Aston Martin Residences’ Grand Opening Sets The Stage For The Formula One Miami Grand Prix Week Posted on April 30, 2024May 5, 2024 by Sarah Elles Boggs What better way to kick off Miami Race Week and the Miami Grand Prix than with a monumental car-themed luxury tower opening! After almost a decade of planning and construction, Aston Martin Residences in Downtown Miami has officially begun handing the keys to its new residents. With 391 ultra-luxury residences, the 66-story tower is the first Aston Martin-branded residential building in the world. Aston Martin Residences is in good company in South Florida, where auto-themed residences are very much a thing. The super-tower will join Porsche Design Tower and Bentley Residences in Sunny Isles as well as the newly-launched Mercedes Benz Places in Brickell’s Financial District. Aston Martin Residences Miami Terrace Pre-sales of the tower were a resounding success, with 99% of the residences selling prior to completion of Aston Martin Residences. The pre-sales represented over $1 Billion in new residences changing hands this week according to the developer. The last available residence is the crown jewel penthouse, called “Unique.” The sleek three-story estate-sized residence spans nearly 20,000 square feet of interior living space and an additional 7,000 square feet of outdoor terraces. Offered at $59 million USD, Unique is filled with amenities designed for luxurious and simplistic living. It holds seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a private pool, gym, spa and a custom climate-controlled garage. Populating this private penthouse garage is the last remaining Aston Martin Vulcan, one of only 24 ever constructed. The 7.0-litre V12 820bhp, all-carbon fiber supercar is valued at $3.2 million and is engineered for track driving only. While Unique is the last remaining pre-sale opportunity, we do expect a certain number of purchase opportunities to present themselves on the resale market soon. This is a common occurrence and to be expected with collector-grade residences in ultra high-demand projects. Aston Martin Residences Miami Triplex Penthouse “Unique” Aston Martin Residences Downtown Miami Penthouse Vulcan “We are delighted to have extended our expertise in design and craftmanship into a project of this stature. Such ventures enable us to further grow our creative experience and expertise and expand Aston Martin into new aspects of the ultra-luxury world that appeal to both our existing and future customers,” Marek Reichman, Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer of Aston Martin said in a release. “Melding a captivating design aesthetic with one of the city’s most idyllic locations, one of the last parcels of the Miami waterfront, the ultra-luxury Aston Martin Residence adds further distinction to the already expressive skyline. We think this project firmly sets the mark for luxury residential design around the world.” Aston Martin Residences Miami Marina View Aston Martin Residences Miami White Living Room A true landmark building, Aston Martin rose 817-feet into the Downtown Miami skyline on a build site that left many in disbelief. Utilizing the most cutting edge construction and design innovations, the team was able to bring the project to fruition while staying true to the Aston Martin brand in every sense. The level of luxury and sophistication is palatable at every turn, from the white glove butler service at the mega-yacht marina to the Aston Martin number plate identifying your residence. Rodolfo Miani, Principal Partner of Bodas Miani Anger (BMA) Architects said of the project, “Since this idea started with the first draft, everything has taken on a form of majesty. Working together with the Aston Martin and G&G teams has expanded our vision to create an architectural masterpiece that will enhance the beauty of the city. This collaboration between the architectural and automotive world was a true alliance that brings an elevated symphony of design and detail to every aspect of the building.” If you are interested in a private presentation of Unique or would like to discuss resale opportunities at Aston Martin Residences Miami, please contact Michael Light, Broker and Executive Director of Luxury Sales at Douglas Elliman. You may reach Michael directly at (786) 566-1700 or via email at michael@miamiluxuryhomes.com. Image Credit: Aston Martin Residences Miami
