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Convincing tenants and lenders that vertically stacked retail was a viable concept was a serious challenge. Back in 1996, it was still a new concept.
But developer Jeff Berkowitz took the risk and opened the three-story Dadeland Station off U.S. 1 in east Kendall, now home to the oftenpacked Bed Bath & Beyond, Best Buy Michaels, Target and Sports Authority.
Despite some well-publicized structural problems with a parking garage ramp, the concept was a huge success.
He's now planning in Miami Beach a smaller version of the vertical shopping center and with a more urban flavor, said Berkowitz from his office on the 12th floor of the Grand Bay Plaza office tower in Coconut Grove.
Berkowitz and his partners, car dealers Alan and Robert Potamkin, for the past three years have been working on the design of Fifth & Alton in South Beach The project , in the permitting stage, is in a...