MIAMI DESIGN DISTRICT
12 REASONS TO VISIT THIS CHIC, FLOURISHING NEIGHBORHOOD NOW
Ten years ago, the Miami Design District, excluding a few Art Week party nights, could seem desolate—so much so that the New York Times reported, “The scene, during Art Basel Miami Beach last month, seemed full of promise, heralding the rebirth of this once-blighted area, soon to be animated, if investors have their say, by an influx of diners, art and design lovers, and style-struck shoppers flocking to new luxury outposts like Hermès and Céline. So it was surprising to find on a visit last week, that the same swatch of turf stretching from Northeast 38th to Northeast 42nd Street, had the oddly haunted feel of a schoolyard in August.”
That was then.
By 2022, the Times was singing a different tune, quoting enthused entrepreneur Craig Robins, the mastermind behind the development of the Design District: “‘In the Design District alone, there are eight new restaurants and two hotels under construction.’” Today, the neighborhood stands triumphant for its glittering shopping experience and thriving street life. But success didn’t come easily: The district needed to diversify and become more of a general luxury district with the kind of fashion and jewelry boutiques found on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue. And clearly, it needed to expand its dining options. All that has happened—and more.
Here are 12 things that make the Design District great:
* One of the newest boutiques is Louis Vuitton’s first standalone men’s store in the United States. Located in the heart of the Miami Design District, the store offers a 360-degree immersion into the creative universe of Men’s Artistic Director Virgil Abloh.
* The Design District recently welcomed beloved French fashion house Chanel to the neighborhood. Showcasing the House’s Ready-to-Wear, handbags, shoes, eyewear, fine jewelry and watches, the two-floor 7,600-square-foot boutique is the ultimate Chanel destination in Miami.
* Several furniture showrooms that kick-started the neighborhood are still flourishing and are filled with eye candy: Luminaire Lab, Ligne Roset, Jonathan Adler, Minotti and Ornare.
* And don’t even think about outfitting your home until you’ve visited the revered Italian furniture showrooms Poltrona Frau, B&B Italia and Armani Casa.
* For fine jewelry and watches, the abundance of options includes Rolex, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Breitling, Panerai, Hublot, Harry Winston and Van Cleef & Arpels.
* The three-year-old L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon earned two Michelin stars. The menus feature iconic L’Atelier dishes alongside new seasonal creations from Culinary Director Christophe Bellanca—a longtime protégé of the legendary Joël Robuchon.
* Cote, the Michelin-starred and James Beard Award-nominated Korean steakhouse vision of proprietor Simon Kim, notched one Michelin star. The 5,892-square-foot restaurant is synonymous with marrying the fun and fire of Korean barbeque with the hallmarks of a classic, clubby American steakhouse.
* MC Kitchen’s black truffle pizza with Brussels sprouts and sunny-side-up farm eggs is still a knockout.
* Choose from four architecturally interesting parking garages, with minimal rates (starting at $3 for four hours). The Museum Garage has EV charging stations.
* The height of exclusivity is represented by nine conveniently located valet stations, starting at $5 for up to four hours.
* Free wifi is available.
* A 24-hour ATM is located at 140 NE 39th St.