View Landing under Florida’s Live Local Act. This state law gives developers incentives such as property tax breaks and allows larger projects if they offer below-market rate apartments. All units in this building will be reserved for households earning up to 80 percent of the area median income (AMI), surpassing the Live Local Act’s minimum requirement that 40 percent of units go to tenants making up to 120 percent of AMI.
In May, NuRock purchased the two-lot site for Residences at West View Landing—totaling 0.6 acres—for $2.6 million.
The land for Heritage at Gratigny Park is currently owned by an entity affiliated with Art + Tec Development, based in Bay Harbor Islands and led by Gabriel Boano and Paula Lowenstein Boano. In 2021, Art + Tec had announced plans for an eight-story, 168-unit apartment building on this property but did not begin construction.
NuRock focuses on developing and managing multifamily properties geared toward affordable housing; Robert Hoskins serves as managing principal. The company has previously developed similar projects across South Florida: Crystal Lake (92 units) in Pompano Beach, Heritage at Pompano Station (116 units) in Pompano Beach, and last year completed Residences at Naranja Lakes (140 units) in south Miami-Dade’s Leisure City neighborhood.
Additionally, NuRock has plans for a new 134-unit apartment project targeted at low-income families in Hollywood at 6015 Washington Street. In support of this project, Hollywood commissioners voted in 2022 to lend $640,000 to assist with NuRock’s application to FHFC.
Affordable housing developers like NuRock continue their activities despite market downturns due to persistent demand for lower-cost apartments in Miami-Dade County where many residents are unable to afford market-rate rents. Developers can also benefit financially from programs such as LIHTC along with government subsidies and grants designed to support affordable housing initiatives.
