Latin Music Week Is Here! Read About This… Posted on October 2, 2023 by Sarah Elles Boggs My friends, Latin Music Week is here. In most of the world, they probably don’t care much about it but in Miami, Latin Music is life. Buckle up. Hear the reggaeton and embrace the culture. For my tribute this year, I’m going to uncover some secrets. Sound studios that not many people know about and they’re all right here with us. Some of the best sounds to blast on your speaker could have been produced right here. The stars could be your neighbors. Latin Music has had such a surge in popularity and we are so happy to be able to be here with these people as they rise to stardom. Not everyone understands the words they sing, but they’re always soulful and never about violence. We have an immense respect for the hill these artists have to climb in order to get on the Billboard charts, so let’s celebrate them. Where The Stars Live If you have been out and about in Brickell, you might have bumped into a latin megastar without realizing it. They are known to have homes somewhere in the Brickell or Downtown area. When out and about, they look just like your or I. I ran into J Balvin at brunch recently at Le Bouchon and aside from his hair color, he blended with everyone. Nobody bothered him and he didn’t bother anyone. Nicky Jam was casually hanging out in the lobby of Rise at Brickell City Center, even though we have known him to have apartments at Millecento Residences and Paramount Miami Worldcenter, finally settling at 1000 Museum. Chencho Corleone was a fixture at Barsecco with his signature hairstyle before he got famous. Now he would need a security detail but the vibe is still there and we can’t ignore Bad Bunny’s restaurant, Gekko, in SLS Lux. If you go a little further north, you will find Porsche Design Tower. That is where Anuel AA lives. Secret Studios We aren’t supposed to talk about this but we will anyway. There are secret recording studios throughout Miami that produce some of the best music this decade will offer. Paramount Miami Worldcenter has a studio where Nicky Jam still records. It is a common area amenity that is included with any rent or purchase in the building. Buy or rent a unit and you could potentially run into Nicky Jam in the studio. It’s not guaranteed, but it’s there. In Infinity at Brickell, there is a studio under the name Gallardo Productions. They mostly work on Latin tracks and are based from Ecuador. Skipping over to South Beach, we can’t avoid the secret studio in the penthouse of The Setai. Units there average $4 million without considering the secret penthouse recording studio. It was designed by Lenny Kravitz in the same time he designed the common spaces of Paramount Bay in Edgewater. At that moment, he blew everyone’s mind as nobody had pegged him to be an interior designer but here he is. The best of the best. We are so happy this week to honor all of the Latin artists that keep our culture alive. Un abrazo! Image Credit: ibiza-spotlight.com
The South Beach Seafood Festival 2023 Is Almost Here! Posted on September 25, 2023 by Sarah Elles Boggs Calling all pescatarians!! This is your moment! We may make light of this upcoming week, but it is quite a big deal. I also have my moments as a pescatarian, so I am here to rejoice in the week, not to make any trouble. I just want to eat some delicious and fresh ceviche and scallops and be happy. We are all kind of in that space, I think. Stone crab season is looming upon us again and we are not complaining. In order to properly welcome the season, Miami Beach has their yearly South Beach Seafood Week that is finalized by a weekend-long festival that celebrates everything that comes out of the sea… and whoa! What a menu the sea offers to a place like Miami Beach! South Beach Seafood Festival 2023 Scallops Hosted by Herradura and the City of Miami Beach, the festival carries on for four blocks along the sand. There will be over 30 restaurant and bar stations where you can get anything from a sample of ceviche to a mojito or pisco sour. Milam’s Market is planning a live demonstration that is sure to entice foodies under the cover of a tent to shield them from the Miami Beach sun. I have a feeling that when this is over, there will be a lot more at-home ceviche attempts. I have tried already and will try again (haha). But within the festival, professionals are available to let you know what to do and what not to do with your seafood cooking. They are also available to let you know where to go in order to get a fresh fish meal that you do not have to go cook. South Beach Seafood Festival 2023 Lobster Pasta The Seafood Festival To kick off the