Van Leeuwen Ice Cream Opening at Mary Brickell Village March 19
Photo credit: Van Leeuwen
Nationally Beloved Ice Cream Brand Expands to Brickell With Frozen Yogurt Debut
Miami’s dessert scene is about to get even sweeter.
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream — the nationally beloved brand known for its ultra-creamy French-style ice cream and inventive vegan flavors — will open a new scoop shop at Mary Brickell Village on March 19, 2026. The new location at 900 S Miami Ave in Brickell marks the brand’s continued expansion in South Florida and introduces a major first for the company.
The Brickell shop will be Van Leeuwen’s first-ever dual ice cream and frozen yogurt location, debuting the brand’s newly launched frozen yogurt program exclusively in Miami.
Photo credit: Van Leeuwen
A First-Ever Dual Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt Shop
While Van Leeuwen has built a national following with its premium ice cream, the Brickell location will introduce something new: frozen yogurt made the Van Leeuwen way.
According to co-founder and CEO Ben Van Leeuwen, the brand spent years developing the concept in its research kitchens before deciding to launch it publicly.
The frozen yogurt program begins with two signature flavors:
Tart – made with organic A2 Bulgarian yogurt
Matcha – made with ceremonial-grade Japanese matcha
Guests can enjoy the flavors individually or swirled together. Seasonal frozen yogurt flavors will also rotate throughout the year.
The shop will feature an expanded toppings menu including:
strawberries
pistachio kataifi
toasted coconut
mochi
chocolate curls
cookies & cream crumble
Sicilian pistachio cream
Photo credit: Van Leeuwen
Exclusive COYO Taco Collaboration: The Cajeta Sundae
To celebrate the opening, Van Leeuwen has partnered with COYO Taco, a beloved local Miami brand, to create a limited-time Cajeta Sundae.
The dessert features:
exclusive Cajeta ice cream created for the collaboration
salted caramel
whipped cream
COYO Taco churro pieces
The partnership highlights the growing crossover between Miami’s restaurant scene and nationally expanding food brands.
$1 Scoops on Opening Day
Van Leeuwen will celebrate the grand opening with special promotions on Thursday, March 19:
$1 single scoops or small frozen yogurts from 12 PM – 2 PM
Free limited-edition tote bags for the first 100 customers
Opening day hours will run 12 PM to 12 AM, while standard hours after launch will be 11 AM to midnight daily.
More Than 25 Signature Ice Cream Flavors
In addition to frozen yogurt, the Brickell shop will serve more than 25 of Van Leeuwen’s signature ice cream flavors, including:
BIGFACE Coffee Affogato
Honeycomb
Brown Sugar Cookie Dough Brownie
Pistachio (made with Sicilian pistachios from Mount Etna)
Marionberry Cheesecake
Earl Grey Tea
The menu will also include:
sundaes
milkshakes
ice cream sandwiches
housemade waffle cones
pints to go
Popular vegan flavors such as Banana Bread Pudding, Peanut Butter Brownie Honeycomb, and Strawberry Shortcake will also be available.
Credit: Van Leeuwen
A Playful New Addition to Mary Brickell Village
Spanning nearly 1,200 square feet, the new Brickell shop blends Van Leeuwen’s signature pastel design palette with custom tilework inspired by the brand’s Vanilla Bean and Praline Butter Cake flavors.
The space includes both indoor and outdoor seating, designed to create a nostalgic yet modern atmosphere that is just as photogenic as the ice cream itself.
With Brickell continuing to attract new restaurants, cafés, and lifestyle destinations, the arrival of Van Leeuwen adds another nationally recognized brand to the neighborhood’s growing dining scene.
Photo credit: Vina Sananikone
From NYC Ice Cream Truck to National Brand
Van Leeuwen was founded in 2008 as a yellow ice cream truck on the streets of New York City by Ben Van Leeuwen, Pete Van Leeuwen, and Laura O’Neill.
The company quickly developed a cult following thanks to its French-style ice cream, which uses more than twice the egg yolks of traditional ice cream for a richer texture.
Today, the brand operates scoop shops across the United States and sells its ice cream in grocery stores nationwide.
Van Leeuwen Brickell will be located at:
900 S Miami Ave Mary Brickell Village Miami, FL
Mark Zuckerberg Drops $170M on Miami Waterfront Mansion
In one of the most high-profile residential real estate deals in South Florida history, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan have officially closed on an under-construction waterfront estate on Indian Creek Island for $170 million — marking a record-setting sale in Miami-Dade County and one of the most expensive home purchases in the U.S. this year.
️ What Makes This Purchase Historic
The newly acquired property, located at 7 Indian Creek, sits on approximately 1.84 acres on the ultra-exclusive Indian Creek Island — often nicknamed the “Billionaire Bunker” due to its elite roster of residents and stringent privacy.
Originally listed for $200 million in late 2025 by brokers Danny and Jill Hertzberg of Coldwell Banker Realty, the estate ultimately sold for $170 million, making it the most expensive residential sale on record for the county.
