Sexy Fish Miami Opens its Doors with a Grand Opening Celebration
Sexy Fish has finally opened and we had a front-row seat to the culinary experience. February 3rd marked the formal opening of the iconic London-based restaurant’s first United States location. From sophisticated decor to delectable cuisine, we have the details that will make you want to book a reservation now!
The brainchild behind the London-based restaurant, Richard Caring first opened the restaurant in 2015 in the affluent Mayfair district of London. The location and style draw in celebrities, notables, and stylish crowds alike. Caring also owns many of London’s most celebrated restaurants including, The Ivy, Scott’s, and 34 Mayfair. He has also played a hand in the development of the globally renowned private member’s club, Annabel’s.
The interior designers of Sexy Fish along with Martin Brudnizki Design Studio thoughtfully one of the most photogenic restaurants in Miami. Designed by SeaVisions, the large illuminated fish tank is the centerpiece of the restaurant spanning across the wall of the private dining room. Throughout you’ll see gorgeous artwork but Damien Hirst and 26 custom fish lamps created by Frank Gehry.
The menu itself is a masterpiece with classics inspired by Asia and Japan. The Chef Director Bjoern Weissgerber has created appetizing items that include Duck Salad, Smoked Tuna Belly, Black Cod, King Crab, Bone Marrow, and crispy Eringi Mushroom. Don’t miss the Sexy Gold Fish or Crispy Caviar that is marinated with gold-flake sea bass. There is also an extensive wine and champagne list with signature cocktails including Chocolate and Wine, Yuzu, and Elderflower.
The opening night included a private performance by Mary J. Blige with notables Dan Mikesell, Pepe Gonzalez, Kathryn Mikesell, and David Castillo. With ‘healing DJs, mermaid dancers, late-night entertainment, and thematic entertainment, the opening night was a success!
Reservations are booking quickly with a month out for the next reservation. To inquire about bookings and additional information, click here.
The Regent Cocktail Club Reopens After 2 Years
It has been a rough couple of years for businesses due to COVID and the rising costs of goods/services. Within the past 2 years, a lot of businesses had to close, including one of South Beach’s favorite spots, The Regent. Recently, the Havana-inspired bar and lounge reopened with a new cocktail menu that will quench your thirsts.
Located inside the Gale South Beach, the bar and lounge originally opened in 2012. The bar was named in the Top Ten Hotel Bars in the World in 2017. In March 2020, The Regent closed its doors shortly after a renovation in 2019.
Before it was The Regent, it was called the Rec Room and was more of a night club themed spaced. Due to the renovation, the bar is now 3x the size of the once nightclub. The bar can also hold up to 200 guests.
Although The Regent is located in the Gale South Beach, you can still enter through a separate door behind the hostess stand of the Dolce restaurant. Once you make your way through the stairwell illuminated by neon signs, you will enter the bar area with a 10+ seat bar, comfy chairs, and leather banquettes.
The bar pays homage to classic 1920’s speakeasy with low lighting, leather fixtures, and privacy. In the early hours, hear low levels of jazz but the bass will rise later once the DJ starts spinning.
While you’re there, grab a Champiña or Peach One from the signature menu. If you get hungry, there is a limited food menu with cheese plates, chicken empanadas, and chips and guacamole.
The Regent is open Thursday through Saturday from 7 pm to 2 am.
5th Annual Automotive Showcase to take Place in the Miami Design District
Miami Concours will host the 5th annual automotive showcase in February 2022 located in the Miami Design District. The showcase was designed to celebrate American supercars but this year, it will be honoring one of the most iconic supercar collectors in the country.
The automotive show will be honoring innovator and car manufacturer, James Glickenhaus by showcasing his personal collection of supercars including his new production cars. He will also be showcases his one-of-a-kind race car.
Miami Concours will also be displaying John Hennessy’s limited edition Hennessy Venom F5 Hypercar. With only 24 of these cars manufactured, the price tag reaches to $2.8 million and can go up to 250 mph.
The showcase will also feature 60 hand-selected post-war automobiles that are owned by some of the most exclusive and significant collectors in the country.
A red carpet will run from NE 39th Street to NE 41st Street stretching half a mile, showcasing all of the unique and exclusive cars that concours has to offer. The show will take place on Sunday, February 18th-20th, 2022 beginning at 11am. You can register your concours car here.
Do these Miami Restaurants have the Best Sandwiches in the US?
Who has the best sandwich in Miami? According to a consumer poll on Mashed.com, two of the best sandwiches in the United States are located right in our very own Miami. The sandwiches we are referring to include a cheesesteak sandwich from Batch Gastropub in Miami and a croqueta preparada from Sanguich de Miami located in Little Havana.
The Batch Gastropub creates a heavenly sandwich by brushing a smoke paprika aioli stacked with shaved ribeye that’s covered with white American cheese. The “cherry on top” is the sautéed hot cherry peppers and onions.