week, South Beach’s iconic Joe’s Stone Crab will host “An Evening at Joe’s.” Chef Andre Bienvenue has prepared a 5-course meal that highlights stone crabs. This is a ticketed event with very limited availability. Tickets are $500 and will be among the first to sell out. On Thursday, October 19, Goya is hosting “Cabs, Slabs and Crabs” at the Kimpton Surfcomber. Six of Miami Beach’s best chefs are all preparing their version of traditional Surf and Turf dishes, paired with wines and spirits and each chef bringing an international flare to the traditional meal. Tickets are $250. October 20 is going to bring the VIP Chef Showdown at Lummus Park. Sixteen chefs are going to battle through 8 competitions in what the Travel Channel calls the best seafood competition in the United States. The champion is chosen by event guests. Tickets are $160 for this competition. Saturday is the main event, with over 15,000 “seafoodies” descending upon Lummus Park to try bites from some of South Florida’s best restaurants. Expect to see Ella’s Oyster Bar, A Fish Called Avalon, RED South Beach, Pubbelly Susi and more. General admission tickets are $60 and VIP starts at $160. Multi-day passes and additional VIP options are also available via the SoBe Seafood Festival 2023 Eventbrite ticketing page. Photo Credit: Facebook/South Beach Seafood Festival
The Miami New Times Honors Four Coconut Grove Eateries In This Year’s Top 100 Miami Restaurants List Posted on September 21, 2023 by Sarah Elles Boggs It is that time of year again. The Miami New Times has released it’s list of “Required Eating, The Top 100 Restaurants In Miami.” Choosing where to go out to eat is never easy, especially in a city as culinary-rich as Miami. We were named the “Food City of the Year” by Bon Apetit, after all. It seems like there is a new restaurant to try every week, especially in a neighborhood as culturally diverse and in the midst of a renaissance like Coconut Grove. As Coconut Grove residents and real estate specialists, we were elated to see four local favorites on this year’s Top 100. Here are the ones who made this year’s list. If you click on the restaurant’s name, you will be directed to their website: Ariete Coconut Grove | Photo Credit: Ariete Ariete – 3540 Main Highway This Coconut Grove restaurant is no stranger to being featured on our local lists. One of the more notable places it has shown up is on our list of this year’s local restaurants that were honored with a Michelin Star. Bringing a sense of refinement into Coconut Grove, this Michael Beltran-founded establishment offers artfully crafted dishes that blend a hint of French-style cuisine with Cuban flare. Although the menu is quite elegant, in proper Coconut Grove form the attire can flex between chic and casual, or casually chic as the case may be. There is a welcoming patio or a trendy indoor dining area that are both highly recommended. The menu rotates depending upon what is seasonally available, so you will want to check the website often to browse what’s offered. Some of my favorites from the current menu are the Fluke Crudo for an appetizer, which is seasoned and dressed with coconut, pickled green papaya, lychee leche de tigre. It is very refreshing on a hot day. For an entree, I am a fan of the Pastrami-Style Short Rib with red pepper-beef jus, gem and fennel caesar, oyster & short rib croquette and it is hard for me to leave without ending with the Mango and Passionfruit Sherbet to reset my palate. Bombay Darbar Coconut Grove | Photo Credit: Bombay Darbar Bombay Darbar – 2901 Florida Avenue Another repeat feature on our lists is Bombay Darbar, as they were included in the 2019 Miami Times ‘Best Of Miami’ List. In the beginning, they were a small eatery that held only 30 seats but have since expanded to an all-encompassing Indian adventure. The Vegetable Samosas are suggested as an appetizer, but my favorite is the Tandoori Chicken Wings. Anything Tandoori is something I will be a fan of. Both the Mango Chutney and Dal Soup (lentil soup) are sure to be winners, and for the entrees the Chicken Tikka Masala, Lamb Chop Masala (pictured above) with Basmanti rice the soft homemade Naan and Tandoori breads are sure to hit the spot. The dishes are shareable and they offer many different levels of heat from mild to super-spicy hot. To cool down afterward, the Pistachio Kulfi (pistachio ice cream) hits the spot. Chug’s Diner | Photo Credit: Facebook/ChugsDiner Chug’s Diner – 3444 Main Highway Next up, we have yet another multi-featured Coconut Grove restaurant. Chug’s Diner is the recipient of a Michelin Bib Gourmand award this year and was also took a spot on our list of featured Miami Spice