The History of Brickell Miami

Brickell is one of Miami’s most dynamic neighborhoods — its Financial District, high-rise residential core, and evolving cultural and economic center. Its evolution from indigenous settlement through family homesteading into the dense urban neighborhood it is today is a story of land, development, and transformation.

Early Inhabitants: The Tequesta

• Before European settlement, the area now known as Brickell was inhabited by the Tequesta people. Archaeological evidence shows they lived along the Miami River and Biscayne Bay for over 2,000 years.
• One of the key sites is the Miami Circle, located at the opening of the Miami River to Biscayne Bay at Brickell Point. It is an archaeological site of a Tequesta structure (a hut) with post holes and is associated with a burial mound.

William Barnwell Brickell and Mary Brickell

The Arrival of the Brickell Family & Early Development

• The Brickell neighborhood is named after William Barnwell Brickell and Mary Brickell (née Mary Adelaide “Mama” Bulmer). William Brickell purchased over 600 acres in what would become Brickell in 1870.
• In 1871, the Brickells moved to the mouth of the Miami River, establishing a home, trading post, and acquiring large land holdings that stretched south toward Coconut Grove. Their land included current Brickell and surrounding areas.
• William Brickell died in 1908; Mary Brickell then managed and developed their extensive real estate, including areas known as Millionaire’s Row and Brickell Hammock.

Millionaire’s Row & Early 20th Century

• In the early 1900s through the 1910s, Brickell Avenue was lined with large winter estates owned by affluent northerners. This stretch became known as Millionaire’s Row.
• Among notable residences were estates belonging to William Jennings Bryan and others. Many of these mansions were built for seasonal use. Over time, most of them were removed, replaced by denser residential and commercial structures.
• The Brickell Apartments, built and opened in January 1917 by Charles Brickell, are an example of early denser housing. The building was designed in the Moorish style; it offered modern conveniences of the time (private baths, electric lights, elevator) and occupied land that had been created by shoreline fill.

Mid-Century Changes

• After World War II, many of the single-family mansions and estates on Brickell Avenue and adjacent areas were gradually replaced by denser development—apartments, offices, retail. The area began to transition away from the exclusive winter homes toward more permanent, mixed uses.
• Some historic structures were demolished during this time. For instance, the Brickell Apartments (1917) were eventually razed in 1961 after being sold and left vacant.

The Modern Era: Financial District & High-Rise Boom

• Beginning in the 1970s and accelerating in the 1980s, Brickell evolved into a major financial district. Tall office towers, banks, international finance companies, and corporate headquarters brought increased commercial presence. In the 1980s, Atlantis on Brickell – known for its glass façade and 5-story palm court cut out of the building – became one of the most recognized condo buildings in Brickell thanks to hit TV show Miami Vice, which debuted in 1984.
• Simultaneously, residential towers, mixed-use complexes, hotels, and retail spaces multiplied, especially south of SE 15th Road (Broadway) and along Biscayne Bay.
• Major mixed-use developments include Mary Brickell Village (opened mid-2000s), and Brickell City Centre, which opened in 2016, spanning over 9 acres with shops, restaurants, lodging and residential components.

Preservation & Archaeology

• The Miami Circle and associated Tequesta archaeological sites remain important. They provide confirmation of ancient habitation and have been the subject of preservation and sometimes of controversy as urban development presses up against them.
• The Brickell Mausoleum (located at 501 Brickell Avenue) is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

Brickell Today: Density, Identity, and Urban Growth

• Brickell is now one of the densest neighborhoods in Miami.
• It is anchored by high finance, foreign consulates, international business, luxury residential tower developments, and strong retail/restaurants.
• Newer office towers like 830 Brickell (completed in 2023) are evidence of ongoing growth.

Key Dates & Timeline

Why Brickell Matters

1. Brickell’s evolution illustrates the transformation of Miami from a frontier settlement to a modern global city.
2. Its geography—on Biscayne Bay, immediately south of the downtown core—made it ideal for early estates, then for financial and commercial investment.
3. It also encapsulates tensions common in cities: preservation vs. development; ancient heritage (Tequesta, Miami Circle) vs modern vertical growth.

It will be exciting to see what the next 20 years have in store for the Brickell neighborhood!

