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Architecture and Urban Design

Mar 22
5 min

So you got your permit. Now what? The 6 Phases of Construction

So you got your permit for your building, what happens now? This outline of the phases is for a small building in Coral Gables or Miami

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So you want to build a new house. Do you know how to pick a site for it?

Maria Luisa Castellanos

Feb 20
2 min

So you want to build a new house. Do you know how to pick a site for it?

This article discussed 5 issues to consider when buying a site for a new home.

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Do we want tourists to see this – the entrance to Downtown Miami Government Center and Metrorail?

Maria Luisa Castellanos

Jan 27
1 min

Do we want tourists to see this – the entrance to Downtown Miami Government Center and Metrorail?

The approach to the downtown Government Center Metrorail and Metromover Station looks like this as we approach from the east. It is the...

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Adaptive Reuse - Will This Become a Trend in Miami

Maria Luisa Castellanos

Jan 19
2 min

Adaptive Reuse - Will This Become a Trend in Miami

After the pandemic is over, what will happen to all the commercial office space available in Downtown Miami and other areas. Will people...

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How about adding to the front of your apartment building?

Maria Luisa Castellanos

Jun 22, 2019
1 min

How about adding to the front of your apartment building?

... there was a project where the architect took an old apartment building with no balconies and added an entire terrace in front of the old

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Flood Zones - Why You Need to Know if the Building or House You Are Buying is in a Flood Zone

Maria Luisa Castellanos

Apr 13, 2019
2 min

Flood Zones - Why You Need to Know if the Building or House You Are Buying is in a Flood Zone

If you are buying a building or house in a flood zone, later, it may be difficult or next to impossible to add to it or remodel it.

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Are you sure you want to buy that condo?

Maria Luisa Castellanos

Mar 1, 2018
3 min

Are you sure you want to buy that condo?

Condo remodeling is not easy, not as easy as remodeling a single-family house. There are certain things you need to consider.

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Planning a house for today and for future sale

Maria Luisa Castellanos

Dec 28, 2017
3 min

Planning a house for today and for future sale

Many people ask me what they should do with their houses when they are redesigning them. Some plan their remodeling and/or addition as thou

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If you live in Unincorporated Miami-Dade, can you turn your single-family property into a duplex?

Maria Luisa Castellanos

Dec 8, 2017
1 min

If you live in Unincorporated Miami-Dade, can you turn your single-family property into a duplex?

Yesterday, Public Housing and Community Development along with Miami-Dade County's Planning Department unveiled the regulations on their

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Where would we go if we had a revolution?

Maria Luisa Castellanos

Nov 30, 2017
3 min

Where would we go if we had a revolution?

We should start generating a consciousness for urban spaces. Miami needs them. We should lobby for them. Why should we have to go to shoppin

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What does 'good bones" mean and what makes a good floor plan?

Maria Luisa Castellanos

Oct 11, 2017
2 min

What does 'good bones" mean and what makes a good floor plan?

To me, “Good bones” means a house with a working floor plan, solid structure, and windows. In other words, it may need to be remodeled or u

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Time is right for investing in the Florida Keys

Maria Luisa Castellanos

Oct 2, 2017
2 min

Time is right for investing in the Florida Keys

I went to visit a friend in the Keys this weekend, and while I was there, decided to drive around and see how much damage Hurricane Irma had

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Principles of Good Planning from the Miami 21 Zoning Code

Maria Luisa Castellanos

Jul 13, 2017
3 min

Principles of Good Planning from the Miami 21 Zoning Code

Maybe you want to know why Miami 21, the zoning code for the City of Miami, is such a different code from all the other municipal codes in S

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Maria Luisa Castellanos

Jul 7, 2017
2 min

What is a 40-year Re-certification?

In Miami-Dade County, including all municipalities, any building other than non-residential farm buildings, single family residence, duplexe

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Designing the Mansion Junior instead of the McMansion

Maria Luisa Castellanos

Jun 1, 2017
3 min

Designing the Mansion Junior instead of the McMansion

When I was a child unlike most Cubans, my family lived in the north – Missouri, New Hampshire, Alabama, and Georgia. We would come to Miami

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Deciding on which area & which zoning is best for buying real estate

Maria Luisa Castellanos

May 18, 2017
3 min

Deciding on which area & which zoning is best for buying real estate

This article should serve as information for anyone interested in buying property in Miami or Realtors who are helping a client look for a p

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Maria Luisa Castellanos

May 12, 2017
2 min

Using Miami Area Zoning Codes

Most of the zoning codes in the Miami area are based on mathematical equations, except for the City of Miami. The City of Miami Zoning Code

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Maria Luisa Castellanos

Apr 4, 2017
1 min

Beware of deed restrictions

Besides the many items that a buyer needs to be aware of such as any environmental issues, whether the site has the appropriate water and se

16 views0 comments

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