restaurants. With just over a week left in September, the special Miami Spice menu is still available and is highly recommended. Chug’s is another creation from Chef Michael Beltran and is named after a nickname he received as a teen because of his love of chocolate milk. The restaurant is a combination of a modern Cuban Ventanita combined with an American Diner, and the menu reflects that. The restaurant is open early for breakfast until late night, just as a diner would be. The menu is extensive with both Cuban favorites and traditional American diner food, but also has some of Chef Beltran’s inspired creations such as the Short Rib Boliche that is so rich and savory. The Quiche with maduros, carmelized onions and mixed greens tends to sell out every day and of course there is an extensive list of milkshakes to honor his love of chocolate milk. If you are in a hurry, you can swipe some pastelitos, croquetas, or Cuban sandwiches from Chug’s Express and be on your way in a flash. There’s no reason to starve on a busy day. Krüs Kitchen Coconut Grove | Photo Credit: Vanessa Diaz Krüs Kitchen – 3413 Main Highway Krüs Kitchen is making its debut on our features of Coconut Grove restaurants lists, and they certainly deserve it! It is the sister restaurant, located in an airy spot above the Michelin-Starred Los Felix in Cocowalk. Krüs also has a Michelin pedigree, with Chef Stephen Vargas earned his chops at two Michelin-Starred restaurants, one in Italy and one in New York. The restaurant and attached wine market and offers a revolving and evolving menu for both dinner service and weekly brunch. For brunch, the Grass-Fed Vintage Burger (pictured above) is a standout, and for dinner it has been said that you have not lived until you have tried the Grilled Prawn that is served with saffron sabayon, lime caviar and sumac. Of course, these are not the only amazing restaurant choices in Coconut Grove. We have been blessed with such an amazing culinary scene. Make sure to try out these four restaurants, but also stay tuned as we make additional suggestions from our experience as Coconut Grove residents and real estate specialists.
Colombian Artist Fernando Botero Has Passed Away At 91 Years Old Posted on September 15, 2023 by Sarah Elles Boggs It is a sad day in the art world, as Colombiain-born Fernando Botero has passed away at the age of 91. After a long and storied career, he had retired to Monaco and in recent months also lost his wife. It has been announced that his cause of death was complications from pneumonia, although there is a romantic aspect to it as well with speculation that he died of a broken heart. His wife Sophia, whom he married in 1978 passed away on May 5, 2023 at the age of 82. She was also a sculptor and painter. “The painter of our traditions and our defects, the painter of our virtues has died,” Colombian President Gustavo Petro wrote on X. “He painted violence and peace. He painted the pigeon that was rejected one thousand times, and put one thousand times on a throne.” Where To Find Botero Pieces In Miami With his large-scale bronze sculptures and signature style, recognizing one of Botero’s pieces is easy. They have shown up on many of the world’s most famous boulevards as public displays of art, the inflated and overpowering figures are said to evoke feelings of grandeur, vanity and greed. Some others say they are acts of satire. Whatever they mean to you, they certainly bring the Colombian art world into the world’s eye. In Miami, there are several pieces that are either permanent displays or show up in different locations and galleries for specific events. The Related Group has been known to place Botero statues at their new developments, including SLS Brickell and SLS Lux in Brickell. It is here that the “Male Torso” was showcased. At the Four Seasons Miami Brickell, there are several on permanent display. This is the hotel’s way of beautifully honoring the Latin heritage that is represented in our city. As you enter the hotel lobby, you are immediately greeted by two 12-foot sculptures titled “Adam and Eve”. They have a commanding presence and each weigh over a ton. On the seventh-floor lobby, “The Seated Woman” (pictured above) looks over guests as they check in or head to the pool. She weighs 1,985 pounds according to the hotel concierge. Botero has made an immense mark on the art world during his long and storied hotel, may he rest in peace. Image courtesy of Four Seasons Brickell