Last Minute Miami-Style Gift Ideas Posted on December 22, 2022December 22, 2022 by Sarah Elles Boggs It’s not too late!! Noche Buena is within hours with Christmas following right behind and neither will be arriving on Miami time. Given that Miamians are so prone to procrastination and tardiness that we are known for it, let’s review some last-minute Miami-style gift ideas for your loved ones, regardless of your budget. Dinner and drinks at one of Miami’s best restaurants If you have a foodie on your list, tickle their taste buds at one of these top-rated Miami restaurants with a gift card or surprise night out. We were very impressed with this compilation as it represents amazing options from an array of cuisines, locations in our area as well as price points. The only constant is amazing food and our amazing city. Two of our favorites are Amara at Paraiso in Edgewater’s Paraiso district, as well as Thomas Keller’s Surf Club restaurant in The Surf Club Four Seasons in Surfside. Both options demonstrate that you can be swanky and stylish without being stuffy, so the question is whether you would prefer to dine by the bay or by the beach? The choice is a win/win. Go celeb hunting with gift certificates to these hotspots If your loved one is into celebrity lifestyles and celebrity sightings, gift cards to these restaurants are going to be right up their alley. Some of the eateries that made the list are well-known celebrity haunts, and some are new. Casa Tua has long been one of the most coveted memberships in town, and is even expanding to offer residences in Brickell in the new year. Zuma, the chic asian-inspired hotspot at Epic Hotel and Residences is no stranger to celebrity sightings with the Kardashian-Jenners, David and Victoria Beckham, Roger Federer and a host of others. A staycation in one of Miami’s best new hotels Given that Miami’s economy has long been driven by hospitality and tourism, the hotel industry is a bloodsport in the Magic City. There is always pressure to stand above the pack, and Miamians are obsessed with things that are new, be it restaurants, cars, condo developments, hotspots or hotels. The New York Post was nice enough to compile a list of the hottest new hotels for 2022 in Miami. You can gift your loved one a fabulous staycation at the Elser Hotel and Residences in Downtown Miami, walk to a Miami Heat game or concert at the FTX arena, or enjoy a night out at E11even. Alternatively, you could take a more intimate route and spend time at the storied Mayfair House in Coconut Grove which reopened this summer following a major renovation. With serene views from the rooftop bar and restaurant to lush gardens to extensively redesigned suites that each have private terraces and separate bedrooms, Mayfair House is an amazing choice for a romantic weekend away without going far at all. Unique Miami-themed gifts There really is no place like Miami, so if you have a Miamian at heart who doesn’t necessarily call the 305 home, you can at least give them a hint of home through these unique gifts, compiled by Timeout.com. You could surprise your loved one with a rum cake from Vicky’s Bakery, a coquito set (Puerto Rico’s egg nog), fresh flower delivery services and even candles that smell like E11even! For the car enthusiast who is also a Miami enthusiast and a very good boy or girl… Reward your loved one with tickets to the second-annual Miami Race Week & Miami Grand Prix! Tickets and packages went on sale earlier this year after the overwhelming success of the debut Miami Race Week in 2022 and a few are still available. The packages available for Christmas range from $2,000-$14,000 per person, depending upon what is included and are selling at a steady pace. Since the race actually occurs in early May, you are able to let your anticipation build before the checkered flag comes out, and payment plans are available. No matter which gifts you choose or which holidays you celebrate, we at The Light Group hope that you all have a very happy holiday season and a prosperous start to 2023!
Miami’s Debut Formula 1 Event Drew $350 Million Into The Local Economy Posted on September 14, 2022September 16, 2022 by Sarah Elles Boggs Talk about a formula for success! On top of drawing in even more celebrities and VIP’s than Miami is used to and hosting as many lavish parties as Art Basel, the first-ever Miami Grand Prix boosted the local economy by $350 million, according to a new report. In the first Economic Impact Report released by South Florida Motorsports, it was found that tourists contributed a total of $150 million during race week. In addition, 3,000 local jobs were created with workers being paid an excess of $100 million in the days leading up to and during the event. During the 3-day Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix, 243,000 spectators enjoyed the Miami International Autodrome. Television viewership was up nearly 30% as 23 million viewers caught the live action from across the United States. “Our team worked selflessly to create a campus and experience that was unique to the international culture of Miami,” Richard Cregan, CEO of the Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix, said in a press release. “We look forward to growing the event and the positive impact it will continue to make here for years to come.” So it seems that although Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing walked away with the purse and trophy, Miami was the real winner of the event. Bravo! We can’t wait until May again!
