Best Neighborhoods in Miami to Buy a House or Invest In

The tiny seaside village of Bal Harbour, at the northern tip of Miami Beach, 15 minutes north from South Beach, has come a long way in the last 12 years, from a sleepy seaside community to an ultra-luxury enclave. So has Surfside, its neighbor to the south. The addition of a number of key marquis oceanfront developments in this area have made a huge impact on these neighborhoods, now two of the most exclusive areas in all of Miami Beach.

While the al fresco Bal Harbour Shops had always been one of the most active luxury shopping centers in the country, with over 100 luxury brand boutiques and growing, there has long been a dearth of luxury condo options in the immediate vicinity. Historically, Bal Harbour had been home to more of a low-key crowd, except for their billionaire and glitterati neighbors in the wealthy enclave of Indian Creek Island, where, Carl Icahn, Edward Lampert, Julio Iglesias, Adriana Lima and Sheik Mohammad al-Fassi, have homes.

But, all that has changed. Bal Harbour village and Surfside have taken on an upscale vibe with the addition of some key luxury new developments along the Atlantic Ocean. Tranquil, stylish elegance best describes Bal Harbour and Surfside. Here, residents like to say that nothing very dramatic happens - and they like to keep it that way. This understated charm nevertheless belies the rich culture found at the numerous cafes, eateries, internationally-renowned shopping districts, and community-centered artistic events. 

One Bal Harbour, now rebranded Ritz Carlton Bal Harbour, was the first luxury condo development in the area that essentially kicked off a building frenzy. Then came the gut renovation of the Harbour House. But what really vaulted Bal Harbour into a new era of glamour and haute living was the opening in 2012 of the luxurious St. Regis Bal Harbour Hotel and Residences. 

The St.Regis Bal Harbour, at 9701 Collins Ave, is a collection of a trio of interconnected glass towers that light up the sky with their beautiful bronze-tinted reflections. Completed in 2011, the towers include 268 one-to-five bedroom luxury waterfront homes that are just moments from the exclusive Bal Harbour Shops. Both the residence and hotel components were a complete hit.

While there continues to be massive high-rise development in Sunny Isles, Bal Harbor’s northern neighbor past Haulover Beach, living in Sunny Isles is more like living in a big city than on the ocean with all those massively tall buildings. In contrast, Bal Harbour and Surfside are much more idyllic beach communities with buildings no taller than 28 stories in Bal Harbour, or 12 stories in Surfside. Luxury developers certainly had taken notice of this with the addition of a set of top residences for these neighborhoods: Oceana Bal Harbour, Fendi Chateau, The Surf Club Four Seasons Hotel and Residences, Eighty Seven Park, and Arte Surfside by Antonio Citterio

Oceana Bal Harbour is a 28-story glass tower that features 240 oceanfront ultra-luxury residences by Consultatio, a well-known developer from Argentina who brought Miami the very successful Oceana Key Biscayne. Given the lack of available land to build on, this was the only significant project in Bal Harbour real estate sales to rise after the St. Regis opened.

With no more room to build in Bal Harbour, luxury developers targeted Surfside, just to the south of Bal Harbour beginning with FENDI Chateau, the all glass 12-story ultra-luxury boutique condo building, opened its doors in 2016. Apartments are large, with sizes starting at 3,400 sq. ft.

A few blocks father south, the ultra-luxury, five-star The Surf Club Four Seasons Hotel and Residences lies on 815 linear feet of oceanfront. That’s a lot of oceanfront. The Surf Club opened in 2017 and has become one of the most exclusive in all of South Florida, even giving the St. Regis Bal Harbour a run for its money. Richard Meier who is well known for his clear all glass buildings was the prime architect on this project, designing three of the buildings. The project also features the 77-room Four Seasons Hotel that rises behind the structures. The Surf Club was a legendary 1930s retreat for the rich and famous and has been retained and refurbished. It was so popular, Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, the Duchess of Windsor, Winston Churchill and the Shah of Iran, among others, stayed there.

