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.
Kushner Acquires Multiple Edgewater Sites for a 1,100 Unit Development
In two separate transactions totaling $37.64 million, a Kushner Cos. subsidiary purchased an entire block in Miami’s Edgewater neighborhood.
Biscayne and 19th Street LLC in Miami, owned by Enrique Manhard, sold the 1.33-acre site located at 1900 and 1920 Biscayne Blvd.; 221, 231, 237, 261, 269, and 281 N.E. 19th St.; and 222, 230, 244, and 250 N.E. 20th St. to buyer, Laurent Morali, President of Kushner Cos.
Manhard’s firm built the property with agreements totaling $18.4 million in 2017, $2.52 million in 2018, and $1.64 million in 2020, resulting in a significant profit. The only lot that is not included in the block is the Advance Auto Parts on NE 2nd Avenue.
Several office and residential buildings are located on the land. Some were constructed in the 1920s. The 1900 Biscayne Blvd. site has the same zoning as the nearby 32,775 square foot lot at 2000 Biscayne Blvd. That property was also bought by Kushner for $20.5 million from a firm run by Manhard in July 2021. Its proposals for the other property include 420 units spread across 36 stories.
Kushner executives have stated that they intend to develop around 1,100 residences in Edgewater and their hope is to capitalize on South Miami’s hot market.
Kushner Cos. financed the property through MSD Partner in New York with a $20 million mortgage.
Charles Kushner, the father of Jared Kushner, former President Donald J. Trump’s son-in-law, leads the corporation.
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.
December 2021 Posts Best Sales Month in Miami-Dade Real Estate History
This year has been a record-breaking year for Miami-Dade County real estate. Quarter one, we saw median sales prices reach record numbers as well as the number of homes sold. In the second quarter for 2021, a new record was set for the most home ever sold in that quarter.
In the third quarter, records for highest condo prices sold. And now, Miami has had its best December sales month in history with total homes sales, highest annual total dollar volume, most condo transactions, and most single-family home sales.
According to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for quarter 4, there has been 49% more sales and 103% more dollar volume in 2021. Year 2021 ended with 39,394 existing total property sales, up 49.5 percent from the 26,345 transactions in 2020 and 31.1 percent from the previous annual high of 30,041 transactions in 2013. Miami’s sales in dollars totalled $30.3 billion in 2021, an increase of 103.4 percent year over year.
The total sales record actually broke in October 2021 (10 months) which is a record in itself. In just nine months in 2021, Miami broke its all-time yearly condo sales record, selling 23,689 units, an increase of 80.9 percent over the previous year. Miami set a new record for annual single-family home sales in 11 months, with 15,705 units sold, up 18.5 percent from 2020.
Total home sales in Miami-Dade County increased 14.8% year over year in December 2021, from 2,990 to 3,433. While single-family house sales in Miami fell 1.2 percent, from 1,372 to 1,356, existing condo sales in Miami rose 28.4%, from 1,618 to 2,077. It’s the 15th month in a row that condo prices have risen by double digits year over year.
Nine of the top ten best house sales months in Miami history occurred in the year 2021. The month of June 2021 (with 4,057 total transactions) is still the most active in Miami’s history. Since MIAMI began keeping statistics in 1993, December 2021 (with 3,433 sales) has been the sixth-best sales month overall.
Home sales in Miami are also up considerably from December 2019. Total home sales in Miami increased by 41.6 percent in December 2021 compared to December 2019, from 2,424 to 3,433. Single-family house sales in Miami are up 15.5 percent, while condo transactions are up 66.2 percent, compared to December 2019.
In December 2021, single-family luxury ($1 million and more) transactions in Miami increased 18.6% year over year to 262. Existing condo luxury ($1 million and over) sales in Miami increased by 100% year over year to 264 transactions.
Luxury single-family homes have a 3.2-month supply, while luxury condos have a 7.5-month supply. Month-over-month and year-over-year, luxury months of supply continues to decline for all property categories.
In December 2021, 535 single-family houses priced between $400K and $600K sold in Miami, up 25.6 percent year over year. Existing condo sales in Miami increased by 101.7 percent to 359 deals, with prices ranging from $400K to $600K.
Single-family median prices in Miami-Dade County grew 15.4% year over year in December 2021, rising from $454,900 to $525,000. The median price of a single-family home in Miami has grown for 121 months in a row, a stretch of 10.1 years. The typical price of an existing unit grew 29.3% year over year, from $274,500 to $355,000. In 123 of the last 127 months, condo median prices have risen.
In December 2021, Miami’s total monetary volume was $3.1 billion. The dollar volume of single-family homes climbed 27.7% year over year, from $1.31 billion to $1.67 billion. Year over year, condo dollar volume increased 68.5 percent, from $853 million to $1.4 billion.
In December 2021, cash transactions accounted for 40.4 percent of Miami closed sales, up from 32.2 percent in December 2020. According to the most recent NAR statistics, cash sales account for about 23% of all house sales in the United States. Cash sales made up 49.1% of all existing condo sales in Miami and 27.1 percent of single-family home sales.
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.
Elite Supermodel Adriana Lima Sells Waterfront Indian Creek Mansion for $40 Million
Former Victoria Secret supermodel, Adriana Lima sold her oceanfront Indian Creek Island mansion for $40 million.