F1 Miami Grand Prix Releases Dates For 2023 Races Posted on May 17, 2022May 19, 2022 by Sarah Elles Boggs It appears that the first annual Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix was a resounding success because the event has already announced that the event will return the first weekend of May in 2023 via their website and Instagram profile. The 2023 races will also take place at Hard Rock Stadium. The 2022 event was sold-out and welcomed a crowd of over 80,000 fans at the track that was built around the stadium, which also hosts the Miami Dolphins and the University of Miami Hurricanes. Photos of the festivities on the official Miami Grand Prix Instagram account and at World Red Eye show that the races themselves as well as the afterparties, pool parties and other various events were all a success. As we reported leading up to the events, no expense was spared by anyone attending or hosting. This trend is expected to carry through to 2023 as well. Tickets are not currently offered for sale, but for $5,000 you can be first in line to receive accommodations and entry once more details are hashed out. If interested, you can place your hospitality deposit via this online form. The deposit does not guarantee a specific product, price or location and is nonrefundable, but it does get you first access to tickets to the events, entry into the paddock or whatever new amenities that are being unveiled for the second annual Miami Race Week. ¡Dale!
Formula 1 Champ Tours Penthouses And More Car-Themed Condos Posted on May 6, 2022May 6, 2022 by Sarah Elles Boggs Oh boy. The city has him now. Emerson Fittipaldi, the Brazilian racing driver who was the youngest ever F1 champion in the 1970’s, racing for both Lotus and McLaren, has been spotted touring a $30 Million penthouse on Miami Beach. We’ll not pretend to be surprised though. The Magic City has a way with people. It happened to me. I visited friends in the aught’s, thinking it was just a vacation. By the end of the week, I flew back to my hometown, quit my job, packed my things and headed on back to Miami within 3 weeks’ time. It has a way with people like that, and I am not mad at it. I mean, what’s not to love? The properties are beautiful, the weather is beautiful, the people are beautiful, the community is so rich in culture, the area boasts endless possibilities and there is no state income tax! To prepare all of those visitors who are car enthusiasts and are also being beckoned by the 305, lets go over some of the car-themed condo developments that Miami and Miami Beach has to offer. Chateau Beach While Chateau Beach is not necessarily car-themed, it is the building where Mr Fittipaldi was spotted touring the $30 million duplex penthouse. The 9,000+ square-foot penthouse comes with sweeping ocean views, high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glass and furnishings by Fendi, Poltrona Frau and Minotti. There is also a 4,500+ square-foot wraparound terrace with a private pool. Quite the chic space for retiring from the fast lane. 1100 Millecento Kicking off the trend of car-themed developments is 1100 Millecento in the Brickell Financial District. Having opened in 2015, Millecento is a partnership between The Related Group and Italian auto designer Pininfarina, who designed Ferrari’s for many years. The 42-story development is filled with car-themed touches including Ferrari-red elevator lobbies, streamlined interiors to mimic the sleekness of the vehicles and elegant art works of the residents’ own luxury cars hanging in the common areas. Porsche Design Tower Not to be outdone by anyone (and we mean anyone), Gil Dezer comes back to the scene with a large idea. What if you could build a special elevator that would allow you to park your supercar in a personal garage at your front door even though you live in a high rise? I know, it sounds wild. But it is also very cool. Enter Porsche Design Tower and the now-famous Dezervator. Prices currently start at $4.5 million up to $21 million. Aston Martin Residences Currently rising at the mouth of the Miami River in Downtown, Aston Martin Residences boasts 66 floors of indulgence and opulence. There are only 391 waterfront ultra-luxury residences by Argentenian developer C&C Developments. Residents will enjoy a rooftop helipad, private beach club access, high ceilings, private elevators and practically any other amenity you can fathom. The upper penthouse (currently offered for $59 million) even includes an Aston Martin Vulcan. Race with that, why don’t ya? Bentley Residences Going back up to Sunny Isles Beach, the first-ever Bentley branded residential development is rising 60 stories above the sand. Each residence will have a private