6600 Main draws hundreds to grand opening

At the ribbon cutting ceremony for 6600 Main, Miami Lakes Mayor Manny Cid called the apartment community at the east end of Main Street “a game changer.”
“Several years ago, our Economic Development
Committee surveyed residents for what they wanted to see,” Cid said during the Feb. 12 grand opening.
Respondents to that town poll wanted to see more housing and residents who would enliven downtown and draw investors, according to Cid.
“And this project covers both bases,” Cid said. “It has the density that attracts new businesses to the center core of our community, and it brings the disposable income to sustain those businesses going forward.”
Cid called Main Street “amazing” and a “gem,” but said it faced a lot of competition in the region.
“This is what Main Street truly needed,” Cid said.
Five merchants awaiting their finished storefronts in the development that is next to town hall said they chose it to expand their businesses.
They displayed their wares to the 300 guests who toured the property that in effect, has created a new neighborhood.
“I’m so excited to be here,” said Olga Alvarez, a Miami Lakes resident who will open the third location of The Nail Garden there in coming months. Her other salons are in the Lake Patricia shopping center in town and in Pembroke Pines.
“My salon will be comfortable and convenient for the young women who will live here,” Alvarez said.
Guests strolled along New Barn Road (shown at right) where three models wore clothes from the Eli M Boutique, which will also open in 6600 Main.
Miami Laker Elizabeth Morales said she will move her fashion wear shop from Palm Springs North to be in the heart of Miami Lakes.
“I take pride in my town,” Morales said about investing in the new development. “When you live here, you don’t want to leave.”
About six years ago, The Graham Companies began working with architect Roger Fry to create the community; it fulfills the original intent of the master plan for the town which was drawn up six decades ago.
The result provides residents with an urban lifestyle that will allow them to walk to dozens of shops and restaurants nearby.
For those who work from home, 6600 Main has meeting rooms. There is a gym, yoga room and a resort-style pool. And with so many amenities close by, residents can leave their cars in the development’s garage.
Luis Martinez, senior executive vice president of The Graham Companies, saluted architect Roger Fry’s vision and called the project “beautiful.”
Fry has designed four other apartment communities for The Graham Companies, including the Crescent House which is next door.
Martinez also credited interior designer Cheryl
Celene Ford-Wymer of Celene Designs, and Current Builders for helping to create the elegant spaces.
Martinez also recognized The Graham Companies’ construction team, Jon Cervasio, Alex Saillant and Steve Williams.
Martinez was joined by relatives and executives of the firm who all had roles in building and developing 6600 Main.
“As you know, we are a family company,” Martinez said to the crowd.
They include his wife, Beth Graham Martinez, executive vice president of residential properties; their children Katie Martinez and Mike Martinez, asset managers; Graham Companies President and Chief Executive Officer Stuart S. Wyllie, his wife, Carol Graham Wyllie, executive vice president of commercial properties and their children, Laura Wyllie Ratliff, a commercial portfolio manager, and Philip Wyllie, a commercial leasing manager, and Andrea Graham Rechichi, vice president of corporate relations.
Martinez also thanked Cid, Vice Mayor Nelson Rodriguez; Councilman Josh Diegeuz; former
Councilman Frank Mingo; Deputy Town Manager Tony Lopez; Building Official Mike Mesa, former
Building Official Eliezer Palacio and Town Manager Edward Pidermann.
New resident Neil Silver, 60, said he chose 6600 Main and Miami Lakes over Coral
Gables.
A certified financial planner with Meridian Advisory
Services, Silver said he loves the community and working from home.
“I get to look out the window at the pool and it’s fantastic,” Silver said. “I couldn’t be happier.”
He said the location is convenient for visiting clients elsewhere in Florida or to go to the beach or Miami to attend concerts and sporting events.
Silver called the development “gorgeous” and also complimented the friendliness of the staff.
“Everything about it, from my perspective, is first class,” Silver said.
Other merchants who will fill storefronts later this year include the third location for Kairos Hair Salon; The Spot Barbershop, which brought a pop-up mobile shop with barbers who groomed guests during the party (shown in the photo above) and Dr. Carlos Mendigutia.
A dentist, Mendigutia lives in town in the Royal Oaks development and is leaving his uncle’s practice in Hialeah to open his own office.
“I’m very proud to be able to rent at the property,” Mendigutia said. “It’s fantastic, it’s modern, it’s a beauty in itself. And my very modern practice will be a good fit.”
One-and- two-bedroom apartments rent from $1,820 to $3,000; 19 townhomes with two-car garages rent for $3,300. For more info visit: www.6600Main.com.