13 September 24-30, 2026 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES Wynwood Norte is about to get a new neighbor. A mixed-use residential complex is moving in. Located off NW Fifth Avenue and between NW 32nd and 33rd Street, WOMA, short for “Wynwood” and “Miami,” is slated to break ground in the former Garment District in March 2027, located on the site of a former coffee roaster. Uribe Schwarzkopf, the real estate development company behind WOMA, has been working to bring this new building to life for the last year. Joseph Schwarzkopf, CEO of Uribe Schwarzkopf, sits in the sales office three blocks from the future site of the building. He is humbled to be working on his company’s first Miami project. Although WOMA may be Uribe Schwarzkopf’s first U.S. build, the 53-year-old Ecuador-based development firm has completed over 200 projects. Their main role is to bring together a team that can execute a stellar vision. “The job of a developer is to put together all the pieces and work with the right people,” says Schwarzkopf. While the real estate development company holds the reins, MVRDV (Rotterdam) leads the architectural design, while in Miami, Kobi Karp Architecture & Interior Design (KKAID) handles the project within the local context. WOMA started out as a small idea from local fashion designer and philanthropist, Rosita Hurtado. She owned a plot of land in the Garment District and had a vision to create a project that not only celebrated Wynwood’s history, but looked towards the neighborhood’s future. Uribe Schwarzkopf took that spark and turned it into a roaring, 163-unit flame. Much of the design and the concept for WOMA stems from the neighborhood itself. “We’re on Fifth Avenue, which was once the Garment District. There was a lot of textile manufacturing in the ‘20s up to the 70s” says Schwarzkopf. “We took a little bit of the story and got inspired for the architecture to make these textiles that appear interwoven as part of the facade.” When you see an aerial view of the project, WOMA looks as if it has always been a part of the colorful neighborhood. Naturally, that was by design. The exterior of the building is meant to elicit not only the weav- ing of different textiles together, but its metaphor runs deeper: the weaving of creative people coming together to create community. Its color scheme — earthy tones of red, yellow, blue, and green — was also inspired by the area. Schwarzkopf explains how the architectural firm did a color study and found those four colors were the most used across the art and build- ings in Wynwood. Recently while at his Miami home, Schwarzkopf had friends over who noticed a building model of WOMA. Instantly and without any previous knowledge, they asked if that building was in Wynwood. “It really does look like it belongs,” comments Schwarzkopf, adding how that sentiment is what inspired the building’s catchy tagline. “If you create, you belong” is the slogan for WOMA, who hopes to attract not only local creatives, but anyone new to the city looking to find their people and find a community of likeminded souls. The Arts District has a reputation that stretches far and wide. Locals and visitors can identify Wynwood from its vibrant murals and welcoming vibes. WOMA, few steps away from this art scene, aims to settle into a neighborhood that’s already thriving by offering competitive residential units starting at $366,000 at Miami´s creative core. Part of the design for WOMA also includes retail spaces for shopping and dining, and on the third floor of the building there will be small office spaces available for purchase. Being in Wynwood Norte, the mixed-use complex will, of course, feature art. They’re working with the estate of Italian artist Piero Fornasetti to have his signature hands painted on the stairs of the main entrance. “The art is part of blending into the neighborhood,” says Schwarzkopf, who recently joined the board of the Bakehouse Art Complex. “Not only can the residents who live there enjoy it, but also neighbors and visitors can be a part of it. They can come, have a coffee, sit by the stairs and enjoy the public plaza. It’s all part of the design.” In addition to the parts of WOMA that are for the community, the amenities offered to residents is envious. Residents will be able to exercise in style with a fully-equipped fitness studio, pickleball court, semi-Olympic rooftop pool, and even sauna and steam rooms. The building will also have a movie theater, game room, business center, and a wellness terrace. “Great design is really about thinking through all the urbanism and everything that goes on around the area, and also the future of the neighborhood Schwarzkopf says. He adds how they hope to attract a heterogeneous mixture of future residents, but namely those who have a penchant and appreciation for good design, art and creativity in its different shapes “Young creators and people who relocate to Miami are looking for community,” he says. “They’re looking for amenities, sure, but they’re also looking for a place where they can make friends go out and belong. WOMA, which will be perfectly situated in the heart of Miami, will be walking distance to plenty of food and nightlife in Wynwood and only minutes away from everything else. “For us in urbanism, the most important thing is quality of life and that starts with spending less time moving and being closer to everything you need.” “You cannot buy time,” adds the Ecuador- based businessman. While WOMA units are currently available for purchase, the building won’t begin construction until March 2027 with a planned December 2029 opening. Now is the time to invest and ready for the future of Wynwood Norte. Schwarzkopf points out how there is currently a lot of demand for Mid-scale, low-rise projects that prioritize the pedestrian experience and connection. Newcomers to the city aren’t looking for sprawling square footage, they’re looking for a place they can make their own in a community that’s warm and welcoming. “People want to live in a place where they can see their neighbor multiple times and know who they’re living next to,” says Schwarzkopf. “They want to live in a place that it’s truly residential, and that is not a short-term rental… that’s the main goal of this project: helping to build up a neighborhood where people are going to truly live in.” ADVERTORIAL New development in Wynwood Norte promises a creative way of life WOMA, a new mixed-use residential development, breaks ground soon with a 2029 opening. By Carolina del Busto Sponsored by Uribe Schwarzkopf N W 5 T H AV E & N W 3 2 N D S T | W Y N W O O D N O R T E , M I A M I | W O M A M I A . C O M Photo credit: WOMA Wynwood LLC Photo credit: WOMA Wynwood LLC
