Boucher Brothers and Major Food Group are moving forward with plans to redevelop the Nikki Beach site in Miami Beach, according to a March 11 announcement. The joint venture is set to appear before the Miami Beach Design Review Board this Thursday to seek approval for a complete reconstruction of the waterfront restaurant and club located at 1 Ocean Drive.
The redevelopment proposal comes as the current operator, Penrod Brothers, continues legal efforts to retain its ground lease on the city-owned property. The new plan would replace the existing two-story building with “Major Beach,” a mixed-use project featuring dining venues, bars, outdoor spaces, a pool, retail pavilion, upgraded cabanas, a children’s center, wellness space, and public restrooms adjacent to the site. Renderings and a letter of intent have been filed with city officials outlining these features.
Three years ago, Miami Beach commissioners awarded Boucher Brothers—led by Steven Boucher—and New York-based Major Food Group—led by Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi, and Jeff Zalaznick—a new concessions agreement for the 3.6-acre site. The ten-year deal is projected to generate $41 million in payments to Miami Beach over its duration.
Major Food Group is expected to oversee food and beverage operations at Major Beach. Plans include a Sadelle’s Café overlooking the boardwalk, a Mediterranean restaurant, and Japanese teppanyaki dining rooms among other culinary options. The project must also meet Miami Beach’s resiliency requirements by incorporating stormwater retention systems, hurricane-impact glazing, salt-tolerant landscaping native to Florida, and adaptable design features for future street elevation changes.
Despite progress on approvals—including a recommendation from the Miami Beach Planning Board in February—the project faces uncertainty due to ongoing litigation from Penrod Brothers. Led by Lucia Penrod since her late husband Jack Penrod’s passing last year, Penrod Brothers alleges that city officials violated procurement rules when denying them an opportunity to compete for the new concessions agreement. Their ground lease expires in May.
In 2023, public criticism arose after city commissioners initially voted for a no-bid deal favoring Boucher Brothers and Major Food Group; following backlash they reversed course and held an open bidding process that was ultimately won by the same joint venture.