Inside Downtown Miami’s Outstanding Angels Ambassador Program Posted on September 4, 2023 by Sarah Elles Boggs If you have been walking in the Downtown Miami and Brickell area, you have probably encountered a team of friendly people in orange polo shirts. These are not the local police. They are the Downtown Miami Outstanding Angels Ambassadors, a team of helpers employed by the city to help people find their way safely. What the Downtown Miami Outstanding Angels Ambassadors Do If you are new in town or lost, or if you feel unsafe for whatever reason, the Ambassadors are available to assist you. They roam the streets of the urban core through Downtown Miami and Brickell, and are generally just available to help seven days per week. This is just one of many programs provided by the City of Miami in order to assure the safety and comfort of our residents. They can direct you to the passport office, your designated consulate, restaurants and events and even just accompany you on your walk home so that you are not alone. The Downtown Miami Outstanding Ambassadors work in conjunction with the City of Miami police force in order to provide non-emergency assistance and to be an additional pair of eyes on the streets. They are available to residents, tourists, businesses and employees in the area free of charge. Downtown Miami and Brickell Safety It has been brought up that a large factor of the mass migration of young professionals from cities like Chicago and New York has descended on the Miami in area in large part because of the safety and cleanliness of our city. The Downtown Miami Outstanding Angels Ambassadors are just one program that promotes this safety and cleanliness for residents and visitors. They are also available to help with code compliance issues, parking issues, littering, panhandling and suspicious people. If a scenario is more serious than what they are able to help with, they will assist you in contacting the proper authorities. You can contact the Ambassadors on their website seven days per week, and they also offer regular events to encourage engagement from the locals in the community. Outstanding Ambassadors Downtown Miami Team Image Credit: FB/Outstanding Angels Ambassador Program
Construction Has Begun At The New Inter Miami Stadium In Miami Freedom Park Posted on August 31, 2023 by Sarah Elles Boggs It appears that Messi’s arrival in Miami has prompted forward motion in multiple ways. Not only is the Inter Miami FC now on a winning streak and ticket sales have gone into the stratosphere but after years of lobbying and preparation, construction has finally commenced on the new permanent Inter Miami Stadium in Miami Freedom Park. The first phase of the development began earlier this month, which is the $350 million stadium itself and adjacent retail and entertainment outlets. Everyone is really pushing for the construction to be completed on the Inter Miami Stadium before Messi’s contract ends in 2025. As of this month, hoards of heavy equipment and crews are on the site and performing the site work. A formal groundbreaking will take place this fall. Rendering Of Miami Freedom Park Complex Rendering Of Miami Freedom Park Master Plan When completed, the stadium will hold 25,000 spectators and is adjacent to a 58-acre public park with a 1-mile bicycle and walking trail that meanders around many different sports practice fields. Phase two will encompass the three hotels that will offer 750 rooms, offices and additional retail. The construction on this part is expected to continue through 2030. In total, there will be over 1 million square feet of commercial retail, entertainment and office space. “I can’t wait to welcome our fans to our state-of-the-art stadium and hear the chants as Messi and your Inter Miami players take the pitch for the first time in 2025” – Jorge Mas, Inter Miami CF Managing Owner A Tight Construction Timeline While Mas is optimistic about the construction timeline, there are still many moving parts that all must fall into place in order to meet the deadline. For starters, the FAA has not yet approved the height of the project. As a matter of fact, they have not even received the proposed heights in order to consider them according to the Wall Street Journal. In September, Miami Dade’s DERM is expected to receive a report on the site as a followup from a meeting in July when it was discovered that the site requires remediation from arsenic and pesticides. A traffic impact study will also need to take place to ensure that the increased congestion does not negatively impact the Miami International Airport. This study was supposed to have been submitted in December 2022, but has not yet been turned in, so there is still quite a bit to do in order to ensure delivery on time for the end of Messi’s contract. Naturally we all hope for an extension of his contract, but there are no