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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.

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?

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.

Miami Debuts Its Latest Express Transport

Now that the fall season is here, the weather is absolutely delightful for being outdoors. For those of you planning on visiting Miami or Miami Beach, a new way to get around debuted last week, making it easier to visit both of these locations.

Dubbed Miami Cross Bay Express, the transport method consists of a double-decker bus running each day beginning at 10 am until midnight. The bus makes stops at Bayside Marketplace, 401 Biscayne Boulevard, and continues to Washington Avenue and Fifth Street in Miami Beach. The bus also stops at Miami’s popular Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science. You won’t have to spend a ton of money to use the bus as the fare is just $5 each way.

Taking a closer look Miami Cross Bay Express, it strongly resembles one of the double-decker buses you’ve probably seen around town with the open air top deck. This one looks similar, with shades of white and blue and the Magic City’s iconic emblem emblazoned it. The bus can support a total of 66 passengers and it will run every thirty minutes.

Try the Miami Cross Bay Express next time you’re planning on visiting the barrier island of Miami Beach. Along with the beach’s own trolley system, this latest method of transport should make it significantly easier to get around.

Are You Ready for Art Basel 2018?

Less than a month remains before November arrives, which means December and the return of Art Basel is soon to follow. The annual event will kick off on the 6^th this year and it will once again be held at the Miami Beach Convention Center, which is expected to have its extensive renovation complete by then.

For those unaware, Art Basel Miami Beach is a contemporary art fair considered to be among the most important in the country. It is a showcase of artwork by famous and local artists and it’s become so popular, it typically draws some notable celebrities and public figures. Names like Academy Award-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio have been spotted at Art Basel purchasing some of the pieces, which can often fetch some hefty price tags.

This year, Art Basel ends on December 9th. In case you want to start making preparations early for the big event, the show begins at noon each day except for its opening day on Thursday, the 6th when it opens at 3 pm. Tickets for Art Basel 2018 can be purchased for $50 online or $60 at the door. Seniors age 62 or older, as well as students in college, will receive discounts. Children age twelve or under can enjoy Art Basel at no cost.

Don’t Miss These Miami Beach Summer Dining Spots

Exactly one month remains before we bid goodbye to summer 2018. If you haven’t yet checked out some of the following Miami Beach restaurants, you’re missing out on some of the hottest places to have a great meal, pun intended.

Byblos on Washington Avenue is one of those places where it’s just as great to eat as it is to admire. The menu features plenty of Mediterranean inspirations but you’re also going to find a healthy amount of dishes with North Africa and Middle Eastern tinge. Try the Cornish hen in lentil sauce or the lamb ribs, and don’t forget to savor it with a tasty tea cocktail.

Alton Road’s Macchialina is intended to emulate the feel of rustic dining in an Italian town. Michael Pirolo is the restaurant owner as well as the chef responsible for devising the Italian-inspired dishes like pork chop Milanese and the distinct take on ravioli filled with beets.

On Collins Avenue, in the South Beach area, you’re going to find Upland Miami by restaurateur Stephen Starr. The menu at this New York City offshoot has been prepared by Justin Smillie based on his upbringing in California. Little gem salad and coal roasted short rib are a few of the items guests will have available to choose from.

Miami Spice Suggestions in Miami Beach

Miami Spice is here and with it comes more than 200 different participating restaurants. Over seventy of those restaurants are located right here in Miami Beach, offering lunch and dinner menus for just $23 and $39, respectively. With so many options, how do you narrow down your choices? Here are a couple of suggestions if you can’t make up your mind.

We’ll start off with the perennial favorite Stubborn Seed which we’ve mentioned before. Thanks to the culinary talents of chef Jeremy Ford, you can dine on warm celery root with crackling maitake and creamy mushrooms or some tasty organic chicken with truffle butter. Dessert duties are handled by pastry chef Dallas Wynne whose whiskey cake with toffee in brown butter and smoked banana ice cream is definitely a must.

Estiatorio Milos is different from many of the other Miami Spice restaurants in that the Miami Spice menu can be enjoyed no matter what day it is. Seafood fans may wish to try the salmon tartare or the charcoal grilled octopus.

If you watched the Emmy-nominated series The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, you’ve probably thought about visiting the famous mansion. Gianni’s at the Villa gives you the opportunity to dine in the same dining room that once belonged to the late fashion designer. Risotto ai Funghi di Bosco and chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream are two choices available during Miai Spice.

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.

Music Festival Tips

It’s music festival season, and Miami is the place to be! There’s lots of festivals in the summer. After you buy your ticket and get ready to go, make sure you brush up on these music festival tips. You want to have the most fun possible, after all.

Bring sunscreen to the festival. Miami heat can be brutal, and most music festivals will hold shows outdoors. A nasty burn can ruin the festival for you. You should also bring some sunglasses, and wear summer clothes.

Buy water, or bring a refillable bottle. Because of the heat and the dancing, you’ll get dehydrated fast. As most festivals don’t allow outside drinks, you’ll have to buy water. Or you could bring in a refillable bottle and fill up at a water fountain, which would save you some money.

Plan things out. You should know when your favorite artists are playing so you can get in early. Make sure to look over the set times and plan out the best way to hit all of your favorite artists.

Going to music festivals is a great way to make your summer memorable. Make sure you have a good time, and not a miserable one.

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 305-588-2451 for information on sales and rentals.

Miami Spice in Miami Beach

There is Miami Spa Month and then there is Miami Spice kicking off next month. During Miami Spice, some of the most upscale restaurants in Miami and beyond offer lunch and dinner menus for $23 and $39, respectively. Do note, however, that those prices do not include tax and gratuity. Since the program began nearly twenty years ago, it has grown to more than 200 restaurants. So, which ones should receive some of your hard earned money? Here are some Miami Beach suggestions.

We’ll begin with Stubborn Seed on Washington Avenue, which features a menu devised by a former winner of the reality competition show Top Chef. Warm celery root with crackling maitake and creamy mushrooms is one of the Miami Spice options available. You may wish to consider ending your meal with some whiskey cake with brown butter toffee and smoked banana ice cream.

The vegan-friendly Planta restaurant on Commerce Street has become one of the go-to spots for major names like actor Mark Wahlberg and musician Pharrell Williams. Shiitake mushroom-filled steamed dumplings, pickled cucumber and coconut ceviche, and zucchini cream bucatini are considered some of the restaurant’s best dishes.

Meat eaters may want to visit Red the Steakhouse, also on Washington Avenue. To celebrate Miami Spice, the restaurant’s chef has put together four different menus, ensuring a unique dining experience each week of Miami Spice.

South Beach-Miami Trolley Line Might Become a Reality

Everybody knows about the horrors of Miami traffic. The route from Miami to Miami Beach can be especially congested. However, the city of Miami is trying to turn that around with the plans for a new trolley. This planned trolley will run from downtown Miami to South Beach.

The City of Miami hopes that the trolley will get some commuters off the MacArthur Causeway. The trolley would start from the Bayside Marketplace, go down the MacArthur Causeway, hit 5^th street, and then loop back around to the Bayside Marketplace. Riders can get off at 5^th street and transfer to another trolley that takes them deeper into Miami Beach. Right now, the city plans for four trolleys that run seven days a week, from 4pm to midnight.

The city planners are hopeful that this trolley will be popular, because more and more riders have been using the trolleys in Miami and Miami Beach. It’s better for the environment, and faster than sitting in traffic.

Let’s hope that the South Beach-downtown Miami trolley system will help reduce traffic.

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 305-588-2451 for information on sales and rentals.