Take a Look Inside the Design District’s Newest Italian Restaurant with a Pink Flair – Sofia
With the opening of Sofia in Miami’s Design District, the team behind Miami favorites Byblos and Amal has continued to grow throughout South Florida. The chic, predominantly pink restaurant is a Toronto import that offers fine Italian cuisine.
In close proximity to the recently Michelin-recognized Itamae, Sofia debuts a menu of both contemporary and classic Italian meals that are produced with a refined technique and seasonal ingredients to honor the true flavors of Italy. A variety of antipasti will be available, including Crudo, grilled octopus, citrus salads, and ricotta-stuffed zucchini.
For entrées, Sofia serves traditional handmade pasta dishes like rigatoni alla vodka and cacio e pepe al tartufo. Among the standouts from the carne mains are wagyu filets, breaded veal, and prime striploin, among others. The pesce area also includes branzino, aragosta (butter-poached crab), and gamberetti (wild king prawn).
Sofia’s Italy-inspired cocktails stress execution and graceful presentation, and its wine list includes a variety of vintages and difficult-to-find Italian wines, which are garnished with locally grown herbs. The restaurant’s flamingo-pink, Italian-glam indoor-outdoor settings was created by award-winning group Studio Munge, and they will be brought to life every night with DJs and live performances.
Sofia hopes to become Palm Court’s newest signature restaurant, according to INK founder and CEO Charles Khabouth, despite the fact that the Design District is already home to a number of upscale eateries, including well-known Italian restaurants like MC Kitchen and Palat and Pharrell’s ultra-trendy pastel wonderland Swan.
The Sofia restaurant will be open every day of the week starting at 5 p.m. breakfast and lunch service will start soon following the supper service, which will start now.
Miami International Auto Show Returns to Miami October 15-23, 2022
One of the biggest car shows in the country, the Miami International Auto Show, has revealed the dates for its nine-day event this year: October 15–23, 2022 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
At this year’s auto show, more than 500 of the best cars, trucks, SUVs, and motorcycles will be on display. Over 700,000 guests from all over the world are anticipated for this year’s event.
The South Florida Automobile Dealers Association has been the show’s sponsor since it debuted in 1971. Over the course of its 50-year run, the program has donated over $7 million to regional causes, with the most recent $400,000 going to a longtime partner, the Ronald McDonald House.
The past event included around 300,000 people in attendance, in addition to automakers, historic vehicle groups, and automotive enthusiasts from around the world. Acura, Alfa Romeo, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Genesis, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Lexus, Nissan, Ram, Subaru, Toyota, and Volkswagon are among the exhibitors this year.
The convention center offers $30 for a limited amount of valet parking, which is accessible on a first come, first served basis. Across 17th St. is a municipal garage that charges $2 per hour with a $20 daily maximum. You can view a complete map of convention center parking before you arrive through the shows website. Miami Beach also offers additional public lots and garages close by.
The thrills happen at the Miami Beach Convention Center from October 15–23, 2022. Children under 12 are admitted for $6; adults must pay $15.
Electra America and BH Group are Partnering for a $1 Billion Renovation Project at Southland Mall in Cutler Bay
More than 4,000 units will be included in a $1 billion makeover plan for the Southland Mall in Cutler Bay, which was unveiled by Lake Park-based Electra America and Miami-based BH Group.
The 80-acre site will have mixed-use additions from Miami-based real estate company BH Group, its multifamily partner American Landmark in Tampa, and Electra. According to a press statement, they will contain a 150-key hotel, 60,000 square feet of medical office space, 150,000 square feet of retail out lots, and a public amphitheater.
The present mall building won’t be demolished, though, according to the developers. Instead, while the original mall is being rebuilt, the development would take place in the parking lot.
A new grand entry on U.S. 1, a pedestrian bridge to the brand-new BRT stop, trolley stops, and an amphitheater with a bandshell are all additional attractions.
The partnership purchased the indoor shopping center at 20505 South Dixie Highway in May for $100.3 million. Southplace City Center is the name of the new endeavor.