Co-founder of Luxury Brand Tory Burch Lists Waterfront Mansion in Miami Beach for $49 Million

Christopher Burch has offered his opulent mansion on Miami Beach’s famed North Bay Road for $49 million. He is the co-founder of the fashion label Tory Burch and the founder and CEO of Burch Creative Capital.

The property located at 5050 N. Bay Road features opulent living spaces, eight bedrooms, and eight full plus two partial bathrooms that perfectly capture South Florida living in the traditional post-modern style.

As you enter the main house, the wood paneling gives off a cozy, warm feeling. Each interior space features exquisite details, from the embroidered drapes and trims to the furniture and artwork. Look for a kitchen with a sizable dining room, a dedicated butler’s pantry with a rotisserie oven, a separate prep kitchen, and a breakfast nook.

The 1,500-square-foot guest house has two entrances and may be set up as four bedrooms, while it is now set up as two separate bedrooms with one living area each.

Beyond the fortifications, you’ll discover immaculately kept grounds next to expansive vistas of Biscayne Bay and 139 feet on the water with a large dock. A rear pool provides a gathering space with a covered grill and pizza oven. The pool next to the house features a hot tub, cold plunge, and steam rooms.

Construction Date Announced for Vita at Grove Isle

Construction has officially been announced for Vita Residences at Grove Isle. Developer, Ugo Columbo recently announced that construction is set to begin at the end of April 2023.

Along with the construction announcement, we now have more insight into the 12 two-story rooftop penthouses that are planned. The upscale penthouses will feature over 3,400 square feet apiece and an outside area that is close to 4,000 square feet. Units cost $5 million to $20 million on average.

The length of the project is expected to range from 24 to 28 months once the construction has started with the top-off date in 2025. Vita at Grove Isle has at least 40% of its units reserved, with many of the new occupants hailing from other states.

About Vita at Grove Isle

The development will consist of 65 waterfront residences and will include 12 bi-level penthouses. The luxury residences themselves will feature 3 bedroom floor plans with 2,433 to 6,597 square foot options.

Each contemporary unit will include magnificent ocean views, 13-foot-deep balconies, towering ceilings, Boffi Italian cabinets, and other superb interior accents by Bernardi and Peschard. Air-conditioned private garages will also be available as an option for owners. 

The bi-level penthouse collection will have 12 extravagant penthouse homes with private elevators, 3 bedrooms, 11-foot ceilings, expansive entertainment areas, and beautiful roof decks with private pools and outdoor kitchens.

High-end facilities will also be available, including a curated art lobby, a fully-attended waterfront pool, a 40-foot Fjord houseboat, a watersports pavilion with storage, an outdoor kids’ playground, and pet grooming services.

Residence Features

• Unique, Resort Architecture by World-Renowned CallisonRTKL™
• 5-Story, Low-Rise with 65 Condo Residences plus 14 Bi-Level Penthouses
• Up to 65 Feet of Linear Water Frontage
• Lush Foliage and Dramatic, Tropical Landscaping By EDSA®
• Elegant Porte-Cochère Entry with Breezeways Leading Directly to the Bay
• Curated Art Lobbies
• Expansive Bayfront Pool with Luxury Cabanas and Personal Attendants
• Poolside and Residential Food / Beverage Services
• Outdoor Children’s Playground
• 40-foot Fjord House Boat
• Water Sports Pavilion featuring Paddle Boards and Kayaks
• Cutting-Edge Fitness Center featuring Daily Tailored Exercise and Fitness Programs
• Vita Residences’ “Virtual Links” featuring HD Golf Simulator and Bayfront Putting Green
• On-Site Pet Services and Grooming
• Business Center
• Convenient Water Sports Equipment and Gear Storage
• Secure Bicycle Storage
• Dynamic Concierge Dedicated to Crafting Unique Experiences for Residents
• On-Site Management Office
• State-Of-The-Art Digital Security with Modern Surveillance Systems
• Attended Package Room with Delivery Service
• Private Elevators with Digital Security
• Private Island, 85-Slip Deep-Water Marina with Dockmaster and Marina Concierge
• Yacht Charter Services
• 24-Hour Valet Service
• Membership to The Exclusive Grove Isle Club – Cliff Drysdale Tennis Center With 8 Clay Courts, A Pro Shop, Full Tennis Program, and Private Instruction, as well as Waterfront Resort Pool Deck, Full-Service Tiki Bar, Bay-View Restaurant, Supervised Children’s Activities and Club Bar Lounge