guarantees at this point. Rendering Of Miami Freedom Park Rendering Of Miami Freedom Park Aerial Economic Impact The overall project is offering a monumental positive economic impact to Miami. Not only is it creating 15,000 jobs, the minimum pay is $15/hour. The league is also contributing $5 million in donations toward the Miami Baywalk-Riverwalk project and an additional $20 million to the City of Miami Parks Department. It is estimated that once completed, the project will generate almost $43 million per year in tax revenue, and this is not costing the taxpayers a dime. The total value is estimated at $1 billion. Whether we make it to the deadline and are able to see Messi play in the new Inter Miami Stadium or not, both his presence and this project are a massive windfall to our community. It is so rewarding and inspirational to see all of David Beckham’s hard work and faith in our city pay off after all of these years. Photo Credit: Arquitectonica
Miami Spice 2023 | Participating Michelin-Recommended Restaurants Part 2 Posted on August 28, 2023 by Sarah Elles Boggs Here we are. This is the grand finale of the Miami Luxury Homes-featured lists of Miami Spice 2023 menus. Yesterday, we went through the Miami Spice 2023 menus of some of Miami’s historic and iconic restaurants that also received a Michelin-recommended rating across Miami. These are restaurants that have been around for awhile and also have been recognized by the Michelin inspectors as offering an exceptional experience and a really good meal. As Michael Ellis, the International Director of Michelin Guide books, puts it: “A restaurant in the Recommended selection is ths sign of a chef using quality ingredients that are well-cooked; simply a good meal. It means that the inspectors have found the food to be above average, but not quite at star or Bib level.” For our grand finale, we are doing a second list of Michelin-Recommended restaurants however these are all based in the Coral Gables area. By clicking on the name of any of these restaurants, you will be directed to their Miami Spice page, which details their prix-fixe menu with options, prices, days available as well as their website and a link to their OpenTable account in order to make reservations. Havana Harry’s Coral Gables For Miami Spice 2023 Havana Harry’s – 4612 S. LeJeune Road Starting off with something that Miami is known for. Top-notch authentic Cuban cuisine. Tampa may try to say they have the best, but it is just not the truth. Miami is the second home to authentic Cuban cuisine with Havana being the first, of course. Making their debut on the Miami Spice list this year is Havana Harry’s on LeJeune Road. Havana Harry’s is offering a lunch option during the week for $30 and dinner any night of the week for $45. Now, here’s where things get dicey. What to order?! My recommendation is to get an array of the appetizers. If each person in your party chooses one thing, everyone can try some of it all. You could also just order more appetizers but I’m trying to stick to the Miami Spice program for my suggestions. My top favorites from this section would be the croquetas basket, fried yuca and chicharrones explosion, anything with tostones and the ceviche. For the main dishes, I am so weak when it comes to vaca frita. It is not something I cook well at home and so I gravitate to it at the restaurant. any of the vaca fritas are amazing. The churrasco is also perfectly seared with a citrus marinade and beautiful chimichurri. I know full well that I sound like Bob Ross with my happy little description of Cuban food but it’s likely because I haven’t been to Havana Harry’s in awhile. I’m overdue. For the desserts, you’ll have to share again because they are all so good. Being that this is a Cuban restaurant, I would go traditional and get the flan, tres leches or cuatro leches and guava cheesecake. You should also be aware that on top of being Michelin-recommended, Havana Harry’s mojito was voted “Best in Miami.” So if you or a guest from out of town has never tried Cuban food, this is the place to start. Orno Miami Coral Gables For Miami Spice 2023 Orno Miami – 1350 S. Dixie Highway Steps from UM’s main campus in the THēsis Hotel is a New American restaurant called Orno Miami. Helmed by Chef Niven Patel, his main focus is to provide a menu of locally sourced vegetables, the highest quality meats and sustainably caught seafood in a casual yet upscale environment. Chef Patel has succeeded at his mission. Orno Miami was chosen by Timeout as one of the “30 Best Brunches in Miami” for 2021. He was also voted by Food and Wine Magazine as one of the “Best New Chefs of 2020” and here he is today, already