Author Archives: timallen

Your Guide to the 4th of July

Miami’s always got something fun going on, and this 4^th of July will be especially fun. There are dozens of July 4^thcelebrations, and we’ve listed a few significant ones here.

Miami Beach is hosting the Fire on the Fourth Festival, which is a large outdoor festival that’s all about music and entertainment. The festival will have lots of interesting activities like free yoga, a pie-eating contest, and a Kids Zone. Head over to North Beach Bandshell Park if this sounds like fun.

Miami has its own fireworks at Bayfront Park. This event, which is called America’s Birthday Bash, will have lots of food, drinks, and activities. This fireworks show is the biggest free fireworks show in South Florida. The park will be hosting free yoga and a Kids’ Zone as well.

The famous restaurant The Dutch will have a huge 4^th of July BBQ with Puerto Rican food. The menu includes delicious items like steamed corn dumplings and octopus and conch salad. The Dutch’s best chef, Mario Algere, and the guest chef, Xavier Torres, will be hosting this delicious event. The event also ends at 6, which gives you lots of time to catch the fireworks.

Miami is a wonderful place any time of the year, but it is especially vibrant on the 4^th of July. Make sure to check out the events near you!

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team at Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Murano Grande South Beach. If you are interested in Murano Grande condos for sale, call one of the Murano Grande sales experts at 305-588-2451 for information on buying opportunities and rentals.

South Beach Made the Top Ten

When you think of the best beaches, which of them stand out to you? In case you missed the news, earlier this year the popular travel website TripAdvisor released its Traveler’s Choice Awards which as you might guess, covers the best in travel including the top ten best beaches based on the quality and quantity of reader reviews. We’re proud to say that the state of Florida managed to make several appearances on the list, with six different beaches snagging a spot on the list.

Sure enough, South Beach made the list, coming in at an impressive fourth place. Reviews of the beach call it “crazy good” thanks to its penchant for people watching, the broad variety of shops, and its various boutique hotels. In fact, tourists are so enamored with South Beach, even major storms like last year’s Hurricane Irma didn’t affect the appeal of walking down and exploring the sights and sounds of popular hotspots like South Beach.

As for some of the other South Florida beaches that made the top ten, they include Hollywood Beach and Fort Lauderdale Beach coming in at number eight and number six, respectively. If you wish to see the full list, please visit the Best Beaches in the United States link.

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team at Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Murano Grande South Beach. If you are interested in Murano Grande condos for sale, call one of the Murano Grande sales experts at 305-588-2451 for information on buying opportunities and rentals.

Trolley Connecting Beach to Mainland May Be Reality

A new trolley route that would connect downtown to South Beach is currently being planned. Mayor Francis Suarez has sponsored the plan, which is in its preliminary phase but has not yet had the financial plan worked out. It would connect the existing Coral Way and Biscayne routes to the South Beach trolley center.

The plan also calls for three trolley cars to run service seven days a week. The schedule would likely be from 4 p.m. to midnight and would not be free of charge, but the fare has not been determined. This comes at a time when these small trolleys have received more ridership and popularity than the county buses. The route would even overlap with bus route 120, which ends at Aventura Mall.

If you’re wondering where in South Beach would the trolley stop, look no further than this line from an article in the Miami Herald: “Under the initial plan, the trolley would drop riders off at a bus stop in front of the Murano Grande on Alton Road in the beach.” That’s right, we here at the Murano Grande condo would love to be a stop and would welcome residents and tourists alike with open arms.

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team a Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Murano Grande South Beach. If you are interested in Murano Grande condos for sale, call one of the Murano Grande sales experts at 305-712-6282 for information on buying opportunities and rentals.

Penthouse Perfection in Miami Beach

Very few penthouses in Miami Beach offer the exquisite appeal that 400 Alton Rd offers. Situated in one of the most sought out and coveted locations of Miami Beach, this rare opportunity to own this waterfront two-story penthouse allows you to experience uncompromising views of the ocean, bay, Miami Skyline, and Fisher Island with ease.