Tower Amenities

• Curated art lobby
• Business Center
• Waterfront Residents’ Lounge
• High-tech fitness center
• Private waterfront pool and Jacuzzi featuring luxury cabanas, pool attendants, and food/beverage services
• Watersports pavilion offering kayaks and paddleboards
• 40-foot Fjord Boat exclusively for resident-use
• Multi-Purpose Bayfront Event Room with spacious outdoor areas
• Outdoor kid’s playground
• 24-hour valet and concierge services
• Pet services and grooming
• Private storage rooms are available
• Convenient watersports equipment and gear storage
• Bicycle storage

Residents at Vita Grove Isle will have access to facilities that are only available on the grounds of the condo building, as well as membership in the exclusive Grove Isle Club. In addition to access to the Cliff Drysdale Tennis Center, which has 8 clay courts, a professional-grade Tennis Program, and a pro shop, the club has a state-of-the-art fitness center with specialized training programs.

Ugo Columbo is the developer for this exquisite tower and will be designed by the CallisonRTKL architecture group.

If you or someone you know have an interest in purchasing at Vita Residences at Isle Grove, please contact Lucas Lechuga via email at [email protected] or by phone at 786-247-6332.

Zaha Hadid’s Former Condo Sells Again at $6 Million

World-renowned architect Zaha Hadid’s former W South Beach condo was just sold, AGAIN at $6 million.

Data reveals M. Reada “Ray” Bassiouni was the seller of the combined units 726, 728, and 730 at 2201 Collins Avenue, which was acquired by Thomas Robert and his wife Ann Chan, the owner of the security firm ATI Systems in Boston is Bassiouni. In Ponte Vedra Beach, Robert is the owner of GC Land Development LLC.

Records show that Bassiouni paid $5.8 million for the condo in 2018. The combined units feature 2,541 square feet of living space with three bedrooms and four bathrooms.

Since asking $8 million for the condo in March 2021, Bassiouni has intermittently offered it on the market. According to the Multiple Listing Service, the unit only brought in roughly $500,000 more than its previous asking price of $6.5 million.

Hadid designed the makeover herself after purchasing the apartments for $4.2 million in separate purchases over a five-year period. The Riverside Museum in Glasgow, the London Aquatics Centre for the 2012 Olympics, and Galaxy SOHO in Beijing were all designed by the Pritzker Prize-winning architect. When she passed away in Miami Beach in 2016, she was supervising the development of the Miami apartment complex One Thousand Museum that she had designed.

W South Beach is a luxury, oceanfront condo-hotel development located at 2201 Collins Avenue in Miami Beach, Florida. Built in 2009, W South Beach was developed by Tri Star Capital, Related Urban Development, and Starwood Properties.

With 300 feet of water frontage, W South Beach is considered to be one of South Beach’s finest residential developments. The W South Beach building was designed by award-winning architecture firm Nichols, Brosch, and Sandoval with interior design work by Yabu Pushelberg.

W South Beach rises 20 floors and includes 511 condo-hotel units comprised of studios, one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom options plus penthouses.

Highest Penthouse at Paramount Miami Worldcenter is Now For Sale at $10.71 Million

At the current price of $10.71 million, the tallest penthouse in RPC’s Paramount Miami Worldcenter is now for sale.

With sweeping views of Miami from the 57th and 58th floors of the tower, Penthouse 5700 has 5,225 square feet spanning throughout  four bedrooms, five and a half bathrooms, and a den that can be utilized as either a home office or a library in the unit. An open-style chef’s kitchen, floor-to-ceiling windows, double-height ceilings, and plenty of space for entertaining are included in the amenities of the property.

Penthouse 5700 will have access to the building’s 46 amenity spaces, which are the most residential amenities in the world and include the nation’s first outdoor soccer field in a high-rise residential building, resort-style swimming pools, tennis courts, a Tai Chi deck, and a boxing studio.

The purchaser will be residing among celebrities thanks to Paramount’s comprehensive array of sporting amenities, which has drawn a wide range of professional athletes.

Located in Miami Worldcenter, an entire city within a city and the second largest master-planned urban project in the country, Paramount offers walkable access to the best restaurants, cultural and entertainment venues in town. 

