In the following table you can see all closings in the Brickell area (zipcode 33131) for the month of September of 2012. There were a total of 63 closings. The main statistics are:
- Average price per square foot: $360
- Lowest price per square foot: $144 (Four Ambassadors unit 747)
- Highest price per square foot: $613 (Epic unit 3707)
- Average discount: 4.78%
- Number of studios sold: 5
- Number of 1 bedrooms sold: 25
- Number of 2 bedrooms sold: 28
- Number of 3 bedrooms sold: 4
- Number of 4 bedrooms sold: 1
Penthouse 09 at Courvoisier Brickell Key was the quickest one to go pending sale in just one day.
| Building | Unit# | Bed/Bath | Living Area | Days on Market | List Price | Sale Price | Price per sq ft |
| THE CLUB AT BRICKELL | 3316 | 0/1 | 425 | 9 | $119,900 | $116,000 | $273 |
| Four Ambassadors | 929 | 0/1 | 500 | 14 | $125,000 | $125,000 | $250 |
| LOFT DOWNTOWN | 1109 | 0/1 | 625 | 62 | $144,000 | $155,500 | $249 |
| The Four Ambassadors | 747 | 2/2 | 990 | 13 | $150,000 | $142,500 | $144 |
| The Loft Downtown II | 1904 | 1/1 | 665 | 17 | $179,900 | $170,000 | $256 |
| FORTUNE HOUSE | 2001 | 1/1 | 640 | 44 | $185,000 | $180,000 | $281 |
| The Club at Brickell Bay | 2305 | 1/1 | 740 | 29 | $218,000 | $212,000 | $286 |
| ONE MIAMI | 3906 | 0/1 | 507 | 81 | $219,000 | $195,000 | $385 |
| The Club at Brickell Bay | 4012 | 1/1 | 818 | 4 | $234,800 | $234,800 | $287 |
| Isola | 1811 | 1/1 | 682 | 9 | $235,000 | $227,500 | $334 |
| WIND BY NEO | 511 | 1/1 | 820 | 316 | $239,000 | $230,000 | $280 |
| BRICKELL KEY II | 1016 | 1/1.5 | 720 | 82 | $245,000 | $230,000 | $319 |
| The Mark on Brickell | 1006 | 1/1 | 750 | 90 | $265,000 | $255,000 | $340 |
| The Plaza at Brickell | 1903 | 1/1 | 750 | 139 | $269,000 | $271,000 | $361 |
| Brickell Key One Condo | A1111 | 1/1.5 | 820 | 68 | $270,000 | $250,000 | $305 |
| BRICKELL ON THE RIVER | 1203 | 1/1.5 | 952 | 90 | $274,900 | $270,000 | $284 |
| ONE MIAMI | 1424 | 1/1 | 846 | 37 | $275,000 | $250,000 | $296 |
| 1060 BRICKELL CONDO | 1704 | 1/1 | 731 | 149 | $278,000 | $270,000 | $369 |
| BOR South Tower | 2303 | 1/1.5 | 952 | 79 | $280,000 | $270,000 | $284 |
| 50 Biscayne | 3905 | 1/1 | 845 | 95 | $290,000 | $250,000 | $296 |
| ICON BRICKELL | 4608 | 0/1 | 675 | 48 | $290,000 | $285,000 | $422 |
| The Plaza on Brickell | 3702 | 1/1 | 688 | 9 | $295,000 | $282,000 | $410 |
| One Miami | 803 | 1/1 | 868 | 49 | $299,000 | $286,000 | $329 |
| Mayfield Condo | 2903 | 1/1 | 481 | 42 | $309,000 | $280,000 | $582 |
| PLAZA ON BRICKELL | 3400 | 1/1 | 847 | 182 | $310,000 | $285,000 | $336 |
| THE IVY | 3406 | 2/2 | 1087 | 418 | $315,000 | $310,000 | $285 |
| COURTS BRICKELL KEY | 2207 | 1/1 | 878 | 7 | $317,000 | $317,000 | $361 |
| ONE MIAMI | 2300 | 2/2 | 1105 | 49 | $319,900 | $315,000 | $285 |
| ISOLA CONDO | PH-1 | 2/2 | 1086 | 50 | $320,000 | $300,000 | $276 |