According to a press statement, Electra America, headed by managing partner Joe Lubeck, and its partners want to start construction on the first residential building in 2023, with a completion date of early 2025. Starting rent will be $2,500 per month.
MSA Architects is developing the master plan for Southplace City Center.
In the first five years, according to the project’s creator, 2,700 employment would be generated.
The redevelopment site is located in an Opportunity Zone, a region that has been set aside by the government with the goal of promoting growth and job creation in low-income areas. As a result, the partnership might draw in investors looking for tax advantages from project investment.
Record Breaking Waterfront Mansion Sold in Coconut Grove for $106.9 Million
Adrienne Arsht, a local philanthropist, set a Miami-Dade County record when she sold her waterfront property in Coconut Grove for $106.9 million.
The sale of the home represents a 29% decrease from the property’s initial $150 million asking price and this sale marks the first residential sale to exceed the $100 million threshold.
The 2 two-story homes sit on 3031 and 3115 Brickell Avenue and are frequently referred to as South Florida’s “embassy,” due to the many U.S. and international officials frequenting the home.
There are a total of 12 bedrooms and 13 and a half bathrooms in the 25,000-square-foot home. The 4-acre property has 400 feet of water frontage, is close to Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, and overlooks Biscayne Bay. The main house, known as Indian Spring, was built by Arsht in 1999.
It has a dining room that seats more than 20 people, a six-car garage with an office and apartment upstairs, a pool, and a tennis court. Indian Spring was designed by Jose Gelabert-Navia, a former dean of the University of Miami School of Architecture. Villa Serena, the other house, was constructed in 1913.
The property was developed by William Jennings Bryan, a former U.S. Secretary of State and a 3x presidential candidate. Arsht restored the waterfront mansion and it is now registered in the National Register of Historic Places.
According to records, she purchased the property in two transactions, paying $4 million for the land on which the contemporary house was built in 1996 and then $12 million for the ancient home in 2007.
Arsht, a native of Delaware, made a name for herself in Miami’s financial world and as an arts patron. She gave the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts a $30 million gift, earning it the moniker Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami’s Arts & Entertainment District. She has also served as TotalBank’s chair in the past.
The transaction surpasses the previous high in Miami-Dade, which was set this summer by the $93 million purchase of three homes in Golden Beach by the founder of the technology business InterSystems. Ragon intends to demolish the buildings and build a new house in their stead.
New Research Shows Miami is on the Way to Being the Next Silicon Valley
According to recent research from Moody’s Analytics, a division of New York-based Moody’s Corporation, the expansion of Miami-Dade County’s finance and technology sectors significantly boosted the region’s office market throughout the pandemic leaving the potential for Miami to replace Silicon Valley.
Miami has the potential to develop into a prosperous tech center, according to Lu Chen, a senior economist at Moody’s and co-author of “The Growing Power of Tech on Miami’s Commercial Real Estate Market.”
Fintech companies have found The Magic City to be the most alluring. According to the survey, businesses from New York are increasingly choosing to relocate to Miami due to high taxes, building/office costs, as well as housing.
For instance, the report stated that the fintech business FundKite moved its headquarters from New York to Miami “because it has become a solid hub for the financial industry and has a lot of good expertise and manpower accessible.”
This continued pattern has allowed the office landlords in Miami-Dade County to raise rent demands faster than the national average, including in San Francisco, California.
According to the survey, incomes for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) workers in South Florida have not increased as much as asking rents in Miami-Dade.
The average salary for STEM workers nationwide increased by 6.8% in 2021 compared to the previous year. San Francisco saw a 1.9% increase in STEM earnings. Their increase in South Florida was only 0.9%.
As of August 13, the typical STEM job nationwide paid $53,428 per year. STEM jobs in Florida typically pay $40,081 a year. In California, STEM salaries pay an average of $48,899 annually.
In contrast to the San Francisco Bay area and other well-established technology centers, South Florida has a very small proportion of the total number of tech jobs.
