A semi-boutique recession-era glass tower with 118 units, all-glass facade by Bermello Ajamil, renovated amenities including an infinity pool and wine cellar, and unobstructed Biscayne Bay views from a prime Edgewater waterfront lot.
Onyx on the Bay is a 28-story all-glass waterfront tower in South Central Edgewater offering 118 residences ranging from loft-style units to three-bedroom penthouses. Developed by BAP Development and GGM Developers and designed by Bermello, Ajamil & Partners, the building was completed in 2007 during the pre-recession construction boom. Interior designer Paola Velasquez created the lobby and common areas with a signature style of relaxed modernism combining clean lines, soothing textures, and understated elegance. The building features a mix of floor plans from 886 to 1,680 square feet, with all units oriented to capture bay views. The amenity package has been recently renovated and includes an infinity-edge heated pool, 3,000-square-foot fitness center with cardio-theater overlooking the bay, sauna and steam room, climate-controlled wine cellar, 32-seat movie theater, sports lounge with billiard room, and 24-hour valet parking. At 118 units with approximately 5 units per floor on the tower levels, Onyx occupies a sweet spot between true boutique scale and mid-rise anonymity. The building delivers solid pre-recession construction quality with generous unit sizes that exceed what developers are building today, making it a compelling value play in an increasingly expensive Edgewater market.
Onyx attracts a mix of young professionals, small families, and investors who value waterfront living at a more accessible price point than the ultra-luxury towers. The building has a significant international contingent, particularly from Latin America and Europe, alongside domestic buyers relocating from the Northeast. Residents tend to be practical and value-conscious, choosing Onyx for its bay views, unit sizes, and semi-boutique community feel rather than brand prestige. The atmosphere is quiet and residential, more neighborhood-oriented than scene-oriented.
Onyx on the Bay sits on a prime waterfront lot in South Central Edgewater, directly on Biscayne Bay. The neighborhood is experiencing rapid transformation with multiple luxury developments reshaping the skyline. Biscayne Boulevard, the commercial spine of Edgewater, is a few blocks west with a growing collection of restaurants, cafes, and services. The bayfront boardwalk provides walking and jogging access along the water, and Margaret Pace Park is a short walk south.
Direct bayfront location with boardwalk access and panoramic water views.
Premier bayfront park with tennis courts, basketball, volleyball, dog park, and jogging path.
Growing commercial corridor with dining, retail, and everyday services.
Shopping, dining, and entertainment complex with Target, Marshalls, and restaurants.
Free automated transit connecting to Downtown and Brickell. Approximately 10 blocks south.
South Central Edgewater is in the middle of a massive development cycle. Aria Reserve's twin towers are nearby and recently completed. Multiple additional projects are in planning or construction phases, which will bring more residents, retail, and restaurants to the area but also means ongoing construction activity for the next three to five years. The bayfront boardwalk will eventually connect through the neighborhood as new developments complete their waterfront portions.
Elevator Density Rating
2
Passenger
1
Service
~5
Units/Floor
118
Total Units
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Onyx was built in 2007 during the pre-recession construction era, and the unit sizes reflect a time when developers were more generous with square footage. The two-bedroom units range from 1,237 to 1,508 square feet, and the three-bedrooms hit 1,680 square feet. Compare that to newer Edgewater buildings where a two-bedroom might be 1,100 square feet if you are lucky. The floor plans are open-concept with real kitchens, not galley afterthoughts. The loft-style units on the lower floors offer a different layout option entirely. If space per dollar matters to you, Onyx delivers more livable square footage than most buildings built after 2015 in this neighborhood.
The building was designed so that all 118 units are oriented to capture Biscayne Bay views. This is not a building where half the units face a parking lot or another tower. The all-glass facade by Bermello, Ajamil & Partners maximizes the water views from every residence. The east-facing views are permanently protected by the bay itself. From the upper floors, you get sweeping panoramas of Biscayne Bay, Miami Beach, and the Atlantic Ocean beyond. Even the mid-level units have solid water views because of the building's waterfront positioning and the relatively open surroundings. The west-facing views toward Biscayne Boulevard and Midtown are less dramatic but provide nice city skyline perspectives.