The 58-story Paramount Miami Worldcenter, which was completed in August 2019, has 569 condo homes with studio, one, two, and three-bedroom floor layouts, as well as penthouses.

The Paramount Miami Worldcenter’s ordinary tower residences have interior square footage of 1,294 to 2,376 plus balconies, whilst its penthouse residences have interior square footage of 3,509 to 6,000 plus balconies.

The typical condo homes at Paramount Miami Worldcenter have either 11-foot- or 14-foot-deep terraces, private elevators, and 10-foot high ceilings with floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

Eight magnificent bi-level penthouses at Paramount Miami Worldcenter include 20-foot high ceilings, floor to ceiling glass windows, and panoramic views of the city and lagoon.

Elkus Manfredi Architects created Paramount Miami Worldcenter, which was created by Paramount Ventures. ID & Design International created the lobby and common areas.

ECHO Penthouse Slashes Price by $1 Million

Echo Brickell is one of the most sought-after buildings in downtown Miami. Completed in 2017, it was designed by architect Carlos Ott and developed by PMG and JDS Development Group. Rising 57 stories with 180 condo residences, it is the epitome of Brickell living.

With all of Echo’s luxury features and gorgeous units, one heavy hitter penthouse is currently on the market and just had a massive price cut. The penthouse was previously listed at $42 million in 2018 and was relisted in 2021 for $39.5 million. Now, the property has had a significant price reduction of $1 million at $38.5 million.

Located at 1451 Brickell Ave #PH01, this 11,000 square foot ultra-luxe penthouse spans over 2 floors (56th and 57th) with 5 bedrooms and 7.5 bathrooms. It’s all in the details with 28 ft ceilings, 360-degree views of the Miami skyline and Biscayne Bay from the expansive terrace, and an indoor Sky Pool.

The sophistication continues with its signature staircase, marble and glass throughout, and the gorgeous Poliform kitchen that will truly amaze. The primary suite features a midnight bar, designer closets, and dual marble baths. With the 6 parking spaces, aquatic center, office, staff quarter, and a BBQ, do you really even have to leave this penthouse? The best thing about this penthouse is that it was personally designed by Carlos Ott.

Echo’s units come fully furnished with 1 to 4 bedroom floor plans ranging from 748 to 11,068 square feet. Each residence features panoramic views of the water and skyline, 9 to 14-foot ceilings with floor-to-ceiling windows, and 6 to 8 foot deep terraces with a bbq area. The interiors are inspired by yoo Studio with 7-foot high Italian entry doors, marble flooring, Italian custom cabinetry, and high-end stainless steel appliances.

Tower Amenities Include:

• Vanishing-edge pool and deck with panoramic views of Biscayne Bay, Downtown Miami, and Miami Beach
• 2,800 square foot, state-of-the-art fitness center and spa overlooking pool, bay, and city
• Resort-style poolside food and beverage service
• Two hot tubs with sunbathing deck overlooking the Brickell skyline
• Full-service concierge services
• Ground-floor retail tenants Rosetta Bakery and Joe & the Juice.

Below is a video of the Carlos Ott Penthouse at Echo Brickell: https://www.miamicondoinvestments.com/property/1451-brickell-av-ph1-miami-fl-33131-a10521016.

If you or someone you know have an interest in purchasing at Echo Brickell, or any information on this penthouse, please contact Lucas Lechuga via email at [email protected] or by phone at (786)247-6332.

Another Fisher Island Condo Sold at $21 Million

After spending 5.5 years on significant renovations and imported furniture, Igor Olegovich Nesterenko, a businessman in the meatpacking industry from Moscow, sold his Fisher Island property for $21 million.

The unit located at the Palazzo Del Mare unit 7153, features 5 bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms, a terrace, a playroom, and a conference room spanning over 7,025 square feet. It also has a private 2-car garage on the parking level of the building and a private cabana near the pool.

Nesterenko spent the 5.5 years refurbishing the condo because Fisher Island only allows for roughly half of a year’s time for construction due to noise restrictions.

Furthermore, much of the furniture was purchased from abroad and was rather large and proved difficult to ship overseas. The bathtub in the master bedroom was fashioned from a solid block of Greek White Thassos marble and was carried into the apartment using a crane. The majority of the furniture was also brought by crane since it was too large for the elevator.

