Hospitality entrepreneur James Brennan has acquired a bayfront site in Miami’s Morningside neighborhood, where he and his partner John Jacobson plan to develop a luxury condominium building. The Real Deal reported that the partnership purchased the 0.8-acre property at 700 and 750 Northeast 61st Street for $16.5 million.
The planned project, called The Mornings, will feature a five-story building with 17 residential units. The site currently holds two apartment buildings—one with six units and another with twelve—located just outside the gates of Morningside.
Brennan, who relocated from San Diego to Miami during the pandemic and built a waterfront home in Morningside, commented on his connection to the area: “I fell in absolute love with Morningside as a neighbor,” he said.
According to Brennan, the new development will “basically double” the number of waterfront homes in the neighborhood. The location is within walking distance of both Cushman School and Morningside Park.
The estimated cost for developing The Mornings is about $150 million. Both Brennan and Jacobson have prior experience in residential real estate projects. Brandon Haw Architecture has been selected to design the building, while interior design will be handled by Thomas Schoos’ firm.
In addition to its main residences, The Mornings will offer four separate 500-square-foot flats intended for use by nannies or grandparents; these can be purchased alongside main units. Prices are expected to average $2,500 per square foot, with sales projected to begin next summer.
Unit sizes will range from approximately 4,200 square feet up to 7,700 square feet. Brennan stated that all buyers would be interviewed personally by him.
Records show that UES Partners—a Miami-based company led by Robert Vecsler—sold the properties. Vecsler also serves as CEO of Hyperion Development Group based in New York.
Brennan co-founded Suja Juice (available at Whole Foods) and Kopari Beauty products. He is also a senior adviser at Paine Schwartz Partners, an investment firm focused on sustainable food ventures.
Jacobson previously co-developed Six Senses Ibiza resort along with Jonathan Leitersdorf and is collaborating with Prosper Group on other developments in Brickell and North Bay Village.
