Every few years a pre-construction project lands in Miami that I think deserves a hard look from regular buyers and investors — not just the ultra-wealthy. ELLE Residences in Edgewater is one of them. While most branded towers in Brickell and Edgewater open at seven-figure prices, ELLE Residences starts near $525,000. That number, paired with a turnkey, rental-friendly design, makes this one of the more interesting entry points in the Miami condo market right now.

I am Carlos Cabale, and I help Miami buyers and business owners evaluate pre-construction with clear eyes — not brochure hype. Here is the honest breakdown of ELLE Residences: what it is, who it is for, and whether the numbers make sense.

The Project at a Glance

ELLE Residences is a 25-story condominium rising at 3618 Northeast Fifth Avenue in Edgewater. It is the first branded residential project tied to ELLE — the global fashion and lifestyle media name — developed by Vertical Developments and Urban Network Capital Group in partnership with Lagardère News, ELLE Magazine's parent company. Interiors are curated by The One Atelier, channeling the relaxed-but-elevated aesthetic readers know from ELLE DECOR.

The building delivers 180 residences with floor plans from roughly 450 to 845 square feet — a mix of one- and two-bedroom layouts plus penthouses. Pricing starts in the mid-$500,000s. The project is targeting a 2026 groundbreaking with completion expected in 2028.

The defining feature is the model: ELLE Residences is designed as turnkey and rental-friendly. Units are delivered fully finished and furnished, and the building's structure allows flexible, including short-term, rentals. In plain terms — you can buy it, and it can earn from day one.

Why Edgewater, and Why Now

Edgewater has quietly become one of Miami's most compelling neighborhoods. It sits directly on Biscayne Bay, walking distance to the Design District and a short hop from Wynwood, Midtown, and Brickell. For years it was overshadowed by its flashier neighbors. That is exactly what made it a value — and that value is closing fast as tower after tower delivers.

I have written about this neighborhood's momentum before. As I covered in "Brickell vs Edgewater: The Honest Guide to Picking the Right Miami Neighborhood in 2026," Edgewater consistently offers waterfront proximity and a more livable price-per-square-foot than Brickell. ELLE Residences fits squarely into that thesis: a branded, design-forward building in a bayfront neighborhood, at a price that does not require Brickell money.

Miami Market Snapshot — May 2026:

- Median sale price in Miami: $680,000 (up 3.8% year over year)

- Active inventory: approximately 7,054 homes, up 32% from a year ago

- Condo months of supply: roughly 13 — a buyer-favorable resale market

- Edgewater pre-construction entry pricing remains a standout: branded projects like ELLE Residences open well below comparable Brickell waterfront product

That last point matters. Yes, the resale condo market is soft right now. But pre-construction at a low entry price is a different equation — you are buying a 2028 product at 2026 pricing, and the building has no aging-condo risks: no deferred maintenance, no looming milestone inspection, a fresh reserve schedule.

The Investment Case

Let me be direct about who this is for. ELLE Residences is built for three kinds of buyers.

First, the investor who wants Miami cash flow without a $1.5 million ticket. The turnkey delivery means no furnishing project and no contractor headaches — it is rental-ready on closing. The flexible rental policy, including short-term, opens the unit to Miami's strong visitor demand, which typically produces higher gross income than a standard annual lease.

Second, the business owner diversifying profits into real estate. If you run a company in Miami and want a hard asset that produces income and offers the depreciation and expense advantages of investment real estate, a turnkey rentable condo is one of the simplest ways in. As I outlined in "Why Smart Miami Business Owners Are Building Wealth Through Real Estate in 2026," real estate held outside the operating business builds long-term wealth that does not rise and fall with your company's quarter.

Third, the lifestyle buyer who wants a Miami foothold that also earns when they are not using it — use it part of the year, rent it the rest.

A realistic note on the numbers: short-term rental income depends on the final rental program, building rules, management costs, and seasonality. The smaller floor plans — those 450-square-foot units — will carry a lower price and a lower absolute rent; the math works differently than on a two-bedroom. Run the specific unit's projected income, fees, and financing before you commit. I build that model with every client. Do not buy a pro forma off a brochure.

The Honest Risks

I never write one of these without the cautions. Pre-construction means deposits are committed over a multi-year build, and your money is working in the project rather than in your pocket during construction. Delivery timelines can slip. The 2026-2028 window is a target, not a guarantee. And short-term rental regulations in Miami can evolve — buy on the assumption that rules can change, and make sure the building's HOA documents back up the rental flexibility being marketed.

If you are new to pre-construction entirely, read my breakdown "How to Read a Miami Condo Building's Financials Before You Buy (The 2026 Buyer's Survival Guide)" first — many of the same diligence habits apply.

The Bottom Line

ELLE Residences is one of the few branded Miami pre-construction towers that a regular investor or business owner can actually enter without seven figures. A bayfront-adjacent Edgewater location, turnkey furnished delivery, flexible rentals, and a sub-$525,000 starting price make it a genuine cash-flow candidate — not just a status purchase. The risks are the normal pre-construction risks, and they are manageable with proper diligence.

View the full ELLE Residences project details, current pricing, and availability at carloscabalerealtor.com — and if this is the kind of entry-level branded play you have been looking for, let's run your numbers before the next price tier hits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much do ELLE Residences Edgewater condos cost?

A: Pricing starts in the mid-$500,000s, near $525,000, with residences ranging from roughly 450 to 845 square feet across one- and two-bedroom layouts plus penthouses. That is a notably low entry point for a branded pre-construction condo in a bayfront-adjacent Miami neighborhood.

Q: Can you rent out an ELLE Residences condo short-term?

A: ELLE Residences is designed as a turnkey, rental-friendly building with flexibility for short-term rentals, making it suitable as an income property. Always confirm the final rental rules in the building's official condominium documents before purchasing, since rental policies and local regulations can change.

Q: When will ELLE Residences Edgewater be completed?

A: The project is targeting a 2026 groundbreaking with completion expected in 2028. As with all pre-construction, timelines are targets and can shift, so buyers should plan deposits and financing around a flexible delivery window.

Q: Is ELLE Residences a good investment in 2026?

A: It can be, for the right buyer. The turnkey delivery, low entry price, and short-term rental flexibility support a cash-flow strategy. The return depends on the specific unit, rental program, fees, and financing — run a real pro forma with an agent before committing.

Ready to explore Miami pre-construction that an actual investor can afford? Let's find your next property together.

Carlos Cabale / Partnership Realty Inc / +1 (561) 629-0358 / carloscabalerealtor.com