Get Ready for Art Basel 2016! Posted on November 12, 2016 by Michael Light Art Basel presents the world’s leading modern and contemporary art shows annually in only 3 places around the globe, Basel, Hong Kong and right here in Miami Beach. How lucky we are to have such a significant, dynamic cultural event right in our very own backyard. Art Basel Miami Beach will present an exhilarating array of art work by both internationally-renowned artists and up-and-coming artists from around the world. Attendees of Art Basel will be immersed in the exciting art world while viewing pieces from 269 premiere galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Premier paintings, sculptures, photographs, installations, films, editioned works and digital art of the highest caliber will be on display in the main exhibition hall while other art work, films and performances will be featured as part of the landscape at nearby beaches, Collins Park and Soundscape Park. Miami Beach Art Basel draws over 70,000 visitors from around the world and truly transforms Miami into a vibrant, exciting cultural event. Although parties for Art Basel will begin in Miami right after Thanksgiving, the official dates for Art Basel 2016 for the public are December 1st-4th. So, if you live in Miami, take advantage of the exciting shows, and if you are visiting, welcome to Miami and enjoy! CLICK HERE for the Miami Beach Art Basel 2016 Events Calendar. Photo Source: artbasel.com/miami-beach
4th Annual Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce’s Better Beach Awards Luncheon 2016 Posted on April 3, 2016 by Michael Light On Friday April 1st, Jaimee Light, Marketing Director of Miami Luxury Homes, attended the 4th annual Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce’s City National Bank Better Beach Awards luncheon which honored trendsetting, influential leaders in the local real estate industry. The upscale luncheon was held at the ballroom in the Ritz Carlton on South Beach and led by the Master of Ceremonies, WPLG Local 10’s Sports Director and Lead Sports Anchor, Will Manso. Master of Ceremonies, Will Manso This premiere event was sponsored by City National Bank who has been involved with this award ceremony since its inaugural event in 2013. And, it was hosted by the Miami Beach Chamber’s Real Estate Council, which acts as an invaluable resource to the members of the Chamber who serve the local real estate community. Prior to the luncheon and the awards ceremony, guests enjoyed a mini expo which included booths presented by participating sponsors which happened to include our remarkable brokerage, Douglas Elliman, who was the presenting sponsor of the annual ceremony. The businesses who also participated in the expo included City National Bank, Paramount Miami Worldcenter, Itopia, Miami Beach Chamber Education Foundation, South Florida Luxury Guide, Coconut Stock, BISNOW, Brightbox and Compass. Although many awards were given to the leading real estate professionals in our community, the one Jaimee and I are most proud was the award given to the CEO of Douglas Elliman Florida, Jay Parker, who was awarded the “Innovative Leader Award.” This award recognized Jay’s thought-provoking leadership and dedication within the real estate industry. This should come as no surprise since Douglas Elliman has quickly rose to become the leading luxury real estate firm in the country with over $22 Billion in sales in 2015 with $2.4 Billion coming from right here in South Florida. Jay’s leadership, expertise, friendship and outstanding contributions to the community is what attracted Jaimee and myself to join Douglas Elliman’s real estate family. It is a remarkable luxury real estate firm in which we are so honored to be a part of. So, congratulations to Jay Parker on this outstanding award and all of his accomplishments in the real estate industry and overall as an outstanding individual and mentor in our community. Jay Parker, CEO of Douglas Elliman Florida, presented with the “Innovative Leader Award” If you, or someone you know, are interested in buying or selling luxury real estate in Miami or Miami Beach, or simply would like to learn more about the current real estate market in South Florida, please contact Michael Light of Douglas Elliman. You may reach me directly at my office at (305) 350-9842, on my cell at (786) 566-1700 or via email at michael@miamiluxuryhomes.com.
