Miami, Florida: All Aboard Florida has named Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (“SOM”) as Lead Architect and Planner to develop the initial concepts for its four stations and associated transit?oriented developments (“TODs”) to be located in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando. Florida?based Zyscovich Architects (“Zyscovich”) will serve as Associate Architect and Planner.
All Aboard Florida, the privately owned, operated and maintained intercity passenger rail system that will connect South Florida to Orlando, chose SOM because of the firm’s seven decades of experience in planning, designing, and implementing large?scale transportation projects on a global level. In the past twenty years alone, SOM has completed more than $5 billion dollars worth of transportation construction projects including subway and rail stations, ferry terminals, complex intermodal and multi?modal facilities, and the design of entire airports and more than a dozen airport terminals. SOM most recently designed the Denver Union Station, which will redevelop an urban center with retail, commercial, and office space and serve as one of the most comprehensive intermodal transportation projects in the country.
“SOM is renowned for its inspiring, award?winning design, strong track record of fostering public consensus, and ability to translate infrastructure investment into regional benefits,” said Vincent Signorello, president of Florida East Coast Industries, Inc., the parent company of All Aboard Florida. “The firm repeatedly delivers outstanding designs for premier passenger rail stations with successful mixed?use programs that become some of the most innovative and memorable urban places in major cities worldwide, catalyzing urban redevelopment.”
Zyscovich Architects’ long?standing influence on regional architectural design, municipal planning and major urban developments can be seen in large?scale projects including the Midtown Miami redevelopment project located along the FEC Corridor; master plans for downtown West Palm Beach, downtown Fort Lauderdale, and downtown Miami; and a rail corridor strategic redevelopment plan for the City of Miami. The firm also has extensive transportation and transitoriented design experience, such as the New Eldorado International Airport in Bogotá, Colombia and the Airport City Intermodal public?private development project at Miami International Airport. Mr. Signorello noted that Zyscovich’s deep understanding of Florida’s development environment and extensive familiarity with the existing rail corridor will be a significant asset to the project.
“The engagement of SOM and Zyscovich represents our commitment to delivering world?class transit planning and design for the station system of All Aboard Florida. Both firms have demonstrated extreme competence with projects of similar scope throughout the world,” remarked Mr. Signorello. “Their depth of experience in urban planning and skill in crafting appropriately iconic design sets the stage for All Aboard Florida to transform the transportation landscape throughout Florida. We intend to deliver landmarks that will enrich our neighborhood for years to come.”
The firms have started work immediately on creating the conceptual development program for the Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando stations.
About All Aboard Florida
All Aboard Florida is an intercity passenger rail project being developed by Florida East Coast Industries, Inc. (FECI) — owner of Florida’s premier passenger rail corridor — that will connect Miami to Orlando with intermediate stations in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. This rail service will give Floridians and visitors a viable transportation alternative to congested highways and airport terminals. All Aboard Florida will provide a high?quality experience for passengers and will be the first privately owned, operated, and maintained passenger rail system in the United States. For more information, visit www.AllAboardFlorida.com.
About Florida East Coast Industries, Inc.
Florida East Coast Industries, Inc. (FECI), through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of Florida’s oldest and largest integrated, full?service real estate and infrastructure companies. Headquartered in Coral Gables, FL, FECI has a rich history dating back over a century when Henry Flagler first established the company which became a pioneer in the development of Florida’s eastern coast.
About Zyscovich Architects
Zyscovich Architects (Zyscovich) is an international master planning, architecture, and interior design firm with offices in Miami, West Palm Beach, Orlando, New York City, Bogotá, and Tobago. The firm’s innovative approach to planning, Real Urbanism, embraces the history and economics of a community to create a unique vision that brings tangible value and improved quality of life to the area. The firm’s commitment to customized solutions is also evident in its award winning architectural design work for both public and private clients. Zyscovich’s broad range of experience includes large?scale mixed?use, transportation, educational, commercial, retail, multi?family residential, and hospitality projects.
About Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) is one of the leading architecture, interior design, engineering, and urban?planning firms in the world, with a 75?year reputation for design excellence and a portfolio that includes some of the most important architectural accomplishments of the 20th and 21st centuries. Since its inception, SOM has been a leader in the research and development of specialized technologies, new processes and innovative ideas, many of which have had a palpable and lasting impact on the design profession and the physical environment. The firm’s longstanding leadership in design and building technology has been honored with more than 1,500 awards for quality, innovation, and management. The American Institute of Architects has recognized SOM twice with its highest honor, the Architecture Firm Award—in 1962 and again in 1996. The firm maintains offices in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., London, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi.