Author Archives: timallen

Miami Beach May Crack Down on Smoking

Here’s something you may not have known about Florida: it’s among the few states in the country where municipalities do not have the legal authority to make decisions regarding the use of tobacco. In the case of Miami Beach, this meant the city was limited to putting up signs near the South Beach area where people were encouraged to remain smoke-free.

This may be changing.

A Florida Senator is proposing Senate Bill 218 to the Florida Legislature. If the bill passes all of its necessary hurdles, it would ban lighting up cigarettes on public beaches by making smoking on these beaches a civil infraction. Violators would face a fine of about $25 or they may be required to perform a couple of hours of community service.

The polite sign hasn’t been as effective as hoped. Over in Hollywood to the north, a similar “please don’t smoke” approach was taken after commissioners decided not to pursue an outright ban. Most people found the signs to be a waste of money because there was no way to enforce.

Should the bill become law, Florida will follow in the footsteps of New Jersey which is also implementing a similar law this year.

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 Continuum South Tower for sale, call the Continuum experts at 305-588-2451 for information on sales and rentals.

South Beach’s Upcoming Public Park

South Beach is about to get a little prettier, ladies and gentlemen. The Miami Beach City Commission gave the okay last week to a project that will pretty up the South Beach area. Using a trio of empty lots near what was once the South Shore Hospital, the area will be turned into a public park spanning three acres as well as a luxury condo and retail space. The project comes after more than ninety meetings and several months of ongoing negotiations.

In regards to the luxury tower, it will stand 519 feet tall and rise 44 stories into the Miami Beach skyline. The retail space will encompass well over 10,000 square feet. Both projects will be situated near West Avenue and Alton Road not far from the MacArthur Causeway entrance. The public park—besides beautifying the area—will also serve as a “sponge” of sorts to soak up floodwater.

The developer behind the public park and condo project will have a timeframe of two and a half years to complete the park’s first section and then a total of eight years to finish it. The park will feature elevated walkways plus water absorption components intended to assist Miami Beach with tackling climate change.

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 Continuum condos for sale, call the Continuum experts at 305-588-2451 for information on sales and rentals.

Holiday Events for the Entire Family

Have you been getting into the holiday season? Maybe you’ve visited the Miami staple Santa’s Enchanted Forest or you’ve toured some of the neighborhoods to check out the light displays. For those of you looking for kid-friendly holiday activities, here a few suggestions to consider.

Even during the holidays and with the upcoming arrival of 2019, it’s always important to focus on sustainability and being friendly to the environment. Tomorrow, Space Called Tribe Co-Work and Urban Innovation Lab is hosting a Recycled Christmas Ornament Workshop where adults and children can learn to use junk mail, newspapers, and flyers to create paper clay which will then be turned into memorable ornaments. The workshop begins at 6 pm and tickets are $35.

Zoo Miami is also getting into the holiday spirit with its Gifts for the Animals event which is being held on select dates starting December 15. Kids are welcome to watch as some of the animals get to open their own holiday gifts. There will also be complimentary boat rides, animal encounters, musical performances, a Zoo Lights display, and much more.

Do you have any special holiday events you’ll be attending? Let us know in the comments what your suggestions are!

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 Continuum condos for sale, call the Continuum experts at 305-588-2451 for information on sales and rentals.

Free Post Art Basel Events to Enjoy

Art Basel has come and gone, but there are still plenty of local events to check out this week if you’re already having artistic withdrawals. Best of all, these events will cost you little to nothing to enjoy and attend. Let’s get started.

Singer and fire dancer Megan Morrison has developed a loyal following for showcasing her talents as the frontwoman for bands like Dorothy’s Surrender. The multi-talented woman is now going solo with a new project appropriately called Morrison and she’ll be performing her work on Tuesday night at Ricky’s South Beach.

On Saturday, the New World Center in Miami Beach is presenting its Sounds of the Season event featuring classics like Tchaikovsky’s classic The Nutcracker Suite, Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson, and many more. If you can’t make it there before showtime at 7:30 pm, you can always enjoy the gargantuan WallCast along with other spectators.

Speaking of the holidays, Gramps over in Miami is also getting into the holiday spirit with its Jazzy Holidaze celebration where musical acts like Poparazzi, Butterfly Snapple, and Foom! will perform. The party kicks off on Friday at 7:30 pm.

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.

Grab Some Brunch Before Art Basel

Now that Art Basel is here, you may be planning a day in Miami Beach before heading over to the main event being held at the newly revamped Miami Beach Convention Center. Should you wish to grab some brunch, these spots are worth considering.

Malibu Farm has generated a ton of press since it brought its own brand of California-themed cuisine to the barrier island’s Nobu Eden Roc Hotel. Named after the posh city in The Golden State, you can try the fried-egg sandwich or maybe a breakfast burrito presented on a tortilla made of whole wheat. If the humidity is too much, some fresh kale apple juice will keep you cool.

Over in the South of Fifth area, Planta has a selection of plant-based brunch if you visit on the weekends. You can also enjoy vegan-friendly variations on foods like steamed dumplings and banana pancakes. Also be sure to try Frenchie pizza and the cauliflower tots.

The 1 Hotel is also the home of Habitat, one of the latest ventures by acclaimed chef Jose Mendin. Instead of being told what drink to get, you can create your own beverage to complement your brunch while you enjoy the ambiance in the patio canopied by trees.

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 Continuum condos for sale, call the Continuum experts at 305-588-2451 for information on sales and rentals.

What to Check out at Art Basel

Art Basel is here and there is tons of different work on display ready for you to admire and discuss. If you can’t figure out where to start or what to focus on, here are a couple of the numerous highlights.