pool and sauna, as well as the Dezervator that was such a hit in the Porsche Design Tower. Bentley Miami Tower Rendering One Thousand Museum Ok, we understand that One Thousand Museum is not branded, but it still fits into the list as this is where the Red Bull F1 driver famously did donuts on the rooftop helipad 700 feet in the Miami skyline back in 2018. That was a site. Since then, the Zaha Hadid-designed super luxury tower has been completed and opened. It is home to many celebrities including David and Victoria Beckham and Nicky Jam. Each apartment spans either a half floor or a full floor and prices currently range from $6.6M to $33.7M. One Thousand Museum Condos Auto House Miami What if you already have a place in Miami, but you need a special place just for your car(s)? AutoHouse is your solution. This is similar to a fancy dry dock for your yacht. It is a 7-story development in the Miami Design District that has 45 residences for cars and motorcycles. Louis Birdman, the developer of AutoHouse (and also co-developer of 1000 Museum) said of the innovative development, “Because a lot of people travel in and out of Miami seasonally, a lot of people who own cars like this are looking for alternative solutions on where to put vehicles safely when they leave so they aren’t exposed to the elements.” Each unit comes with polished concrete floors, hurricane-resistant windows, and in-unit climate controls, but Birdman expects owners to add more personal touches to the spaces to entertain, like a pool table, wet bar, sound system or sofa to watch TV. There is also a penthouse-level club where like minded car enthusiasts can gather for cigars and scotch or wine, a car simulator and more. If you are interested in more information on any of these themed buildings and specific pricing, please contact Michael Light, Broker and Executive Director of Luxury Sales at Douglas Elliman. You may reach Michael directly at (786) 566-1700 or via email at michael@miamiluxuryhomes.com.
Inside The Glitz And Glam At Miami Grand Prix Posted on May 5, 2022May 6, 2022 by Sarah Elles Boggs As we discussed yesterday, the inaugural Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix is expected to far surpass both the Super Bowl and the annual Art Basel festival (the two highest-grossing events that Miami hosts) with regards to revenue to the community. We discussed the ticket prices, which start at $270/person for one day of the qualifying round, or $600/person for the actual race on Sunday, not counting VIP, food, drinks or parking. This is the starting price to simply walk in the gate. Besides the tickets, food and beverage, job creation and the PR for the Magic City (as if we needed more positive PR, but we’ll keep our egos in check for just a moment), what are some other spots that our guests might enjoy during their swanky stay? Here’s a breakdown of some of our favorites… Inside The Circuit Gates Once you are parked, shuttled to the gate and enter the circuit, there are several upgrades you may want to take advantage of. For starters, near Turns 11-13 is the Hard Rock Beach Club. Here you will find sand, pools, concerts and a cabana package that will set you back $65,000 for 10 guests. There is also an MSC Cruises yacht club that is part of a man-made marina setting that features dry-docked luxury boats. Keeping with the theme of South Florida Luxury during the weekend (and fully competing with the opulence that is Monaco), the Miami Grand Prix is bringing in the Paddock Club. The famous Paddock Club is normally situated over team garages and at the start and finish line. It is open to just 5,000 guests. Tickets typically go for $6,000, but in Miami they are $9,000 due to increased demand. If you were not so lucky to reserve a pass to the Paddock Club prior to reservations filling up, they can be found for $20,000 for the weekend or $15,000 for Sunday only. The average ticket price to Miami’s Super Bowl LIV was $5,900, to give you a reference. (rates via Tick Pick) Even if you do not opt to splurge on the Beach Club or Paddock Club, this does not mean that you are relegated to Fyre Festival fare. Concessionaire Sodexo Live is bringing in the big guns with food and beverage offerings. “It’s a different kind of event,” said Zachary Williams, Sodexo Live general manager of F1, and director of food and beverage for Hard Rock Stadium. “They’ve got a very high level of expectation, which, so do we, so I think we all know how to handle that.” The operation will be based upon three main kitchens. Two are permanent spots inside the Hard Rock Stadium and the main kitchen is a temporary structure at Turn 5. From those three kitchens, 300 food and beverage locations will be scattered