The open floor plan of 400 Alton Rd presents breathtaking views from your sophisticated 4,400 square foot living space. Labeled a smart home, the penthouse is outfitted with the maximum level of finishes and attention to detail. This three bedroom and three bathroom penthouse offers a wide array of features which includes a state-of-the-art gym, pool, flamed limestone flooring, Poliform kitchen, and much more. The expansive outdoor living area alone is 2,000 square feet and contains new high-quality decking with two patios and balconies, both of which include premium outdoor lights and vertical greenery. Not only is this penthouse the cream of the crop, but so is the location it is situated in.

A few highly rated and high-energy restaurants in the area that are sure to satisfy your taste buds are Macchialina and Cara Mia Italian Seafood Restaurant. If you are looking to catch some rays, South Beach is within walking distance and will also provide you a memorable time with the family. This penthouse and the location it is situated in are sure to cater you to a life of luxury and opulence.

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team a Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Murano Grande South Beach. If you are interested in Murano Grande condos for sale, call one of the Murano Grande sales experts at 305-712-6282 for information on buying opportunities and rentals.

Great Miami Beach Eateries for June

We’re several days into the month of June which means another opportunity to check out which Miami Beach restaurants are generating buzz, praise, and offering great food. Without further ado, let’s get started!

We’ll kick things off with the unusually named NaiYaRa on Bay Road which is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 4 pm. If you like Thai food or Scotch eggs with a Thai twist, this place might be worth a visit. You can also look forward to the option of bottomless mimosas, sangria, and other drinks, for an extra price.

Just south of NaiYaRa is Stiltsville Fish Bar on Purdy Avenue. Similar to the restaurant we just mentioned, this place is open on the weekends (Friday included) but the similarities end there. Sweet corn pancakes, omelets with pimento cheese, and shrimp ‘n grits are a few of the food choices at this happening seafood hotspot.

Those of you that prefer vegan fare may wish to visit Planta South Beach on Commerce Street which recently launched a brunch menu available Saturdays and Sundays beginning at 11 am until 3:30 pm. Banana pancakes, smoked carrots, and avocado toast are some of the items you’ll find on the menu.

Stunning Condo at Murano Grande

Traveling the vibrant streets of Miami can create many pleasurable experiences and the same can be said for the South of Fifth district located in South Beach. A quick stroll through this small exclusive neighborhood and you will easily be entangled in the beauty that this peaceful oasis presents. The area is surrounded by water on three sides from the ocean to Biscayne Bay and it’s home to some of Miami Beach’s most luxurious condos. One of these standout condos happens to be 400 Alton Rd #LPH3601, which is an exclusive penthouse at the Murano Grande.

Stunning views of all of Miami and the beach are what make this home in the sky so special. With the largest floor plan at the Murano Grande, this four bedroom and four bathroom penthouse opens you to a world of extravagance with ease. Some highlighted features of this masterpiece of a home include a large kitchen with a family room, vast ocean and city views from a marble balcony, on-site restaurant, resort-like pool deck, and much more.

The surrounding area of Murano Grande is packed with activities to do. Whether it is taking a stroll on the beach or taking the jet skis out for a spin, there is always an adventure catering to you. Within walking distance is an abundance of restaurants such as Upland, Estiatorio Milos, and South Pointe Tavern. Whatever the occasion, there is certainly an abundance of activities and restaurants near Murano Grande that will never leave you with a dull moment.

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team representing Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Continuum in South Beach. If you are interested in Miami Beach condos such as the Cont i nuum condos for sale, call the Continuum experts at 305-912-2046 for information on sales and rentals.

Explore Miami Beach like a Celebrity

Miami Beach is home to a number of famous hotspots, not to mention some of the finest beaches in the country if not the world. It’s not uncommon to spot a celebrity hanging out in the area as many of them also happen to own homes in or near Miami Beach. If you’d like a taste of the celebrity lifestyle in Miami Beach this summer, we have a few spots you may wish to visit.

Producer, songwriter, rapper Pharrell Williams, and actress Gabrielle Union have been seen hanging out at the classic Shelborne South Beach which recently underwent a renovation. The mainstay which has been around since the 1940s is known for its elegant décor and its upscale penthouse suites. Guests can also dine at the on-site restaurant called the Root and Bone.