| ONE MIAMI | 2510 | 1/1 | 846 | 56 | $320,000 | $295,000 | $349 |
| BRICKELL ON THE RIVER | 1817 | 2/2 | 1267 | 84 | $325,000 | $350,000 | $276 |
| ICON BRICKELL TOWER 1 | 404 | 1/1 | 726 | 24 | $325,900 | $316,000 | $435 |
| BRICKELL ON THE RIVER | 711 | 2/2 | 1117 | 21 | $330,000 | $300,000 | $269 |
| COURTS AT BRICKELL | 1606 | 1/1.5 | 863 | 20 | $330,000 | $325,000 | $377 |
| BRICKELL ON THE RIVER | 4219 | 2/2 | 1157 | 36 | $359,900 | $359,900 | $311 |
| One Miami | 815 | 2/2 | 1145 | 43 | $368,000 | $365,000 | $319 |
| One Miami West | 3022 | 2/2 | 1169 | 64 | $370,000 | $338,000 | $289 |
| THE MARK ON BRICKELL | 2208 | 2/2 | 1140 | 17 | $379,000 | $370,000 | $325 |
| THE PLAZA | 505 | 2/2 | 1120 | 68 | $385,000 | $345,000 | $308 |
| ONE TEQUESTA | 609 | 2/2 | 1310 | 126 | $415,000 | $380,000 | $290 |
| CARBONELL | 802 | 1/1.5 | 1076 | 139 | $425,000 | $365,000 | $339 |
| 500 Brickell | 1402 | 2/2 | 1216 | 5 | $430,000 | $425,000 | $350 |
| THE PLAZA ON BRICKELL | 2304 | 2/2 | 1192 | 118 | $439,000 | $405,000 | $340 |
| COURVOISIER COURTS | PH-09 | 2/2.5 | 1257 | 1 | $440,000 | $440,000 | $350 |
| One Miami | 2726 | 3/2 | 1416 | 4 | $450,000 | $413,000 | $292 |
| BRICKELL KEY II | 1108 | 2/2 | 1200 | 20 | $454,900 | $430,000 | $358 |
| ONE TEQUESTA | 600 | 2/2 | 1410 | 49 | $475,000 | $460,000 | $326 |
| ONE MIAMI | 3926 | 3/2 | 1416 | 440 | $499,000 | $488,000 | $345 |
| Icon | 1810 | 2/2 | 1347 | 60 | $620,000 | $580,000 | $431 |
| Jade Residences | 1502 | 2/2 | 1529 | 69 | $649,000 | $630,000 | $412 |
| 900 Biscayne Bay | TH502 | 2/2.5 | 1711 | 319 | $659,000 | $640,000 | $374 |
| ICON BRICKELL | B-1003 | 2/2 | 1390 | 333 | $665,000 | $615,000 | $442 |
| Four Seasons | 44D | 1/1.5 | 1114 | 197 | $699,000 | $600,000 | $539 |
| TWO TEQUESTA | 2305 | 2/2.5 | 1540 | 48 | $700,000 | $670,000 | $435 |
| ICON BRICKELL | 3907 | 2/2 | 1461 | 25 | $720,000 | $685,000 | $469 |
| Epic West Condo | 3401 | 2/2.5 | 1539 | 256 | $845,000 | $800,000 | $520 |
| Plaza | 4205 | 3/3.5 | 1974 | 36 | $889,000 | $850,000 | $431 |
| FOUR SEASONS | 3412 | 2/2.5 | 1747 | 185 | $920,000 | $750,000 | $429 |
| Icon Brickell Tower 2 | 4302 | 2/2 | 1654 | 117 | $950,000 | $920,000 | $556 |
| EPIC WEST | 3707 | 2/2.5 | 1598 | 167 | $990,000 | $980,000 | $613 |
| Jade | 1101 | 2/2.5 | 1878 | 44 | $1,125,000 | $1,050,000 | $559 |
| Three Tequesta Point | 2401 | 3/2.5 | 2353 | 51 | $1,300,000 | $1,180,000 | $501 |
| JADE RESIDENCES | 3701 | 4/4.5 | 3415 | 217 | $2,145,000 | $1,950,000 | $571 |
When one in four restaurants go out of business or change ownership within one year of their grand opening, it’s amazing to find one on the verge of celebrating its 100th year in business. It’s a landmark event for Joe’s Stone Crab and they’re celebrating their centennial, beginning in January and running through mid-October, 2013.
