Miami Beach may be all about the clubs and the beaches, but there is much more to it for those seeking something slightly out of the norm. From the dining to the city’s surprisingly rich history and its Art Deco architecture, there is a world to explore in the barrier island.

If you want to dine like the Tinseltown elite, look no further than Miami Beach mainstay Joe’s Stone Crab. Names as diverse as Muhammad Ali, “Ol’ Blue Eyes” Frank Sinatra, and Madonna have enjoyed a meal at this South Beach favorite that’s been around since 1913. Joe’s Stone Crab is located at 11 Washington Avenue.

No vacation would be complete without posting pictures to Instagram and social media. Perhaps the perfect spot for some noteworthy snaps is the Delano, which earned its name from President Franklin Delano Roosevelt Built in the late 1940s in a unique Art Deco design, it’s a sight to behold and the lobby alone is akin to visiting a museum.

For those that enjoy barhopping, the Broken Shaker on Indian Creek Drive made the list of “The World’s 50 Best Bars” for three consecutive years. This romantic enclave is quietly hidden behind the Freehand hostel and it even has a garden full of spices and herbs used to make the drinks. The menu changes quite often, sometimes every week so it’s always a different experience.

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.

The summer is here and the South Florida restaurant scene is heating up. If you’re looking to try something new this summer, these restaurant suggestions are among the hottest places to try right now, no pun intended.

Lincoln Road can finally say it is the home of a New York style deli courtesy of Hank and Harry’s Deli located nearby on Michigan Avenue. Customers can try a broad menu of Italian and Jewish cuisine such as pastrami sandwiches, homemade meatball subs, and much more. The interior is appropriately themed to look like you’ve just walked into a New York deli.

Japanese and Argentinian may not seem like a common pairing, but that’s exactly what you’ll get at Leynia on Collins Avenue. With executive chef Jose Icardi overseeing the menu, guests can dine on a variety of meats prepared on the wood-fired grill. Perhaps most notable is the straight out of Argentina bikes that go around serving food and drinks.

Forte dei Marmi on Ocean Drive is located inside of a classic two-story building featuring an appropriately Mediterranean design to match the eatery’s Italian menu. Try some linguine, beef carpaccio or lobster risotto prepared by Michelin-starred chef Antonio Mellino and his son.

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.

Besides having a spectacular nightlife scene that’s among the best in the country, Miami Beach can now brag about achieving another designation. Per a recent report, the city is home to the priciest zip code in all of Florida, followed closely by its neighbors Doral and the family friendly island of Key Biscayne.

Boasting a median sale price of about $3.4 million, the 33109 zip code in Miami Beach is firmly at the top as the most expensive in the state. Not surprisingly, the ultra private community of Fisher Island is within that zip code. For those unaware, Fisher Island is known for its wealthy residents and being accessible via a ferry. There is no way to access the island through a traditional vehicular means. Names like Oprah Winfrey, Mel Brooks, and Boris Becker have called Fisher Island home at some point.

When compared to zip codes around the country, 33109 still manages to make the top ten, coming in at number four. Also making the list of most expensive zip codes in Florida is the city of Coral Gables (33146) which is known for its elegantly classic homes and a yesteryear ambiance. The city managed to come in at number seven.

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.

Before it became the cosmopolitan paradise it is today, Miami Beach consisted of a couple of avocado trees, plenty of mangroves, and was largely desolate. It wasn’t until American entrepreneur Carl G. Fisher set his sights on Miami Beach that the barrier island would go on to become the world-class resort city it is today. Besides his many contributions to Miami Beach, Carl G. Fisher is also known as the father of ultra private Fisher Island, one of the wealthiest communities in the country.

As he developed Miami Beach, Fisher was also responsible for the creation of the Miami Yacht Club on Star Island, which he would eventually turn into his private home. The sprawling 18,000+ square foot mansion recently underwent a full update completed last year and is now available for sale for the first time in three decades, complete with a handsome asking price. Located on the tip of celebrity favorite Star Island, the mansion boasts over forty rooms including more than seven bedrooms, a whopping twelve bathrooms, plus a majestic two-story formal living room. Among the numerous features, there is a wine cellar for up to 3,000 bottles, just over 200 feet of bay frontage, a pair of private docks, boat lift, and much more.

