The WIRE Miami Perspective

The Tallest Tower in Miami — And It's Not Close

When JDS Development Group announced 888 Brickell, they weren't looking to build another Brickell high-rise. Michael Stern — the same developer behind Steinway Tower in New York, the tallest residential building in the Western Hemisphere — wanted to do something no one else had done in Miami. The result is 90 stories and 1,049 feet of supertall architecture designed by Studio Sofield, rising above every other building on the skyline.

For context, the next tallest completed residential tower in Miami sits at roughly 850 feet. 888 Brickell will stand nearly 200 feet above everything else. That matters for views, for prestige, and for long-term value. Supertalls don't depreciate the way mid-rises do. They define skylines.

Dolce & Gabbana: A First-of-Its-Kind Collaboration

This is not a licensing deal where they slap a logo on the lobby. Dolce & Gabbana designed every single residence — the kitchens, the bathrooms, the closets, the furniture. You're buying a turnkey home that's fully furnished by one of the most recognized luxury fashion houses on the planet. The kitchen alone features Sub-Zero refrigeration, Miele dishwashers, and Wolf cooking appliances, all integrated into custom D&G cabinetry.

What does that mean for the buyer? You're not spending an additional $300,000–$500,000 on interior design after closing. You walk in with your keys and you're done. That's not just a convenience — it's a financial advantage that's baked into the purchase price.

The Flexible Floorplan Concept

One feature that sets 888 Brickell apart from every other luxury building in Miami is the 888 flexible floorplan. Every residence can be configured as a full private home, an "888 Suite" (which separates one bedroom as an independent hotel suite), or "888 Room" configurations (where additional bedrooms operate as standalone hotel rooms). This means a 3-bedroom residence can generate hotel revenue from one or two bedrooms while the owner maintains their private quarters.

For part-time residents and investors, this changes the math entirely. It's not just a condo — it's a revenue-generating asset that offsets carrying costs when you're not in residence.

Why It Matters for Resale Buyers

When a buyer picks up one of these developer-approved resale assignments, they're locking in a position in a building that will be the centerpiece of Brickell's skyline for the next 50 years. With only 259 units and global demand for Dolce & Gabbana-branded anything, the supply-demand dynamics favor long-term appreciation.

The two residences currently available through WIRE Miami — a 3-bedroom on the 58th floor at $5.25M and a 2-bedroom on the 45th floor at $3.5M — represent an opportunity to enter before the building is completed, at pricing that will likely look very different upon delivery.

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What Is a Pre-Construction Assignment?

A pre-construction assignment occurs when someone who holds a purchase contract for a unit in a building under construction sells that contract to a new buyer before the building is completed and before closing. The original buyer assigns their rights and obligations under the contract to the new buyer. The new buyer steps into their shoes.

In the case of the residences listed on this site, these are developer-approved assignments. That means JDS Development Group has formally authorized the resale of these contracts. This is not an unauthorized flip. The developer knows about it, has approved it, and has set the terms under which the assignment can occur.

How the Assignment Process Works at 888 Brickell

Here's the step-by-step process for these specific assignments:

1. Buyer qualification: The prospective buyer submits proof of funds and basic qualification information through WIRE Miami.

2. Developer approval: JDS Development Group reviews and approves the incoming buyer. This is not a formality — the developer has the right to approve or deny.

3. Assignment agreement: The original buyer, new buyer, and developer all execute an assignment agreement that transfers the contract.

4. Deposit assumption: The new buyer reimburses the original buyer's deposits (typically 20% of the original purchase price) and any assignment premium.

5. Continued obligations: The new buyer assumes all remaining payment obligations under the original contract, including the balance due at closing.

What About Pricing?

The developer has stipulated that they receive 50% of the net profit from the assignment. The net profit is calculated after the 6% brokerage commission (paid by the seller on the new sale price). This structure ensures the developer participates in any price appreciation, which is why they're willing to approve the assignment in the first place.

