Miami Design District Video Tour
May 2, 2015 by Lucas Lechuga
Over the past couple of years, there's been a lot of chatter about an incredible transformation taking place in Miami's Design District. I must admit, I wasn't buying into it. I was definitely skeptical. At best, I figured it would be many, many years before such a grand vision would come to fruition. Yesterday, I became a believer.
Craig Robins, the developer, is an absolute genius! Robins' creation is, without a doubt, a game-changer for the neighborhood and a welcomed addition to the city of Miami as a whole. His vision has become a reality, and it's more spectacular than I could have ever imagined. I walked the site with my own two feet yesterday. The birds were chirping, the sun was glistening, and the best-of-the-best fashion and jewelry brands were in full effect. In every direction. Everywhere I turned. Bvlgari. Louis Vuitton. Valentino. Givenchy. Pucci. Harry Winston. Rolex. Cartier. Versace. Giorgio Armani. And that's just to name a handful - okay, maybe two - with more big-time designers on the way. By the end of next year, if all goes according to plan, over 120 luxury shops will have opened.
The public art is spectacular in its own right. Buckminster Fuller's 24-foot Fly's Eye Dome acts as an illustrious center piece of this ultra-luxury shopping mecca. It's beautiful. And interesting. I walked inside of it. I now know what my life would have been like as a fly. Pretty neat, except for the fact that it's very difficult to focus on just one thing. Like having a sever case of Attention Deficit Disorder times ten. Where was I? Oh, yes, the art...
Xavier Veilhan's Le Corbusier, which sits opposite of Fly's Eye Dome in the Palm Court, is another noteworthy art installation. The piece is a fiberglass sculpture of celebrated architect Le Corbusier - one of the pioneers of modern architecture.
Overall, the newly redeveloped Miami Design District is fabulous. But don't take my word for it. I highly suggest that you go check it out for yourself. At the very least, check out the video below for a quick tour. Better yet, watch the video and then go check it out in person. By the way, the area shown in the video is just a small section of the overall site plan. It's still a work in progress. A hotel, condo tower, restaurants, and an additional 60 opulent shops are in the works.
Of course, the obvious question becomes, with such an impressive collection of luxury brands all in one place, why would a luxury flagship retailer even consider any other location, such as Brickell City Centre or The Mall at Miami Worldcenter? Will those shopping destinations be DOA and forced to fill their retail space with less-luxurious brands. And what kind of an effect will Miami Design District have on already established shopping centers such as The Shops at Bal Harbour and Village of Merrick Park? I would love to hear your thoughts.
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