Just south of the Four Seasons Surfside is a new project, Arte by Antonio Citterio, a 12-story, 16-unit project under construction. Cittero is responsible for much of the fabulous furniture designs of B&B Italia. He also designed the Bulgari resorts in Bali, Milan, Moscow and London. Therefore, we expect his creation to be high style.

Sitting just on the southern tip of Surfside, bordering Miami Beach, Eighty Seven Park is a stunning design by pritzker prize winning Italian architect Renzo Piano. It is set against the newly renovated North Shore Park to the south, creating an Eden-style paradise and virtually your own huge park. The development features 70 one-to-five bedroom condominium with occupancy in 2019.

Given the entrance of these ultra-luxury condo buildings, most with 5-star services, residents will be immersed in the full luxuries of a new chic Bal Harbour lifestyle. That’s not to say there aren’t less expensive options. Surfside and Bal Harbour do have some housing stock that is more affordable than these oceanfront icons.

Current Availability for Featured Buildings:

• Ritz Carlton Bal Harbour
• St. Regis Bal Harbour
• Oceana Bal Habour
• Fendi Chateau
• The Surf Club Four Seasons 
• Arte
• 87 Park

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Everything residents expect from Miami Beach may be summed in eleven words: beautiful, luxurious, inspirational, international, innovative, welcoming, caring, historic, delightful, unique, and fun! Expect all these from Miami Beach and then some. It is truly a city like no other.

The city is made up of several offshore islands, including La Gorce, recognized as one of the best waterfront areas to buy Miami Beach luxury real estate. There are, of course, a number of others where you can invest in every kind of high end real estate from single family homes to mansions and, of course, those incredible Miami Beach condos. When people think of Miami Beach, they automatically divide the city into North Beach, Mid Beach, South Beach (SoBe) and the area South of Fifth (SoFi.)

Miami Beach Neighborhoods

Different areas of the city have a slightly different vibe. Each offers something special, and each has magnificent luxury Miami real estate to offer. North Beach has a quieter feel to it than neighborhoods further south and is home to Eighty Seven Park, the luxury beachfront landmark by Renzo Piano. Mid Beach has a "vacation feel" but not of the wild, partying kind. Younger families have begun to move there in the last few years; some say because it is so close to good schools, parks, cultural events, Miami Beach Golf Club, and the ocean. One of its hidden delights is the old Russian and Turkish bath house. It has an excellent assortment of nightspots, restaurants, places to enjoy outdoor activities, and good old-fashioned relaxation. Faena House, with its 47 luxury apartments, is in Mid Beach.

South Beach (SoBe) including Belle Isle, Hibiscus, Palm and Star Islands, is famous for its luxury lifestyle and its very high end real estate. Investors, visitors, and new residents will find excellent Miami Beach apartments in developments such as Il Villaggio on Ocean Drive and Monad Terrace on Biscayne Bay. Setai South Beach was even ranked as the #1 resort hotel in greater Miami. SoBe is also famous for its many nightclubs, fine-dining restaurants, and its internationally famous boutique stores. SoBe includes the Art Deco Historic District. While art deco originated in France, SoBe has the world's largest collection of art deco, Mediterranean, and Streamline Modern buildings, and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.  SoFi is a small, exclusive, and very affluent neighborhood right at the southern tip of the city. Its South Pointe Park is a peaceful oasis of natural beauty.

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Cultural Events and Activities in Miami Beach

The city has so much to offer when it comes to culture. You have everything from the simple and unique to the internationally famous. You will be inspired and delighted by it all, and you will have a lot of fun. Enjoy one of the daily guided tours of the Art Deco District, a weekend food tour to selected eateries in SoBe, take a luxury private yacht outing and cruise the waters, or go deep sea fishing. If you prefer a round of golf, the public course treats everyone as though it were a private club.

The Garden Conservancy's Botanical Garden is a 2.6 acre hidden gem featuring native and globally-sourced exotic plants. The garden staff offer guided tours so visitors can learn as well as enjoy.

If you prefer to stay indoors for your cultural experiences, visit one of Miami Beach's classic art galleries such as Lik Miami and be mesmerized by the photographic art on display. Or visit The Bass and marvel at all the contemporary pieces. The Creativity Center offers winter and summer art camps as well as family days and community programs, all to inspire city residents to explore their inner creativity.