Located at 11 Washington Avenue, Joe’s Stone Crab has a rich and delightful Miami history.
The “Joe” in the eatery’s name is Joe Weiss, a Hungarian-born New Yorker who decided to move to Miami to ease his asthma symptoms. In the Big Apple, Joe was a waiter and his wife Jennie a cook in a restaurant, so it was only natural that Joe would gravitate to a food and beverage career in his new home. The tiny lunch stand he ran on Miami Beach was the beginnings of an incredible American Dream success story for these two immigrants.
Five years later, Joe and Jennie opened the business in a bungalow on Biscayne Street. They reversed roles (Jennie waited tables while Joe did the cooking), created a menu that included mostly seafood dishes and served diners on a couple of tables set up on the bungalow’s front porch.
As the couple aged and the business grew and relocated, it was handed down to Jesse, who is largely credited for the restaurant’s success and longevity.
Today, Joe’s is still a family-run operation and the “family” has extended to include its employees, some of whom have been with Joe’s Stone Crab for 40 years. With a profit sharing plan and three employee bonuses a year, it’s a place that values its people and makes them feel a part of the family.
Joe’s has also expanded into two additional locations: Chicago (on East Grand Avenue) and Las Vegas (in the Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace).
So, how does a restaurant that has catered to patrons such as J. Edgar Hoover and Al Capone, celebrate the milestone of a 100-year anniversary? It will be fun, but low key, Joe’s COO Stephen Sawitz told the Miami Herald.
Joe’s Stone Crab doesn’t accept reservations so be prepared to wait for a table – sometimes up to two hours. Choose from medium, large and jumbo stone crab claws or, do as Frommer’s suggests if you’re not in the mood for crab, and try the liver and onions or fried chicken.
Top your meal off with what Frommer’s calls “the best” key lime pie in town.
Joe’s Stone Crab is open for business during Miami’s crab season, which runs from mid-October to mid-May. You’ll find Joe’s in South Beach at Biscayne Street, just south of 1st Street. For more information on this Miami legend, visit them online.
The real estate around Joe's has been very popular as well with a new building announced this month by the Related Group. One Ocean will be built one block away from Joe's, where the Phillippe restaurant is located today. One Ocean will only have 50 ultra-luxurious residences. Regarding resales in this area of South Beach, Apogee has units starting at $5 million, Continuum has units starting at $600,000 and Portofino has units starting at $600,000 as well.
If you are seeking the finest condo living Miami has to offer I have two words for you: Millionaire’s Row. Located mid-beach, north of 17th Street, Millionaire’s Row is a stretch of Miami that is dotted with some of the city’s most luxurious real estate – and amenities to match.
Location of Millionaire’s Row
Between North Beach and South Beach, “ideal” seems an understatement to describe the location of this high-end enclave. “Convenient” is apt as well, for the area’s proximity to fabulous shopping and dining.
Then there are, of course, the crystal-white sand beaches, less crowded than those of South Beach. Locals enjoy the boardwalk, whether for jogs, leisurely strolls at sunset or people-watching.
History of Millionaire’s Row
Elephants on Miami Beach? Back when the area was accessible to the mainland only by ferry, a gentleman by the name of John Collins came up with the brilliant idea of constructing a bridge between the two. As bad luck would have it, however, he ran out of money before the project was complete. With the help of the now-famous Carl Fisher, the money flowed once again and Collins’ dream-bridge was completed. While it no longer exists, the Venetian Causeway follows its route.