with Michelin Recognition. For Miami Spice 2023, the famous Sunday Brunch is offered for $35 and dinner is offered each night for $60. Since the appetizers are served family-style, ordering is easy. The chilaquiles (pictured) are available at brunch as well as green chickpea hummus with pickled beets, which sounds pretty amazing to me. At dinner, the pork confit seems most interesting to me because of my love of mixing peaches in unexpected places, but the buffalo mozzarella and roasted eggplant tartine also sound divine. When it comes to the main course, the brunch menu is also served family-style. This way nobody has to choose between the bacon potato pave with cave aged gruyere and chives, or the ricotta pancakes with strawberries and Vermont syrup. Afterward, everyone gets banana bread with salted honey butter, making this a well-rounded tasting menu for brunch. At dinner, the entrees are plated. The first thing that catches my eye is the grilled Skull Island prawns with thai mango salad, but the braised short rib with peperonata, onion gratin and jus looks to have a very deep flavor. For dessert everyone gets smores with dark chocolate, marshmallow and mezcal. Fiola Miami Coral Gables For Miami Spice 2023 Fiola Miami – 1500 San Ignacio Avenue Closer to Red Road on San Ignacio Avenue, you can enjoy authentic Italian cuisine in a beautifully appointed restaurant or take in a Miami sunset on the nearby rooftop terraza at Fiola Miami. Chef Fabio Trabocchi is no stranger to the Michelin list, as his DC location of Fiola has already earned its star. The Miami location is well on its way with a Recommended rating. Chef Trabocchi’s Miami Spice 2023 menu is a beautifully plated brunch, lunch or dinner that will entice you to share to Instagram. The lunch and brunch are $35, available Sunday for brunch or Tuesday through Friday for Lunch. The $60 dinner is available Sunday through Thursday. Pictured is the elegant Georgia Peach Gazpacho that is available for dinner, with a similar offering available for brunch or lunch. Other fresh appetizers include cobia ceviche, East Coast oysters, Wagyu Steak tartare, Watermelon salad, and Ora King Salmon crudo. The entrees include fresh fish, meats and homemade pastas. The Spanish octopus with heirloom tomatoes looks beautiful as does the roasted airline chicken and pan roasted branzino. There are many different options for the entrees, it is difficult to choose. For dessert, the coppetta of sorbetto and gelato allows you to choose two flavors from chocolate, fior di latte, pistachio or mango, coconut panna cotta, and basque cheesecake with caramel and valrhona pearls. This is truly an elegant meal. Beauty And The Butcher Coral Gables For Miami Spice 2023 Beauty and the Butcher – 6915 Red Road You will recognize Chef Jeremy Ford from our list of Michelin-Starred restaurants in the Miami area this year where he earned the honor for Stubborn Seed on Washington Avenue in Miami Beach’s South of Fifth neighborhood. In Coral Gables he is getting carniverous with Beauty and the Butcher, where they offer a rotating menu of seasonal small plates and a variety of the highest quality meats. As the restaurant is open only for happy hour and dinner service, they are offering a $60 prix fixe menu for Miami Spice 2023 Sunday through Thursday evenings. Before enjoying a protein-rich meal, I always like to start with a salad and the Ceasar salad with little gem lettuce and sourdough croutons sounds amazing. The entrees offer three choices. There is a chicken, fish and beef option. The truffle organic chicken is plated with pomme purée, baby turnips and natural jus. Thyme-crusted roasted halibut sounds divine with Colombian chorizo, white bean cassoulet and shaved celery salad. For a small upcharge, they are offering the beef tenderloin with crispy polenta, sour cherry mustard and creamy peppercorn. Either of these would be a beautiful choice. The Gibson Room Coral Gables For Miami Spice 2023 The Gibson Room – 2224 SW 22nd Street At last, we head over to Coral Way to visit The Gibson Room, which is part of the Ariete Hospitality family that includes Coconut Grove’s Ariete and Chug’s Diner, both of which have been featured here before for their Michelin stars. Under the dim lights and elegant atmosphere, you will find a dinner option any day of the week at The Gibson Room for $60. On this menu, there are several options for shareable appetizers including chicken truffle croquetas, Raviolo, which has poached shrimp and snapper and a caesar salad. The dinner portion offers a snapper with oyster and mussel enchilado or a double smash burger with pickles, special sauce, American cheese and shaved