According to Chen, only 3% of jobs in South Florida are in the high-tech sector, compared to 23.5% in the San Francisco area.
Other challenges for Miami’s expanding technology sector, according to Moody’s, include the impact of climate change, South Florida’s transportation infrastructure, the underrepresentation of minorities in higher-level positions, and concerns about educational standards.
The San Francisco Bay area has significantly more prestigious universities that develop technology talent, according to the study on education. The report states that “Miami must attract more students interested in tech.”
However, the survey noted that there is cause for hope because there are regional initiatives like Computer Equity Miami that seek to increase accessibility to tech education for all of its citizens. Miami’s advantages also include a high concentration of banks and businesspeople.
South Florida ranks sixth in the nation for the proportion of all U.S. entrepreneurs. Moody’s attributed this ranking to the region’s 150 banks and 500,000 accredited investors, which offer a variety of choices for raising financing.
Miami is attracting a lot of interest from bitcoin businesses as a result of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and other local leaders placing significant bets on the technology.
Suarez’s efforts to establish Miami as a crypto hub, according to David Caputo, a commercial real estate data quality analyst for Moody’s, have aided in luring crypto businesses to that city, including Blockchain.com, which has reportedly facilitated more than $1 trillion in crypto transactions since its establishment in 2011.
According to Moody’s research, the future of cryptocurrencies may very well determine Miami’s status as a global tech hub. Although the value of cryptocurrencies has fallen recently, the report’s co-author Caputo claimed there isn’t much of a negative for Miami.
New Renderings Revealed for Baccarat Residences Miami
The newest pre-construction tower in downtown Miami, Baccarat Residences Miami, will soon adorn the Miami skyline with its stunning glass facade, and now the developers have released some very impressive renderings that show what the Baccarat brand truly represents.
Rising 75 stories located at 444 Brickell Avenue, the collection includes 324 residences that will begin on the 15th level. The top 3 floors will feature 8 penthouses with immaculate ocean and skyline views. In addition, there will also be 28 riverfront flats and duplexes of your choosing.
Units will range from 1,330 square feet to over 7,000 square feet, with each unit featuring integrated purified air and water filters, impact-resistant floor-to-ceiling glass doors, 8-foot deep private terraces, and 10-foot high ceilings. Kitchens will be top-of-the-line with high-end appliances, granite counters, and custom cabinetry.
Interior Designed by Meyer Davis Studio, the building design incorporated a mixture of 18th-century French and 1930s Art Deco. The developer includes the Related Group with the landscape architecture designed by Enzo Enea.
The elevated waterfront amenities deck will include an infinity pool with killer views of Miami and Biscayne Bay. Enjoy fine dining at the 10,000-square-foot restaurant that will be announced once construction continues. Additional amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness center, spa, wine cellar, and tasting room.