Collins also acquired several parcels of land and used elephants to clear the mangroves and swamps. He installed roads and built coral-rock homes. Fisher and Collins worked hard promoting the area to wealthy northerners, touting the climate and the area’s beaches. By the end of 1923, Fisher had sold $6 million worth of area real estate, according to Absolutely Florida.
This high-end tropical escape proved an irresistible magnet to the rich and famous, not only as a vacation destination, but as a part-time home as well. In fact, some of the luxurious summer homes they built are still in existence today.
Millionaire’s Row Today
While South Beach offers far more of a party atmosphere, you’ll find Millionaire’s Row a bit more sedate and refined.
Despite this, mid-beach does offer the amazing Fontainebleau Miami Beach Resort with a nightclub and eight restaurants. Eden Roc, next door, features three infinity-edge pools plus an adult-only swimming pool.
Where to Live in Millionaire’s Row
Pricey, luxurious, with an abundance of high-end amenities is what you’ll find when you decide to look at homes in Millionaire’s Row. Let’s take a look at some of the more desirable condo buildings in the area.
Mei Miami Beach
Priced from $499,000 to $2.25 million, Mei Miami Beach offers one, two and three bedroom homes with up to three bathrooms.
Built in 2008, this Asian-inspired 22-story building offers the following amenities:
• Library
• Spa
• Fitness Center
• Beach club
• Tea Lounge
• Social rooms
• Business center
• Concierge service
• 24-hour valet and front-door service
• Security-controlled elevator system
The 94 units at Mei run from 900 to 1,900 square feet and townhomes from 2,000 to 4,000 square feet. Mei homes feature:
• State-of-the-art technology
• Large balconies
• Designer kitchens and bathrooms
Condos at Mei Miami Beach remain on the market an average of 128 days, with an average sales price of $1,163,667. The average price-per-square foot paid during the first half of 2012 is $658.
The Bath Club
No discussion of Millionaire’s Row is complete without mention of The Bath Club, one of the area’s most popular and prestigious addresses. Located at 5959 Collins Avenue, The Bath Club is not only an amazing place to live, it’s steeped in history as well.
Situated on a former avocado plantation, The Bath Club was designed and built in 1926. While the architecture has since been painstakingly restored, the amenities are decidedly modern. In fact, the Bath Club bills itself as providing “all the services of a five-star hotel with the privacy of a single-family home.”
Residences at The Bath Club are second to none, which we’ll discover in a moment. First, let’s take a look at some of the complex’s amenities:
• Concierge
• 24-hour security
• Full-service spa
• Fitness/health center
• Conference area
• Billiard room
• Tennis courts
• Lounges
• Board room
• Private party room
• Katrina’s Restaurant
• Poolside food and beverage service
• Fully-stocked wine cellar
• Gourmet market
• Newsstand
• In-home dining available
• Housekeeping services available
• Over 26,000 square feet of event space
• 50,000 square feet of private beach
The villas at The Bath Club feature frescoes on the ceilings in the master bedrooms and imported marble floors throughout. With eight floor plans from which to choose, homes range in size from a bit over 1,900 square feet to 4,135 square feet.
The units feature:
• Private service-elevator for each residence
• Alarm systems
• 10 to 12 foot ceilings in the Tower residences
• Floor-to-ceiling windows
• Glass terraces
• European kitchens with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances
• Views of the ocean, city or bay
Technically, homes at The Bath Club remain on the market an average of 160 days. Included in this determination, however, is one home that was on the market for over 400 days. When that one is removed, the days-on-the-market figure is a quick 75 days.
The average sales price of a Bath Club home is $3,025,000, or $824.75 per square foot. Current prices run from $1,125,000 to just under $10 million.
Green Diamond and Blue Diamond
Typically mentioned in the same breath, the Blue Diamond and the Green Diamond actually stand adjacent to one another. With direct ocean, bay and city views, both diamonds are mid-beach gems.
