Author Archives: timallen

Best Brunch Spots in Miami

As Miami continues to rise on the list of best places to visit in the United States, you’ll want to make sure you are properly prepared for some fun in the sun. That includes everyone’s favorite meal – brunch! No weekend is complete without it. In Miami, mimosas and delicious meals are abundant, and there are plenty of places to sip cocktails in the sun. Award-winning chefs and local cuisine make Miami the best place for beach brunching!

Of course, living in Miami is like being at the perfect vacation spot year-round. Continuum South Beach is a great place to call home and the perfect place to relax after an awesome morning brunch before hitting the beach. Check out our other Continuum condos for sale to find a home next to all the fun!

There’s no doubt that the residents of Continuum at South Beach enjoy a privileged lifestyle, especially when it comes to dining. One of our favorite things to do is enjoy a sumptuous brunch at some of Miami’s best spots with panoramic ocean views, delicious food and a cozy atmosphere. While you’re munching on avocado toast and sipping on a mimosa, you might want to enjoy an exciting challenge at the best online casinos in Canada. This isn’t a surprising suggestion – several iGaming news stories on https://news.cision.com/igaming-news/ have mentioned the growing popularity of online casino gaming among the affluent in South Beach. It’s an exciting, convenient entertainment that you can immerse yourself in right from your oceanfront condo. In between gourmet meals, you can enjoy an exciting game of poker or an exciting slot machine and possibly increase your earnings, making your brunch even more enjoyable. Living on the Continuum offers not only an exciting lifestyle with the best places to eat breakfast in Miami, but also the thrill of playing online casino games at your fingertips, creating the perfect blend of physical and digital luxury.

Head over to Time Out Market Miami for bottomless brunch. All-you-can-drink mimosas, bellinis, and prosecco are available from noon to 3 pm on the weekends, no meal purchase required! Their croissants, chicken and waffles, spam fried rice, and salmon and cream cheese arepa are among the top dishes. Since Time Out Market Miami is a collection of restaurants, you’ll want to look at the menu ahead of time to avoid overwhelm, but really, you can’t go wrong with any choice.

Caja Caliente is a Cuban brunch spot in Little Gables, with Cuban-inspired dishes. Head chef Mika Leon channels her own Cuban roots with their best-selling dishes like guava-swirled pancakes and french toast dipped in cafe con Leche. Brunch is available to go, and sidewalk seating is now open.

American Social is located in the Brickell area with a sports bar atmosphere. Craft beer and ocean views are served alongside comfort food like steak, eggs, biscuits and gravy, and anything else you can think of. Whether you’re a savory or sweet bruncher, this restaurant has something for you.

2021 Miami Real Estate Forecast

Miami has been a hot topic for real estate news in 2020/2021 as its market has experienced record growth, but Miami has been on a steady incline for population growth and investments for the last few decades. Miami has over 2.8 million residents and is home to the highest number of foreign-born residents in the United States. It offers various activities, real estate, modes of transportation, and easy access to tourism and travel.

Excess supply could potentially cause real estate prices to decrease, while the rest of the country is experiencing a record high demand for housing amid a housing shortage. Ultimately, housing prices have increased tenfold and allowed homeowners to get a higher value for their property – but Miami has an abundance of housing inventory, making for a balanced market.

Single-family home values are anticipated to increase long-term. Miami’s home price has risen by 20% year over year. While there has been a dip in home values now, the general trend for the real estate market is moving upward. Luxury home sales are up 225% year over year, and condos have increased at the lowest rate of all types of real estate.

Foreign buyers are a significant portion of homebuyers in the greater Miami area and across South Florida. If a foreign economy is doing well, then investments come quickly to Miami, especially in luxury markets.

With a booming economy and real estate market, the time has never been better to invest in a new home with Continuum South Beach. Our condos are resort-style and oceanfront, located on the southernmost tip of beautiful Miami Beach. With our twelve sprawling acres of manicured grass, three clay tennis courts, two magnificent pools, an outdoor restaurant, a spectacular gym, spa, concierge, 24-hour security, and other amenities, Continuum condos for sale are an excellent spot for you to call home here in Miami.