DEVELOPMENT OVERVIEW
Privileged Brickell waterfront position, where the Miami River meets Biscayne Bay
A dazzling contemporary 75-story glass tower
Collection of 324 tower residences, 8 penthouses, and 28 riverfront flats and duplexes
Panoramic views of Biscayne Bay, the Miami River, and the Miami city lights and skyline from every residence
Artful service and amenities impeccably curated by Baccarat Hotels & Residences and expertly managed by SH Hotels & Resorts
Lushly landscaped waterfront promenade and private marina
Lushly landscaped secluded private entrance leading to the riverfront arrival court and elegant porte-cochere entrance
Exquisitely appointed entrance lobby with grand high ceilings leading directly to three banks of double private elevators to each residence
Permanent installation of curated museum-quality art collection throughout the building’s public spaces
Elevated 12th-level amenities resort deck loaded with a dramatic zero-entry heated saline swimming pool, outdoor spa, pool-side cabanas, summer kitchen area, and beautifully landscaped sun terrace
Glamorously designed Grand Salon, set as the ideal location for both intimate gatherings and grand celebrations
Luxurious Clubroom with bar and billiards, catering kitchen, and multimedia facilities
State-of-the-art fully equipped fitness center curated by Altitude
Fitness with cardio theater, spinning room, yoga, and meditation rooms, all overlooking the pool deck resort area
Hammam spa with men’s and women’s steam and sauna facilities, luxurious treatment rooms, and a spa shop
Private screening room with cutting-edge audiovisual equipment and theater-style seating
Game room with multimedia facilities and children’s playroom
Business Center with conference facilities and private workspaces
Gourmet market
Wine Cellar and Tasting Room
State-of-the-art Chef’s Kitchen and Private Dining room
Pet-friendly community with Pet Spa, Grooming, and Walk Service
Hair Salon & Barber Station
High-speed internet access in all public areas
Electric vehicle charging stations
Air-conditioned storage rooms
Bicycle storage spaces
BACCARAT GLOBAL MEMBER PRIVILEGES
Baccarat Owners Circle Services include private shopping, discounts on Baccarat crystal, discounted engraving and gilding, and priority status for custom production
Exclusive tour package to Baccarat France, available only to owners of Baccarat Residences
Invitations to Baccarat events worldwide
Preferred service and privileges at Maison’s Baccarat (Paris and Moscow), BBar (Tokyo), and Crystal Rooms worldwide
Hotel privileges in Baccarat Hotels and SH Hotels & Resorts worldwide
Baccarat Residences has an estimated completion date of 2026. If you or someone you know have an interest in purchasing one of the units at Baccarat Residences Miami, please contact Lucas Lechuga via email at [email protected] or by phone at (786)247-6332.
Spinning Pan Am Globe Installed at Miami “World”center
Since the Miami Museum of Science closed its South Miami Avenue building in 2015, the enormous 1934 Pan Am globe of the world that once welcomed guests to the museum. The massive and vibrant sphere has since undergone substantial restoration, and it has been placed in its new, permanent outdoor location at the massive Miami Worldcenter complex in the Park West neighborhood.
In South Florida, the globe is a significant historical item. The former Pan American station on Dinner Key, which is now Miami City Hall, is where the 31-foot-5-inch, 6,500-pound globe was began.
Since moving it to the Frost Museum’s new facility would have been too difficult, the Miami Worldcenter will start spending $700,000 starting in 2020 to restore and weatherproof the globe with its original “approximately 1934” era lines.
A representative of the Miami Worldcenter stated “The Pan-Am globe depicts the world at a critical point in history – prior to World War II and when Miami was first realizing its position as a gateway for tourism and transportation.”
“It was important to the museum to find a partner that would care for this historic piece and ensure that the community can continue to enjoy this local icon,” stated the President and CEO of the Frost Museum.
Once complete, the Miami Worldcenter will feature 27-acres of retail, restaurants, shopping venues, and entertainment destinations. Retail will include 300,000 square feet of space and 40+ businesses.
Some notable retailers have already signed leases for the Miami Worldcenter which include Bowlero, Lucid Motors, and Sephora. Two luxurious restaurants are also named as the new lease holders, Maple & Ash and Laurel Brasserie. Maple & Ash is a famous Chicago restaurant that has now expanded to Arizona and now Miami. Laurel Brasserie is Miami Chef’s Michael Beltrans creation, with an anticipated opening date this summer.
A second Soho House, called Miami Pool House, will be launched in Miami in the fall/winter of 2022 by the Membership Collective Group Inc.
The Membership Collective Group (MCG) is a vibrant, and international membership platform that links members through physical and digital places.
The Miami Pool House will be located at 105-107 NE 25th St. at an old printing press called Windward Publishing, which was most recently a private residence. It will house the new Miami facility near the border between Wynwood and Edgewater.
There will be a pool, lounge areas, a restaurant on the terrace, a club area, and a cottage bar in the House. As a result, there will be a laid-back, laptop-friendly workspace where people can hang out during the day and enjoy some entertainment in the evening.