The Jewish Museum explores the history and culture of Florida's Jewish community dating all the way back to 1763.

If music be the food of love, then Miami Beach is where you will hear world-class virtuosos play on forever. Miami Beach Urban Studios offers everything for the connoisseur, including Monday Evening Viola performances by Michael Klotz. North Beach Bandshell is something to experience! Here are just three examples of who you will see. Anoushka Shanker, the youngest woman ever nominated for a World Music Grammy, plays classical Indian sitar. Ssing Ssing is a spectacular group who sing traditional South Korean songs. And Omar Souleyman, the cult hero, merges modern dance music with traditional compositions from the Levant.

The annual Ground Up Music Festival features international artists (the next event is February 2019) and was lauded as one of the 10 Best Music Events. The New World Symphony and American Orchestral Academy, on 17th Street, prepares gifted musicians for global leadership roles and, as part of that mission, puts on superb orchestral events throughout the season.

The Colony Theatre in South Beach has been recently renovated into a place of art deco grandeur to put on music, dance, comedy shows, and more traditional plays. North Beach has O Cinema, a non-profit organization which puts on first-run independent foreign and family films that are famous for their intrigue and entertainment qualities. For a more relaxed cinematic experience, Citicinema at the New World Center in Soundscape Park puts on free films for the family in the open air. Bring a blanket and a picnic.

Miami Beach Ballet, between Collins Ave and Dade Blvd, has been described by the New York Times as "an exceptional troupe, by Balanchine standards, anywhere in the world." Its mission is to train young dancers who perform from their repertoire of over 100 ballets. They have performed 12 world premieres.

Art Basel at Miami Beach

Close to the Botanical Garden is Miami Beach Convention Center, and in December it will host its annual Art Basel exhibition. 200 leading galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa send paintings, sculptures, photographs, installations, and films for this event. The displays feature modern and contemporary works by 4,000 established masters and emerging artists who have proven themselves worthy of an invitation.

As well as work being displayed, the Conversations Element of Art Basel features prominent names from around the globe to discuss collecting, exhibiting and producing art. There are panel discussions featuring artists, gallerists, critics, and art lawyers to share opinions and ideas with visitors and special invitees. The Faena District, designed by OMA, is also a great cultural addition to the neighborhood and offers a permanent art space and a retail bazaar.

Miami Beach Schools

All these cultural organizations and events have had a tremendously positive effect on Miami Beach's schools and academies. The city is well served by its public and private schools. There are 12 public and 18 private schools serving all ages. Several have highly recognized achievement records. Some are faith-based and others are not. Learning and academic achievement are at the core of each school's mission. Some specialize in, for example, Montessori method, multi-lingual based curricula, and performing arts to reinforce traditional subject matter, while others are more traditional in their approach to student academic attainment.

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Clubbing, Dining, and Shopping in Miami Beach

From the intellectual, inspirational, and cultural, we now turn to the more "fun" aspect of the city. The selections are awesome. Ora Miami is perhaps the premiere nightclub. Guests are served by their personal table butler as they enjoy looking at displayed works of art by Banksy, Robert Indiana, and Murakami. Wall Miami serves up live music and top DJs performing under state-of-the-art lighting into the wee small hours of the morning. Ricky's South Beach has a carnival-inspired menu to enjoy while guests play arcade games and listen to live music. Right next door is Bodega Taqueria y Tequila for food inspired by Chef Bernie Matz. Bolivar Rest features Colombian and South American fare with dancing on the weekends.

Below is the popular Stiltsville Fish Bar in Sunset Harbour.

STK is an ultra-chic steakhouse. Baoli Miami has two sister restaurants in France and came to SoBe to ring in a new era in nightlife and dining, merging SoBe's "vibrancy and sass" with French sophistication. Estiatorio Milos is in the heart of SoFi and is one of the world's finest Mediterranean seafood restaurants, featuring Greek culinary delights. Bagatelle is totally French in cuisine and ambiance. The list goes on, but let us now turn to stores and shopping.

