1) The New World Symphony
Founded by Michael Tilson Thomas, one of the world’s most renowned artistic directors, the New World Symphony commemorated its grand opening in the final week of January. It was celebrated with a festivity event on the gala evening of 29th January with rows of performances as well as the premiere showing of particularly custom-made video art that accompanied the exhibition which featured Mussorgsky’s pictures.
The New World Symphony campus boasts a futuristic look which was designed by Frank Gehry it features a grand concert hall with 756 seats, and this was where the gala event was held. A stirring feature of this new architecture has to be the 7,000-square-foot outer walls which are actually double for a gigantic mega-screen equipped with a high-end technology sound system to cater to the public in a live simulcast that can be watched and heard from outside for free in the West 8 designed park that faces the screen.
2) Miami Beach Cinematheque
Founded and captained by avid movie fan, Dana Keith, the Miami Beach Cinematheque, also known as the MBC was once established in a small storefront at Española Way. Now, the MBC is about to stir up the Miami cinema scene by presenting interesting, innovative, and wacky-style films to the shores of South Beach.
It is making its move to freshly furbished momentous Miami Beach City Hall located at 1130 Washington Avenue as its new nerve center. The 75-seater screening room offers an artistic and unique environment that was brought to life by interior designer Jeffrey Barone from Bonfaide Design, as well as architect Scott Weinkle, the MBC would not only feature movie screenings but also boast a library and a bookshop.
It also has an exhibition room that was opened with infrequent photos from the teamwork of Hollywood photographer, Frank Worth with Rudolf Budja Gallery. The MBC will be holding a ‘Made-In-Miami- Movie-Tour’ which will focus on the account of Miami’s film scene.
MBCinema.com
3) Miami International Art Fair (MIA)
Located at the Miami Beach Convention Center, where the original Art Basel was first set, art enthusiasts who missed the last Art Basel can rejoice with the second time, a once-a-year edition of Miami’s latest art festival or fair. This time around, there would be over a total of 1,200 established and up-and-coming artists to feature their works as well as 73 exhibitors.
The Miami International Art Fair this year will center on contemporary, up-to-date, and modern art as well as the usage of various new media and installations. One of the highlights is Colombian artist, Claudia Hakim whose forte is using industrial parts to come up with art pieces, such as the floating steel curtains which were custom-made for the fair.
mia-artfair.com
4) 1111 Lincoln Road
Planned and designed by world-renowned Swiss architects Herzog and de Meuron, this establishment without walls on the ground level as well as a concrete parking construction towering up to seven levels demands attention as well as the domicile to a few of Lincoln Road’s finest establishments.
Some of the famous and hip places here are the Nespresso café, the Brazilian-style boutique Osklen, the Italian boutique Coltorti (which is the only boutique branch outside of Italy), and the elegant fusion of book store and art gallery called the Taschen.
But nothing compares to The Alchemist, owned by curators and founders Erika and Roma Cohen. The Alchemist is a fashion and jewelry boutique that has the unique architectural feature of ‘floating’ display glass boxes in the middle of concrete columns which was designed by AIA award-winning architect, Rene Gonzales.
5) British Establishments
There are plenty of English influences in South Beach, Miami, and these British businesses are doing very well in the mix of Miami’s subtropical climate, with the likes of the Balans on Lincoln Road doing so well, as well as the contemporary English-Chinese diner, Hakkasan, located inside the Fontainebleau hotel. One of the most admired and well-received British Imports in Miami, however, has to be the Soho Beach House, located not too far south of the Fontainebleau hotel.
It is situated inside the aged Art Deco Sovereign Hotel and a tower constructed recently right next to it. Garnished with vivid Cuba tiled floors as well as fresh tropical furnishings, this clubhouse holds 50 guest rooms and many other amenities such as the Cecconi’s restaurant, a Cowshed spa, and a uniquely themed Cuba café ala the 1940s. The Soho Beach House might be a private club but hotel guests get to roam the premises.
6) Spa Scenes
There is nothing more relaxing and able to enhance your experience than the spa scene in Miami. Your first choice has to be the popular spa located in the Standard Hotel which is popular with its open-air massage concept. If you would like to experience a unique spa experience, being indulged in a cocoon-like spa room with an overlooking Murano chandelier and a floating library to cater to your reading needs, the spa at the Viceroy Miami is the place to head to.
With a full-day ticket, you are given full access to Acqualina Resort & Spa with various therapies ranging from ayurvedic to scent, touch, and sound with over 40 classes. Fans of SoulCycle could take it up at Mondrian Hotel as it is the only place with SoulCycle classes available out of New York.
7) Hip eatery
Located in Coconut Grove, the triple treat of the restaurant made happen by Jonathan Eismann is the place to go if you are sick of the entire big and glamorous diner scene and want to opt for something more local and not flocked by tourists. The Spartico, Mayfair Hotel, and Spa just recently opened but are already known to serve the best pizzas in Miami (305.779.5100).
Gigi serves Asian fast food delights such as the famous pork belly and tempura eggplant. It is located in the city’s hippest part, right under Miami’s Design District in midtown.
They might serve Asian cuisine, but the talents behind Gigi are local chef Jeff McInnis and owner, Amir Ben-Zion. In uptown MiMo (Miami Modern) lies the Red Light which serves Caribbean and New Orleans cuisine whipped up by Chef Kris Wessel in a 1950s-themed motel and eatery.
8) Coral Gables
Coral Gables is full of magnificent architectural structures and designs that will amaze your eyes. George Merrick, the founder of Coral Gables found and developed this place in the 1920s which covers a huge 12-square-mile deliberated area of houses and community buildings, especially ones from the Spanish Colonial design.
One of the familiar sights at Coral Gables is the Biltmore Hotel.
The attraction of Coral Gables is the likes of the themed villages from various cultures like the 18th Century of France and the French Normandy, Dutch, Chinese, Florida Pioneer, and South African. The place is also garnished by beautiful fountains and stunning plazas as well as a complex Venetian swimming pool.
With a free map provided by the City of Coral Gables, you can explore the city by yourself.
9) Bal Harbour
Chanel, Gucci, Dior, Hermes, Versace, Cartier – all of these giant names of the fashion world are all packed into one glamorous shopping center located in this retail prodigy at the far north of Miami – the Bal Harbour Shops. Besides the alluring outlets in the mall, Ball Harbour hosts various festivities and events all the time ranging from book reading programs, art exhibitions, musical concerts, beach nights, and movie marathons – all for free!
All you have to do is check their lively schedule of to find out what is up and coming.
10) Sunset Time
Now, what is a South Beach vacation without the sunset? There are perfect spots to catch the sundowner time almost all over Miami. Book a waterside table at Smith & Wollensky in South Pointe Park as you watch the ultimate sunset while sipping cocktails and enjoying the majestic orange skies with yachts and ships complimenting the seas.
Another popular spot to enjoy your sunset is the Sunset Lounge at the Mondrian South Beach where you will overlook the skyline of downtown Miami and Biscayne Bay at 1100 West Avenue. For more extreme measures, rent a sky plane at Miami Sky Plane and fly off into the sunset like the scenes you see in the movies.
InsideMiamiBeach.con
