As South Beach evolved from a quiet little village for retirees to a bustling playground over the past few decades, one of its primary streets, Washington Avenue, was the epicenter of it all. Now, as developers have revamped the other roads (Lincoln Road, West Avenue, and Ocean Drive), Washington Avenue remains the only one in need of a makeover. That makeover is now in the works.

Last month, the city of Miami Beach approved a resolution to designate the stretch between Fifth and 17^thstreet as a Business Improvement District (BID). This will pave the way for development of retail and office spaces as well as hotels and residential complexes. This is the first major project on the street since 2005 when it included new streetlights, resurfacing of the road, and drainage improvements. This current one is different in that it has relaxed regulations on height and density, giving developers more incentive to invest in more expensive projects. These projects include:

• A new hotel on the east side of Washington with about 300 rooms and two floors of retail and restaurant space on the north end. It is scheduled for completion in 2020.
• Renovations to two existing hotels: The Clay and the Clinton.
• A five-story addition to the Kimpton Angler’s Hotel South Beach, which will create 85 additional rooms.

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team at Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Murano Grande South Beach. If you are interested in Murano Grande condos for sale, call one of the Murano Grande sales experts at 305-306-2980 for information on buying opportunities and rentals.

With the summer quickly approaching, a surfeit of new restaurants and bars are set to open their doors just in time for the sultry season. Let’s take a look at a few soon to open places that may end up becoming your new favorite hangout.

We’ll begin with the curiously named Falsa Limonada opening this month, which will be located at the Clinton Hotel on Washington Avenue in Miami Beach. Guests will be able to dine on breakfast, lunch, and dinner indoors or in an al fresco setting by the pool. However, when night falls it will transform into an entertainment venue featuring drinking games, live sports playing on large televisions, and more.

Also opening on Washington Avenue this month is Minnow Bar. If you’re the type of person that enjoys the taste of gin, this upcoming South Beach bar will have plenty of cocktails to choose from which you can enjoy on the terrace or in the Minnow Bar’s cozy lounge.

Over on Collins Avenue, the Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club will soon serve as the home of Bungalow by the Sea. Discover a taste of Europe with some wine, try one of the pastries made in-house, munch on seafood, or grab a beachside bite. Guests can also enjoy happy hour every day from four o’clock to seven o’clock.

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team at Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Murano Grande South Beach. If you are interested in Murano Grande condos for sale, call one of the Murano Grande sales experts at 305-588-2451 for information on buying opportunities and rentals.

Happy Friday, everyone! To get you in the mood for the weekend, we’re spotlighting a few events you may wish to consider on this first weekend of May. Let’s get started.

“May the fourth be with you.” The phrase has become synonymous with the Star Wars franchise. In fact, May 4th has come to be known as Star Wars Day. To celebrate, J. Wakefield Brewing in Miami will be hosting its own event featuring food trucks, special drafts for the occasion, music, and more. The festivities begin at 6 pm and there is no cost to attend.

Are you familiar with the work of singer, model, and actress Grace Jones? She has become something of an icon for her pioneering fashion and distinctive appearances which were often bold and highly androgynous. Her life and career are being celebrated during the screening of Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami, a documentary that takes a look behind the scenes as well as her most notable looks. The screening will be held tonight at 7 pm at O Cinema in Wynwood and it will include an opening party featuring an altar dedicated to Grace Jones as well as performances by Dang-Ho Yu Sickning, a Jones drag devotee.

If you’re among the few that have yet to see Avengers: Infinity War, you can at least read about superheroes with a complimentary comic book courtesy of tomorrow’s Free Comic Book Day. Several shops in South Florida will be participating including North Miami Beach’s Superheroes Unlimited #2.

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team at Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Murano Grande South Beach. If you are interested in Murano Grande condos for sale, call one of the Murano Grande sales experts at 305-588-2451 for information on buying opportunities and rentals.

After a long day at the office or a busy day taking care of responsibilities at home, sometimes you just want to sit back and relax with a nice drink. If that’s the case, South Beach has plenty of great spots to enjoy Happy Hour, and the following are among the best.

Alton Road’s Drunken Dragon will serve you dishes like snapper sateh, kurobuta dog, plus beer and cocktails at highly affordable prices during its “Dragon Hour” menu. Its Happy Hour is so popular, in fact, it’s not uncommon for the bar to quickly fill up. Since Dragon Hour is relegated to the bar, it’s a good idea to arrive early. Drunken Dragon’s happy hour kicks off at 5 pm until 7 pm.

One of Miami Beach’s most popular bars, the much-acclaimed Sweet Liberty begins its happy hour while most people are still working (4 pm) and it continues until 7 pm. Have some of the oysters for less than a buck or try one of the discounted drinks like Narragansett beer for only five dollars. Sweet Liberty is located on 20^th Street.