Onyx recently completed a renovation of its amenity spaces, and the results are noticeable. The infinity-edge pool deck has been updated and looks significantly better than the original 2007 version. The fitness center at 3,000 square feet with cardio-theater overlooking the bay is a genuine amenity, not a closet with two treadmills. The wine cellar, 32-seat movie theater, and billiard room round out a surprisingly complete amenity package for a 118-unit building. The renovation signals that the HOA is proactive about maintaining and improving the building, which is a positive sign for long-term value. Many buildings of this era have deferred maintenance. Onyx has invested in upgrades.
Onyx was completed in 2007, which means the building is approaching its 20-year milestone recertification inspection. After the Surfside collapse in 2021, Miami-Dade County tightened building inspection requirements significantly. The recertification process can uncover structural issues, concrete spalling, or systems that need replacement, potentially leading to special assessments. Before buying, ask the HOA about their reserve fund, any engineering reports, and their timeline for the recertification process. A well-managed building with adequate reserves will handle this smoothly. A building that has been deferring maintenance could face significant costs. The recent amenity renovation is a positive indicator, but the structural and mechanical systems are the bigger question.
Onyx sits in a part of Edgewater that is surrounded by active and planned development. Aria Reserve's twin towers are nearby, and multiple other projects are in various stages of planning and construction. This means construction noise during the day, construction traffic on the surrounding streets, dust, and the general disruption that comes with living in a rapidly densifying neighborhood. The good news is that this construction activity is a sign of neighborhood investment and will eventually bring more amenities, retail, and restaurants. The bad news is that the construction phase will last another three to five years at minimum. If you are sensitive to noise or disruption, factor this in heavily.
At 118 units with approximately 5 units per floor on the tower levels, Onyx hits a sweet spot that is often overlooked. It is large enough to support a full amenity package including a movie theater, wine cellar, fitness center, and 24-hour concierge, but small enough that you will recognize your neighbors and the building does not feel like a hotel. The HOA meetings are manageable. The pool deck is not overcrowded. The elevators are not a 10-minute wait during rush hour. Compare this to the 300-plus unit towers in Edgewater where you are essentially anonymous. The semi-boutique scale also means the building can be more responsive to resident needs and concerns.
Onyx is in Edgewater, and all the standard neighborhood trade-offs apply. Biscayne Boulevard traffic can be intense during rush hours. The streets around the building are subject to flooding during heavy rainstorms, tropical storms, and hurricanes. The building itself is elevated and fine, but your car on the street is at risk during storm season. Use the covered garage parking. The nearest Metromover station is approximately 10 blocks south, so you effectively need a car for most errands. The neighborhood is quieter and more residential than Brickell or Downtown, which is either a pro or a con depending on your lifestyle. Restaurants and shops on Biscayne Boulevard are within walking distance, and the Margaret Pace Park bayfront is a short walk south.
Onyx on the Bay is not trying to be ultra-luxury and it is not pretending to be something it is not. It is a well-built pre-recession glass tower with 118 units, all oriented for bay views, with a recently renovated amenity package that punches above its weight for the building's size. The unit sizes are genuinely larger than what you get in newer buildings at this price point. The all-glass facade looks clean and modern. The semi-boutique scale means you get a real community without the anonymity of a mega-tower. The reality check: the building is approaching its 20-year recertification, the surrounding area is a construction zone, and you have all the standard Edgewater trade-offs with flooding, traffic, and limited transit. But at current pricing, Onyx represents solid value in an Edgewater market where newer buildings are charging significantly more per square foot for smaller units with comparable or lesser views. If you want waterfront living with good views, decent amenities, and more space for your money, Onyx deserves a serious look.
Onyx on the Bay is a solid, no-nonsense pre-recession glass tower that delivers what matters most in Edgewater: bay views from every unit, decent space, and a community that is small enough to feel personal. The all-glass facade by Bermello, Ajamil & Partners still looks clean and modern. The recently renovated amenities, including the infinity pool, wine cellar, and 32-seat movie theater, show an HOA that is investing in the building rather than letting it slide. At 118 units with 5 per floor, you get the sweet spot between boutique intimacy and enough scale to support real amenities. The pre-recession unit sizes are genuinely bigger than what developers are building today, and the pricing reflects solid value compared to newer towers charging more per square foot for less space. The honest reality check: the building is approaching its 20-year recertification, the surrounding area is a construction zone, and all the standard Edgewater trade-offs apply, including street flooding, Biscayne Boulevard traffic, and a 10-block walk to the Metromover. Some unrenovated units will feel dated. But if you want waterfront living with good views, more space for your money, and a building that is well-maintained without the ultra-luxury price tag, Onyx is a genuinely good value pick in today's Edgewater market.
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