The h.wood Group, based in Los Angeles, 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 statement from Rivani. The name of the venue has not yet been announced.
Robert Rivani is overseeing a $40 million renovation of the seven-story mixed-use property at 1691 Michigan Avenue in Miami Beach. Once completed, the building will be marketed as “Class X,” which signals its intended high standard.
The new speakeasy will have a Tokyo-inspired theme. In an earlier interview with The Real Deal, Rivani said Japan is his “favorite place in the world.”
In August, PLBY Group announced plans to relocate its headquarters to The Rivani. Monarch Athletic Club also signed an 8,000-square-foot lease at the property and is expected to open next year.
Elsewhere in South Florida retail news, Hill House Home has leased space at The Royal Poinciana Plaza at 340 Royal Poinciana Way in Palm Beach. The store will be located within The Current retail center inside the historic Hibel House. Recent additions to Royal Poinciana Plaza include ScandyCandy and La Coqueta. WS Development holds the leasehold for the plaza while ownership records list Sidney Spiegel as trustee.
In Miami’s Design District, Spicy Hospitality Group has opened Le Specialità at 40 Northeast 41st Street. This marks the Milanese trattoria’s first U.S. location and spans 3,100 square feet. Spicy Hospitality previously opened The Joyce in Miami Beach.
Property records indicate that an affiliate of Miami Design District Associates owns the Design District building housing Le Specialità; this partnership includes Dacra (Miami), L Catterton Real Estate (Greenwich), and Brookfield Properties (New York).
Lily’s Handmade Ice Cream recently opened a shop at Village Square at Golf shopping center in Boynton Beach after opening another location earlier this year in North Miami Beach. Owners Ronen, Ori and Tal Gilinsky leased 700 square feet for their latest site. Village Square at Golf was acquired by DRA Advisors last year for $31.1 million.
