Fifteen months ago the Miami City Commission shot down a recommendation to make the Babylon, the first multifamily building designed by renowned Miami firm Arquitectonica (and its second project ever), a historically protected building.

As a result, the 37-year-old Babylon, which was once owned by a banker who was sent to prison on racketeering charges, will be demolished sometime before July.

And very soon, that same city commission will decide if the narrow, 15,000-square-foot property at 240 SE 14th St., near Brickell Bay Drive, should receive a massive up-zoning that would allow construction of a 24-story tower -- where only a maximum of 12 stories is now permitted.

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