Southplace City Center Block 12

Geotechnical engineering for mixed-use residential redevelopment

South Place City Center is a transformative redevelopment of the former Southland Mall in Cutler Bay, Florida. The project aims to create a vibrant mixed-use destination that combines residential, retail and lifestyle amenities. Block 12 is a key component of this vision, featuring an eight-story mixed-use building with sectors dedicated to structural, electrical, mechanical and plumbing work, plus a pool, pavilion and fitness area. An adjacent eight-story garage is planned, including retail space on the ground floor, bringing convenience and connectivity to the community.

Electra America’s vision for South Place City Center is to deliver a dynamic, mixed-use environment that supports economic growth and community engagement. ECS Group of Companies’ solutions helped advance this vision by providing reliable geotechnical data, facilitating expedited permitting and aligning compliance with Florida Building Code.

Challenge: Managing organic soil and groundwater issues during busy mall site redevelopment

Redeveloping an active mall site required careful coordination to reduce disruption. ECS worked closely with the facility manager to schedule drilling and maintain safety during operations. Technical challenges included managing organic soils encountered during borings and addressing high groundwater during underground utility work. Through detailed recommendations and additional test pits, ECS led proper site preparation and created long-term stability.

Solution: Geotechnical testing and analyses to inform foundation design

ECS provided comprehensive geotechnical engineering services during the early phases of the project, including 44 borings for Phase 1 and 41 borings for Phase 2 to depths of 30–50 feet. These assessments informed foundation design, pavement construction and stormwater management strategies. ECS also advised on site preparation and collaborated with contractors to address high groundwater conditions during utility installation. Looking ahead, ECS is scheduled to serve as the Private Provider [link to Camden Plantation Apartments] for Code Compliance Inspections under Florida Statute 553.791. This role includes combination Compliance Inspections for building and MEP trades, coordination with the Authority Having Jurisdiction and monitoring compliance throughout construction.