The Miami-Dade County Commission has granted final approval for SG Holdings Little River District, a transformative $3 billion, mixed-use development that will redefine the urban landscape of Miami’s underserved Little River and Little Haiti neighborhoods. Spanning 63 acres, the large-scale project aims to build more than 5,700 affordable and workforce housing units, alongside major big-box retail stores, small businesses, major grocery operator, green public space, and transit infrastructure with the addition of a new train station, marking a historic investment in Miami’s future.
Led by SG Holdings, a joint venture comprised of Swerdlow Group, SJM Partners, and Alben Duffie, the partnership stands at the forefront of affordable housing development, following its successful delivery of the 1.5 million-square-foot, mixed-use development Sawyer’s Walk featuring 578 affordable senior housing units in Miami’s historic Overtown neighborhood.
The Little River District project is considered the largest affordable housing development in Miami-Dade County’s history. It will feature 2,284 affordable housing units at an average 60% Area Median Income (AMI), 1,398 workforce rental units at up to 120% AMI, in addition to 2,048 potential workforce condo units, which would allow the buyers to obtain significant subsidies to meet the purchase price at up to 140% AMI, ensuring long-term housing stability for thousands of Miami-Dade residents. Current residents of existing public housing complexes situated within the development site are guaranteed the right to return to new units at Little River District with no increases in rent.
This transit-oriented project is made possible through immense private and public sector collaboration led by the development group SG Holdings along with public sector partners: Miami-Dade County’s Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the City of Miami, and key local officials such as Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, County Commissioner Keon Hardemon, and City of Miami Commission Chairwoman Christine King.
“This approval is a major milestone in addressing Miami’s critical need for affordable and workforce housing,” said Michael Swerdlow, Founder and CEO of Swerdlow Group. “At a time when population growth is fueling demand for housing and everyday services, the Little River District will deliver a community that prioritizes affordable and quality housing, accessibility to public transit, and economic opportunity for local residents and business owners with the goal of generating prosperity for the highly deserving communities of Little Haiti and Little River.”
Given that portions of the 63-acre site are owned by the County, the public-private partnership paves the way for this comprehensive housing-led development plan that includes leveraging federal tax credits to support affordable housing and collaborating with Miami-Dade under a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) to drive local hiring and community investment. The Little River District project is set to create hundreds of jobs during construction and after, stimulating the local economy and supporting businesses within the area. With a half century track record of responsible development, SG Holdings remains committed to working with construction partners who uphold labor standards and prioritize job site safety during the course of this multi-year project.
Designed by renowned architecture firm Arquitectonica, the mixed-use and mixed-income housing development will also introduce more than 370,000 square feet of retail space, including commitments already secured from major retailers such as Home Depot and BJs. In addition, the project will feature a major supermarket, gas station, food and beverage options, and other essential retail services for the neighborhood. About 250,000 square feet of publicly accessible green space will span the project, fostering a walkable and sustainable urban pedestrian-friendly environment with improved pedestrian walkways, enhanced landscaping and beautification, bike paths and shuttle service for residents.
The Little River District will also prioritize transit accessibility with a planned new Tri-Rail train station, representing a significant $35 million investment being made by SG Holdings in Miami’s public transportation network. This development will reduce congestion, improve accessibility, and foster better connectivity within the project site and the broader urban core.
The residential communities planned within the affordable and workforce housing component will feature amenities including swimming pool, computer lab with printer access, fitness center, outdoor recreation space for children, bike parking, green outdoor space with pavilions and walking and bike paths, free Wi-Fi in common areas, onsite-property management, gated parking lot with restricted access, generators for the community spaces, and security cameras with car plate readers. In addition, the high-quality residences will include in-unit washers and dryers, granite countertops, dishwashers, refrigerators with ice makers, central air and smart fan systems, electric water heaters, tile floorings, and complimentary high-speed internet for three years.
Additionally, the major redevelopment is going to generate significant job creation locally. Approximately 3,840 jobs will be generated during the project’s construction and another 518 permanent positions once delivered. The impactful project will prioritize local hiring preferences for both the construction and permanent jobs, including low-income and public housing area residents. Also, the County will reap approximately $9.5 billion through this project – the largest revenue sharing pact of this kind in the County’s history. The County could use these revenues to support its efforts to address the affordable housing crisis in Miami-Dade and invest in community development, inclusive of supporting small businesses.
Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with a projected development timeline of eight years. Once completed, the Little River District will stand as a model for large-scale, community-driven redevelopment centered on creating affordable and workforce housing, exemplifying how public-private collaboration can drive meaningful, long-lasting transformation in an urban setting.
