Kengo Kuma’s First U.S. Mixed-Use Development Breaks Ground in Miami Design District

Construction is officially underway on MIRAI Design District, the first mixed-use project in the United States designed by internationally acclaimed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. Rising at 4218 NE 2nd Avenue, the three-story development will bring approximately 41,000 square feet of Class A office space and 16,000 square feet of luxury retail and hospitality space to one of Miami’s most design-focused neighborhoods.  

The project is being developed through a partnership between Leviathan Development, Lionheart Capital, Well Duo, and The Lane Organization following the closing of an $85 million construction loan from Monroe Capital. Conceived as a “floating lantern,” the building features a transparent ground level, layered façade, landscaped central garden, and public gathering spaces that blend architecture, nature, and hospitality into a pedestrian-oriented environment. Landscape design is led by Island Planning Corporation, while Italian lighting specialist Viabizzuno is creating the building’s dynamic façade lighting program.  

Rather than targeting large corporate tenants, MIRAI is designed to attract family offices, investment firms, and design-driven companies seeking boutique office environments. Leasing is being curated internally, with future retail and hospitality tenants selected to complement the project’s emphasis on architecture, culture, and lifestyle. The development is expected to open in 2028.  

The groundbreaking reflects the continued transformation of the Miami Design District beyond luxury retail into a broader mixed-use destination. As demand grows for highly curated workplaces and experiential commercial environments, projects like MIRAI are helping establish Northeast Second Avenue as the district’s next corridor for boutique office, hospitality, and design-led development.