Mr. Worldwide is staying close to home.
The Miami-born recording artist Pitbull, whose real name is Armando Christian Pérez, selected one of his childhood homes as the future site of his music company headquarters, sources confirmed to the Real Deal.
The modest, single-family home is located at 25 NE 28th St., within Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood. It was built in 1927, according to city records, and spans just 720 square feet on a 1,750-square-foot lot. The home’s last recorded sale totaled $400,000 in 2015.
Soon, however, the site could host the eight-story headquarters of Pitbull’s Mr. 305 music company. The modest two-bedroom home has already received city approval for demolition.
The construction plan, spearheaded by project developer Rilea Group, is seeking approval from the Wynwood Design Review Committee on Tuesday, March 10, when it will be put to a vote.
The applicant, Un Melon en Wynwood LLC, is an affiliate of Pitbull’s Miami-based independent music label. The label specializes in “globally recognized, Latin-infused hip-hop and pop music,” according to the application.
Rilea’s submission features radical plans for the planned headquarters, designed by Deforma Studio, including an eight-story wall covered in a black and white, graffiti-like mural, “contributing to the neighborhood’s celebrated culture of public art.” Its design draws inspiration from Wynwood’s “industrial heritage,” with materials like reclaimed brick, glass and decorative metal accents making up the facade.
The building will span 11,200 square feet, according to the proposal, 9,700 square feet of which will be office space.
Although the area’s zoning laws limit development to five stories, the development team has opted for a permitted three-floor bonus in exchange for a cash contribution to the neighborhood’s public trust fund, the Real Deal reported.
Construction of the mixed-use project with loft apartments, the Mohawk at Wynwood, is slated to begin construction at the site next to Pitbull’s proposed headquarters, the outlet reported. The project is also being developed by Rilea.
Pitbull, 45, was born in Miami to Cuban immigrant parents. He achieved global stardom with mid-aughts hits like “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho),” “Give Me Everything” and “Timber.”
The artist is heavily involved in local philanthropy in Miami, largely through education and health initiatives. The artist opened the first location of his tuition-free public charter school, Sports Leadership and Management (SLAM!), in 2013 in Miami’s Little Havana. He was inducted into the Miami Children’s Health Foundation Hall of Fame in 2015 for his charitable support.
Should the plan for Pitbull’s newest headquarters receive Wynwood’s vote, it will head to Miami’s zoning administrator for the final verdict.
“¡Dale!“
