Two of Coconut Grove’s most beloved neighborhood restaurants are being forced to either relocate or close entirely to make way for a massive mixed-use building that aims to transform the historic neighborhood.
Sapore di Mare, one of New Times’ 10 Best Restaurants in Coconut Grove, and the Last Carrot, winner of New Times’ Best Juice Bar 2025, representing both sides of the Grove’s dining spectrum, must find new homes by November 2025. Their longtime home along Grand Avenue and Matilda Street will be demolished to make way for a multi-million-dollar, ultra-modern, mixed-use condominium with offices and shops.
The giant development, called Ziggurat, will be located on the intersection of Grand Avenue, Matilda Street, and Florida Avenue. On the ground floor, there will be commercial space for retail shops, restaurants, and “wellness-oriented concepts.” Above, there will be “19 ultra-luxurious condominiums, ranging from 1,254 to over 5,000 square feet, with prices starting at $2.3 million,” according to the Abaunza Group website. The residences, designed by Oppenheim Architecture and Collarte interiors, will feature premium amenities like “private elevators and chef-inspired Italian kitchens.”…