The 7,025-square-foot Unit 7153 located at Palazzo Del Mare was sold to Fana Fisher Palazzo 7153 LLC, managed by a trust in Bellevue, Washington purchased the condo for $21 million equals $2,989 price per square foot.

The trust is under the umbrella of the Fana Group of Cos., a real estate corporation located in Bellevue led by Chairman and CEO Firoz Lalji.

The apartment was designed by Augusto Busnelli of Milan, according to Flikshteyn. The previous owner spent around $10 million on upgrades. The property was last sold in 2011 for $8.3 million.

The Palazzo Del Mare was built in 2007 and with an expansive amenity package including a 9-hole golf course, 18 tennis courts, a marina and yacht center, a gourmet market, 8 restaurants, and Spa Internazionale. A Fisher Island Day School and a mile and a half of pristine beaches.

Fisher Island, America’s wealthiest zip code, is a 216-acre barrier island located across Government Cut from Miami Beach. Fisher Island condominiums are in a class of their own when it comes to ultra-exclusive living in South Florida.

The island, which can only be reached by ferry, boat, helicopter, or seaplane, provides unrivaled protection. All visitors to the island must first be checked by security at the Fisher Island port.

U.S. Lifts Restrictions for International Travelers November 8th-Will this Change the Miami Real Estate Market?

Since the pandemic, the Miami condo market has flourished with record-breaking sales, massive tech companies making moves to Miami, and new developments being announced every day. One of the biggest variables that South Florida has always counted on was the international buyers, but due to travel regulations, foreign buyers have dwindled.

In the past 12 months, homes sales for international buyers have dipped to 31% making it the lowest since 2011, with Florida having the most sales to foreign buyers. Although Miami has seen a surge in condo sales this past year, the majority were domestic buyers.

With President Biden’s announcement of lifting travel restrictions for foreign travelers from certain areas in Canada and Countries in South America, this is big news for the real estate market itself. Beginning November 8th, vaccinated travelers can resume travel into the United States. With this, we can expect to have an increase in international buyers.

According to the Miami Chairman of the Board (MIAMI Association of Realtors), Jennifer Wollmann, with international travel resuming in the United States in November, the expectation is that foreign home buying will grow in the coming months.

According to Biz Journals, elections in Peru and Colombia are soon and South Florida may see an influx in buyers from those areas. The Senior Vice President of the Related Group, Eric Fordin has stated that he was surprised at the number of international buyers taking an interest in the District 225 project. According to Fordin, the new construction tower has over 100 buyers that are from Colombia.

Even with the increase in new construction towers, inventory remains at an all-time low for single-family homes and condominiums. Currently, there are only 631 condos in new or under construction remaining unsold.

According to The White House press release, there will be a second phase to requirements for all inbound foreign travelers in January 2022.

ARod Backed-Grand Station Apartment Tower is Complete and 80% Leased

Construction on Miami’s Grand Station Apartment tower has been completed. Alex Rodriguez and his partner Ricardo Vadio, owners of Rovr Development are the investors behind the $70 million construction project that was built on top of the existing Courthouse Center Garage.

Not only has ARod backed the construction of the project but his company Monument Real Estate Services is also the property Manager of Grand Station Apartments.

In early March 2020, partners for Grand Station obtained a $53 million loan from Saperian Capital to assist with the construction. Since Grand Station received their temporary certificate of occupancy in August, they have reached over 80% leased for the tower.

The tower located at 240 North Miami Avenue rises 30 stories and feature 300 units right in the heart of downtown. The development is a part of a public/private partnership with the Miami Parking Authority, which has assisted in adding an additional 350 spaces for the building totaling 1,200.

The tower features studio to 2 bedroom apartments with a monthly rent that ranges from $1,800 to $2,500. All units boast Italian kitchen cabinets, quartz counters, stainless steel appliances, and an in-unit washer and dryer.

The luxury tower amenities include an indoor pool, rooftop terrace with pool, outdoor kitchen, hot tubs, fitness center, and club room.

Zyscovich Architects and Anillo, Toledo, Lopez LLC are responsible for the design of Grand Station.

Rovr along with the Related Group and Airbnb are the masterminds behind the new development, The District located at 225 North Miami Avenue.