With 9 bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, 4 half bathrooms, and sprawling grounds designed for privacy and luxury, the estate was commissioned by a prominent developer who acquired the land years ago and teamed up with world-class designers to craft a spectacular waterfront compound. Renderings shared earlier this year showed the home’s grand architectural vision — including water views, a private dock, pool, and bespoke interior spaces — all epitomizing the pinnacle of coastal luxury living.
Indian Creek Island: Privacy and Prestige Redefined
Indian Creek Island is one of America’s most exclusive residential enclaves, home to a tiny population of ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families. With its own police force, gated bridge access, and just 41 residential lots, the community offers a level of security and seclusion unmatched by most other luxury markets.
Other notable residents include billionaire tech leaders, entertainment icons, and global financial figures — making Zuckerberg and Chan’s arrival part of an elite neighborhood narrative.
Why This Matters: Market Trends and Billionaire Migration
Zuckerberg’s Miami acquisition reflects a broader trend of affluent buyers expanding their real estate holdings into Florida, particularly as some wealthy individuals consider shifting residency away from high-tax states. The Sunshine State’s lack of a personal income tax, world-class lifestyle, and strong global appeal continue to fuel demand for trophy properties.
While this $170 million sale doesn’t eclipse the highest-ever U.S. residential price (a New York penthouse sold for $238 million), it sets a new benchmark for Miami-Dade County and underscores South Florida’s rising stature on the global luxury real estate stage.
Why Buyers Are Choosing Miami
Experts say several key factors make Miami and Indian Creek particularly appealing to ultra-wealthy buyers:
Unmatched privacy and security in enclaves like Indian Creek.
No state income tax — a significant financial benefit compared with high-tax states.
A global lifestyle hub, blending cosmopolitan culture with waterfront living.
As Miami continues to attract top buyers from around the world, Zuckerberg and Chan’s purchase at 7 Indian Creek solidifies the city’s reputation as a premier destination for the world’s wealthiest homeowners.
Brickell Flatiron Tri-Level Penthouse Fetches $9.212M After 28-Day Auction
Photo Credit: Lux Media Group and Carol Villela
A tri-level trophy penthouse crowning Brickell Flatiron is now pending sale for $9.212 million, closing just 28 days after launching via Sotheby’s Concierge Auctions.
The sale culminated live at ModaMiami at The Biltmore Hotel Miami – Coral Gables, in partnership with RM Sotheby’s and in cooperation with Jonathan Garcia and Elena C. Bluntzer of ONE Sotheby’s International Realty.
The result speaks volumes about the continued velocity at the top of Miami’s luxury condo market when product and platform align.
From $14.9M Listing to $9.212M Pending Sale
Originally listed at $14.9 million and on the market for 285 days, the sellers pivoted to a time-certain auction strategy.
Within 28 days, the property was under contract at $9.212 million.
That compression of timeline highlights how competitive auction environments can drive decisive outcomes for high-end properties that may otherwise linger in traditional listing channels.
As Chad Roffers, CEO and Co-Founder of Sotheby’s Concierge Auctions, stated:
“The successful sale of this penthouse underscores continued demand for design-forward residences in Miami’s premier urban core. Presenting the property during ModaMiami positioned it directly in front of a concentrated audience of luxury collectors and decision-makers, creating competitive momentum that led to a standout result.”
A Designer-Ready Trophy Penthouse in the Sky
Spanning three private floors, the corner penthouse represents one of the most architecturally dramatic residences at Brickell Flatiron.
Key features include:
Over 7,800 interior square feet
Approximately 2,700 square feet of terraces
Five bedrooms
Seven full bathrooms
Two powder rooms
Triple-height ceilings
Dedicated in-residence elevator
Floor-to-ceiling glass captures sweeping 200-degree views of the Miami skyline and Biscayne Bay.
The crown jewel remains the ultra-private rooftop terrace, complete with a private pool, wet bar, outdoor shower, and expansive entertaining space designed for sunrise-to-sunset vistas and moonlit gatherings above the Brickell skyline.
Photo Credit: Lux Media Group and Carol Villela
The Power of the Auction Platform
The sale culminated live at ModaMiami — the premier luxury car collector and lifestyle event — in partnership with RM Sotheby’s. That positioning placed the property directly in front of a highly concentrated audience of luxury buyers and collectors.
Jonathan Garcia noted:
“From its scale and private rooftop pool to its commanding skyline views, this penthouse presented a rare opportunity to own within one of Miami’s most iconic towers. Collaborating with Sotheby’s Concierge Auctions ensured this trophy residence was presented to the right global audience, ultimately finding the ideal buyer.”
The takeaway: in today’s Miami luxury market, strategic exposure matters as much as product quality.
What This Means for the Brickell Luxury Market
The $9.212M pending sale reinforces several important trends:
Continued demand for large-scale, design-forward residences
Strong buyer appetite at the top of the market when pricing aligns
Auction strategies gaining traction for ultra-luxury properties
Brickell’s positioning as Miami’s premier urban core
Completed in 2019, Brickell Flatiron remains one of the most recognizable residential towers in the neighborhood, rising 64 stories with 523 residences in the heart of Brickell — steps from Brickell City Centre, Mary Brickell Village, and directly above Sexy Fish.
