Author Archives: timallen

Getting Around Miami Beach This Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day weekend is upon us, which means Miami Beach will be seeing tons of activity as people head to the sunny sands for a suntan, to Ocean Drive for a drink, to Lincoln Road for a great meal, or to one of the many free events in store. To deal with the expected crowds, Miami Beach Police is taking several measures to keep things orderly and under control, including traffic.

To get around Miami Beach this weekend without too much stress there are several things to keep in mind. A large array of license plate readers are being used to scan each and every tag that intends on visiting Miami Beach. These readers will be distributed in a variety of ways including at certain intersections or on top of law enforcement vehicles. As a result, all traffic on the causeways will be funneled to a single lane.

For those planning on visiting Ocean Drive, there is currently no vehicular traffic allowed and it will remain this way until 7 am on Tuesday. Beginning tomorrow, South Beach will be turned into a traffic loop, meaning vehicles will only be allowed to travel northbound on Collins Avenue to 16^th Street. Traffic will then continue west to Washington Avenue which will become a southbound only lane until 5^th Street. There will be limited access to residential areas and locals will be required to show proof of residency should they wish to enter.

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

Memorial Day Events in South Florida

The long weekend approaches! Many of us will be enjoying an extra day off to relax, unwind, and most importantly, remember the ones that have given their lives while serving in the armed forces. If you have yet to figure out what to do, let’s explore a few suggestions.

Some of you may remember the sketch comedy and improv series Wild ‘n Out which continues to air on MTV and its sibling network MTV2. Hosted by comedian Nick Cannon, it remains a popular show. Nick Cannon is now expanding the Wild ‘n Out name by debuting his sports bar of the same name on Ocean Drive this weekend! Drop by to meet Cannon himself as you sip on cocktails, small bites, and enjoy the live DJ.

Nautilus South Beach is getting into the mood by hosting a BBQ on Saturday beginning at 11:30 am. Guests will enjoy views of the Sea & Air Show while sipping on bottomless rosé. Tickets are only $39 and there will be a live DJ spinning some great tunes.

Up north in Bal Harbour, the Movies on the Beach series is debuting for the summer by screening the box office blockbuster Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle on Sunday at 7 pm. Munch on popcorn, hot dogs, and drinks.

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

Miami Spring Break in 2019 Will Be Scooter Free

For those of you planning on spending spring break in Miami Beach next year, there is a chance you won’t be able to rent a scooter. City commissioners recently voted to permit scooters during the Memorial Day weekend but they will be banned for spring break 2019. Originally, commissioners were also intending to ban the scooters for Memorial Day but decided otherwise after scooter rental companies raised concerns and possible legal action.

The decision to ban scooters during spring break is aimed at protecting residents of Miami Beach as well as those visiting the barrier island while also assisting with the levels of noise, which can often become quite loud as spring break is tremendously popular in Miami Beach. As for the scooters, supporters of the ban see it as a way to deal with scooter operators who often use them to weave in and out of traffic or even bike lanes, which may be dangerous.

What are your thoughts on this latest decision by Miami Beach commissioners to tackle the large spring break crowds? Is temporarily banning scooters a positive step in coming up with a solution or is there a better way the city can go about it?

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.

Miami Beach Welcomes Grand Basel in 2019

Are you among the thousands of people that flock to Miami Beach during the ultra popular Art Basel event? If so, the city thinks you might also be interested in checking out the cars. Officials recently inked a new deal with the people who oversee Art Basel to create an all-new car show called Grand Basel. The show will consist of a fusion of highly sought after cars from the past with forward-thinking concept models that will give attendees a taste of the future.

The company behind Grand Basel is promising the event won’t just be another automobile showcase. Future attendees can look forward to panel discussions centered around raising important questions. As for the main attraction, the show is expected to feature well over 180 high-end vehicles from different eras. Organizers are placing meticulous attention on ensuring the exhibits on display make the best use of space and that all vehicles are presented as works of art. In fact, there is an advisory board overseeing the selection of all exhibits that will be displayed at Grand Basel.

For those of you already looking forward to Grand Basel, it will be here sooner than you think. The show is scheduled to make its debut on February 22^ndthrough the 24^th and will be held at the Miami Beach Convention Center, which is expected to have its much anticipated expansion completed in 2019.

Phil Collins Returns to the Stage

With venerable hits like “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)” and “In the Air Tonight” still being played on the radio to this day, English singer-songwriter and drummer Phil Collins is one of the most instantly recognizable voices in music today. A former member of the successful band and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Genesis, Collins has an illustrious career which also includes eight Grammy Awards, a pair of Golden Globe Awards, and an Academy Award.

After years of living in semi-retirement, Phil Collins is returning to the stage and he will be bringing his musical talents to South Florida’s BB&T Center on Friday, October 5^th. The performance will mark the beginning of his North American tour, his first in more than eleven years. Collins—who is also a Miami Beach resident—will be touring with several of his longtime musical collaborators including guitarist Daryl Stuermer who toured with Collins during his time as a member of Genesis. Collins will also be joined by his teenage son Nicolas, who will be performing on drums.

Phil Collins has not released an album of original material since his 2002 album, Testify. His most recent release is the 60s Motown and Soul standards album Going Back, released in 2010.

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.

The Rise of Micro-Units

Would you be willing to spend more than $250,000 for the chance to live in the middle of Miami Beach in a studio apartment measuring 350 square feet? If it seems interesting, the rise of micro-units is a growing trend you may wish to look into.