Miami Events Schedule for 2016 Posted on December 19, 2015 by Michael Light Miami and its surrounding neighborhoods offer an exciting, eclectic variety of events that take place each and every year in the Magic City, and I would like to share with you some of these fun events that will take place in 2016. EVENT AREA DATE Redland Heritage Festival Homestead January 9-10 Miami Jewish Film Festival Miami/Miami Beach January 14-28 Art Deco Weekend Miami Beach January 15-17 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade Liberty City January 18 Miami Marathon & Half Marathon Downtown Miami January 24 Miami Beach Jazz Festival Miami Beach January 25-30 Miami International Boat Show Key Biscayne February 11-15 Art Wynwood Wynwood February 11-15 Coconut Grove Arts Festival Coconut Grove February 13-15 Artopia Coral Gables February 18 Model Beach Volleyball Tournament Miami Beach February 20-21 Carnaval Miami Throughout Miami February 20-March 26 South Beach Food & Wine Festival Miami Beach February 24-28 9 Mile Music Festival Miami February 27 Winter Party Festival Miami Beach March 2-7 World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championships Doral March 3-6 Miami International Film Festival Miami/Miami Beach March 4-13 Carnaval on the Mile Coral Gables March 5-6 Bacardi Miami Sailing Week & Bacardi Cup Coconut Grove March 6-12 Calle Ocho Festival Miami March 13 Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition South Miami March 17-April 10 Ultra Music Festival Downtown Miami March 18-20 Jazz in the Gardens Music Festival Sun Life Stadium March 18-20 Miami Home Design & remodeling Show Miami Beach March 18-21 Pinecrest Garden’s Eggstravaganza Pinecrest March 19 Key Biscayne Art Festival Key Biscayne March 19-20 Deering Seafood Festival Miami March 20 Miami Open f/k/a Sony Open (Tennis) Key Biscayne March 21-April 3 Winter Music Conference Miami Beach March 21-24 Miami Fashion Week Miami Beach March TBA South Beach Comedy Festival Miami Beach April 6-10 Miami Beach Gay Pride Miami Beach April 8-10 Mercedes Benz Corporate Run Downtown Miami April 28 Miami-Dade Women’s Fund Raise the Bar Downtown Miami June TBA Florida Supercon Miami Beach July 1-4 Fourth of July Fireworks and Festivities Throughout Miami July 4 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim Miami Beach July TBA Goombay Festival Coconut Grove July TBA Coconut Grove Seafood Festival Coconut Grove October TBA Grovetoberfest Coconut Grove October TBA NASCAR Ford Championship Weekend Homestead November 18-20 Miami Book Fair International Downtown Miami November TBA Harvest Festival South Miami November TBA Miami International Auto Show Miami Beach November TBA Great Grove Bed Race Coconut Grove November TBA Art Basel Miami/Miami Beach December 1-4 Indian Arts Festival Miccosukee Indian Village December TBA King Mango Strut Parade Coconut Grove December TBA Disclaimer – Miami Luxury Homes is not affiliated and/or working on behalf of any of the above-referenced events and/or organizations. This information is for informative purposes only and is not to be relied upon. Dates are subject to change without notice. This is not an inclusive list of the events to take place in 2016.
Art Basel 2015 is just around the corner! Posted on November 13, 2015 by Michael Light Art Basel 2015 is just around the corner! Art Basel presents the world’s leading modern and contemporary art shows annually in only 3 places around the world, Basel, Hong Kong and right here in Miami Beach. How lucky we are to have such a significant, dynamic cultural event right in our very own backyard. Art Basel Miami Beach will present an exhilarating array of art works by both internationally-renowned artists and up-and-coming artists from around the world. Attendees of Art Basel will be immersed in the exciting art world while viewing pieces from 267 premiere galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Premier paintings, sculptures, photographs, installations, films and editioned works of the highest caliber will be on display in the main exhibition hall while other art works, films and performances will be featured as part of the landscape at nearby beaches, Collins Park and Soundscape Park. Miami Beach Art Basel draws over 70,000 visitors from around the world and truly transforms Miami into a vibrant, exciting cultural event. Although parties for Art Basel will begin in Miami right after Thanksgiving, the official dates for Art Basel 2015 are December 3-6. So, if you live in Miami, take advantage of the exciting shows, and if you are visiting, welcome to Miami and enjoy! CLICK HERE for the Miami Beach Art Basel 2015 Events Calendar.
Miami Beach’s 100th Birthday! Posted on March 1, 2015 by Michael Light Courtesy of MiamiBeach100.com Miami Beach will turn 100 on March 26, 2015. In honor of Miami Beach’s 100th Birthday, there will be a 100-hour celebration on the sands of South Beach from March 22nd – 26th. From food trucks to a celebration of Miami fashion to a beach party and culminating with a global music festival featuring Andrea Bocelli and Gloria Estefan, this year’s centennial Miami Beach celebration will be fun for everyone. A little Miami Beach history… Miami Beach was incorporated on March 26, 1915. Miami Beach is an island city that is approximately 7 square miles and is located 2 miles east of Miami, separating the Atlantic Ocean from Biscayne Bay. Miami Beach had always been known as a tourist spot, but since the 1990’s Miami Beach has experienced considerable growth of international fame and celebration. Miami Beach is the perfect balance of sun and fun with beautiful beaches, vibrant culture, fine arts, an eclectic variety of fine dining and a variety of entertainment. Miami Beach has proven to be one the hautest cities in the world! So, if you live in Miami or Miami Beach, enjoy celebrating all of the festivities. If you are traveling from afar, safe travels, enjoy the celebration and please contact me, Michael Light, if you are interested in making Miami or Miami Beach your home away from home! You may reach me on my cell at (786) 566-1700, my office at (305) 350-9842 or via email at michael@miamiluxuryhomes.com.