According to mashed.com, “The steak is juicy and exquisite, the bun is light, fresh, and a little crispy, and the pickled hot cherry peppers have just the right amount of heat to shine through all of the richness.”
The croqueta is in a whole other league with stacked high slices of ham and roasted pork topped with Swiss cheese. Extras include croquettes, mustard, and pickles.
“There’s a lot to appreciate about this sandwich, but the real stroke of genius is the choice to masterfully tuck a few croquettes in between all the unctuous meat, briny pickles, and melted cheese,” according to the review on this sandwich form Saquich de Miami.
Other restaurants that have made best food lists include Makoto in Bal Harbour and Itamae in Miami.
The South Beach Jazz Festival is Back for Another Year
The South Beach Jazz Festival is back for another year and we can’t be more excited! Scheduled for this weekend you can find some of the top jazz performers at venues throughout Miami Beach.
The show is set for January 7-9, 2022, and was designed to showcase the musical abilities of people with disabilities. According to the new President of Power Access, the non-profit organization that hosts the festival, “It is in our mission to provide opportunities for musicians with disabilities and so at least one musician in each group does have a disability,” states R. David New.
New himself became blind, deaf, and partially paralyzed due to a rare disease but later regained his ability to hear and walk. With his personal experiences, this festival is very close to him and he is happy to be able to continue the tradition for 2022.
The pre-festival show will take place at the Faena Theater on Thursday, Jan. 6th. The performers will include pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba and singer Aymee Nuviola. Their recent 2020 album was nominated for a Grammy Award in the “Best Latin Jazz” category. The album is a tribute to their mothers as well as their home, Havana.
The opening act on Friday, January 7th is Grammy Award-winning Blind Boys of Alabama. Also performing is New Orleans saxophonist Donald Harrison and drummer Art Blakey’s famed Jazz Messengers. Also in attendance will be the University of Miami Jazz Quintet with Kaleen Barton.
The opening pre-festival and the Friday shows will be a ticketed event while the other shows are free.
As for COVID protocols, all performances are expected to be outside except the pre-festival show. According to R. David New, “We are taking every precaution possible to make our event safe and enjoyable for the entire community.” Social distancing and masks will be encouraged. To see a full list of performers as well as their locations, click here.
Top Tech Giants That Made the Move to Miami in 2021
A slew of new technology executives and investors have relocated or acquired houses in Miami during 2021. This is of no surprise with the growing tech industry, cryptocurrency evolution, and just better benefits/housing opportunities for companies/execs emerging in the Miami area.
Here are the top 10 big tech execs that have made their way to Miami in 2021:
Co-founder of Paypal, Peter Thiel recently purchased 2 Miami mansions for a total of $18 million in Miami Beach. Thiel is also the co-founder of Founders Fund who recently leased office space in Wynwood.
General partner for Bling Capital, Benjamin Ling purchased a mansion on Palm Island for $28 million.
CEO of Goody, Edward Lando purchased a $15.1 million mansion on the Venetian Islands. Not only did he purchase on the Venetian Islands but he did purchase a Miami Beach home in April for $3.3 million.
CEO of PKWARE, Spencer Kupferman purchased a waterfront mansion in Bay Harbor Islands for $12.75 million in September.
Former CEO of Paypal, Bill Harris relocated to Wynwood where he launched Nirvana Technology in 2021.
CEO of SeedInvest, Ryan Feit moved to Miami shortly after he opened an office for this company in Miami.
Co-Founder of Oracle, Larry Ellison bought a mansion in North Palm Beach after Oracle downsized and relocated to South Florida.
CEO of Teal, David Fano moved his corporate headquarters from New York to Miami in February 2021.
Co-Founder of Spectrum Labs, Justin Davis moved to South Florida after Spectrum’s headquarters moved from San Francisco to Miami even though they are still allowing their company’s employees to work remotely.
TechCrunch Founder, Jack Arrington purchased a home in Coral Gables for $16 million in the Old Cutler Bay neighborhood.
Miami is not only the ideal location for techies but for the Month of November, Miami was considered one of the most popular U.S. destinations to relocate to. This is the fourth month in a row that Miami is leading the nation and you can bet, that it will continue to be the go-to city.
Moishe Mana Expands Portfolio to 3 Buildings for $25.4 Million in Miami
Miami’s biggest landlord, Moishe Mana, has bought three additional buildings to add to his forever expanding portfolio. As part of his aim to convert the Downtown Miami into an innovation and cultural centre, he plans to create, Mana Common. Moishe Mana has spent much of this year investing in commercial properties as well as residential properties in Miami that he has been making a big time profit on!
Mana paid a total of $25.4 million for the three properties at 100 North Miami Avenue, 173 Northeast First Street, and 124 Northeast Second Avenue. The buildings total 50,197 square feet, and are part of Mana’s portfolio of more than 60 properties in and surrounding Downtown Miami.
