Bal Harbour, located at the northern tip of the barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay, is one of Miami Beach’s most distinctive planned coastal villages. The land was originally part of the Miami Beach Heights Corporation in the 1920s, when developers like Robert C. Graham, Walter O. Briggs, and Carl G. Fisher began transforming marshes and swampland into upscale residential parcels. In the 1930s and ’40s, infrastructure was laid out—sea walls, utilities buried underground, lots mapped out for oceanfront and bayfront homes. The village was incorporated and over time became known for elegant landscaping, designer boutiques, and luxury beachfront living.
What Living in Bal Harbour Is Like & Lifestyle Highlights
Bal Harbour offers a rare combination of exclusive oceanfront living and peaceful, village‑scale elegance. White sand beaches, wide waterfront promenades, and sweeping views of the Atlantic are everyday backdrops. The village’s atmosphere is quiet and refined, with lots of green landscaping, shade trees, and architectural consistency. The centerpiece of the posh neighborhood is the Bal Harbour Shops, a world‑renowned open‑air luxury shopping destination with designer boutiques, fine dining, and upscale amenities. Between resorts, hotel residences, and private oceanfront condos, residents of Bal Harbour enjoy 5‑star services, beach club access, spa amenities, and premium privacy.
Existing & Future Condo Developments in Bal Harbour
Bal Harbour condo inventory features both classic beachfront high‑rises and newer, luxury resort‑style towers. Notable buildings include
The Ritz‑Carlton Bal Harbour,
One Bal Harbour, St. Regis Bal Harbour (
North,
Center, and
South), and
Majestic Tower. The residences here range in size with expansive terraces, ocean or bay views, top‑tier finishes and full concierge / hotel‑level amenities. For example, One Bal Harbour offers large floor plans, a five‑star spa, and sweeping views of the Atlantic, Haulover Inlet, and Downtown Miami skyline. Currently, the only pre-construction condominium development in the neighborhood is
Rivage Bal Harbour - an ultra-luxury, oceanfront tower with just 88 condo residences.
Appeal & Why Buyers Love Bal Harbour
The main draw of Bal Harbour is exclusivity combined with luxury: secluded beaches, private ocean access, and a sense of retreat that’s still close to everything Miami offers. Unlike denser neighborhoods, Bal Harbour maintains lower‑rise scale in many parts, high standards for design and landscaping, and strong zoning protections that preserve its quiet character. Amenities are as much about lifestyle as location—resort pools, beach services, wellness, fine dining, boutique shopping, and art‑oriented luxuries. For many residents of Bal Harbour, it’s a place to live like you’re on vacation year‑round.
Proximity & Access to Miami’s Major Destinations
Bal Harbour’s location gives it excellent access to the rest of the Miami metro without sacrificing its exclusivity. By car, it’s about 25 minutes from South Beach, 30 minutes from Brickell, and similarly about 30 minutes to the Miami International Airport and Fort Lauderdale‑Hollywood International Airport. While secluded, Bal Harbour is still very connected—State Road A1A runs through it, and main causeways and bridges make it easy to reach nightlife, business districts, and cultural hubs.