throughout the circuit. There is a mix of clubs, concessions, sit-down restaurants and adult beverage-focused outposts. There is also a stand-alone menu for each of the team suites. Catering to a crowd that is expected to be highly populated by South Americans and Europeans, the concessionaire has tapped master sommelier Carlton McCoy to draw up the wine list. Some of the outposts will offer bottle service and delivery to tables or seats. The restaurants will feature dishes from minority-owned businesses and Michelin star chefs. Food and beverage packages are available from $400 to more than $3,000 for a group of ten. You will likely not find much in the line of hot dogs and funnel cakes, but there will definitely be wagyu tenderloins, rock shrimp ceviche and smoked marlin dip. Out on the Town We know that visitors are not going to stick close to the circuit gates when the events are not happening. There is so much to do in Miami! And this week we’re coming in hot. The Wharf in Miami is hosting a McLaren event that features a customized 2022 McLaren GT. The car will be on display all weekend as part of the “Vuse Ultimate Ride” challenge in collaboration with UNDEFEATED, a streetwear brand. After a press tour, the olive-green ride will be awarded to a fan at the Formula One race in Austin TX in October. Vuse X UNDEFEATED X McLaren Racing Ultimate Ride New York staple, Carbone, is offering a pop-up experience aptly titled “Carbone Beach” that will offer a select few a $3,000 pasta dinner. Of course, I am making light of the famous Carbone pasta. There is much more to the party than that. Only available to American Express cardholders and encompassing far more than just the famous pasta, the $3,000 reservation fee gains you entrance to the special beach club for a cocktail hour and caviar bar, followed by a seated dinner prepared by chef Mario Carbone himself. As you devour your spicy rigatoni vodka, you will be surprised by a host of big artists and musicians and other activities throughout the evening. The pop-up beach restaurant is located at 18th and Collins and will be open from 8pm-midnight on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Reservations can be secured here. Celebrities & Parties! Hey! A world-class event in Miami wouldn’t be a world-class event in Miami without famous people and nightclubs. I’m not even sure I have room on this blog to fit in every newsworthy event, but here are a few that stick out as being exceptionally cool. The Red Bull Guest House at Faena Miami Beach promises an athlete, artist and influential industry leader-filled soiree for each of the three nights of the race. Curated music experiences from Arca, Channel Tres and Richie Hell are scheduled, plus you can rub elbows with the top Red Bull athletes. If you happen to over-imbibe, you can also stay in the penthouse of the hotel for a cool $120,000. This price also grants you access to the Red Bull team’s hospitality suite at the race itself. 100% worth it. If you would like to stay closer to the Miami Gardens circuit, don’t forget to pass by the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on Friday night to see Post Malone kick off the festivities. Oasis Wynwood is bringing in DJ Kaskade on Saturday night and Diplo on Sunday night to wrap up the weekend. Cook something up with “Breaking Bad” co-stars Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul at the SLS South Beach on Saturday, May 7. The duo will host the opening night of The Cocktail Shack with their mezcal brand, Dos Hombres. They will also be around for another pop-up event at Bottled Blonde in Wynwood. E11even, the Miami hotspot that is not a topless club but absolutely features topless women (semantics) has quite the extensive lineup. Throughout the week and weekend you will find performers including Rick Ross, Diplo, Snoop Dogg, Travis Scott and Tiësto. These are only the celebrities who are booked to perform. It is practically impossible to arrive at E11even and not rub elbows with at least a handful of celebrities. Be careful at E11even though if you are not skilled at Miami nightlife. It is one of the many famous entrances to the infamous “Demon Dome.” This is where you enter a nightclub and have so much fun, you finally leave and don’t realize it is already the next day. You don’t want to accidentally miss the race because you got sucked into the Miami Metaverse. Pace yourself. The race is at the circuit, not the club. The Fontainebleau’s $1 Million F1 Package We were only partially kidding about pacing yourself at E11even. This week is dedicated to over-the-top opulence, indulgence and living on the edge, so how better to indulge than to experience something that fits in every category