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Issue link: https://digital.miamilivingmagazine.com/i/1536635
In this exclusive interview, Miami Living talks with Canela about the inspiration behind the district, giving back to his community, and visions for the future. Miami Living: What inspired you to become involved in real estate development? Jencarlos Canela: I always wanted to contribute something to my hometown. Give this generation and the ones to follow things in my city I didn’t have growing up. Miami Living: During your career in entertainment, did you ever see yourself leading a major redevelopment project like the Amelia District? Jencarlos Canela: I can’t say I completely led it because I had a great team of mentors in prestige and my business partner Dennis, but I’m very proud to say I ran point on many hospitality and entertainment initiatives for the Amelia district. I never would’ve thought my entertainment career would merge into real estate development the way it has. Miami Living: How has your Cuban-American culture and creativity as an artist shaped your approach to designing this community? Jencarlos Canela: Everything we’ve done at the Amelia district has been inspired by our community. We created a space for families because of the family values our community is built on. Sports because our community loves sports, and we noticed the outdoor courts were full and there were no indoor options. Concerts and all sorts of parties and music events because of my relationships in entertainment as well as the house party culture that I grew up around in our community. Miami Living: Can you tell me a little bit about the Amelia District? What sets it apart from other urban projects? Jencarlos Canela: We have over two thousand apartments, an eight-court indoor pickleball facility, a live events venue that fits over four thousand people, a food truck court, a fine dining restaurant, a Vanilla Espresso Cafe, barber shops, a tattoo spot, a spa, Grammy award-winning producer Marlo’s music studio, podcast studios, a dance studio, gym, daycare, Cao Bakery and 500+ acres of all sorts of sports and family activities as well as water skiing in Amelia Earhart Park. Miami Living: In this community, you’ve incorporated everything, from schools to sports facilities. How did you decide what elements to include in this district? What aspect is your favorite? Jencarlos Canela: We just wanted a community that catered to our community. Simple as that. My favorite aspect of the Amelia District is exactly that. A community of locals for everyone. Miami Living: How does the legacy of Amelia Earhart inspire and influence this development?