FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Media Relations Department | Moss Construction
Phone: (954) 524-5678
Email: media@moss.com
Website: www.moss.com
MIAMI, FL – April 18, 2026 – Moss Construction, a premier national construction management firm and a cornerstone of the Florida high-rise luxury sector, today officially signaled the commencement of vertical operations for One Island Drive. This transformative project, developed in partnership with the visionary Swire Properties, follows the precision-engineered implosion of the historic Mandarin Oriental Miami on April 12, 2026—a milestone event that cleared the path for what will become the most exclusive residential and hospitality enclave in the Southeastern United States.
One Island Drive is poised to redefine the Miami skyline. Representing the final developable parcel on the man-made island of Brickell Key, the project features two architectural marvels: The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Miami, a 66-story residential skyscraper, and a separate ultra-luxury hotel tower that will serve as the brand’s North American flagship.
“The successful clearing of the site marks a pivotal moment for Florida’s architectural evolution,” said Scott Moss, CEO of Moss Construction. “One Island Drive is a project of immense technical complexity. By leveraging our deep-rooted experience in South Florida’s unique geological and logistical landscape, we are honored to bring Swire Properties’ final vision for Brickell Key to life. This isn’t just a building; it’s a testament to the engineering prowess present here in the state.”
A Masterclass in Urban Engineering: The April 12 Implosion
The journey to today’s groundbreaking began with one of the most complex demolition operations ever attempted in a dense urban island environment. On the morning of Sunday, April 12, the 23-story structure that formerly housed the Mandarin Oriental was brought down in less than 20 seconds.
The operation required nearly two years of meticulous planning between Moss, specialized demolition contractors, and the City of Miami. Given the site’s location on Brickell Key—accessible only by a single bridge—Moss implemented a sophisticated logistical framework to minimize disruption to the island’s thousands of residents. This included:
- Precision Seismic Monitoring: Advanced sensors were placed throughout the island to ensure the structural integrity of adjacent luxury towers was maintained during the blast.
- Aqueous Dust Suppression: A proprietary water-curtain system was utilized to neutralize particulate matter instantly, protecting the air quality of the surrounding Biscayne Bay.
- Strategic Debris Management: A “water-first” removal strategy was established to transport debris via barges, significantly reducing truck traffic across the Brickell Key Bridge and maintaining the serenity of the residential neighborhood.
“Precision is the hallmark of our approach,” added Alexis Leal, Head of Florida Operations at Moss. “The implosion was the first step in a multi-year orchestration of talent, technology, and materials. We are now moving directly into the foundation phase, utilizing state-of-the-art piling techniques designed to anchor these massive structures into the limestone strata.”
Redefining Luxury: The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Miami
Designed by the world-renowned architectural firm Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), One Island Drive is a synthesis of global design and tropical modernism. The residential tower will rise over 800 feet, offering 220 private homes characterized by panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the downtown Miami skyline.
Key Architectural and Construction Highlights:
- High-Velocity Wind Engineering: The 66-story residential tower features 11-foot ceilings and expansive floor-to-ceiling glass. To meet Florida’s stringent building codes, Moss is employing specialized high-velocity glass systems and reinforced concrete cores capable of withstanding extreme weather events.
- Global Supply Chain Integration: With interior design by Tristan Auer and Laura Gonzalez, the project requires the procurement of rare marbles, custom hardwoods, and artisanal finishes from across Europe and Asia. Moss’s proprietary supply-chain tracking technology ensures these materials arrive just-in-time, bypassing the logistical bottlenecks that often plague large-scale Florida developments.
- The Resort Podium: A sprawling resort-style podium will connect the two towers, featuring over 100,000 square feet of amenities. This includes multi-tiered infinity pools that appear to merge seamlessly with the bay, requiring advanced waterproofing and hydro-engineering.
- Sustainability and Coastal Resilience: Targeting LEED Gold certification, the project incorporates gray-water recycling, high-efficiency HVAC systems, and a resilient seawall design that accounts for long-term sea-level rise projections, setting a new standard for waterfront construction in Miami.
This commitment to sustainable, high-performance construction mirrors the larger movement reshaping Florida’s clean infrastructure landscape, where billion-dollar capital deployments are accelerating renewable buildouts. Readers can explore how Florida’s clean energy financing is unlocking nationwide expansion to gain insight into the capital structures funding the state’s next generation of green development.