of this article?? Let’s talk about The Fontainebleau’s $1 Million Miami F1 package that puts the grand in Grand Prix. The iconic Miami Beach hotel is offering a round-trip flight for yourself and 13 of your best friends (or clients or colleagues, as the case may be) on a private flight. You will enjoy five presidential suites at the Fontainebleau, a VIP suite at the Miami Grand Prix and a private VIP table each night at LIV for the “Miami Race Nights” event. This includes unlimited bottle service as well as artist meet-and-greets. Scheduled to headline the Miami Race Nights event are Calvin Harris and David Guetta. Oh, and you will also have a private mega-yacht to cruise around on when you’re decompressing or thinking about what time you might want to show up for the race. Now THAT is a super Miami weekend! Although we have only highlighted a handful of events, Miami is certainly rolling out the red carpet to establish our spot as one of the most desirable cities in the world. Tomorrow we will go over some of the top condo buildings for car enthusiasts, including some that the drivers themselves are checking out. Stay tuned…
Step Aside, Art Basel. The Miami Grand Prix Has Arrived Posted on May 4, 2022May 6, 2022 by Sarah Elles Boggs Step aside, Art Basel. Your big brother is coming in fast. Really fast. The first annual Miami Grand Prix is upon us. That’s right. The first annual Miami Grand Prix begins on Friday, May 6, as the culmination of Miami Race Week 2022. The event has already surpassed both the Super Bowl and Art Basel, which was previously heralded as the biggest revenue draw of the year for Miami-Dade County. In previous years, Art Basel has been the crown jewel of the Miami social scene, bringing upwards of 80,000 visitors for the weekend. All of these visitors are very, very VIP (cue the Anna Delvey voice). But on a real note, these visitors do come in with some serious clout as referenced by Miami Today. Hotel rooms average $1,000/night during the weekend and the festival generates $1 million in resort taxes alone over the span of a a few days. The art show brings in more private flights than a Super Bowl and generates around $16 million in revenue for the community. Not a bad haul for the Magic City by any means. Enough of the past. What is happening now? While the numbers for both the Super Bowl hosting gigs and the annual Art Basel Miami Beach festival are impressive, the Miami Grand Prix has already surpassed them in a number of ways. Hundreds of thousands of visitors have descended upon Miami and Miami Beach to celebrate all things fast, and these are not just any visitors. As of the time of publication, the tickets start at $270 per person to watch the qualifying round and warm-ups. The tickets for Sunday’s actual race begin at $600 per person. This does not include VIP, food, drinks or parking. This payment gets you in the gate for one day. The folks who travel to enjoy this show are not rowdy spring breakers or ravers. They are distinguished titans of business from around the globe. The Grand Prix has traditionally been popular with the well-heeled adrenaline junkie crowd (think startup founders, entrepreneurs, other people who make lots of money and love to live on the edge), but the sport has had a recent surge in popularity thanks to the Netflix series that goes behind the scenes of the sport. Before 2012, the number one place to watch the Grand Prix was on Memorial Day Weekend in Monaco. Then the sport expanded to the US in Austin, Texas. This expansion re-invigorated the city and activated an entire section of town that was previously blighted. Over 400,000 people descended upon the Lone Star State to throw money around and watch the race. Year over year, the outcome was similar. As the sport grew in popularity, intentions to expand were made clear. Organizers had looked for a second US location to host the races and options included New York City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Miami. Thanks to Stephen Ross, founder and chairman of Related Cos and owner of the Miami Dolphins, Miami was tapped to host a race each year for the next ten years. The race circuit is hosted outside Hard Rock Stadium, in Miami Gardens. While it is not the beachfront or downtown location that many had hoped for after NIMBY’s got ahold of the idea, there is plenty of room to host and the outcome could be very similar to that of Austin’s experience. The beach is not so far away and this is yet another avenue to activate a section of Miami-Dade County that has previously been sort of left out. Stay tuned as we cover some of the fun and over-the-top events that are coming with the race weekend. We guarantee it will knock your socks off.