Author Archives: timallen

Enjoy Romantic Music This Valentine’s Day

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! If you don’t already have plans or if you’re just looking for a place to relax, unwind, and enjoy some tunes with your significant other regardless of what day it is, pay close attention! There are a couple of suggestions to have a romantic night listening to musical performances.

Let’s begin with a place located right here in Miami Beach. The Regent Cocktail Club perfectly fits the description of ultimate date night. Located near the back of South Beach’s Gale Hotel, it’s a throwback with a classic décor and a great ambiance enhanced by the great music. You’ll find it at 1690 Collins Avenue.

Not far from Miami Beach is Le Chat Noir on Miami Avenue in the downtown area. For jazz fans, this is the place to be. Even if you decide not to go on Valentine’s Day, you can catch a live musical performance every night of the week.

No list would be complete without mentioning The Wynwood Yard. The outdoor setting here perfectly complements the vibrantly lush Wynwood mainstay which hosts events like Jazz at the Yard on Wednesdays and reggae on Sundays. A special Valentine’s Day performance is going down tonight featuring a performance by Nikki Kidd.

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 Best Brunch in Miami Beach

Looking to enjoy some brunch in the coming weeks? Every once in a while we like to cover some of the best spots to grab the best of breakfast and lunch, and that’s exactly what we’ll be doing in today’s blog. Let’s begin!

Washington Avenue’s Stubborn Seed has quickly evolved into a local favorite. Every weekend between 11 am to 3 pm, you can try the a la carte brunch menu devised by Jeremy Ford, a former winner of the Emmy-winning reality competition series Top Chef. Try the chai waffles or maybe the citrus cured salmon. For dessert, you can’t go wrong with some strawberry doughnuts.

Forte dei Marmi is one spot we’ve mentioned on previous occasions. At this Ocean Drive mainstay, you can try the $55 pre-fix brunch on Sundays featuring a little bit of everything. Have the grilled veggies from the antipasti bar and choose an entree like French omelet before ending the brunch with the dessert buffet.

Also on Washington Avenue, Lobster Bar Sea Grille has a $49 three-course prixe fix brunch available every weekend beginning at 11:30 am until 3:30 pm. Drink as many Bellinis, Bloody Marys, Prosecco, or Mimosas as you want while enjoying seafood delicacies like charred octopus.

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.

Open House on the Horizon? Make Your Buyers Feel Welcome

An open house can be the “make or break” moment, the factor that decides whether an interested buyer chooses to purchase the home or decides it’s not what they want. Hence, it pays to make that first impression one that’s memorable and works in your favor.

First impressions are everything. Could the home use a fresh coat of paint? Maybe the yard is in dire need of some landscaping. Considering the exterior is the first thing a prospective buyer will see, it’s imperative that the home is clean and eye-catching. With that in mind, clean everything and then clean some more. You may be surprised where buyers might decide to look.

Consider home staging. Home staging involves strategically placing furniture and décor to increase the home’s appeal while also paying close attention to color schemes. If you’re not the interior decorating type, home staging is a proven method of ensuring your home looks and feels inviting while minimizing the odds of turning off buyers that may not agree with your personal tastes.

Refrain from getting personal. Speaking of personal tastes, you don’t want to include anything that’s personal to you, whether that’s family pictures, a work of art your child may have drawn, anything that’s tied to you. The goal is to make it easier for a buyer to visualize calling the property their home, not yours.

Let the sunshine in. Make use of as much natural light as possible. Open the curtain and blinds and keep the lights on even if it’s bright outside. Light not only makes the home look more inviting, it can also create the illusion of greater space.

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.

What to Know When Buying a Condo

A condominium is a fantastic way to own a home without having to deal with all of the responsibilities that come attached to a single family residence. With the dues paid to the association, the maintenance such as landscaping or mowing the lawn is taken care of for you. At the same time, it’s also important to know what you’re getting into before signing on the dotted line.

Evaluate how the association runs. Take the time to inquire how the association operates as well as its financial stability. While you probably won’t run into any issues of that kind in South Beach, it’s still important to be aware. On that note, you may also wish to do your homework in regards to its budget, if the situation allows for it.

Don’t forget there are rules that must be followed. A perk of a single family home is the tremendous amount of freedom to largely do as you please in regards to customization and how you live. In a condo, you’ll be forced to follow the rules of the association which can range from prohibiting pets to limiting what you can or cannot paint inside your unit.

Remember the dues. While condos are generally less expensive to own than a single family home, it’s worth keeping in mind that besides the condo payment, you will likely be required to pay other fees such as those charged by the association. Make sure you factor this into your budget.

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.

Super Bowl Grub for Game Day

Super Bowl Sunday is less than a week away! While the Patriots and Eagles train for the big day, fans are eagerly deciding how they’ll spend the day. To get you in the mood, a couple of Miami eateries are serving New England and Philadelphia favorites.

Creamy lobster rolls are beloved by Patriots fan. Luke’s Lobster over in Miami not only sells lobster rolls, it also has lemon juice drenched shrimp rolls as well as crab rolls. The restaurant is taking bulk orders and it will even deliver for free in Aventura and Brickell if your order is over $150. Luke’s Lobster is located at 701 South Miami Avenue.

Philly cheesesteaks are synonymous with Philadelphia. If you’re looking to try some on Super Bowl Sunday to support the Eagles, you can’t go wrong with Philly Grub in Pinecrest, known for its authenticity. Choose an original cheesesteak for just $8.76 or upgrade to the tailgate box for $76. Philly Grub is located at 8269 SW 124th Street.