Besides the highly popular Lincoln Road Mall (below), the epitome of perfection is Bal Habour Shops. This lush, open-air garden features outdoor cafés, salons, and an art gallery. Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus vie for attention with Biscote, Celine, Chanel, Gucci, Versace, Prada, Ralph Lauren, and others. Escada, the German design house, also offers accessories, fragrances, and diamonds to augment its fashion clothing.  Bal Harbour also has the only complete Fendi shop in the South-East USA.

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A Final Word On Miami Beach

It is impossible, in a single article, to cover everything that Miami Beach offers its residents. To repeat the sentiment in our opening comment, the best thing about Miami Beach is that luxury, inspiration, innovation, high culture, and worldy delights are all here and waiting. This international city welcomes everyone. If you would like to arrange an initial consultation so we can offer advice and ideas, please just click here to contact us.

With the new addition of St. Regis Miami in Brickell, Downtown Miami is about to enter into a new era of sophistication. The St. Regis Brickell will honor St. Regis’ legacy and heritage, but will offer modern luxury and unstinting attention to detail that is the hallmark of the brand. We expect it to be the finest luxury condo in Miami when completed in 2025.

A bastion of taste and refinement, the St. Regis brand hails from the iconic home of the Astors, who built the beaux arts hotel at 55th Street and Fifth Avenue in NYC that opened in 1904. Over the years, St Regis hotels have been a “magnet for connoisseurs of glamour and sophistication where luminaries, independent thinkers, titans of culture and titans of commerce gather.”

The iconic St Regis Brickell is being designed by an icon himself, Robert A.M. Stern. Stern has been building trophy buildings for connoisseurs his whole life including NYC ultra-luxury trophy buildings such as 15 Central Park West, 220 Central Park West, and 520 Park Avenue where prices range from $4K - $10K per square foot. Interiors by the Rockwell Group and, to top it off, the building is being developed by Related Group (which also developed the original St Regis Bal Harbour Resort) and Integra Investments.

The high number of residents fleeing high tax states like California and New York to South Florida has fueled demand for the highest service-level in real estate projects, which Miami is sadly lacking. Accordingly, we expect this St Regis to put Brickell on the map in terms of luxury and service. Sure, Downtown Miami has a Mandarin Hotel and a Four Seasons Hotel (with some condos attached), but nothing with this level of service that is so private and exclusive and in a condo building (with no hotel guests).

Other condo projects in Miami, such as Waldorf, which will be one of the best luxury condos for sale in Miami, are in developing neighborhoods that will take some time to be gentrified. An ultra-luxury buyer would prefer an established neighborhood, like Brickell, that has been proven over a long time.

In contrast, St Regis Brickell is located at 1809 Brickell Avenue in the lovely established neighborhood of Brickell, very close to relaxed Coconut Grove and a few blocks from the hustle and bustle of North Brickell (near Brickell City Center), which is the epicenter of Downtown and very cool. Notably, South Brickell has easy access to I-95, which makes getting to South Beach and other locations quite easy, unlike North Brickell. 

St Regis Residences Miami will offer it's Signature Butler Service. This highly personalized and anticipatory service focuses on the finest details. No place else has this type of service in Downtown Miami.  Other competitors in the Miami luxury segment can't match St Regis Brickell, given that its competitors are located in Park West or Edgewater which won't be gentrified for many years.

For anyone who has stayed at a St Regis hotel, the level of sophistication at their hotels is unmatched. Having personally had the opportunity to stay at 8 of their hotels (Florence, Venice, Rome, Beijing, Singapore, Mumbai, Bangkok and Bal Harbour), I can attest to the very unique experience that is the St Regis. Bringing that to a residences-only project without public guest rooms provides an even higher level of service, exclusivity and privacy. 

St Regis Brickell features two towers, the East and West Towers. The East Tower sits directly on Biscayne Bay and is launching first. It will feature 149 two to seven bedroom apartments over 48-stories. The West Tower will launch later, once there has been sales velocity at the East Tower, and will have approximately 200 one to five bedroom apartments.