Pandemic-Era Disney World Travel Tips

Disney World – the icon that has brought visitors to Orlando since 1965. Many things have changed since then, including the way we interact with the world in the aftermath of a global pandemic. It has never been a better time to plan a trip to Disney World – the ultimate escape from reality! Things will be different this year, so prepare ahead of time and plan for a vacation full of fun.

New safety standards are in place throughout the park to fall in line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, including contactless payment and tons of hand-sanitizing stations. Plexiglass barriers will be included on rides and in areas where you wait in line. Disney plans on rigorously amping its cleaning regime, which has already been known to have an ultra-high standard of cleanliness.

Also new this year are the limit on pictures with princesses and other characters. Disney has temporarily suspended up-close experiences with characters and shows Happily Ever After and Fantasmic. FastPass+, which allowed guests to breeze past lines, has also been paused in favor of a first-come, first-serve basis.

Capacity is limited on transportation and attractions, with distance markers and diligent staff enforcing safety guidelines. Upon entry to the park, you will have your temperature checked and must wear a face mask at all times, except for children two and under and when you are eating, drinking, or taking outdoor photos. You’ll also need both an admissions and theme park reservation to enter.

Be sure to stay up-to-date with Disney World for the latest on visiting and planning your vacation, or download the Disney Experience app before you get there. This will make your trip much more enjoyable as you may have to deal with changing rules and regulations.

Blackstone International Realty, LLC provides buyers and renters with exceptional properties, including Continuum South Beach. Continuum condos for sale are listed on our website and are ready for a showing today! Call us to learn more information at 305-707-6474.

South Beach Wine & Food Festival is Back

Tickets to this year’s South Beach Wine & Food Festival went on sale on March 22 and is already expected to draw in large crowds. Usually, it brings in around 20,000 people to the South Beach area in a matter of just four days. This year, the festival is expected to be much different.

Originally scheduled to take place in February, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival will take place from May 20-23 now that vaccines have become more readily available, enabling South Florida to host more events. Guests will need to provide proof of vaccination or show negative test results (less than three days old) to attend. Attendees will still be required to wear a mask (when they aren’t eating), and masks will be available for those who don’t have one.

While capacity, number of events, and regulations may have changed for this year’s festival, this year marks the 20th birthday of its host, Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One (SOBEWFF®), so a few extra events will be taking place to celebrate!

All events apart from wine-tasting will be held outdoors, with one-hour long cleaning periods in between each. Larger events will be broken up into multiple small sessions, and smaller dinners with chefs (which normally seat 100 people) will be cut in half and held outside. Attendees will be seated at tables outside depending on their group size, but you must buy tickets together if you want to sit together.

Big-name chefs like Thomas Keller, Virgilio Martinez, Michael White, and Enrique Olvera will be attending.

Continuum South Beach won’t be far from many of the events. Check out SOBEWFF®’s website for a complete list of locations. For more information on Continuum Condos for Sale, head over to our website or call us at 305-707-6474.

Real Estate Industry Expected to Grow as Formula One Comes to Miami

Formula One has recently announced that they plan to race in Miami in early 2022. This has sparked discussion amongst real estate developers and brokers as they boost their marketing efforts to appeal to this new crowd. The steps to bring the Formula One race to Miami commenced in April after a city vote finalized that grabbed a deal at Hard Rock Stadium (for ten years). This approval did not happen overnight and came with much opposition and negotiation over several years. However, as April came to a close, the decision was finally made.

High-end cars like Aston Martin and Bentleys have long been intertwined with high-end Miami real estate. Formula One’s fanbase is expected to bring in thousands of new buyers to Miami. The opportunities will be vast for real estate developers, brokers, and hotels for sales, sponsorships, and even ongoing partnerships.