When it comes to dining, South Beach is practically second to none. Collins Avenue’s Byblos restaurant, for example, has served the likes of multiplatinum-selling rapper Drake, entrepreneur Sean “Diddy” Combs, and more. Popular Prime 112 is known for its steaks as well as its famous patrons like basketball superstar and former Miami Heat player LeBron James, actor Jeremy Piven, and none other than billionaire philanthropist and former Fisher Island resident Oprah Winfrey.

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team at Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Murano Grande South Beach.If you are interested in Murano Grande condos for sale, call one of the Murano Grande sales experts at 305-588-2451 for information on buying opportunities and rentals.

Washington Avenue Is Getting a Facelift

As South Beach evolved from a quiet little village for retirees to a bustling playground over the past few decades, one of its primary streets, Washington Avenue, was the epicenter of it all. Now, as developers have revamped the other roads (Lincoln Road, West Avenue, and Ocean Drive), Washington Avenue remains the only one in need of a makeover. That makeover is now in the works.

Last month, the city of Miami Beach approved a resolution to designate the stretch between Fifth and 17^thstreet as a Business Improvement District (BID). This will pave the way for development of retail and office spaces as well as hotels and residential complexes. This is the first major project on the street since 2005 when it included new streetlights, resurfacing of the road, and drainage improvements. This current one is different in that it has relaxed regulations on height and density, giving developers more incentive to invest in more expensive projects. These projects include:

A new hotel on the east side of Washington with about 300 rooms and two floors of retail and restaurant space on the north end. It is scheduled for completion in 2020.
Renovations to two existing hotels: The Clay and the Clinton.
A five-story addition to the Kimpton Angler’s Hotel South Beach, which will create 85 additional rooms.

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team at Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Murano Grande South Beach. If you are interested in Murano Grande condos for sale, call one of the Murano Grande sales experts at 305-306-2980 for information on buying opportunities and rentals.

Miami Beach Seeks Your Suggestions

Have you ever stopped for a moment, scrutinized a part of the city and thought, “I can make this better and I know just what the city needs.” If you know ways to improve the city, Miami Beach wants to hear from you. The city is reaching out to residents to help with figuring out what to do with millions of dollars in government spending aimed at addressing infrastructure repairs, tackling the effects of sea level rise, and boosting the safety of the public.

If the thought piques your interest, Miami Beach will be kicking off public meetings on Thursday for residents to talk about the projects they feel the money should be put towards. During these meetings, residents will be asked to rank a series of possible projects or suggest new ones. For residents that cannot make it to these meetings concluding on June 9, there will also be the option of sharing feedback online.

For those interested, there will be a total of four meetings beginning with the one being held this Thursday followed by back to back meetings on the 21^st and 22^nd and the aforementioned final meeting on Saturday, June 9. For times and locations, check out the Miami Herald article: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/miami-beach/article210695169.html.

Are You Ready for These Upcoming Miami Beach Hotspots?

With the summer quickly approaching, a surfeit of new restaurants and bars are set to open their doors just in time for the sultry season. Let’s take a look at a few soon to open places that may end up becoming your new favorite hangout.

We’ll begin with the curiously named Falsa Limonada opening this month, which will be located at the Clinton Hotel on Washington Avenue in Miami Beach. Guests will be able to dine on breakfast, lunch, and dinner indoors or in an al fresco setting by the pool. However, when night falls it will transform into an entertainment venue featuring drinking games, live sports playing on large televisions, and more.

Also opening on Washington Avenue this month is Minnow Bar. If you’re the type of person that enjoys the taste of gin, this upcoming South Beach bar will have plenty of cocktails to choose from which you can enjoy on the terrace or in the Minnow Bar’s cozy lounge.

Over on Collins Avenue, the Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club will soon serve as the home of Bungalow by the Sea. Discover a taste of Europe with some wine, try one of the pastries made in-house, munch on seafood, or grab a beachside bite. Guests can also enjoy happy hour every day from four o’clock to seven o’clock.