For the buyer, the assignment price reflects current market value — which in most cases still represents a discount to what the same unit will cost when the building is completed and selling at retail pricing. In Miami pre-construction, retail pricing at delivery is historically 15–30% higher than pre-construction pricing, depending on the cycle.

Why Buy an Assignment vs. Waiting?

There are several advantages to buying a developer-approved assignment over waiting for the building to complete:

Price advantage: You're still buying before completion at pricing below projected retail delivery pricing.

Unit selection: The best units in a building sell out early. An assignment may be the only way to access a specific floor plan, floor, or view.

Deposit structure: You may benefit from a more favorable deposit structure than what the developer offers for new reservations (if any units remain).

Time horizon: With an assignment, you know exactly how far along the construction is. You're not starting the clock from zero.

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The Branded Residence Premium Is Real

According to Savills and Knight Frank data, branded residences command a 30–35% premium over comparable non-branded luxury product. In Miami, that premium has proven even higher in some cases. Armani Casa Residences in Sunny Isles, for example, has seen resale prices well above initial pre-construction levels, driven in large part by the cachet of the Armani name.

The reason is straightforward: global luxury brands bring a built-in buyer pool. A wealthy buyer in Milan, São Paulo, or Dubai already knows Dolce & Gabbana. They already trust the quality. They already associate the brand with a certain lifestyle. That removes a massive sales friction that non-branded buildings face when marketing internationally.

Why D&G Is Different From Other Branded Deals

Many branded residence projects are what the industry calls "licensing plus design consultation" — the brand contributes to common-area design and maybe lends their name to marketing, but the individual residences are finished by a separate interior design firm. 888 Brickell is different. Dolce & Gabbana designed every residence interior: the kitchens, the bathrooms, the closets, the furniture, the fixtures. Every unit is delivered turnkey furnished by D&G.

That level of integration is extremely rare in the branded residence space. It means the entire experience — from the moment you walk into the porte cochère to the moment you sit on your sofa — is cohesive. There's no disconnect between the lobby promise and what you actually live with.

The Investment Case for 888 Brickell

When you combine the D&G brand, the supertall distinction (tallest in Miami), a Tier 1 developer in JDS, a prime Brickell location, and only 259 residences, you get a supply-constrained asset with global demand drivers. These aren't the kinds of buildings where you're competing with 800 other unit owners to sell. The pool is small, the brand is strong, and the location is irreplaceable.

For investors considering one of the two available assignments, the calculus is simple: What will a Dolce & Gabbana-furnished residence on the 45th or 58th floor of Miami's tallest tower be worth when the building is complete, operating at full capacity with its 5-star hotel program, and comparable resale inventory is priced at retail? History suggests the answer will be substantially higher than today's assignment pricing.

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The Transformation of Brickell

Five years ago, Brickell was known for its financial offices, a handful of good restaurants, and a lot of generic residential towers. Today, it's the most sought-after address in Miami for ultra-high-net-worth buyers. The reason: a critical mass of world-class developers and brands converged on the same few blocks at the same time.

888 Brickell by Dolce & Gabbana (JDS Development), Residences at Mandarin Oriental (Swire Properties), Mercedes-Benz Places (JDS Development — on the land that WIRE Miami's Adrian Sanchez sold to the developer), and Baccarat Residences are all reshaping the corridor. This isn't a coincidence. These developers and brands chose Brickell because the fundamentals — walkability, proximity to the financial district, waterfront access, and infrastructure — support premium pricing.

What This Means for 888 Brickell Buyers

When you buy into 888 Brickell, you're not just buying a condo. You're buying into the neighborhood effect — the idea that a cluster of ultra-luxury projects elevates every building around it. When Mandarin Oriental opens next door, and Mercedes-Benz Places opens across the street, and the neighborhood restaurants and retail upgrade to match, the entire zip code appreciates.

This is what happened in Hudson Yards in New York. This is what happened in Canary Wharf in London. And it's what's happening in Brickell right now. The smartest money enters early, before the full effect of the neighborhood transformation is priced in.

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