Lima purchased the estate located at 22 Indian Creek Road in 2009 for $9 million and then remodeled the home completely in 2020. The home was originally built in 1958 and features 6,465 square feet of living space.
The old listing photos show the all brick ranch situated on 1.84 acres bayfront. The photos also show a traditional floor plan with wood-paneled walls and the original kitchen. The expansive patio overlooks a large dock and gorgeous ocean views.
The 6,465 square-foot mansion was built in 1958 and might be demolished. According to public records, Lima had the home’s interior remodeled in 2020. Although it was remodeled by Lima, the new buyers may demolish the property.
According to public documents, the trust associated with Lima, a Brazilian model, and former Victoria’s Secret Angel, paid $9 million for the four-bedroom, four-bathroom mansion in 2009.
According to the data, both the buyer and the vendor attempted to conceal their identities. Gordon Weiss, the proprietor of the CPA company Weiss & Weiss, manages the sale. Melep International Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company, is named as the buyer. The buyer’s genuine identity is unclear.
Indian Creek Island is a barrier island located in Biscayne Bay and has always attracted the super-wealthy dubbing its name “Billionaire Bunker.” On 294 acres of Island, 41 estates are nestled on the exclusive island surrounding a golf course and country club.
The island is heavily guarded, employing its own professional police force with an armed patrol boat, jeep, and jet-ski, operating 24 hours a day. Record-breaking home sales are commonplace on Indian Creek Island, where extravagance and utmost privilege are the standards.
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.
Another Former Miami Heat Player Sells Miami Mansion
We have been seeing a lot of Miami Heat basketball players, as well as former players, sell their Miami homes. Now we can add former center, Meyers Leonard to the list with his recent sale of a Bay Point waterfront home for $10.89 million.
Leonard and his wife, Elle purchase the home in February of this year for $7.78 million. The property is located at 741 Buttonwood Lane features 6,819 square feet of living space sited on 0.43 acres on an interior lot in a canal with direct access to Biscayne Bay.
The modern waterfront with vine-covered loggias surrounding the exterior showcases 7 bedrooms with 8.5 bathrooms. The estate was built in 1996 and was renovated in 2018 to feature high ceilings, Italian cabinetry by Italkraft, oak hardwood floor throughout, and stainless steel appliances. Outdoors, you will find a 2 car garage, entertainment area with custom seating, and a heated pool/spa. The new owners will also enjoy the aluminum deck with a boat lift.
Eduardo Marquez and his wife Gabriela are listed as the buyers for this property. Marquez is the President of Lucky Player Vodka (located in Miami). The mortgage for the buyers was provided by Citibank for $6 million.
Meyers Leonard, originally from Virginia, played high school basketball for 2 years then was drafted into the NBA in 2012. He was a first-round draft pick but 11th overall. He was traded from the Portland Trail Blazers to the Miami Heat in 2020 where he assisted the Heat to reach the NBA Finals for that year. In 2021, he re-signed another contract with Miami but ended up injuring his shoulder in January 2021.
In a recent Instagram post, Leonard stated on his future of the NBA, “I’m simply not healthy enough to play.” He also stated that he is looking forward to 2022 and what is in store for his career and family.
The Real Wolf of Wall Street Now Calls Miami Home
We can’t stress enough how hot Miami is right now! And we aren’t talking about the temperature. Notables, celebrities, and execs are moving to Magic City daily and another one just joined the ranks. Recently announced that the real ‘Wolf of Wall Street,’ Jordan Belfort is Miami’s newest resident.
Recently, Belfort eloped in Las Vegas with model and now wife, Cristina Invernizzi. Invernizzi is originally from Argentina and is listed as Belfort’s third wife. Belfort and Invernizzi are moving from Las Vegas.
So who is Jordan Belfort? You may have seen the 2013 The Wolf of Wall Street movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio portraying Jordan Belfort. But to dive deeper, Belfort was a former stockbroker who pleaded guilty to multiple crimes related to stock market manipulation and the running of a long-term scam involving penny stocks sending him to prison.
Belfort grew up in Queens, New York where he began selling at a young age. His friend any him would sell Italian water ice desserts out of inexpensive styrofoam coolers at a beach during the summer months where they would earn around $20,000 every summer. Belfort later went to American University where he studied biology and later went to dental school for a short period. In the 1980s Belfort founded Stratton Oakmont, an over-the-counter brokerage house and financial firm that did remarkably well until he was later caught.
Since his sentencing and prison sentence, Belfort has profited off of 2 memoirs that discuss his life during the Stratton Oakmont era, as well as a self-help book on persuasion and influence.
More recently, Belfort has been participating and becoming fully engulfed in the Miami scene. During Art Basel week, he released his very first NFT. The NFT portrays Belfort partying on a yacht surrounded by models, helicopters, and helicopters flying overhead. One of the fascinating depictions includes the yacht being surrounded by FBI agents. David Yarrow is the photographer for the piece.
Another announcement includes Belfort’s announcement for his very own tequila coming to a shelf near you, Mezcel Santo Inferno. We can’t wait to see what else The Wolf has in store for Miami!
