Building inspired by Apple store

Brickell’s landscape will soon sport a giant color-changing glass cube. This isn’t an art installation, but a bank.

The $3.8 million project is veteran developer Tibor Hollo’s latest addition to Brickell’s financial district. Inspired by New York’s famous Fifth Avenue Apple store, the 2,500-square-foot, 30-foot high structure is the site for a new TD Bank.

Preliminary work began July 11 and full construction should start next month, said Hollo, president of Florida East Coast Realty. The Cube, as it’s called, will be built on the southwest corner of the existing office towers at 1101 Brickell Ave. The FECR bought the property two years ago and renovated it. The bank should open its doors next spring.

Special glass that changes color with sunlight gives the Cube its visual appeal. SageGlass — manufactured by Minnesota-based company Sage Electrochromics — adjusts its tint with the time of day to maintain a steady temperature inside the building. This is the first time it is being used in Miami. At the push of a button, the energy-saving glass can go from transparent to a dark tint.

The Cube’s architect, Kobi Karp, said he planned to use it for future projects, too.

The Cube is part of Hollo’s ongoing vision for Brickell. A medical center, 60-story residential tower and shopping mall are in the planning stages, Hollo said.

 His other projects — the $62 million Mikado hotel in the Omni district and Miami’s tallest skyscraper at 1 Bayfront Plz. are also moving along.

“We’ll hopefully be breaking ground on the Mikado next month,” he said. The 250-room mixed-use hotel is expected to be done by 2014.

Plans for the 1,049-foot Bayfront tower are being drawn up in New York and will be ready next fall, Hollo said. After that, city permits have to be obtained.