Fifteen years after the groundbreaking, BHA looks back at Flatiron Park’s beginnings and invites neighbors to join Commissioner Rolando Escalona for a conversation about what comes next.
Before it became part of the skyline’s backdrop, Flatiron Park was a neighborhood hope: more room for nature, more places to pause, and more green space in a growing Brickell.
In Fall 2011, BHA’s newsletter reported on residents celebrating the park’s groundbreaking. The coverage placed the project in a longer story of community advocacy. BHA had already spent much of its two-decade existence calling for more parks.
How the park began
Longtime residents may remember the Brickell Emporium, the deli and restaurant that once occupied the site. As Brickell grew, the property became the setting for a new vision of public green space.
SEPTEMBER 2011 / THE GROUNDBREAKING
2011 / THE ORIGINAL PARK VISION
The initiative brought together then-Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, developer Mallory Kauderer and landscape architect Raymond Jungles, who donated his time and expertise. Residents celebrated the groundbreaking in late September 2011.
The original landscape plan called for new trees, preservation of existing trees, large oolite boulders forming seating and a platform, and movable furniture. The ambition was to bring nature into the built environment and give neighbors a place to gather.
Historical photographs: BHA News, Fall 2011, page 7.
“BHA has been advocating for more parks for much of its two-decade existence.”
BHA News, Fall 2011 · Read the original newsletter →
From park plans to a sales gallery.
The original story acknowledged future development on part of the property while describing a substantial portion as remaining publicly accessible park space. Over the following years, the site’s uses continued to change.
- 2010
The City Commission adopts Resolution R-10-0044, authorizing a license agreement for the City to operate a passive public park on approximately 8,900 square feet at 1121 South Miami Avenue. The resolution identifies Brickell Flatiron LLC as the landowner and calls the proposed space “Pointe Park.” This is authorization for park use on private land, rather than a transfer of ownership to the City. Read the City Commission record, page 222 ↗
- 2011
BHA documents the groundbreaking and the landscape vision for Flatiron Park.
- 2015
By February, developer Ugo Colombo’s website describes a building within the park serving as the Brickell Flatiron Sales & Design Gallery, featuring the work of artist Julian Schnabel. Read the developer’s account ↗
- 2021
CMC Group sells the sales-center property at 1101 South Miami Avenue to Retail Ocean LLC for $6.5 million. Reporting describes plans for a restaurant-oriented redevelopment. Read the sale coverage ↗
- 2026
At a BHA Breakfast Briefing, Commissioner Rolando Escalona highlights ongoing work around Flatiron Park, including efforts to support its future use as a community dog park. Read BHA’s briefing recap →
- 2026
Commissioner Rolando Escalona invites residents to a community meeting about Flatiron Dog Park on October 21.
The next chapter starts with a conversation.
Questions about the meeting?
Bring your ideas. Bring your questions.
- What are the proposed park boundaries and improvements?
- How will shade, landscaping, seating and accessibility be addressed?
- How will the space serve dogs, their owners and neighboring residents?
- Who owns the park land today, and what agreement governs City use and public access?
- Who will maintain the park?
- What are the next steps and anticipated schedule?