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.

While the standard thing for most people to do is to stay at a nice hotel or bed and breakfast when traveling, that isn’t necessarily the case for everyone. Many people prefer the comfort and privacy of a vacation home, and it seems South Florida has no shortage of them.

Per a recent report by Expedia, Miami Beach is among the several cities in South Florida considered to be among the top vacation home destinations. These rankings were determined by taking a look at cities with a population minimum of 1,000 people and examining factors such as listing growth, livability, and the amount of “seasonal” homes. To determine livability, the city’s “walkability” was taken into account, a common term generally used in real estate to determine how close a home is to amenities.

Miami Beach was singled out for its broad selection of waterfront vacation residences; over fifty percent of them are “on the water”. If you’re interested in learning more about these waterfront vacation residences or some of the Miami Beach condos within walking distance from the ocean, get in touch with us. We specialize in some of the finest vacation experiences in the barrier island, including the Continuum condo.

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

To say that finding a parking spot in Miami Beach is tricky is an understatement. Parking garages are a common sight on the barrier island but if city officials have their way, some of these may transition from garages into affordable housing.

As a way of tackling the lack of affordable housing in Miami Beach, city commissioners are considering a conversion that would turn the garages into workforce housing. In fact, a resolution was passed earlier this year mandating that housing be considered for all new garages. As officials consider retrofitting existing garages, they are setting their sights on a trio of options: the 17th Street garage, the one at 12th Street and Drexel Avenue, and the one on 13th Street and Collins Avenue. These garages were singled out because of their ability to accommodate elevators and other needs such as common areas.

For those concerned about having less parking, the plan would be to add additional floors on top of the garages so as not to affect parking. To accommodate these extra floors, the structures would require more strengthening.

Considering rent can cost as much as $2,300 for a one bedroom residence, the presence of affordable could go a long way.

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.

Some of the best restaurants are the ones that take a little more work to find, the ones that are found within hotels. Miami Beach has no shortage of these types of hotels, and we’re here to highlight some of the best ones.

LT Steak & Seafood is located inside The Betsy Hotel and it fits perfectly with the hotel’s classic Florida ambiance. The food is prepared by executive chef Laurent Tourondel and it even goes as far as offering sushi to accompany the delicious steak.

For something with some family style, Byblos has large and small plates available including vegetarian options. While you’re munchinga on foods like Black Truffle Pide or Sweet Jeweled Rice you’ll also notice the gorgeous décor that extends right down to the choice of silverware.

Have you been to the Setai? If not, you’re missing out on the Indian-themed Asian dishes served at Jaya courtesy of executive chef Mathias Gervais. The word Jaya means “victory” in Sanskrit and considering the food quality and reviews, it more than lives up to its name.

Last but not least is 27 Restaurant, known for its unpretentious and laid back vibe. Choose from Caribbean, South American, or even Middle Eastern themed dishes plus some spectacular cocktails. The restaurant address is 2727 Indian Creek 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.

Just a few days remain before most of us get to enjoy a long weekend courtesy of the arrival of Memorial Day! To celebrate, plenty of spots throughout Miami will be throwing fun parties for those seeking something fun to do. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights.

American rapper and actor Juelz Santana will appear at the Miami Nice Day Party on Saturday. As the official kickoff party for the Miami Niche Yacht Party, expect to see lots of attendees. Last year’s party sold out incredibly quick, and this one seems like it will continue the trend. The Nice Day Party is being held at G5ive Miami in North Miami Beach beginning at 3 pm.

For something right here in South Beach, the Rock the Yacht All-White Party is happening aboard the South Beach Lady on Sunday beginning at 9:30 pm. As you might guess, guests are expected to wear white and you must be at least 21 to attend. A DJ sky booth, VIP areas, and cabana-style hangouts are just a couple of things to look forward to.

The Heart Nightclub will host the Made in Miami party on Saturday at 11 pm. Oscar G and Lazaro Casanova are among the names who will be hosting while DJ Sneak will spin tunes all night long. The nightclub has developed a reputation for partying well into the next morning, so make sure you come with plenty of energy!

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.