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In the last few years Miami Design District has gained more and more prominence and international notoriety. The location is not just an open air shopping mall. The concept is much broader and geared towards the luxury design and art. It is the preferred location for luxury furniture and interior design boutiques. Those were the first to come to the district once the revitalization of the neighborhood started years ago. World recognized fashion brands also sought their space in the area. Hermès, Cartier and Louis Vitton are some names that have already left the famous Bal Harbor Shops to go to the Design District, looking for the sophisticated public that the region attracts.
Photo Source: claratips.com
The first furniture store to be established in the Design District opened in 1920, when the region had very little expression in Miami. The site only began to gain international recognition about 15 years ago, when entrepreneur and developer Craig Robins envisioned its great potential. Because of its strategic location (near Downtown) and its pedestrian-friendly environment, Craig believed that the neighborhood could be transformed into an elegant center featuring sophisticated boutiques, art galleries, design stores and also fine restaurants and bars.
Craig brings in his resume the revitalization of South Beach and its Art Deco buildings. Just as he did in South Beach, he gradually started purchasing properties in the area and rebuilding them within the new concept. The buildings were all revitalized, preserving the original style, but also bringing up updated and vibrant facades. Nowadays the neighborhood itself is an attraction for those who just want to enjoy an alternative itinerary in Miami, even if shopping is not the objective.
Design & Luxury Decor
As soon as the revitalization of the Design District began, the first stores to arrive were predominantly interior design boutiques. For a long time the neighborhood was known (and still is) as a cluster of luxury decor that attracted mainly renowned architects and an exclusive public searching for nice and expensive decor items. Armani Home, Versace Home, Ann Sacks, Kartell, Luminaire Lab, Ornare, Spazio di Casa, Janus et Cie and Jonathan Adler are examples of renowned brands that are in the Design District today.
Armani/Casa
Armani/Casa is the home luxury furnishing collection by Giorgio Armani. The collection was lauched in 2000. Armani Casa brings the philosophy of the Armani style to the interior-design world. The brand recently partnered with local developers in Sunny Isles Beach to build a high-end luxury waterfront condo: Armani/Casa Residences.
Versace Home Collection
The Versace Home Collection was created in 1992. The furnishing collection is an extension Gianni Versace’s style
Ornare
Brazilian Luxury Brand Ornare is also in Miami Design District, offering customized high quality furniture.
Fashion
Big names in the fashion world have also reserved their space in the exclusive streets of Design District. Christian Louboutin, Dior, Ermenegildo Zegna, Fendi, Hèrmes, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Rolex Boutique, Tom Ford and Versace are some brands you will find there.
French Footwear designer Christian Louboutin was the first luxury fashion name to open a store in Miami Design District. The brand is expected to expand its business in the area by opening a flagship store by spring 2017.
Below are pictures of some world recognized fashion brands with boutiques in the district. Pay special attention to the different extravagant facades, and how impressive they are.
Christian Louboutin flower facade – Photo: islandplanningcorporation.com/
Louis Vuitton boutique at night. Even in day light is a beautiful facade – Photo Source: jckonline.com/
Art
Art can be found everywhere in the Design District. Every store, gallery and restaurant have artistic and unique facades. Just by walking along the streets in the neighborhood, visitors will be able to enjoy many sculptures and different expressions of art. Miami Design District is not only a center for luxury shopping, but also an open air museum where every corner brings a surprise.
Studio Snarktecture designed this abstracted and exaggerated interpretation of the traditional candy cane form. Snarkitecture Studio is a collaborative and experimental practice operating in territories between art and architecture. We can’t say they are not imaginative! – Photo Source: blog.snarkitecture.com
French artist Xavier Veilhan designed this big fiberglass sculpture to honor the famous architect Le Corbusier, a pioneer in Modern Architecture. The creation of the sculpture employed impressive hig-tech strategies. The bust began as a drawing. To add Xavier Veilhan’s signature polygonal lines it was necessary to use the help of a computer, scanne and high-tech softwares.
Yes, this is a parking garage! The impressive facades where conceived by design firms Leong Leong and Iwamoto Scott and murals by artist John Baldessari. Photo Source: archdaily.com.br
The tension sculpture thatlinks the different floors of this 1921 building is called Elastika and was conceived and designed by renowned architect Zaha Hadid. The architect had a great influence in Miami’s modern architecture. At the top right of the image is one of her last work before passing way: One Thousand Museum, a luxury condominium that also features the distorted lines from Zaha Hadid.
The future of Miami Design District
Miami Design District continues to evolve. Phase III of the master plan is expected to be concluded in 2017. The new will brings the Paseo Ponti boardwalk and the creation of the Paradize Plaza. Another surprise is the vertical parking Museum Garage, which brings 6 different and bold facades, each one designed by a different architect. The seven story mixed-use building will offer retail stores in the ground-fllor and a parking garage for approximately 800 cars. One of the facades will stick more than 40 vehicles to the wall, painted in silver and gold (check the right part of the image below). Another one will look more like an ant-farm (second image below).
“Ant-Farm” design
And new things just keep coming to Miami Design District. Imagine one of the largest 3-D printed objects in the world. Introducing the Flotsam & Jetsam! The sculpture’s original design will open Design Miami fair this year and than moved to Jungle Plaza as a permanent structure. Flotsam & Jetsam was designed by this year’s Panerai Design Miami/ Visionary Award winner, SHoP Architects.
Video about Miami Design District
I invite everyone to watch the video below about the Design District in Miami. At the end of the article you can find the Google map with the location of the Design District in Miami and also the link to the official website where more information, calendar of events and directory of stores, galleries and establishments can be found.
Miami Design District Location
| Official Adress: 3841 NE 2nd Avenue – Suite 400, Miami, FL 33137.
Official Website: http://www.miamidesigndistrict.net/ |
