All Aboard Florida has named Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (“SOM”) as Lead Architect and Planner to develop the initial concepts for its four stations and associated transit‐oriented developments (“TODs”) to be located in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando.

Florida‐based Zyscovich Architects (“Zyscovich”) will serve as Associate Architect and Planner. All Aboard Florida, the privately owned, operated and maintained intercity passenger rail system that will connect South Florida to Orlando, chose SOM because of the firm’s seven decades of experience in planning, designing, and implementing large‐scale transportation projects on a global level. In the past twenty years alone, SOM has completed more than $5 billion dollars worth of transportation construction projects including subway and rail stations, ferry terminals, complex intermodal and multi‐modal facilities, and the design of entire airports and more than a dozen airport terminals. SOM most recently designed the Denver Union Station, which will redevelop an urban center with retail, commercial, and office space and serve as one of the most comprehensive intermodal transportation projects in the country.

“SOM is renowned for its inspiring, award‐winning design, strong track record of fostering public consensus, and ability to translate infrastructure investment into regional benefits,” said Vincent Signorello, president of Florida East Coast Industries, Inc., the parent company of All Aboard Florida. “The firm repeatedly delivers outstanding designs for premier passenger rail stations with successful mixed‐use programs that become some of the most innovative and memorable urban places in major cities worldwide, catalyzing urban redevelopment.”

Zyscovich Architects’ long‐standing influence on regional architectural design, municipal planning and major urban developments can be seen in large‐scale projects including the Midtown Miami redevelopment project located along the FEC Corridor; master plans for downtown West Palm Beach, downtown Fort Lauderdale, and downtown Miami; and a rail corridor strategic redevelopment plan for the City of Miami. The firm also has extensive transportation and transitoriented design experience, such as the New Eldorado International Airport in Bogotá, Colombia and the Airport City Intermodal public‐private development project at Miami International
Airport. Mr. Signorello noted that Zyscovich’s deep understanding of Florida’s development environment and extensive familiarity with the existing rail corridor will be a significant asset to the project.

“The engagement of SOM and Zyscovich represents our commitment to delivering world‐class transit planning and design for the station system of All Aboard Florida. Both firms have demonstrated extreme competence with projects of similar scope throughout the world,” remarked Mr. Signorello. “Their depth of experience in urban planning and skill in crafting appropriately iconic design sets the stage for All Aboard Florida to transform the transportation landscape throughout Florida. We intend to deliver landmarks that will enrich our neighborhood for years to come.”
The firms have started work immediately on creating the conceptual development program for the Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando stations.