A PARADISE OF INDULGENCE
These shops aren’t your average strip mall. Nope. They’re a palm-tree-laden, open-air style shopping sanctuary nestled in the lavish suburb of Bal Harbour, Florida. It’s where the cream of the crop luxury brands take center stage, sporting names that even a Hollywood Walk of Fame would envy – Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Hermès, just to name drop a few.
Waltzing through its lush greenery and high-end stores, you’ll feel like you’ve been sucked into an episode of “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”. Built back in ’65 by the visionary Whitman clan, it’s been a hot spot for the who’s who of Tinseltown, and a playground for the world’s glitterati.
THE GLAMOUR TIME MACHINE
So, let’s rewind the clock a bit, shall we? When the Whitman fam decided to build a shopping complex, they did not play it small. They dreamed big. They saw an untapped reservoir of potential in the location, and voila! Bal Harbour Shops, a Mediterranean-esque village, was born. As for the surrounding beauty, think of Versailles-style gardens. No joke.
From its humble beginning, with Neiman Marcus opening its doors in 1965, to the arrival of Saks Fifth Avenue and Gucci, this hotspot became a global shopping destination by the 1980s. Its rich history includes playing host to the first International Best Dressed List fashion show in ’72 and even providing the backdrop for Princess Diana and Prince Charles’s wedding in ’81. Talk about a stylish journey!
THE A-LISTER’S SHOPPING MECCA
Located at 9700 Collins Avenue, the Bal Harbour Shops are three-tiered – North Village, South Village, and the Beach Walk. The North Village caters to the crème de la crème of the high-fashion world, while the South Village sports a mix of brands like Zara, H&M, Forever 21, and more. Beach Walk is pedestrian-friendly, brimming with culinary gems.
It’s all designed in a way that it’s impossible to turn a corner without running into a fountain, a sculpture, or some striking flora – a true visual treat!