The 45-story towers were built in 2000 and feature eight residents per floor, with one, two and three bedrooms. Although the offered amenities between the buildings are subtly different, overall you will find:
• Lighted tennis courts
• Billiard rooms
• Health and fitness center
• Private beach club
• Media room
• Multi-purpose room
• Storage Facilities
• 24-hour security
• Storage facilities
• Beach access
• Children’s pool
• Towel service
• Valet
• Concierge
Choose from among eight floor plans with one through three bedrooms.
Current prices at Green Diamond range from $560,000 to $1,650,000. At Blue Diamond, you can choose from among residences that range in price from $590,000 to $2,175,000.
After several sluggish years with few new residential developments, South Florida’s landscape is about to get a major makeover. The Brickell area deserves a lot of the credit, with new construction popping up almost monthly.
In fact, according to Oscar Pedro Musibay of the South Florida Business Journal, since the start of 2012 developers have announced 13 new condo towers for the area east of Interstate 95. Most of the new developments claim they will “redefine” Brickell’s landscape in ways we’ve not even imagined. True? That remains to be seen, but let’s take a look at some of the projects for which the developers are just breaking ground or that are already under construction in Brickell.
Brickell House
Developer Harvey Hernandez of Newgard Development Group paid $25.8 million for a site, in the heart of the financial district, on which ground has been broken for the 46-story Brickell House. Completion is set for 2014.
The good news is that the sales center is now open, but, if you’re interested in purchasing at Brickell House you’ll need to act fast because there are only 20 units of the tower’s 374 remaining. Located at 1451 Brickell Avenue, the sales office offers models of the units’ kitchens and bathrooms.
Brickell House offers units ranging in size from studios (at fewer than 600 square feet) to penthouses with 7,000 square feet of living space.
While the units promise to be breathtaking, gadget lovers will be amazed at Brickell House’s robotic parking garage, a first for Miami. The completely automated system allows the driver to drive into an elevator, leave the car, press a button and the robotic system takes over, parking the car.
Announced amenities include two swimming pools and a Meat Market steakhouse -- the self-described “sexier and more glamorous take on the traditional steakhouse,” which will be located on the ground floor.
My Brickell
Not far from BrickellHouse, sales are underway for the 234 units planned for My Brickell, which broke ground in the spring. Related Group, the developer of the site located at 30 SE Sixth Street, expects the project to be completed by late 2013.
The 25-floor building is designed by Arquitectonica, and the award-winning Karim Rashid is doing the interiors, according to the Miami Herald’s Martha Brannigan.
The residences – studios and 1 and 2 bedroom units -- range in size from 600 to 1,195 square feet. Interestingly, there is no parking at the building, but owners of one and two bedroom units will be allowed to park next door at 500 Brickell, via valet parking. Studio owners are not given parking, thus the lower-than-normal prices for these units.
The highlight of the development is the amazing rooftop terrace with a swimming pool, but My Brickell will also offer residents a fitness club, a bar and a media room.
The interiors promise to be stunning with Berber carpet, walk-in closets and Italian cabinets and stone countertops in the kitchens and bathrooms.
If you’re interested in purchasing a unit here at My Brickell you’ll need to act quickly as there are only five available, with an average sales price of $400 per square foot.
Millecento
Related Group also broke ground last month on 1100 Millecento Residences in Mary Brickell Village. The 382 residences are designed by Pininfarina. If the name sounds familiar, think Maserati, Ferrari and Rolls-royce.
The building will stand 42 stories tall and offer amenities such as a fitness center and sauna, a roof-top infinity pool, private cabanas and beach club membership. Additional amenities include:
• A cinema screening room
• CitiClub bar and lounge
• Resident’s party room
• Billiards room
Millecento was sold out before developers broke ground for the project, with buyers placing a hefty 35 percent deposit on the units.
Brickell CitiCentre
The gargantuan Brickell CitiCentre complex of skyscrapers has had its share of problems getting off the ground, but with the first phase finally getting underway back in June, it seems to be full speed ahead from here on out.
