By Wilson Alvarez
info@wilsonalvarez.com
305-386-6165
I was personally invited to attend the January 29, 2026, groundbreaking ceremony for Ziggurat, the newest landmark development by The Allen Morris Company, and I had the honor of witnessing firsthand what will soon become one of Coconut Grove’s defining architectural statements.
The event took place on Fuller Street, on the site formerly occupied by the Zugarrett office , a location that now represents not the past, but the future of the Grove.
From the moment guests arrived, it was clear this was not a routine groundbreaking. The hospitality, registration, hors d’oeuvres, and wine selection reflected the same precision and excellence that The Allen Morris Company is known for. Every detail was executed with purpose and professionalism, exactly what one would expect from a firm of this caliber.
Spenser Morris, President of The Allen Morris Company, greeted guests and addressed the crowd. He thanked everyone for being there and spoke passionately about the company’s vision for Coconut Grove and their deep appreciation for the community. It was not a corporate speech — it was a message of stewardship. One could feel that this project is personal to him and to the company.
Ziggurat is being developed as a mixed-use, biophilic landmark, featuring 19 bespoke residences, a five-story boutique office building, curated retail, and a signature open-air paseo anchored by Michelin-star culinary concepts. The project sits directly across from Kirk Munroe Park, which is undergoing a $6.3 million renovation, further reinforcing this as one of the most strategic and community-oriented developments in Coconut Grove.
The name Ziggurat itself comes from ancient stepped structures built in Mesopotamia, architectural forms designed to rise in layers, integrating sky, earth, and gathering spaces. That symbolism is reflected in the project’s design, with cascading greenery, terraces, and a nature-integrated aesthetic that allows the building to grow from the landscape rather than replace it.
While Allen Morris, Chairman & CEO of The Allen Morris Company, provides the strategic leadership behind the firm’s long legacy, it is Spenser Morris, as President, who is spearheading the Ziggurat project, guiding it from vision to reality.
What stood out most that morning was not just the scale of the project, but the tone. Ziggurat is being built with Coconut Grove, not simply in it. The event felt less like a construction kickoff and more like a community milestone.
As someone who covers South Florida’s business, real estate, and civic life every day, it was clear to me that this is one of those rare projects that will still matter decades from now.
This was not just groundbreaking. It was the beginning of a new chapter for Coconut Grove.