Alicia Cervera Lamadrid, managing partner of Cervera Real Estate, which is currently over the sales and marketing of the Aston Martin Residences in downtown Miami, said of Formula One’s prospect, “It’s like having a contract for the Super Bowl for ten years…it also brings spectacular clientele that takes millions of dollars in marketing to attract.”

Formula One has been to Miami in the past, but when they proposed racing in downtown Miami, there was too much opposition to continue. Its arrival this time around is expected to increase the new and quite large influx of out-of-state residents to Miami and South Florida in general.

Blackstone International Realty, LLC provides buyers, sellers, and renters with access to exceptional properties – both on and off the market – in the Miami Beach luxury real estate market and South Florida. Each agent is thoroughly trained to provide clients with exceptional service, competency, and professionalism. For more information on the company, Continuum South Beach, or Continuum condos for sale, call 305-707-6474.

Major Outdoor Events Are Returning to Miami Beach

The World Polo League Beach Polo tournament has returned to South Beach from April 23 to 25.

Due to the new COVID-19 vaccine rollouts, many large outdoor events are returning to Miami Beach. The 2021 Miami Open,  the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, and now the World Polo League Beach Polo Tournament have all returned.

The tournament has been on a hiatus since the COVID-19 pandemic and was understandably canceled last year.

However, even with the return of these major events, they are not looking quite the same as they once did. Limited capacity has been a mandatory policy to follow, along with social distancing and facemasks. At the World Polo League Tournament the VIP section was sold on a table-only basis.

With reopening comes added pressure. World Polo League Beach Polo founder, Tito Gaudenzi says, “Since the very day we decided to postpone the event last year, we always kept working and preparing for all eventualities of bringing it back,” and “With constant communication with our players, the teams, our sponsors, the city, and the state, that’s what has allowed us to be as prepared as we are.”

Organizations understand that while they are open and running again, they have to take extra measures to not only bring the events back but bring them back “with bigger and better players and more set up,” says Gaudenzi.

Blackstone International Realty, LLC provides buyers, sellers, and renters with access to exceptional properties – both on and off the market – in the Miami Beach luxury real estate market, and throughout South Florida. Each agent is thoroughly trained to provide clients with exceptional service, competency, and professionalism. For more information on the company, Continuum in South Beach, or Continuum condos for sale, call 305-707-6474.

Popular South Florida Show Returns to Miami Beach This Year

Some good news is afoot for those wishing to enjoy some outdoor events in Miami Beach again. After being gone last year for obvious reasons, this year will mark the return of the Hyundai Air & Sea Show in Miami Beach, albeit with some changes to ensure social distancing and a safe experience for everyone.

Along with seating spread six feet apart, there will also be the option of how to watch the event. For example, there is the choice of enjoying the show from your private cabana or under an umbrella on a blanket, which involves all five branches of the US Military and first responder services. There’s also a less costly seating area where you get your room while also getting exclusive discounts. If you’d rather not deal with having to explore Ocean Drive for a drink or bite, this may be an option worth exploring.

During the Hyundai Air & Sea Show, the individuals, technology, and vehicles from all five branches of the US military, along with the country’s police, firefighters, and first responder services, are included in “The Greatest Show Above the Earth®”. On the gorgeous shores of Miami Beach, this event spanning two days is an outstanding experience featuring offshore motorboat shows, intense water activities, an adventure zone, a military show village, and so much more.

Appropriately enough, the Hyundai Air & Sea Show in Miami Beach will take place over Memorial Day weekend. If you’re looking for a place where you can watch all of the action, you may wish to look into Continuum in South Beach.

Grab a South Florida Taco

A food with near-ubiquitous appeal is tacos. The traditional Mexican dish typically made using corn or wheat tortilla stuffed with a filling remains a popular dish and there are numerous ways to get creative about what to put inside. If you’d rather not make some at home, South Florida has lots of great spots to enjoy a taco near Continuum in South Beach.

Let’s kick things off right here in Miami Beach, in the North Beach area to precise. It’s here where you’ll find Taquiza on Ocean Terrace. Overlooking the water, customers have the option of taco options like pastor, tongue, and chicken found on blue masa corn tortillas made by hand. In fact, the tortillas are so beloved, several Miami Beach restaurants have come to rely on them for their own dishes.