If you have an interest in purchasing, want to learn more or set up a tour of the development, please fill up the form below, or call / text me at +1-305-296-8885.

The project will officially launch on 2/14/22 and prices in the two towers will start at $2 million for the prime units.  The East Tower pricing at launch is as follows:

• Two-bedroom residences will start from $2.8M
• Three-bedroom residences will start from $4M
• Four-bedroom residences will start from $6M
• Larger units in the $15M - $25M range as well. 

Sign Up Below to Receive Initial Prices & Floor plans

The East Tower 

• Will rise 48 stories and feature 149 residences
• 2- to 7-bedroom homes range in size 2,300-to-8,900 SF
• Unobstructed views of the Miami skyline and Biscayne Bay. High floors will have Atlantic Ocean views
• Porte-cochere with commissioned art installation and signature water feature 
• Private residential lobby attended 24/7 
• 24-hour Concierge 
• On-site valet parking and self-parking spaces with private entry 
• EV charging stations 
• Luxury house car service 
• The Residences Private elevator and entry foyer for each residence 
• Double-door entry in select residences 11-foot ceilings with integrated linear diffusers in living areas 
• Custom European marble flooring throughout 
• European solid wood doorways 
• All homes feature a powder room and laundry room 
• Integrated smart home technology 

PRIMARY SUITES AND BATHROOMS 

• Oversized walk-in closets Midnight bar and butler’s pantry 
• Split marble top vanities with Dornbracht fixtures 
• Oversized marble showers and free-standing bathtubs 
• Private water closets with Toto toilets 

KITCHENS 

• Gourmet kitchen with custom Italian cabinetry designed by Rockwell Group 
• Marble countertops and backsplashes 
• Fully-integrated top-of-the-line Sub-Zero and Wolf appliance packages, including full height wine refrigerator! 

AMENITIES

• 55,000 square feet of amenity space
• Resort-style pool deck
• Bayfront infinity pool and whirlpool with private cabanas
• Poolside bar and café Bayfront garden with comfortable seating areas
• 31st Floor Sky Lounge
• Double-height St Regis bar and lounge with sweeping water views
• Signature St. Regis Cognac room 
• Traditional St. Regis tea room 
• Billiards room 
• Catering kitchen
• Holistic Wellness Center
• Fully-equipped fitness center with sweeping bay views including an indoor lap pool and cold plunge pool
• Pilates and yoga studio 
• Dual saunas, steam rooms and salt spa
• State-of-the-art treatment rooms 
• On-premises ground floor, fine dining restaurant 
• Exclusive beach club access 
• Park-like grounds and lush terraces by landscape designer Enzo Enea 
• State-of-the-art media room 
• Business center with coffee bar and conference rooms 
• Children’s entertainment room 
• Teen video game lounge 
• Programmable golf simulator 
• Salon equipped for all beauty services 
• Pet spa, grooming and dog-walking services 
• Private, secure climate-controlled storage 
• House bicycles 
• Private marina 

SERVICES at St. Regis

• Regis Butler service and in-room dining 
• St. Regis Housekeeping services 
• St. Regis global membership privileges 

TECHNOLOGIES 

• Keyless residential entry 
• Smart home climate and lighting control systems 
• State-of-the-art fiber-optic and Wi-Fi  
• App for only St. Regis residents

DEVELOPMENT TEAM

• Related Group & Integra Investments: Developer 
• Robert A.M. Stern Architects: Executive Architect 
• Rockwell Group: Interior Architect 
• Landscape Architect:  Enzo Enea Group
• Operator: St. Regis Residential
• Sales and Marketing: ONE Sotheby's

West Tower

• Launching in May 2022
• 1,300 square feet 1-bedroom apartments will be the entry level size in the West Tower.

St Regis Sunny Isles

With the paltry number of Miami Beach condos launching over the last few years, developers have gone further afield with their new builds. For instance, the St. Regis has also announced twin towers in Sunny Isles, which is north of Miami Beach and Bal Harbour near Aventura and Hollywood. If you would like to be the first to know more about this project, let me know.