Miami Events Schedule for 2015 Posted on January 7, 2015 by Michael Light Miami Beach Miami and its surrounding neighborhoods offer an exciting, eclectic variety of events that take place each and every year in the Magic City, and I would like to share with you some of these fun events that will take place in 2015. EVENT AREA DATE Miami Beach Jazz Festival Miami Beach January 10 Art Deco Weekend Miami Beach January 16-18 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade Liberty City January 19 The Lifetime Miami Marathon and Half Marathon Downtown Miami January 25 Miami International Boat Show Miami Beach February 12-16 9 Mile Music Festival South Miami February 14 Coconut Grove Arts Festival Coconut Grove February 14-16 South Beach Food & Wine Festival Miami Beach February 19-22 Winter Party Festival Miami Beach March 4-9 Miami International Film Festival Various Locations March 6-15 Carnaval on the Mile Coral Gables March 7-8 Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition South Miami March 12 – April 5 Carnaval Miami Calle Ocho Festival Little Havana March 15 Key Biscayne Art Festival Key Biscayne March 21-22 Jazz in the Gardens Music Festival Sun Life Stadium March 21-22 Miami Open f/k/a Sony Open (Tennis) Key Biscayne March 23 – April 5 Winter Music Conference Various Locations March 24-28 Ultra Music Festival Downtown Miami March 27-29 Miami Beach Gay Pride Miami Beach April 10-12 South Beach Comedy Festival Miami Beach April – TBA Florida Supercon Miami Beach June 25-28 Miami Fashion Week Miami Beach May – TBA Miami-Dade Women’s Fund Raise the Bar Event Downtown Miami June 4 Fourth of July Fireworks and Festivities Various Locations July 4 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim Miami Beach July – TBA Goombay Festival Coconut Grove July – TBA Coconut Grove Seafood Festival Coconut Grove October – TBA Grovetoberfest Coconut Grove October – TBA Miami Book Fair International Downtown Miami November 16-23 NASCAR Ford Championship Weekend Homestead November 20-22 Harvest Festival South Miami November 21-22 Miami International Auto Show Miami Beach November – TBA The Great Grove Bed Race Coconut Grove November – TBA Art Basel Miami Beach & Various Locations December 3-6 Indian Arts Festival Miccosukee Indian Village December – TBA King Mango Strut Parade Coconut Grove December – TBA Disclaimer: Please note that the above list is not inclusive of all of the annual events that will take place in Miami in 2015 and that some dates have not yet been set and/or confirmed so they are labeled above to be announced (TBA). In addition, the above list is for informative purposes only and should not be relied upon. Dates are subject to change without notice. Please also note that Miami Luxury Homes and Michael Light, P.A. are not affiliated or related to the above-referenced events and/or organizations, with the exception of possible sponsorship of an event.
Why you should buy a home in Miami Beach Posted on October 7, 2014 by Michael Light Miami Beach Miami Beach was listed as the 6th best city in the entire nation to live in, according to the Livability 2014 list. Livability used various criteria to choose their top 100 cities in the country, including a city’s amenities, demographics, economics, health care, housing, social and civic capital and transportation and infrastructure. It should be no surprise to anyone that Miami Beach was at the top of Livability’s list! Miami Beach not only has unprecedented amenities including museums, art deco buildings, an eclectic variety of dining, over-the-top shopping and much, much more, but Miami Beach also offers one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. So, why wouldn’t you want to purchase a condo or a house in Miami Beach??? If you, or someone you know, are interested in purchasing a home in Miami Beach or simply have a question about the Miami Beach real estate market, please contact Michael Light of Miami Luxury Homes. You can reach me directly at my office at 305-350-9842, on my cell phone at 786-566-1700 or via email at michael@miamiluxuryhomes.com.
Miami Skylink Urban Gondola Could Connect Miami and Miami Beach Posted on November 1, 2013November 2, 2013 by Michael Light Miami Skylink Rendering Connecting Downtown Miami to Miami Beach via public transportation has been a longstanding public works dilemma for the City. Miami Beach Mayoral Candidate Steve Berke has proposed an innovative solution, the Miami Skylink. Berke’s bold plan calls for an urban cable car system to provide public transportation to make the Beach more accessible for commuters and tourists. Berke believes the public works project could revolutionize Miami Beach. “ It’s iconic, it will be a tourist bucket list item. Up there with the Eiffel Tower or the London Eye,” Berke says. In addition to its potential as a tourist destination, the Miami Skylink, while not rapid transit, can provide Downtown Miami residents with a much-needed alternative to accessing Miami Beach. Obviously, all this is not without a cost, a fact not lost on Berke. A plan to build the world’s largest cable car system could cost upwards of $450 million. Berke would hope to fund the project with some form of a public/private partnership. To offset costs, Berke has already been in contact with Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson, who has offered to purchase the naming rights of the integrated transport system. The proposed Miami Skylink is not outside the realm of possibility, as a similar one, the Emirates Air Line, was built in London in preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games at a cost of around $95 million. Much like Berke’s vision, the developers sought the sponsorship of a multinational corporation, as they agreed to a 10-year, $57 million naming rights deal with Emirates. Beyond London, similar cable car services exist in Portland, Oregon and Medellin, Colombia. Some additional photos of the proposed Miami Skylink: Miami Skylink Gondola South of Fifth View from Miami Skylink Gondola Miami Skylink South Pointe Station Miami Skylink from Downtown Miami