If you’ve read about the potential St. Louis buyout, you’ve seen the figure: a $42 million seawall and baywalk project is underway on Brickell Key. What doesn’t usually make it into that coverage is how it’s actually being funded, or how far along it is. The Brickell Key Master Association’s (BKMA) July 2026 community update — which we get directly as residents on their distribution list — fills in some of that picture.
The Shoreline Resiliency Initiative
As of July, $12.7 million has already been collected toward the project, funded through owner Special Assessments (quarterly and monthly SA payments were due August 1st, per BKMA’s own resident communications). The permit package has been submitted to every required agency, and county inspectors are expected in the water in the coming weeks as part of that permitting process. BKMA is holding weekly coordination meetings with its engineering and project management teams to keep things on track, and landscape architecture firm Bermello & Ajamil is finishing surveys of the Baywalk itself. BKMA says it’s finalizing a dedicated project website to keep owners updated going forward.
Why this matters if you’re buying: this is a live, owner-funded capital project. Special Assessments like this one are exactly what we mean when we tell every buyer to request current financials and reserve documentation before making an offer — see our building guides for building-specific due diligence notes, and don’t take a listing agent’s word for what’s currently being assessed.
Brickell Key Bridge — essentially complete
The bridge project itself is wrapping up. Touch-up paint is the main thing left, with a final asphalt overlay planned once Mandarin Oriental construction traffic clears the island. Construction trailers were removed by August 7th.
Mandarin Oriental demolition cleanup — nearly done
Debris removal from the April 12th implosion of the old Mandarin Oriental hotel is nearly complete. Crews are still working Monday through Saturday, and the southernmost lane of the Brickell Key Bridge remains closed to non-construction traffic in the meantime. For anything related to the Mandarin construction specifically, Swire has set up [email protected] for resident issues.
Village Green and playground renovation
Separately from the seawall project, BKMA and Swire are moving forward on a Village Green repair and playground renovation — preliminary tree surveys and a final playground design are done, and permitting is underway. Worth noting: this one is being funded entirely by Swire Properties, not an owner assessment.
Sourced from BKMA’s July 2026 Community Update, distributed to residents via KW Property Management & Consulting. We’ll follow up as the Shoreline Resiliency Initiative reaches its next milestones.
Questions about buying, selling, or renting on Brickell Key while these projects move forward? Reach out — or search live listings across all 11 buildings.