When it comes to dessert, the cream-filled cake sandwiches served at Sweetness Bakeshop in South Miami will delight New England and Philadelphia fans alike. Choose from flavors like chocolate or red velvet or buy one of the Super Bowl-themed cupcakes. Sweetness Bakeshop’s address is 9549 Sunset Drive.

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.

Celebrate Surfside at Third Thursdays

It doesn’t get the same amount of attention as its neighbors Miami Beach and Bal Harbour, yet the town of Surfside has the charm to spare despite remaining something of a best-kept secret. There is plenty of shopping, the neighborhoods are wonderful to walk through, and the beach can be found nearby, along with the stellar views.

Last Thursday, Surfside kicked off the tenth season of its monthly event called Third Thursdays. The party is held on 95th Street between Collins and Harding Avenue and it includes free cocktail tastings, plenty of food trucks, live entertainment, activities for the little ones, and even activities for those that like to stay fit. Best of all, there is no cost to attend.

This year, organizers are switching things up a bit by adding themed events to Third Thursdays. Last week’s “Surfside Ride” event made it a point to present Surfside as a pedestrian and bike friendly area where attendees were encouraged to bring scooters bikes, and skates as well as their four-legged friends.

Did you miss out on last week’s Third Thursday? No worries! The next event will be held on February 15 and will feature a “Get Sporty” theme centered around wearing your favorite workout gear, regardless of the time period.

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team representing Blackstone International Realty, specializing in theContinuum 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.

South Beach Welcomes Sushi Azabu

Looking for a new place to eat this weekend? If you’re a fan of Japanese food such as sushi, you’ll want to check out Sushi Azabu New York, debuting this Friday inside of the Marriott Stanton South Beach. Spearheaded by “Chef Masa” Masatsugu Kubo, the new eatery fuses raw fish and izakaya in a setting that includes a full-service dining room, a cocktail bar called Bar Azabu, and an inconspicuous sushi counter going by the name of The Den.

Azabu New York’s South Beach location is only the second one in the country. Besides New York, there is only one other location in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The South Beach incarnation will be setting itself apart by introducing the sushi den and the full-fledged dining room. The izakaya-style food will be prepared using traditional Japanese Binchotan charcoal on a robata grill. Guests intending to dine at the restaurant will be able to try dishes such as Japanese fried rice, raindrop cake, robata-grilled Yakitori, and more. As for the sushi bar, it will have eleven seats and it will serve omakase-style sushi.

Sushi Azabu New York has received stars from the prestigious Michelin Guides. Stop by its home at 161 Ocean Drive and try it for yourself!

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.

Miami Beach Wants Its Own Coachella

One of the most popular musical events is the annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival held in Indio, California. The event brings together musical artists from various genres and it also includes sculptures and art installations. The event has drawn major names in the past, including singer and songwriter Madonna.

Miami Beach is now looking to start its own three-day festival as a direct response to the popularity of Coachella. “Miami Beach Pop Festival” would take place beginning on December 14th through the 16th at 10th and 5th Street. Producers behind the event are aiming to attract a widely diverse array of artists, from Elton John to Bruno Mars, Nicki Minaj, Luis Fonsi, and Jimmy Buffet.

Despite the eagerness of producers to bring Miami Beach Pop Festival to the barrier island, the city has yet to make a decision and is relying on the public before making a move. The event may draw a negative reaction from residents that already have to deal with Miami Beach’s traffic congestion and the large crowds when major events are in town.

Do you think Miami Beach deserves its own equivalent to Coachella? How do you feel about the future possibility of Miami Beach Pop Festival?

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.

Art Deco Weekend’s Exciting Events

This Friday, Miami Beach will celebrate the 41st annual Art Deco Weekend courtesy of the Miami Design Preservation League. The complimentary, open air event takes place over three days and typically draws thousands of people to visit Ocean Drive to check out the various guided tours, shows, and live music. In fact, there is so much to see and do, we’re providing some suggestions to narrow down your choices.

The Bark Deco Dog Show will return for its third outing on Sunday at 1 pm at the Art Deco Welcome Center. As you might guess, it’s a showcase of the best pooches, with competitions ranging from the “waggiest” tail to the most original costume and the most “so Miami”. You’ll also be able to adopt a four-legged friend at the event.

For fans of classic cars, snap an Instagram worthy selfie with vehicles from as far back as the early 1900s during the Classic Car Show. The show kicks off at 10 am to 3 pm on Saturday and Sunday at 5th Street and Ocean Drive.

Return to the glory days of the 1920s during The 2nd Annual Jazz Age at Art Deco VIP happening at Lummus Park. Attendees are encouraged to dress in 1920s outfits while dancing to live jazz music performed by names like Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra, Elliot Sneider, the Troy Anderson Quartet, 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.

Stay in One of Miami Beach’s Most Lavish Homes


Do you know about Gianni Versace? The late Italian fashion designer achieved fame for his eye for style as well as for the home he lived in right here in Miami Beach. In 1997, his death made headlines and it is the subject of the upcoming second season of the Emmy-winning American Crime Story anthology series, appropriately titled The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.

Versace’s lavish Mediterranean-style home was known as Casa Casuarina and it sat unused for many years after his passing. It has now taken on new life as a high-end boutique hotel called The Villa Casa Casuarina. Despite the tweak in the name and its reinvention from a home to a hotel, the mansion still retains some of the unique details that Versace added to the home prior to his death. Guests can take a dip in the pool lined with 24-karat gold tiles, relax admire the view on the rooftop observatory, or get some rest on the massive beds that require the use of custom-made sheets. When it comes time to dine, guests can have their meal in Versace’s dining room which is now a gourmet restaurant.

You can learn more about The Villa Casa Casuarina as well as book your stay by visiting http://vmmiamibeach.com/.

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.