If you build it, they will come. Most people are familiar with that line from the popular movie, “Field of Dreams.” But in the case of Homestead, Fla., “they” were already coming before “it” was built. In truth, the fact that “they” were coming was one of the reasons “it” was built.
To make sense of all of this, you have to realize that the “it” being referred to is Portofino Plaza, the latest development located on Campbell Drive, opposite Homestead Hospital at Florida Turnpike exit #2. And the “they” is the burgeoning Homestead population. With that in mind, Portofino Plaza, located at the Gateway to Homestead, has been designed to accommodate that growth.
Keith Thompson, marketing manager for the builder, Prime Commercial Developers, talked about Portofino Plaza in detail: “It consists of two, 3-story buildings with a broad, high porte-cochere in between,” he said. “The bottom floor of each building is 15,000 sq. ft. of retail space, that is already 80 percent occupied.
“The top two floors of each building have 15,000 sq. ft. of space for a total of 60,000 sq. ft. of office condominiums and executive suites.”
Additionally, Thompson said Portofino Plaza has a very distinctive architecture, which includes two red, Bahama-shuttered towers on the buildings. He believes this distinguishing characteristic is attractive because “people are looking for landmark buildings (in helping clientele locate) their businesses.”
Thompson said Prime Commercial Developers built Portofino Plaza with the synergy of activities to be a “destination” spot, and the builders are already receiving a positive response. “There’s already another new medical building on the east side (of the turnpike),” he said, referring to Portofino Professional Center, also a product of Prime Commercial Developers, “and that is already sold out as many doctors and medical service providers want to be close to Homestead Hospital.”
He believes that the amenities in place at Portofino Plaza are an attraction to others providing medical services. “We want it to be a destination where a lot of things are going on,” he said, and that is currently happening: Already in place is a 14-screen movie theater and several fine shops and restaurants, including one of the most popular Chili’s restaurants in Florida. “If you have a doctor’s appointment for the kids, the rest of the family has activities to keep them occupied with the theater and restaurants,” he said.
In addition, Thompson pointed out that Portofino Plaza is nearby to the Homestead Speedway as well as to Homestead Air Force Base, “which plays a very big part in the economy.”
Add to the mix the fact that the Homestead area is bordered by beautiful Biscayne Bay and Biscayne Bay National Park on the east, and the Everglades on the west, and you’ve got more natural attractions to draw people. Thompson added that it is 15 to 20 minutes from Miami to the north, and the same distance from the Keys to the south.
And what if some of the visitors to the Homestead area want to spend more than just a day? Thompson said Prime Commercial Developers is constructing a hotel next to the Homestead Hospital that can accommodate overnight guests.
Even though the Homestead area has already experienced rapid growth in recent years, Thompson believes more is on the way. The reason is that he considers Homestead Hospital will play a large role in health care for not only the population of South Florida, but for residents of South America and Central America as well, as they come for medical care. “Homestead is poised to grow, and Portofino Plaza is poised to grow along with them.”
