By Elizabeth Costa — Top Real Estate Agent in Doral, Florida | The Keyes Company
15+ years of experience · 300+ closed transactions · Bilingual: English & Spanish

What are the major pre-construction luxury condo projects in Miami in 2026?
Miami's pre-construction luxury condo market is anchored by branded residences and mixed-use districts across four core areas. Downtown Miami includes Miami Worldcenter, Waldorf Astoria Residences Miami, and Aston Martin Residences (already completed but with active resale). Wynwood is anchored by NoMad Wynwood. The Miami River district includes River District 14 and adjacent developments. Brickell luxury pre-construction is anchored by Cipriani Residences, 888 Brickell (Dolce & Gabbana), The Residences at 1428 Brickell, and Mandarin Oriental Residences on Brickell Key. Sunny Isles Beach hosts oceanfront pre-construction including The Bentley Residences, Rivage Bal Harbour, and Ritz-Carlton Residences. Pre-construction unit pricing typically starts around $1 million to $2 million for entry tiers and reaches $30 million and above for penthouses in top branded projects.

Pre-construction luxury condominium purchasing in Miami is a distinct asset class with its own timeline, deposit structure, developer risk profile, and resale dynamic. If you're buying a $2 million to $30 million unit in a branded pre-construction tower, you are not buying a home the way you would in the resale market. You are entering a multi-year development process with different due diligence, different financing, and different upside and downside profiles.

I'm Elizabeth Costa, a Realtor with The Keyes Company. I work with pre-construction buyers regularly and this guide reflects the actual conversations that come up when international buyers, upgrade buyers, and investment-focused buyers evaluate Miami's pre-construction pipeline.

Why Pre-Construction Is a Different Market

Pre-construction condominium purchasing behaves differently from resale luxury for six structural reasons:

1. You buy on paper before the building exists. Purchase is committed to design plans, renderings, and floor plans. The physical unit may not deliver for 2 to 4 years after your initial deposit.

2. Deposits are staged over the construction period. Typical structure is 10% at reservation, 10% at contract, 10% at groundbreaking or milestone, and 20% or more at closing when the building delivers. Total pre-closing deposits often reach 40 to 50 percent of purchase price.

3. Developer risk is real. The developer's balance sheet, construction financing, and track record all matter. Pre-construction contracts include remedies if the developer fails to deliver, but resolving those remedies can take years.

4. Pricing changes during construction. Early buyers ("Tier 1") often get preferred pricing. As the building sells out, subsequent tiers price higher. Some buildings appreciate substantially between contract and delivery; others don't.

5. Financing is limited before delivery. Traditional mortgages are typically not available until the building is complete and receives its certificate of occupancy. Cash buyers dominate the pre-construction segment for this reason.

6. Resale dynamics differ. Once the building delivers, the pre-construction unit becomes a resale unit and trades in the same market as any other condo in that building. But during construction, secondary-market transfer of pre-construction contracts (assignments) is often restricted by the purchase agreement.

Miami Worldcenter and Downtown

Miami Worldcenter is a 27-acre mixed-use development in Downtown Miami, one of the largest urban real estate projects in the United States. The master plan includes residential towers, hotel-branded residences, retail, dining, and hospitality. Multiple residential towers have delivered and continue to deliver through the mid-2020s. Pricing tiers vary by tower and unit but typically start around $700K to $1M for smaller units and reach $10M+ for penthouses in the flagship branded residences.

Downtown Miami surrounding Worldcenter also includes:

Waldorf Astoria Residences Miami — A branded residential tower delivering in the mid-2020s with Waldorf Astoria hospitality branding and management. Pricing for units typically starts in the low-to-mid seven figures and reaches into the eight figures for penthouses.

Aston Martin Residences — Delivered in 2024 at 300 Biscayne Boulevard Way. The Aston Martin branded residential tower on the Miami River waterfront. Units continue to trade in the resale market at premium pricing tied to the brand and location.

One Thousand Museum — Delivered in 2019 with Zaha Hadid architecture. Ultra-luxury tower on Biscayne Boulevard.

NoMad Wynwood and the Wynwood District

NoMad Residences Wynwood is a branded residential project in Wynwood, Miami's art district. The NoMad Hotel brand extends to the residential product, delivering hospitality-brand management and services to owners. Wynwood is a walkable neighborhood centered on street art, restaurants, breweries, and creative-industry offices, and NoMad Wynwood is one of the anchor branded residential projects in the district.

Pricing for NoMad Residences Wynwood units typically starts in the mid-six figures for smaller units and reaches into the low seven figures for larger and top-floor units. Delivery expected in the mid-2020s.

Adjacent Wynwood pre-construction includes several smaller boutique projects and mixed-use developments contributing to the neighborhood's transformation from industrial arts district to walkable urban residential district.

