Strategic Infill: Solving Miami’s Housing Crisis on Castoff Urban Lots

Developer Laura Weinstein-Berman completes Project Peach, a 3,000-square-foot infill project in Overtown aimed at solving Miami's "missing middle" housing crisis.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 10, 2026, 8:40 AM EDT

Source: The Real Deal

The Project Peach Model and Historical Homage

Project Peach is distinguished by its vibrant peach-colored facade, a deliberate tribute to Overtown’s historical Black-owned Cola-Nip Bottling Company. The original bottling plant, which produced the regional "Peach Whip" soda, was a neighborhood landmark until its demolition in 2002. The new structure houses three live-work units, a community services floor, and ground-floor retail space designated for a juice bar. Designed by architects Carie Penabad and Adib Cure, the project maximizes its tiny footprint with an interior courtyard and a rooftop terrace, demonstrating that architectural quality can thrive even on restricted acreage.

Innovative Financing for Substandard Parcels

The $2.6 million development was made viable through a specialized capital stack designed for social impact. Weinstein-Berman secured a $1.3 million loan from the Florida Community Loan Fund, supported by a Knight Foundation grant, and a $1.3 million forgivable loan from the Miami Omni Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). This financial structure allows the building to maintain strict affordability standards; rents are restricted to households earning 50 percent of the area median income (AMI), providing high-quality housing in a neighborhood facing rapid gentrification.

Overcoming Bureaucratic Barriers to Infill

Despite the project’s small scale, it faced significant regulatory hurdles that often deter mid-sized developers. The development team spent years navigating rigid municipal parking requirements and fire-safety codes that were originally written for much larger parcels. By successfully obtaining waivers and meeting these stringent rules on a 3,000-square-foot site, Project Peach provides a roadmap for other "missing middle" developers. Architect Carie Penabad noted that this model offers a way to increase urban density while maintaining the neighborhood character that residents value.