Donald Trump’s Doral resort has secured final approval for a bold luxury condominium project, signaling a significant expansion of his real estate presence in South Florida. On Wednesday evening, the Doral City Council gave the green light to the development, allowing the construction of a high-end residential and commercial complex at the edge of Trump National Doral.
A Unanimous Decision Backed by Key Supporters
The project’s approval came with the backing of newly elected Councilwoman Nicole Reinoso, who had received Trump’s endorsement in November. Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization, attended the meeting in person to support the proposal.
In a unanimous 4-0 vote— with Councilwoman Digna Cabral absent— the Trump Organization secured the final go-ahead for the development. This marks a significant shift from the project’s preliminary approval in August, which passed by a narrow 3-2 margin, with Mayor Christi Fraga and Councilman Rafael Pineyro initially voting against it.
After the vote, Eric Trump expressed enthusiasm over the council’s unanimous support. “We’ve created something truly remarkable,” he said. “What was once a struggling hotel is now a world-class golf resort that everyone can take pride in.” Now, we’re re-envisioning Doral with this new project. This is Doral 2.0, and our family is committed to making this city even better.”
A Scaled-Down Vision for Luxury Living
Originally introduced in 2022 as a 2,500-unit project on 56 acres, the final version has been scaled down. The approved plan includes:
- Four 20-story towers
- 1,498 residential units
- 470 hotel units
- 141,694 square feet of commercial space
Despite the reduction, concerns remain about the impact on traffic, particularly on the already congested Northwest 87th Avenue. However, Mayor Fraga acknowledged that the revised plan was the best possible outcome, as it significantly reduced the number of units compared to the original proposal.
To ease traffic concerns, the Trump Organization plans to implement walkable street edges along Northwest 36th Street and 87th Avenue. Additional infrastructure improvements include:
- Three new right-turn lanes on Northwest 36th Street
- Two new right-turn lanes on Northwest 87th Avenue
Preserving the Golf Courses
One of the key assurances from the Trump Organization is that the golf courses will remain untouched. Lobbyist Felix Lasarte, representing the Trump Organization, reassured the council: “Not a single blade of grass will be disturbed on any of the four golf courses or the driving range.”
Financial Impact and Market Positioning
Once completed, the luxury development is expected to generate:
- $6 million annually for the City of Doral
- $11 million per year for Miami-Dade County from sales and closings
According to Lasarte, the project targets a high-end market, with the cheapest units starting at $2 million.
Addressing Affordable Housing Concerns
Mayor Fraga dismissed concerns that this high-end development would worsen the affordable housing crisis in Doral or Miami-Dade County. She emphasized that luxury condos and affordable housing serve different markets and that the city has already approved projects focused on workforce housing affordability.
“I’m committed to increasing the availability of single-family homes, as they are currently scarce in our city.” It’s important to create a balanced inventory that meets the diverse needs of our community,” Fraga stated.
Attracting Buyers From Outside Florida
Fraga believes the development will attract out-of-state buyers, particularly from New York, where luxury condo living is more common. She also noted that construction will not begin until after Trump’s presidency ends.
A Shift in Pineyro’s Stance
Initially a vocal opponent of the project, Councilman Rafael Pineyro ultimately voted in favor of the final approval. He cited the Trump Organization’s good-faith commitment to support the city’s opposition to a proposed Miami-Dade waste incinerator relocation within Doral’s city limits as a key factor in his decision.
On the controversial incinerator issue, Eric Trump declared: “You better believe we’re going to fight it.”
Conclusion
With this final approval, Trump’s luxury condo development is set to redefine Doral’s skyline. While concerns about traffic and affordability persist, the project is expected to bring significant economic benefits to the city and attract high-end buyers from across the country. As the Trump Organization moves forward with its plans, all eyes will be on how this ambitious venture shapes the future of Doral.
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