River District and the Miami River Corridor

The Miami River corridor runs from Biscayne Bay inland through Downtown Miami and has been a focus of luxury pre-construction development. River District 14 is one of the anchor mixed-use developments along the river, offering residential and retail with river-frontage.

Additional Miami River corridor pre-construction includes several projects positioned around the river's transformation from industrial waterway to residential-and-hospitality corridor. Pricing tiers here typically start lower than Downtown Miami proper, offering entry to Miami luxury pre-construction at more accessible price points.

Brickell Luxury Pre-Construction

Brickell is Miami's financial district and has been the most active submarket for ultra-luxury pre-construction condominiums over the past several years. Major branded residential projects include:

Cipriani Residences Miami — The Cipriani hospitality brand extends to a residential tower in Brickell. Ultra-luxury pricing with penthouses in the eight figures. Delivery expected in the mid-to-late 2020s.

888 Brickell (Dolce & Gabbana) — A branded residential tower with Dolce & Gabbana interior design and branding. Ultra-luxury positioning with pricing starting in the low seven figures and reaching into the high eight figures for penthouses.

The Residences at 1428 Brickell — A pre-construction luxury residential tower on Brickell Avenue. Positioning in the seven- to low-eight-figure range depending on unit type.

The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Miami — On Brickell Key, a residential tower with Mandarin Oriental hospitality branding. Ultra-luxury pricing with waterfront exposure. Delivery expected mid-2020s.

Baccarat Residences Miami — On the Miami River in Brickell, branded residential with Baccarat identity. Delivered or delivering in the mid-2020s.

Brickell pre-construction attracts international buyers, financial-sector professionals, and investors seeking branded residential exposure with walk-to-work commute to Brickell's financial district.

Sunny Isles Beach, Bal Harbour, and Aventura

North of Miami Beach, the Collins Avenue corridor through Bal Harbour, Sunny Isles Beach, and Aventura has been the epicenter of oceanfront pre-construction luxury.

The Bentley Residences Sunny Isles — A branded residential tower with Bentley Motors branding, including in-unit car elevators. Delivery expected in the mid-2020s. Ultra-luxury pricing.

Estates at Acqualina — Sunny Isles Beach oceanfront tower delivering ultra-luxury residential product. Pricing in the seven- to eight-figure range depending on unit type and floor.

Turnberry Ocean Club — Sunny Isles Beach oceanfront tower with delivered inventory and continuing resale activity.

Rivage Bal Harbour — A branded oceanfront residential tower in Bal Harbour, one of the smaller and more exclusive Miami-Dade oceanfront submarkets.

The Ritz-Carlton Residences Sunny Isles Beach — Ritz-Carlton branded residential product on the Sunny Isles oceanfront. Delivered but with active resale.

Sunny Isles, Bal Harbour, and Aventura pre-construction attracts oceanfront buyers, international buyers who value brand identity, and buyers seeking new-construction inventory over resale-market inventory.

The Branded Residence Model

A large share of Miami luxury pre-construction is structured as branded residences. A branded residence is a condominium project where a recognized hospitality, fashion, or luxury-goods brand licenses its identity to the developer and provides ongoing brand-related services to unit owners.

Common branded residence structures include:

  • Hospitality-brand residences: Waldorf Astoria, Mandarin Oriental, Ritz-Carlton, W, St. Regis. Owners typically receive hospitality-brand services (concierge, housekeeping, food and beverage, spa access) alongside residential ownership.
  • Fashion-brand residences: Dolce & Gabbana at 888 Brickell, Missoni, Armani. Brand provides interior design identity and often lifestyle amenity direction.
  • Luxury goods residences: Bentley Residences, Aston Martin Residences, Porsche Design Tower. Brand provides identity and often functional design elements aligned with the brand (car elevators, driving-simulator amenity spaces).
  • Restaurant-brand residences: Cipriani Residences. Brand provides restaurant, hospitality, and lifestyle programming.

Branded residences typically trade at a premium to non-branded comparable inventory, often 20 to 50 percent higher per square foot, reflecting the brand identity plus the ongoing service and management value.

Deposit Structures and Timeline

A typical Miami luxury pre-construction deposit structure runs as follows:

  • Reservation deposit (10%): Held in escrow when you sign the reservation agreement. Refundable in most cases during a defined review period.
  • Contract deposit (10%): Due when you sign the purchase agreement, typically 30 to 60 days after reservation. Non-refundable in most cases after this point except in the case of developer default.
  • Groundbreaking or milestone deposit (10%): Due at a defined construction milestone, often groundbreaking or completion of a specific floor.
  • Closing balance (70%): Due at closing when the building delivers and receives its certificate of occupancy. This is typically 2 to 4 years after the initial reservation deposit.

Some ultra-luxury projects have modified deposit structures with earlier or heavier upfront requirements. Always review the specific purchase agreement and reservation agreement carefully.