True to their name, micro-units are tiny apartments that come furnished and are aimed at people that wish to live in some of the trendiest neighborhoods but cannot afford to pay the sometimes exorbitant market rates to live there. Real estate developers are placing their bets on the concept and there are already a few of them in the works. A seventy-unit residential/hotel project on Collins Avenue called the 6080 Boutique Hotel is scheduled to be complete in July and it will have units ranging from 350 to 900 square feet in size for a pair of bedrooms. This project is only one of many that are scheduled to debut in Miami as well as in neighboring Broward County.

The micro-unit developments are intended to seize upon zoning and building codes that allow for greater density and better use of land while lower requirements in regards to parking. Building costs are also more than fifteen percent lower. These developments are also rich in amenities, boasting pools, fitness centers, play spaces, and more.

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

Enjoy Some Spring Al Fresco Dining

Now that spring is in full swing, you may be thinking about where to enjoy some great al fresco dining. With so many restaurants near the water or by the beach, there are plenty of options, and we’re here to highlight a few of them.

We’ll begin with The Confidante Hotel’s Bird & Bone which offers a fusion of patio dining with some delicious southern comfort food. Have some fried chicken served in a taco along with some waffles, enjoy a good old-fashioned country fried steak. Bird Bone is located at 4041 Collins Avenue in Miami Beach.

Also in Miami Beach is Jaya, located at the posh Setai condo. The Asian-themed restaurant has a variety of dishes from all parts of Asia including China, Korea, Japan, Thailand, and more. You’ll find the patio dining over by the poolside and there is an even a retractable roof in case the weather suddenly turns rainy. The address is 2001 Collins Avenue.

The third suggestion is located up in North Bay Village. Shuckers Waterfront Bar & Grill is the perfect spot to dine while admiring the relaxing vistas of Biscayne Bay and Miami Beach. It is open as late as 2 am on weekends and guests can munch on food like conch fritters and coconut shrimp. You’ll find Shuckers Waterfront Bar & Grill at 1819 79th Street Causeway.

Zoo Miami Debuts Nourish 305

Ever since it opened to the public back in the late 1940s, Zoo Miami (formerly known as Miami MetroZoo) has remained a popular attraction. However, dining there on a summer day can prove to be a toasty affair, figuratively speaking. More than six decades since its opening, however, the zoo is finally debuting its first air-conditioned indoor restaurant.

Zoo Miami’s all-new restaurant is called Nourish 305 and it serves a variety of foods including sandwiches, flatbreads, and salads that are made to order. Those that like to have a beer with their food will be happy to know the restaurant has a selection of craft beer courtesy of the local MIA Beer Company brewery. For the ones that like to document their daily life on social media through pictures, the views of the Florida:Mission Everglades exhibit are definitely worth sharing on Instagram or Snapchat.

Another thing you’ll notice about Nourish 305 is its design, which perfectly captures Miami’s unique style. In fact, the design was inspired by none other than the fashionable Wynwood district. The artist David Le Batard also contributed street art to further reinforce the artistic appeal.

If you’ve never been to Zoo Miami, you can now look forward to a cool (literally) new dining option should you ever go.

Enjoy a Bay Harbor Islands Staycation

When is the last time you visited the Bay Harbor Islands? The pair of land masses to the northwest of Miami Beach flanking Broad Causeway are known for being great places to live as well as their nearness to the village of Bal Harbour. The islands are now generating headlines once again with the introduction of a pair of new hotels called Tryp by Wyndham Miami Bay Harbor and the Grand Beach Hotel Bay Harbor, both of which debuted earlier this year.

Tryp by Wyndham Miami Bay Harbor features more than eighty oversized suites and it is part of a recently launched Wyndham lifestyle brand with a strong presence in Europe. Exploring the hotel you’re going to notice heavy use of white marble and an aesthetic that is clearly modern. Amenities include a rooftop pool on the seventh floor, gym, and there is also a lobby gastropub in the works tentatively scheduled to open in June.

The Grand Beach Hotel Bay Harbor already has a pair of sister properties in nearby Surfside and the North Beach area. As for this Bay Harbor Islands incarnation, the hotel boasts over ninety suites overlooking Indian Creek and the posh Bal Harbour Shops while sharing some of the qualities of its sister properties like the beautiful interiors. There is a waterfront pool and jacuzzi and you can also enjoy an evening cocktail.

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.

Museum of Ice Cream Isn’t Going Anywhere Just Yet

For the fourth time now, Miami Beach’s feverishly popular Museum of Ice Cream (MOIC) has extended its stay. Instead of closing near the end of the month like it was originally intended, the museum will be sticking around until Sunday, May 13 just in time to celebrate Mother’s Day.

Since its opening, MOIC has maintained a strong appeal and has consistently sold out of tickets. The museum generated headlines when it was fined by the city due to its plastic “sprinkle pool” which was creating an environmental hazard. The pool is one of the many highlights of the museum and it has since been moved towards the beginning to reduce the chances of sprinkles being left behind.

A visit to MOIC isn’t going to enrich visitors with a wealth of new knowledge regarding ice cream, but what it may lack in knowledge it more than makes up for in its picture taking opportunities. The museum is packed with opportunities to snap plenty of social media worthy images, from the paraphernalia to the photo booths figuratively begging visitors to share an Instagram picture with the #MuseumofIceCream hashtag.

Museum of Ice Cream is located in the Faena District at 3400 Collins Avenue. Tickets cost $38 and are available exclusively online.

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