A proposed five-story mixed-use project and a planned expansion of a daycare center top the agenda of the upcoming Coral Gables Design Review Committee (DRC) meeting on Friday, June 27, at 9:30 a.m. at 427 Biltmore Way.

Mixed-use proposal across from Police-Fire HQ

The Boschetti Group’s proposed development would transform the parking lot at 265 Minorca Avenue into a four-story building with ground-floor retail, office space on the second and third floors, and four residential units on the fourth. The site sits across from the city’s public safety building and currently serves as a surface parking lot.

Designed by Pascual Perez Kiliddjian Starr & Associates, the project seeks site plan approval, conditional use for mixed-use zoning, and waivers for setback modifications and increased lot coverage.

The design blends coral stone, cast stone, and bronze-finished metal panels with broad glass openings—an effort to pair contemporary form with traditional Mediterranean cues. Plans call for a rooftop pool deck, fitness center, and shared gathering areas for residents. Ground-floor tenants have not yet been announced, but the development aims to foster a walkable node in the city’s commercial core.

The building’s height and massing may draw scrutiny from neighboring stakeholders, including public safety officials. Last month, Police Chief Ed Hudak raised concerns when the City Commission voted 4–1 to approve an eight-story project at 299 Minorca Avenue. In staff comments included with the 265 Minorca application, city planners noted that the project’s scale and relationship to surrounding buildings warranted closer attention, encouraging the design team to consider massing breaks or height reductions more in line with the city’s architectural context.

Whether the proposal clears the DRC in its current form remains to be seen. But its presence on the docket underscores ongoing developer interest in repositioning underused parcels for mixed-use infill, especially within the central business district.

Daycare on SW 8th St. seeks to grow

Also on the agenda is an expansion request from My Little Kingdom Daycare, located at 5430 SW 8th Street. The application proposes converting an existing 5,008-square-foot building into a daycare facility and constructing an additional 2,533-square-foot building on the east side of the property—bringing the center’s total capacity to 110 children.

The expansion would also formalize a new parking area with designated drop-off zones, enhance the outdoor play spaces, and upgrade the site’s landscaping. The applicant is requesting conditional use approval and zoning exceptions to exceed the maximum allowable child count and modify setback requirements.

My Little Kingdom has long served families in nearby residential neighborhoods. The expansion comes as demand for early childhood education continues to grow across Coral Gables, where many preschools and daycare centers operate at capacity with long waitlists.

City staff acknowledged that the proposed student count exceeds what is permitted by right and flagged potential traffic and circulation challenges, especially given the narrow nature of SW 8th Street. Staff encouraged closer review of how drop-offs and pick-ups would be managed during peak times.

Still, the project may resonate with a city increasingly aware of the need to match residential development with investments in educational infrastructure.

Process and public input

While the DRC’s recommendations are advisory, they often shape the trajectory of a proposal before it reaches the Planning and Zoning Board and, ultimately, the City Commission. Public comment is invited during the meeting, and residents routinely use the forum to express support, opposition, or request revisions.

Together, the two projects reflect the competing priorities shaping Coral Gables today: developer appetite, demand for housing and educational services, and the city’s ongoing effort to preserve its character while planning for growth.

Where the mixed-use proposal emphasizes urban density, walkability and architectural ambition, the daycare project points to a quieter but equally critical need—supporting families who already call Coral Gables home.

Full agenda materials, including architectural renderings, staff reports, and application files, are available through the city’s website.