According to property records, the two-story, 18,535-square-foot structure at 100 North Miami Avenue was built on 0.2 acres in 1941. According to state corporate filings, the seller Flexini Investments is led by Mario Sapoznik. The two-story, 7,200-square-foot building at 124 Northeast Second Avenue, erected in 1922 on less than 0.1 acre, is two blocks west, according to property records. On 0.3 acres, it lies next to the two-story, 24,462-square-foot structure at 173 Northeast First Street. The two buildings were sold by SG & S, which was led by Ana White.
The majority of his properties are older low- to mid-rise buildings with small businesses including clothes boutiques, pawn shops, and cafes.
Mana intends to repair or redevelop his properties to establish Mana Common, a campus-like space aimed at integrating Latin American and American digital companies. Despite the fact that Mana has started work on several of his properties after years of land acquisition, he has run across some roadblocks recently.
Mana had commissioned engineering inspections prior to beginning repairs, which revealed the buildings had “significant structural issues.” Mana Common’s representative declined to provide an update on the buildings. Some of the buildings that he has started repairs include the Nikola Tesla Innovation Hub, a fashion mall, the Flagler Studios, and another building on East Flagler Street.
Miami Real Estate Sets Another Record for its Best Sales Month for November in History
Miami-Dade has seen yet another record smashed for real estate sales this year. November is now officially had its best sales month in history following highest total home sales, highest condo sales, and highest single-family home sells.
As of November, Miami has officially hit 35,961 total home sales with the previous record hitting 30,041 transactions for 2013. Although November has the highest home sales for any November in History, June 2021 is still considered the number one sales month in Miami history. November is ranked the 8th best month overall.
Total home sales for Miami-Dade County rose 22.9% for the month of November to 3,021 sales. This is up from 2,459 sales compared to October sales. Single family home sales have increased 1.2% to 1,168, while condo sales have seen a dramatic increase of 42% at 1,853.
For November, Miami home sales showed an increase at 48.6% compared to November 2019. For home sales, transactions saw a 20.2% increase and a 74.6% for condo transactions compared to November 2019.
Luxury single-family home sales saw an increase in 28.2% at 209 sales for November 2021. While luxury condo sales rose 115.6% at 207 transactions.
As for the Miami home sale supply, luxury single-family home sale are 3.6 months and luxury condos remain at 8.4 months with a trend downward month after month.
Single family homes saw an increase of 15.1% between the prices $400,000 to $600,000 with 405 transaction in November. Condo sales that were in the same price range also saw a 132.6% increase at 321 transactions.
The dollar volume totaled $2.2 billion for November with an increase in single family home volume by 14.9% and condo dollar volume at 92.8%.
For the state of Florida, closed single-family home sales totaled 27,541 bringing the total sales up 4.3% compared to last year. Condo sales are down 5.4% at 11,598 total sales.
Median home sales price rose 19.6% with a median sales price $364,900, while the condo sales price is up 19.9% with units median sales price averaging in $273,270.
Cash sales accounted for 60% of all Miami home sales more than the national average for November 2021. For closed sales, cash represented 38.4% of Miami closed sales. For condo sales, cash represented 46.9% while 24.9% represented single-family home transactions.
The demand for Miami real estate continues to increase. The factors that have caused this increase include travel restrictions being lifted to the states, low interest rates, and lack of covid restrictions.
Developers for Legacy Hotel & Residences Receives Third Largest Construction Loan Ever in Florida
Developer Dan Kodsi’s Royal Palm Companies recently received a $340 million construction loan for Legacy Hotel & Residences. New York-based real estate lending joint venture Silverstein Capital Partners, provided the loan for a condo-hotel construction tower that will be located in Downtown Miami at Miami Worldcenter.
According to a press release, the financing is the third-largest construction loan ever made in Florida, behind two others for projects in Miami-Dade. The other two loans were for the building of The Estates at Acqualina in Sunny Isles Beach ($558 million) and Five Park in Miami Beach ($345 million).
Legacy Hotel & Residences began selling in late 2019 and despite the pandemic, it is already entirely pre-sold, with $160 million in sales.
The luxury tower located at 942 Northeast First Avenue, will rise 50 stories at 668 feet tall making it the second tallest tower at Miami Worldcener. This mixed-use development will feature 312 residential units, 262 luxury hotel rooms, a business center, medical office, retail space, and rooftop atrium.
The residences will include studio to 2 bedroom floor plans with 368 to 964 square feet options. The units will be fully finished and furnished. One of the unique things about Legacy is that residents will be able to rent their units without any restrictions. This includes utilizing a short-term rental company, whether its the Legacy’s rental program, Airbnb, or VRBO.
Not only is this loan one of the largest construction loans in Florida but this is also Silverstein Capital Partner’s first South Florida loan. Larry Silverstein of Silverstein Properties is an affiliate of the financial group and also led the development of the World Trade Center after 9/11.
Kobi Karp Architects, Design Agency, and ID & Design International designed the structure.
The ground-breaking for Legacy Hotel & Residences occurred in August 2021 and is expected to reach top-off in 2024.
