Inside Miami’s Milestone Senior Housing Project
Veteran developer Michael Swerdlow on the nation’s largest affordable senior housing development of the past 10 years.
More than 90,000 units are needed in Miami-Dade County for renters earning below 80 percent of the area median income—which is roughly $75,000—according to an analysis released earlier this year by nonprofit Miami Homes for All. And seniors are among the most cost-burdened population.
One project that caters to this vulnerable segment recently opened in the Overtown neighborhood: The Residences at Sawyer’s Walk. The 578-unit community is believed to be the largest predominantly affordable senior living community built in the U.S. over the past decade, and is part of a larger development.
Besides the residential component, the 1.5 million square-foot Block 55 at Sawyer’s Walk project is also set to include a public plaza, retail and office space. SG Holdings—a partnership between Swerdlow Group, SJM Partners and Alben Duffie—is behind the 3.4-acre, mixed-use development at 249 NW Sixth St. that broke ground in June 2021 through a public-private partnership.
In this interview with Multi-Housing News, veteran developer Michael Swerdlow, managing partner with Swerdlow Group, talks about the role Block 55 at Sawyer’s Walk plays in the revitalization of one of Miami’s oldest neighborhoods and reveals why he decided to focus on providing affordable housing to low-income seniors at this point in his 50-year career.
What does this large residential project mean to you and to the broader South Florida affordable housing landscape?
Swerdlow: Miami-Dade County finds itself in the largest affordability crisis in the nation, which has put the state’s most vulnerable population at risk, with some senior residents being displaced and struggling to fight homelessness.
We’re proud to deliver nearly 600 residences at Sawyer’s Walk in the Overtown neighborhood, a tremendous milestone for the city that will help meet the need for quality housing for low-income seniors in our community.
How did you make sure a project of this scale remained on schedule and in tune with its nearby surroundings?
Swerdlow: The project was thoughtfully designed to fit within the scale of the surrounding urban neighborhood setting that is in close proximity to Miami’s downtown skyline.
For the most part, construction work remained on schedule. Given the complexity of the building’s design, we had to make continuous changes to the plans while attempting to remain on schedule. Due to the property’s mix of uses, we first opened the residences this July and preparing to deliver the retail spaces to the brands we have signed.
READ ALSO: Why the Future in Senior Housing Is All About Health, Affordability
Part of the units are occupied by residents who were displaced from the community they previously lived in. Tell us more about the seniors who relocated here.
Swerdlow: Given the timing of our project’s delivery, we were able to work collaboratively with Miami-Dade County officials to help provide housing to more than 100 low-income seniors who had been displaced given that the residential building they were previously living in was deemed unsafe due to mold, asbestos and lead paint.
The Residences at Sawyer’s Walk encompasses apartments including studios, one- and two-bedrooms featuring state-of-the-art kitchens and spa-inspired bathrooms. All the residents moving into Sawyer’s Walk will have access to quality amenities not generally available in a low-income residential community as well as direct access to value retailers that will occupy our retail component, and to public transit options located within walking distance.
What specific amenities and features will they have access to?
Swerdlow: Residents can enjoy amenities that exceed what is traditionally offered at affordable housing projects, including a rooftop swimming pool and sun deck complete with resilient landscaping, pickleball courts, outdoor seating and grilling stations, a modern fitness center, clubhouse, entertainment center and more.
The mixed-use development is the largest currently underway in the historic community of Overtown. All images courtesy of SG Holdings 
The 578 apartments at The Residences at Sawyer’s Walk are designated for seniors earning at or below an average of 60 percent of the area median income. 
The Residences at Sawyer’s Walk encompasses studios, as well as one- and two-bedroom units. 
One of the bathrooms at The Residences at Sawyer’s Walk. 
One of the living rooms at The Residences at Sawyer’s Walk. 
Another living room model at The Residences at Sawyer’s Walk.
Now that the residential component is completed, what’s next for the larger 55 Block at Sawyer’s Walk project?
Swerdlow: The Sawyer’s Walk project includes 175,000 square feet of credit retailers and 130,000 square feet of office space acquired by MSC Group that will anchor MSC Cruises’ new North American headquarters. The retail space is fully leased, with value-oriented retailers set to open this fall, including Target, Ross, Five Below, Burlington and Aldi, and a 25,000-square-foot public plaza featuring outdoor space is also opening for the community’s enjoyment.
How will Sawyer’s Walk contribute to the revitalization of Overtown overall?
Swerdlow: Sawyer’s Walk plays a key role in the revitalization of Overtown by providing affordable living opportunities for the vulnerable population of low-income seniors, while also strengthening and reconnecting the area’s commercial corridor with high-value retailers. Serving primarily minority seniors, Sawyer’s Walk meets the urgent need for quality affordable housing, bringing relief to the community and alleviating the shortage of comfortable living options for low-income senior residents in Miami and Miami-Dade County.
READ ALSO: Where Is the Most Affordable Housing Market in the US?
How has your perspective on real estate development changed over the years, leading to your current emphasis on affordable housing?
Swerdlow: I don’t like seeing people living in deplorable conditions, so I wanted to provide affordable housing that doesn’t sacrifice quality. These apartments look just like market-rate apartments. As a real estate development company, we are focused on building legacy projects for the communities in most need in South Florida at a critical time when the region faces a housing and affordability crisis.
We are positively impacting thousands of residents, including low-income individuals and seniors who have been displaced from dilapidated senior housing buildings. At this stage of my 50-year career, there is no greater impact that I can make than focusing on delivering quality housing for those who need it most in our community.
The next project we are planning that is currently undergoing Miami-Dade County review is in Miami’s Little River District in the Little Haiti neighborhood. We are proposing to build a 63-acre, masterplan community comprising about 7,500 residential units that will include affordable, workforce and market-rate housing, a new Tri-Rail transit station that will create better connectivity within Miami’s urban core, 602,562 square feet of retail space and 205,076 square feet of publicly accessible outdoor green space.