Heading to South Beach, you’ll eventually arrive at Bodega Taqueria y Tequila on 16th Street. As suggested by its name, it is part taqueria and also has a “hidden” bar in case you wish to enjoy some tequila drinks following the taco meal.

The people that brought you the acclaimed Broken Shaker and other South Florida favorites are also the ones behind Taqueria Hoja in Miami. The dishes are by chef Alex Chang and they include burritos, quesadillas, and of course tacos, all of them available with several different toppings. Pair the food with some good old-fashioned soda, beer, or margaritas.

Just a few blocks west of Taqueria Hoja is El Primo Red Tacos on Flagler Street, with tacos that seem to come straight from Tijuana and already have a rabid west coast Instagram following. Beef birria tacos and quesadillas are available, along with other interesting alternatives like birria ramen and consumme. Pair the food with some tequila and mezcal shots.

What are some of your favorite taco places?

Popular Miami Beach Food Hall Returns

Time Out Market in Miami Beach made major news when it opened on the barrier island. Boasting distinct vendors selling lots of varied food items, the food hall enjoyed early success but, like many restaurants, it was forced to close as a result of the pandemic. After remaining largely dormant, it will make its triumphant return on Friday, March 18, just in time for the weekend.

Time Out Market returns with some of its longtime favorites also reopening their doors, like the Peruvian inspired 33 Kitchen, Suzy Batlle’s Azucar, vegan-friendly Love Life Cafe, and the delectable pastries of Bachour. However, some new names will be joining the list like chef Omar Montero’s Mexican-themed La Santa Taqueria and S&D Burger, a restaurant brought to you by the same people behind the aforementioned 33 Kitchen. Rotating pop-ups plus delivery-only businesses will also be joining the assortment of options available at Time Out Market. For those wishing to take a load off, the food hall’s main bar will resume happy hour from 4 pm to 7 pm each day.

For those who want to enjoy Time Out Market but would prefer to avoid being around others, there is now a namesake app available where diners can order from the various eateries albeit with the peace of mind of contactless ordering.

Time Out Market is located on Drexel Avenue. It’s barely a fifteen-minute drive from Continuum in South Beach or you can always have something delivered to your condominium unit. Visit the official website of Time Out Market to see the full list of options available for dining including sweets and desserts, meat, seafood, drinks, and more.

Get Ready for Miami Beach Open House

Culture and art are two words that are synonymous with Miami Beach, and you may have seen some near Continuum South Beach. Its Art Deco design remains an artistic staple of South Florida and with places like The Bass offering ongoing exhibits, the barrier island is something of an artistic paradise. However, as a result of a certain virus, art experiences have been somewhat lacking, but that’s changing with the debut of Miami Beach Open House.

Miami Beach Open House aims to utilize empty areas and breathe new life into the city’s business corridors with experiential artist residencies. The aim is to fill vacant spaces in Miami Beach while still helping local artists and the arts industry, which has had to face difficulties due to pandemic and the resulting economic downswing. Empty storefronts, bars, and nightclubs, as well as city buildings, public parks, and cultural venues, are among the properties that will receive an artistic facelift thanks to the initiative.

Just over 70 artists and nonprofit cultural organizations will benefit from the program, which will provide strongly subsidized space and financial assistance to the artists. Artists receive a regular payment of $2,500 and are required to pay a small fee for their studio space.

The event begins in April and lasts until the summer season, while Miami Beach reports that select artists can collaborate with property owners to remain at their locations indefinitely. Artists will showcase and market their work, create networks, and engage with Miami Beach organizations. Throughout the city, Miami Beach Open House incorporates temporary public art projects showcasing indoors as well as outdoors.

Some artwork is already on full display in the barrier island, like Michelle Weinberg’s Night Drawings for Pedestrians at 7409 Collins Avenue or Juan Requena’s Phases, also on Collins Avenue.