Timeline expectations:

  • Reservation to contract: 30 to 60 days
  • Contract to groundbreaking: 6 to 18 months (depends on project readiness and pre-sale threshold)
  • Groundbreaking to top-off: 18 to 36 months
  • Top-off to certificate of occupancy: 6 to 12 months
  • Certificate of occupancy to closing: 30 to 90 days

Total timeline: Typically 2 to 4 years from initial reservation to final closing. Some projects run longer if construction financing or approvals delay the timeline.

What to Know Before Buying Pre-Construction

Seven due-diligence items that separate a good pre-construction purchase from a costly mistake:

1. Review the developer's track record. How many prior projects has the developer delivered? Were they delivered on time and to specification? What is the developer's financial condition? Public news, court records, and construction industry reporting are all worth reviewing.

2. Understand the purchase agreement thoroughly. Pre-construction contracts are 100+ pages. They cover deposit structure, delivery timeline, warranty, remedies for developer default, HOA setup, common charges, and dozens of other items. Have a real estate attorney with pre-construction experience review before signing.

3. Confirm what is included in the base price. Some projects deliver "delivered ready" with finished flooring, cabinetry, and appliances. Others deliver "developer finish" as a shell requiring buyer buildout. Some require or offer designer upgrade packages at additional cost.

4. Review the HOA budget and reserve fund plan. The initial HOA budget is typically set by the developer and includes projected common charges. Confirm what services those charges cover and how they compare to comparable buildings.

5. Understand assignment rules. Can you transfer your contract to another buyer before closing? What are the fees, restrictions, and developer approval requirements? Assignment restrictions affect your flexibility if your plans change during construction.

6. Confirm closing costs and property tax base. Miami-Dade property taxes are assessed based on sale price at closing. Documentary stamp taxes, title insurance, and other closing costs add up to 3 to 6 percent of purchase price on top of the deposit balance due.

7. Understand the appreciation and resale scenario. Some pre-construction buildings appreciate substantially during construction; others don't. Understand the market conditions supporting the pricing and the risk that resale after delivery may take time.

How to Choose a Pre-Construction Purchase

A five-step framework I walk through with buyers considering pre-construction:

  1. Match project to your use case. A primary residence, a second home, a rental investment, and a resale-flip investment all imply different project selection. Some branded residences prohibit short-term rentals. Some are optimized for hospitality-service integration for owner-occupants. Clarify your use case first.

  2. Evaluate the developer, not just the brand. The hospitality or fashion brand licenses its identity, but the developer is responsible for construction, delivery, and HOA setup. Vet the developer's balance sheet and track record independently of the brand attached to the project.

  3. Model total commitment through delivery. Reservation deposit, contract deposit, milestone deposit, closing balance, closing costs, initial furnishings, and buffer for construction delays. Have the full number in front of you before committing.

  4. Compare to resale alternatives in the same building type. Sometimes a resale unit in a comparable delivered building offers similar economics without the multi-year deposit period and developer risk. The right answer isn't always pre-construction.

  5. Have a real estate attorney review the contract. Not optional at this price point and complexity. The attorney's fee is small relative to the transaction and can save you from expensive contract clauses.

If you're evaluating luxury real estate in Miami more broadly, these companion guides go deeper on specific angles:

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the major pre-construction luxury condo projects in Miami?

Miami's pre-construction luxury condo pipeline is anchored by Miami Worldcenter and the Downtown Miami corridor including Waldorf Astoria Residences, NoMad Residences Wynwood, and Aston Martin Residences (already delivered). The Miami River corridor includes River District 14 and adjacent developments. Brickell pre-construction includes Cipriani Residences, 888 Brickell (Dolce & Gabbana), The Residences at 1428 Brickell, Mandarin Oriental Residences on Brickell Key, and Baccarat Residences. Sunny Isles Beach, Bal Harbour, and Aventura oceanfront pre-construction includes The Bentley Residences, Estates at Acqualina, Rivage Bal Harbour, and Ritz-Carlton Residences.

How much does a Miami pre-construction luxury condo cost?

Pricing varies significantly by project and unit type. Entry-tier pre-construction units in Miami Worldcenter and NoMad Wynwood typically start around $700K to $1.5M. Mid-tier branded residences in Brickell and Downtown Miami typically start around $1.5M to $3M. Ultra-luxury branded residences (Cipriani, 888 Brickell, Mandarin Oriental, Waldorf Astoria) range from approximately $3M to $30M and above for penthouses. Sunny Isles Beach oceanfront pre-construction similarly ranges from mid-seven-figure entry units to eight-figure penthouses depending on the project.

How does the deposit structure work for Miami pre-construction condos?

