I suspect we have to continually refer to Miami with references to New York City is because Miami has remained an outpost even until today. There is also the presence of real estate developer, Tony Goldman, and his involvement with SoHo, NYC. At any rate, the one thing that this article talks about that I doubt will come to fruition for a very long time is that Miami (Design District, Midtown, Wynwood) become a walking, pedestrian focused area. It doesn’t hurt to dream, however.
BY ELAINE WALKER AND ANDRES VIGLUCCI
Over 17 years, developer Craig Robins has nearly single-handedly turned the once-derelict Design District into a trendy destination for high-end home furnishings, art and dining. The missing piece has been the pedestrian traffic needed to create an energetic, 24-hour urban area.
That’s about to change, as Robins launches a repositioning of the area to bring in a new mix of luxury international fashion retailers, boutique hotels and loft apartments. It’s all about creating Miami’s version of a hip neighborhood akin to New York City’s SoHo or Meat Packing District.
A bold move like this isn’t cheap. Robins is on a buying spree: $40 million so far this year to acquire 10 more properties. His burgeoning portfolio includes 60 percent of the entire neighborhood and the vast majority of the central core between Northeast First and Second avenues.
(Via: Miami Herald)