Miami Pool House will emphasize the local Miami artist community through committed relationships, programming, and its art collection.
According to the Area General Manager, Philip Spee, “Soho Beach House has been a part of Miami for nearly 12 years since we opened in 2010, and we’ve loved to help connect a diverse, vibrant, and creative set of members and guests over that time. The team and I are delighted to bring another location to our local and visiting members that will provide a platform for them to come together and connect socially and professionally.”
Exclusively for members and their guests, Miami Pool House will be accessible. Miami Pool House is open to Local House members. Those who belong to a House, however, have access to every Soho House in the world.
Nick Jones established Soho House in 1995. It serves as a space for our varied members to interact, develop, enjoy themselves, and create an effect.
Today, there are members and houses all over the world, along with eateries, spas, offices, and movie theaters. A location where people can exchange ideas and build connections in both physical and virtual environments, Soho House is a platform that supports all forms of creativity.
There are currently 30 Soho Houses, 9 Soho Works, The Ned in London, Scorpios Beach Club in Mykonos, Soho Home, interiors and lifestyle retail brands, and digital outlets are all ways that members from all over the world interact with MCG. The larger portfolio of MCG also includes the LINE and Saguaro hotels in North America.
Casa Bella by B&B Italia Reaches 60% Sold
Casa Bella by B&B Italia located in Downtown Miami on Biscayne Boulevard has just reached 60% sold within the first 5 months of launching sales.
Casa Bella will feature 3 towers and 2 will rise 57 stories while 1 will rise 50. The first tower will feature 300 luxury units although 1,430 residential units have been approved for the site. The towers will have 1,629 parking spaces and will be connected by a podium.
The newest tower will feature 1 to 5-bedroom floor plans with only 6 units per floor. Interiors will be designed by Pierro Lissoni with landscape architecture by Enzo Ena. The double-height lobby will also be designed by Lissoni and will feature a mixture of sophistication and modern designs with a permanent collection of museum-quality art located throughout.
The location of this tower places residences near the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts and the Miami International University of Art and Design. The Omni Station Bus Loop is also 1 block away.
With the reopening of borders and the lifting of the pandemic restrictions as of November 8, 2021, we will likely see an increase in international buyers, especially for the new construction towers. Currently, international buyers are representing around 50% of new construction developments while earlier in the year, they were only representing 20%.
Construction for the development is estimated for winter 2022 with an anticipated completion date of 2025. If you or someone you know have an interest in purchasing at Casa Bella, please contact Lucas Lechuga via email at [email protected] or by phone at (786)247-6332.
Inter Miami Receives Approval for Miami Freedom Park
David Beckham has finally won after a 9 year-long battle, for a land lease for a Major League Soccer stadium in Miami. On Thursday, Miami Commissioners voted a 4 to 1 lease for 73 acres of city-owned property that will house a massive development to host the Inter Miami soccer games. Beckham and partners (Jorge and Jose Mas) were awarded a 99-year lease to develop the new name, Miami Freedom Park.
The plan for the ‘park’ would convert the Melreese golf course into a soccer league stadium that could host 40,000 attendees, retail shops, parking with rooftop fields, a hotel, and a 58-acre park. The plans also include sharing the stadium with the University of Miami Hurricanes football team.
With the vote approval came some changes, which include the annual rent increase from $3.57 million to $4.3 million, with a 6% gross revenue if that figure is treated than rent. The construction fee was raised from $500,000 to $650,000 18 months after the lease was signed, with another $100,000 rise per year for four years and a $1 million penalty in the fifth year if the stadium was not completed.
The vote for this development has been delayed 4 times and there still needs additional approval for zoning changes before they receive the green light for the project, which will take place in quarter 4 of 2022.
Also in attendance was Miami Mayor, Francis Suarez, who seemed to thank the Miami commission after the deal. He strongly supported the project from day 1, “I have never been prouder to be a Miamian than I am today. No matter how difficult, how long, how frustrating, good days and bad days, I always knew that this would happen.”