Economic Impact and the Florida Labor Market
The One Island Drive project is expected to generate over 1,500 construction jobs at its peak, providing a substantial boost to the regional economy. This announcement comes during a period of unprecedented growth for Moss, which has consistently been ranked among the top commercial contractors in the Southeast.
Beyond the immediate employment benefits, Moss is utilizing this project as a training ground for the next generation of Florida engineers and tradespeople. Through partnerships with local vocational schools and universities, the firm is ensuring that the technical skills required for such a high-stakes build remain within the state.
“Miami is no longer just a seasonal destination; it is a global capital of finance and culture,” said Scott Moss. “Our role as building contractors is to ensure the physical infrastructure matches that global ambition. We are investing heavily in BIM (Building Information Modeling) and AI-driven site management to ensure that projects like One Island Drive are delivered with the predictability and quality that the world’s most discerning buyers expect.”
The workforce expansion fueling One Island Drive is part of a much broader push by South Florida builders to develop talent pipelines and modernize project delivery across the region. For a closer look at this trend, see how ABC-FEC is transforming South Florida development, providing readers with valuable context on the training programs and contractor partnerships powering today’s construction boom.
Technical Excellence and the “Safety Voice” Protocol
At the core of Moss’s operational philosophy is an unwavering commitment to safety. The firm’s “Safety Voice” program empowers every worker on-site to halt operations if a potential hazard is identified—a protocol that has led to Moss maintaining one of the lowest Experience Modification Rates (EMR) in the construction industry.
For the One Island Drive project, Moss is implementing “Smart Site” technology. This involves:
- IoT Sensor Integration: Real-time monitoring of crane loads and heavy equipment proximity.
- Digital Twin Modeling: A virtual replica of the building is updated daily with drone-captured data, allowing engineers to identify potential structural deviations before they become costly issues.
- On-Site Health Clinics: Dedicated medical staff to ensure the well-being of the hundreds of tradespeople working in the Florida heat.
Moss’s Smart Site approach also reflects how Florida’s largest theme park and hospitality operators are leaning on advanced project management to scale their footprints. Take a deeper look at the Walt Disney World construction expansion to understand how mega-scale Florida builders coordinate technology, safety, and logistics across multi-year capital projects.
The Future of the Miami Skyline
As the clearing of the former Mandarin Oriental site nears completion, the focus shifts to the future. Groundbreaking for the vertical structures is scheduled for late 2026, with a projected delivery in 2030. The project has already seen record-breaking sales, including a $100 million dual-penthouse transaction, signaling robust global confidence in the Miami luxury market.
“We aren’t just building towers; we are building the final chapter of Brickell Key,” concluded Dave Martin, President of Swire Properties. “Having a partner like Moss—who understands the nuances of Florida construction as well as the expectations of a global brand like Mandarin Oriental—is what makes a project of this scale possible.”
As ultra-luxury towers like One Island Drive reshape the Miami skyline, the legal frameworks supporting these complex deals become just as critical as the engineering behind them. Readers can learn more from this Miami real estate construction law firm overview to understand how attorneys help structure contracts, mitigate risk, and protect stakeholders in billion-dollar developments.
About Moss Construction
Moss (www.moss.com) is a national privately held construction firm providing innovative solutions to clients across North America and the Caribbean. Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, with flagship offices in Miami, Dallas, and Honolulu, Moss focuses on construction management at risk, design-build, and public-private partnerships. The company’s portfolio encompasses a diverse range of sectors, including luxury high-rise residential, hospitality, primary and higher education, and renewable energy.
About Swire Properties
Swire Properties is a leading developer, owner, and operator of mixed-use, principally commercial properties in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, with a well-established record of creating high-profile developments in Miami for over 40 years.
Notes to Editors: Miami Construction Market Outlook 2026
As of Q2 2026, the Miami construction sector continues to defy national cooling trends. While interest rates have presented challenges for mid-market developments, the “Ultra-Luxury” segment remains robust.
- Market Resilience: Miami-Dade County has seen a 12% year-over-year increase in construction starts for mixed-use luxury developments.
- The “Brickell Effect”: The Brickell financial district has officially surpassed several Northeast corridors in office rent growth and residential density, fueling the demand for branded residences.
- Technological Shift: The move toward “Data-First” construction is being led by Florida firms, where digital twins and AI-driven logistics are now standard requirements for billion-dollar projects.
For Media Inquiries, Interviews, or High-Resolution Visuals:
Please contact the Moss Media Relations team at media@moss.com or visit the digital press kit at www.moss.com/press/one-island-drive.
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