lettuce or the Tantan Raman, which is filled with wild boar, sesame, soy egg and peanuts. Any of these look amazing, so there’s no way you can go wrong. To finish up, you can choose between flan with rum drunken figs or stickly toffee pudding that comes with vanilla ice cream, date sponge cake and toffee caramel. Chef Beltran has outdone himself again with these bold flavors and creative combinations. The Gibson Room is a must-try. So, this does it for our Miami Spice 2023 feature. We really hope you try as many of these restaurants as possible. It is one of the most anticipated Miami promotions of the year each year and is something the locals look forward to. The restaurants depend upon in order to keep their staff happy and busy and the Miami economy turning during low season so we hope you use it as an opportunity to broaden your horizons and try something new in our beautiful city. Featured Image Credit: Orno Miami
The Wharf Miami Prepares To Close For Redevelopment Posted on August 23, 2023 by Sarah Elles Boggs It seems to be the end of an era. The ever-popular waterfront hotspot The Wharf is closing its gates for good. Sort of. In actuality, the site was always meant to be temporary. Developers wished to activate the attractive waterfront development site as they sorted out the plan for the new, permanent location. They did a great job with this too! The Wharf is a ton of fun. The Wharf Miami Downtown Miami Riverfront With a popup indoor/outdoor shelter overlooking the Miami River as well as outside patio-style seating, The Wharf Miami also has seven bars and a collection of food trucks. They routinely host themed parties for grown adults and it’s just fun and low-key. What Will Be Built In The Wharf’s Space? This is a fun and trendy design. The Wharf Miami Riverside, as it will be called, is a 10-story development that includes a permanent location for The Wharf. There will also be a spot for Garcia’s Seafood, where many locals go to purchase the freshest fish available. The Wharf Miami Downtown Miami Riverfront In addition to the new permanent locations, there will be a 10-story Dream Hotel with 165 rooms. An expanded marina will now welcome megayachts, an indoor live music arena, and a publicly-accessible riverwalk. In total there will be 200,000 square feet of entertainment so it is intended to be quite the destination. The Team The Wharf is owned by Breakwater Hospitality Group and MV Real Estate Holdings. They have partnered with Driftwood Capital and Merrimac Ventures for the project and hired Cube3 for the design, interior designs by world-renowned iCrave and Savino-Miller Design Studio to handle the extensive landscapes. Timelines To begin, a new seawall will need to be installed. Work on this could begin relatively soon with an anticipated groundbreaking slated for the end of 2023. The seawall permit has already been issued and the construction permit is currently in the works with the Miami Building Department. Bidding farewell to the temporary location we have all come to know and love, Breakwater is planning a series of their famous themed parties. These are set to take place September 15-16. The first 500 people to RSVP for these events will also be able to spin a wheel and obtain memorabilia that likely includes Wharf-themed attire, blow up decorations and other goodies. You can find an exact lineup of the themes and make your reservation on their website. If you have never visited The Wharf, now is the time. The Wharf Miami Downtown Miami Riverfront “When we opened The Wharf Miami, it was a total game changer for the Miami River District and a never-before-seen concept in South Florida. Over the past six years we have had the honor of operating this venue while bringing unique events, culinary concepts and an amazing atmosphere which forever changed Miami’s social scene. Watching the venue become so successful and beloved over time has been incredibly gratifying, we are proud to have created a space where guests felt welcomed and created lifelong memories,” said Emi Guerra, co-founder of Breakwater Hospitality Group. “While The Wharf Miami is closed, we are working hard to bring an impressive, elevated experience to Riverside Wharf, a project that would not have been possible without the support of our community. We invite guests to join us during the closing weekend to celebrate six incredible years of The Wharf Miami and what’s to come.” If you happen to miss the going away bashes, the brand-new Regatta Grove has recently been opened in Coconut Grove to much fanfare, and is from the same development team. The Wharf Fort Lauderdale will remain open as well. Photos Courtesy of The Wharf Miami