A typical Miami luxury pre-construction deposit structure includes 10 percent at reservation, 10 percent at contract signing, 10 percent at a defined construction milestone (often groundbreaking), and the 70 percent balance at closing when the building delivers and receives its certificate of occupancy. Total pre-closing deposits often reach 30 to 40 percent of purchase price. Some ultra-luxury projects require heavier upfront deposits. Always review the specific purchase agreement carefully with a real estate attorney.

What is a branded residence in Miami?

A branded residence is a condominium project where a recognized hospitality, fashion, or luxury-goods brand licenses its identity to the developer and typically provides ongoing brand-related services to unit owners. Miami branded residences include hospitality-brand projects (Waldorf Astoria, Mandarin Oriental, Ritz-Carlton, W, St. Regis), fashion-brand projects (Dolce & Gabbana at 888 Brickell), luxury-goods projects (Bentley Residences, Aston Martin Residences), and restaurant-brand projects (Cipriani Residences). Branded residences typically trade at a 20 to 50 percent premium per square foot compared to non-branded comparable inventory.

How long does Miami pre-construction take from contract to delivery?

Total timeline from initial reservation to final closing is typically 2 to 4 years. Reservation to contract runs 30 to 60 days. Contract to groundbreaking runs 6 to 18 months depending on project readiness and pre-sale thresholds. Groundbreaking to top-off runs 18 to 36 months. Top-off to certificate of occupancy runs 6 to 12 months. Certificate of occupancy to closing runs 30 to 90 days. Some projects run longer if construction financing or municipal approvals delay the timeline.

Can I get a mortgage on a Miami pre-construction condo?

Traditional mortgages are typically not available until the building is complete and receives its certificate of occupancy. During construction, the buyer commits deposits from personal funds. At closing, buyers can obtain a mortgage or condominium loan on the completed unit. For international buyers, foreign national loan programs are available at closing. Cash buyers dominate the pre-construction segment because of this financing structure.

Can I assign my pre-construction contract to another buyer?

Assignment rules vary by project and by purchase agreement. Some Miami pre-construction contracts allow assignment with developer approval and payment of an assignment fee (typically 1 to 5 percent of purchase price). Some contracts prohibit assignment entirely. Some allow assignment only after a specified construction milestone. Always review the assignment clauses of the purchase agreement before assuming secondary-market transfer is available if your plans change.

What happens if the developer fails to deliver the pre-construction project?

Florida law requires pre-construction deposits to be held in escrow, protecting buyers from developer failure at the deposit stage. If the developer defaults, buyers typically receive their deposits back through the escrow arrangement, though this process can take time and may involve legal proceedings. Reviewing the developer's balance sheet, track record, construction financing arrangements, and escrow structure before signing is one of the most important due-diligence steps. Working with a real estate attorney experienced in pre-construction is essential.

Are Miami pre-construction condos good investments?

Some Miami pre-construction projects have appreciated substantially between contract and delivery, while others have not. The outcome depends on the developer's execution, the market conditions during the construction period, the specific project positioning, and the buyer's price entry point. Pre-construction is not automatically a better investment than resale. Buyers who treat pre-construction as a hold-and-live investment often see different outcomes than buyers who treat it as a flip. Modeling the full commitment through delivery, including opportunity cost of deposits held over 2 to 4 years, is essential to an honest investment analysis.

What should I look for before signing a Miami pre-construction contract?

Seven items to review before signing. First, the developer's track record and financial condition. Second, the specific purchase agreement clauses on deposit structure, delivery timeline, warranty, and default remedies. Third, what is included in the base price versus optional upgrades. Fourth, the initial HOA budget and reserve fund plan. Fifth, assignment rules if you may need contract transfer flexibility. Sixth, total closing costs including documentary stamps, title, and taxes. Seventh, a full understanding of the resale market context for the specific project and unit type. Have a real estate attorney experienced in Miami pre-construction review before signing.

Considering a Miami Pre-Construction Purchase?

I can walk you through the current Miami pre-construction pipeline, compare projects across Worldcenter, Wynwood, Brickell, and Sunny Isles, and connect you with the attorneys and inspectors who specialize in this asset class.

Call or Text (786) 949-3971
Elizabeth Costa, Realtor — FL Lic. #3234205
The Keyes Company · 4191 NW 107th Ave, Doral, FL 33178
elizabethcosta@keyes.com · Schedule a Consultation
Serving Doral, Miami, Coral Gables, and Pinecrest
Elizabeth Costa, Top Real Estate Agent in Doral and Miami, Florida Elizabeth Costa, Realtor — FL Lic. #3234205
Top Real Estate Agent in Doral, Florida | The Keyes Company
☎ (786) 949-3971
✉ elizabethcosta@keyes.com
📅 Schedule a private consultation
15+ years · 300+ closed transactions · Bilingual EN/ES
Office: 4191 NW 107th Ave, Doral, FL 33178
Serving Doral, Miami, Coral Gables, and Pinecrest