Part of this first phase includes 800 condo units in two 40-story towers, according to the South Florida Business Journal. Units range in size from studios to five-bedrooms. The expected completion date for phase one is sometime in 2015.
This city-within-a-city promises to provide residents with the convenience of walking, on what they call the “Climate Ribbon,” (covered walkways that connect all of CitiCentre’s structures) to shopping, dining and entertainment, all within the complex.
Aside from the two condo towers, CitiCentre will contain:
• A 243 room hotel
• Two office towers
• 3,100 parking spaces
Phase two will add an additional, taller office tower.
If you drive by the site you’ll notice that the first phase is well underway with contractors working on the foundation and underground parking. This part of the project should be complete within 18 months, according to the South Florida Business Journal.
Looking for water views without the hustle and hum of an urban neighborhood? Consider the Venetian Islands.
Located in Biscayne Bay, between downtown and Miami Beach, the man-made islands that make up the Venetian Chain offer an entirely different vibe than what you find on the mainland.
The Venetian Islands are:
• Belle Isle
• Rivo Alto
• Di Lido
• San Marino
• San Marco
• Biscayne
The islands are connected by a series of bridges known as the Venetian Causeway.
Belle Isle Island
Once home to retail giant J.C. Penney, Belle Isle, the easternmost Venetian island, is now known for its amazing condominium complexes. A somewhat circular island, the condo buildings ring the island’s shores and surround Belle Isle Park.
The park was renovated about six years ago and features an island favorite, the dog park.
Belle Isle is home to the Standard Miami, a boutique spa hotel. The hotel features 105 rooms while the spa offers innovative treatments such as the “Sound Shower,” the “Falling Water Column” and pre-natal massage.
Some of the most in-demand condos on Belle Isle can be found at Nine Island Avenue, where current home prices range from $369,000 to $1,050,000. The Costa Brava is another island favorite and, because homes here are typically lower than Nine Island, they tend to sell quickly. There is one unit currently available, offered at $429,000. The average sales price of homes here at Costa Brava is just under $407,000.
The most recent buildings in Belle Isle are The Grand Venetian which was built in 2001 and The Vistas which was built in 1998.
Rivo Alto Island
Located just west of Belle Isle is Rivo Alto, both an island and a neighborhood. Most of the structures on Rivo Alto are single family luxury homes. Those homes on the water have boat docks.
Current homes in Rivo Alto range in price from $895,000 to $10.5 million.
Di Lido Island
Moving west of Rivo Alto you will find Di Lido Island. Italian villas, Mediterranean estates and modern manse’s dot the island’s landscape. Prices for Di Lido homes range from $1,225,000 to $14.9 million.
San Marino Island
On San Marino you’ll find luxury living at its finest. Secluded, yet close to all that Miami Beach has to offer, life on San Marino is idyllic. Currently, you’ll find only 5 homes for sale in San Marino Island, ranging in price from $1,095,000 to $9.4 million.
San Marco Island
Homes on San Marco are situated similarly to those on the other Venetian Islands, with both waterfront and inland locations. Available homes in San Marco Island range in size from two bedrooms to seven bedrooms and are priced from $1,295,000 to $6,950,000.
Biscayne Island
The closest one to mainland is Biscayne Island, which has a mix of condominium buildings and single family homes. Biscayne Island also has a toll plaza right next to the bridge that connects the island with Downtown Miami.
There are three buildings in Biscayne Island: One Thousand Venetian, Sandpiper and Venetian Isle at 801 N Venetian Dr.
Prices for single family homes in Biscayne Island usually start at $1million. Sometimes you will find a bargain on Biscayne Island such as the current lowest-priced home on the market. This 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home is being short sold, listed at $725,000.
There are only four other homes on the market on Biscayne and they range in price from $3,300,000 to $9.5 million.
The Venetian Islands offer the best of both Miami worlds – secluded enclaves with ocean views, yet minutes away from all that Miami has to offer. We’re happy to show you any of the amazing homes available on the Venetian Islands.