Are you a fan of the American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer Young Thug? You can now check out his artistic repertoire through a series appropriately called “Young Thug as Paintings”. The Netherlands artist Hajar Benjida is depicting Young Thug using the context of history, and you can check it out all during the Scope fair, which is now open.

Tomás Saraceno is showcasing a temporary art installation at the Miami Beach oceanfront. The installation utilizes reflective umbrellas to create a solar-powered sundial which provides the power to an aerosolar sculpture. In fact, an entire week of solar cooking activities is in the works including solar cooking in Wynwood.

On a more serious note, artist Zoe Buckman is showcasing her “He Calls This Talk Banter” work over at Miami Beach’s Standard Spa. The work is a meditation on adult topics like violence towards women, BDSM, and more. A portion of proceeds from the works in the series will be used as donations for Roxcy Bolton Rape Treatment Center in Miami.

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team representing Blackstone International Realty, specializing in Continuum South Beach.If you are interested in Miami Beach condos such as theContinuum North Tower for sale, call the Continuum experts at 305-588-2451 for information on current sales and rentals.

Get Ready for the Art Week Parties

 

Miami Art Week is about to kick off, bringing with it a ton of different satellite art fairs and the biggest art event of them all, Art Basel Miami Beach. While there will be tons of artwork to enjoy, there will also be lots of partying going on, and the following are some of the notable ones worth mentioning.

The Montreal-based label Turbo Recordings is celebrating its 20th anniversary at the posh Delano in Miami Beach next Thursday, December 6. Its founder Tiga is currently touring throughout North America and he’ll be providing plenty of throwbacks during the event. Best of all, there is no admission fee as long as you RSVP.

Another label getting ready to throw a celebratory event is Republic Records, which is hosting its own party at the Surf Lodge next Friday, December 7 at the Confidante in Miami Beach. The annual event will include an ArtNew and YoungArts’ dinner celebrating the Inside Out Project and there will also be a surprise performer making an appearance. Considering Republic is home to bestselling artists like Drake, it should be an exciting event.

We hope you have a fun, informative, and safe time at the art and party events!

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 Continuum South Tower for sale, call the Continuum experts at 305-588-2451 for information on sales and rentals.

Events Beyond Miami Art Week

While all eyes are on the arrival of Miami Art Week and the imminent start of Art Basel, there are plenty of people who would rather not deal with the massive crowds and the busier streets as thousands visit the barrier island to check out all of the artwork. For those that appreciate art but want something potentially less crowded, here are some suggestions.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is known for its gorgeous natural sights. The Coral Gables-based attraction is currently running its gorgeous NightGarden which features a mix of sound effects, holograms, mazes, sculptures and more to create some intriguing visual sights that are absolutely perfect for sharing on social media.

The Gold Dust Motel on Biscayne Boulevard is the host of the intriguing Miami Motel Stories: MiMo event running every Friday and Saturday until the 23rd of December. Purchase a ticket and you’ll receive a key that will allow you to enter certain motel rooms and hear the stories of unique characters.

South Dade Cultural Arts Center is bringing “winter” to South Florida via the Winter Holiday Celebrations event where the entire family can enjoy activities like holiday crafts, great food, a photo op with Santa, and much more. The event is happening over in Cutler Bay on December 7 and there is no cost to attend.

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 Continuum South Tower for sale, call the Continuum experts at 305-588-2451 for information on sales and rentals.

Convention Center Hotel Sets a Tentative Timeframe

As the Miami Beach Convention Center continues its massive renovation project, one of the most anticipated features that’s set to join it is the hotel. Unlike the renovation which is nearing its completion in time for next month’s Art Basel events, the hotel is aiming to be complete within the next four to five years.

The Miami Beach Convention Center hotel is a lofty project with a budget of more than $350 million dollars. It is expected to include a “sky bridge” connecting it to the convention center, over 300 parking spaces, and much more. The project will result in the creation of 3,000+ jobs during the development phase, close to 2,000 construction jobs, and 724 full-time, permanent jobs.

Earlier this month, Miami Beach voters made their voices heard by approving the lease of city property to the hotel developers for a total of 99 years. This approval came with several stipulations, however. No gambling is allowed, no funding will be provided by the city, and a guaranteed rent of more than $16.5 million during the first decade of operation, to name a few.

Are you excited for the upcoming hotel? Do you think it will improve the city by encouraging more multi-day events to take place at the convention center?

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 Continuum condos for sale, call the Continuum experts at 305-588-2451 for information on sales and rentals.

Where to Stay for Art Basel

Art Basel Miami Beach is less than a month away and just like all of the previous versions of the four-day event, it’s expected to draw thousands to the Miami Beach Convention Center. Coinciding with the popular Miami Art Week, the event joins other satellite fairs like SCOPE Miami Beach. For those of you planning on checking out some of the artwork or spotting a celebrity or two, there are a few places you may wish to consider staying to beat the traffic.

The Confidante Miami Beach is located on Collins Avenue near the Julia Tuttle Causeway and it also happens to have a great location by the ocean. For those planning on attending Art Basel, its location makes it easy to cross Indian Creek and use Pine Tree Drive to get to the convention center.

For something more adult-oriented, The Standard on Belle Isle is another option known for its adults-only pool which also offers lots of privacy. If you aren’t visiting Miami, you can catch an Uber or Lyft to the convention center and leave your vehicle where it is without having to hunt for a parking spot.

W South Beach is also on Collins Avenue and much like The Confidante, the location makes it easy to sidestep most of the traffic and easily use Pine Tree Drive. W South Beach is also within walking distance of The Bass, another place you can go to check out art.

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 Continuum condos for sale, call the Continuum experts at 305-588-2451 for information on sales and rentals.