You can’t go wrong with a classic like Monty’s on Alton Road. Enjoy the gorgeous Miami Beach sunset as you sip on half-priced liquor or draft beer for just five dollars. You can also have small bites like shrimp and claims for less than a dollar. The party begins at 4 pm until 8 pm.

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team at Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Murano Grande South Beach. If you are interested in Murano Grande condos for sale, call one of the Murano Grande sales experts at 305-588-2451 for information on buying opportunities and rentals.

With the spring temperatures signaling the eventual arrival of summer, you may be looking for some easy ways to relax in South Florida. While the following ideas may not be groundbreaking, they can definitely help with relieving some stress.

Take a ride on the Metrorail. Miami traffic is terrible and can easily cause anyone to stress out. If you’re going somewhere such as downtown Miami, consider using the Metrorail instead if possible. Free yourself from the war zone that is I-95.

Enjoy a snuggle session. The health benefits of pets have been scientifically proven, and snuggling up with a pooch can instantly relieve stress. The Humane Society of Broward County provides a service called Snuggle Deliveries which will bring four-legged furry friends to the office with a donation.

Try some yoga. Right here in Miami Beach, Green Monkey will train everyone from experts to yoga beginners in the art of stretching and relieving stress. There truly is nothing quite like exercising near the ocean.

Sunbathe at Historic Virginia Key Beach Park. Are you tired of trying to hunt down a parking space in Miami Beach? Historic Virginia Key Beach Park is easily reachable via the Rickenbacker Causeway and offers plenty of parking plus picnic spots, tiki umbrellas to provide shade, and more. In fact, Miami New Times rated it one of the best beaches in town.

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team at Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Murano Grande South Beach. If you are interested in Murano Grande condos for sale, call one of the Murano Grande sales experts at 305-588-2451 for information on buying opportunities and rentals.

You or someone you know may have found themselves in a scenario in which you order something from a restaurant such as a cocktail only to find a hefty service charge has been added to the bill. It’s quite common in South Beach where tourists often fall prey to the practice but it may soon become a thing of the past thanks to the efforts of the Miami Beach City Commission.

Restaurant owners overcharging customers via misleading sales tactics for their drinks or outdoor tables will soon have to abide by a set of rules implemented by Miami Beach city officials. These rules will require owners to display all of the prices for their food and drink menu items, including any service fees that may be attached. Owners that fail to abide by the new rules could face serious consequences, including having their business license revoked.

A popular Ocean Drive restaurant was closed earlier this year after it was discovered it was hiding menu prices for guests that chose to use its sidewalk tables. The restaurant will remain closed for a few more months so that the owners can come up with menu revisions and submit them for approval.

Have you ever been a victim of hidden menu prices?

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team at Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Murano Grande South Beach. If you are interested in Murano Grande condos for sale, call one of the Murano Grande sales experts at 305-588-2451 for information on buying opportunities and rentals.

This Saturday, April 7, 2018, is the eleventh annual SWAN Spoken Soul Showcase, an event that highlights the talents of local female artists. These artists include dancers, musicians, comedians, disc jockeys, photographers, spoken word artists, visual artists, poets, filmmakers, designers, and vocalists. It will be held at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts inside the Peacock Foundation Studio. No need to worry about ticket prices; the event is free and open to the public. There will be a meet and greet beginning at 6 pm followed by the first performance at 7 pm. Women in America have been making tremendous progress in many fields the last couple of years and the arts are no exception.

SWAN (Support Women Artists Now) is an organization that provides free publicity to these artists by featuring them in their campaign. They also provide networking events over brunch as well as workshops for at-risk youth. Since launching in March 2008, it has received proclamations from Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami Beach. Several past-featured artists have been commissioned and have had work displayed at high profile events such as Art Basel and New York Fashion Week. Over 700 SWAN events across 21 countries around the world have held SWAN events.

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team at Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Murano Grande South Beach. If you are interested in Murano Grande condos for sale, call one of the Murano Grande sales experts at 305-930-7844 for information on buying opportunities and rentals.

Next time you happen to be on Jefferson Avenue in Miami Beach and happen to be looking for something sweet, keep an eye out for Sciuri Bakery Café. Pronounced “shuri”, you’ll find the Sicilian-themed bakery anchoring a small strip mall.

Exploring Sciuri Bakery Café, you’ll notice plenty of pastries, cakes, cookies, and other bites you’re likely to find in a bakery, in this case with a Sicilian twist plus appropriately Sicilian décor. Some of the suggestions you may wish to try include the arancini or stuffed rice balls available with a variety of fillings, fried calzone, or even ragu lasagna depending on which day of the week you visit. The ham and cheese croissants are a great “to go” bite if you’re in something of a hurry.

As for cakes, customers can purchase an entire one or go with an individually-sized one. Perhaps the most famous of these cakes is one that isn’t quite the standard definition of a cake at all. The cassata hails from Sicily’s capital Palermo and consists of a type of a non-baked sponge cake with powdered sugar and sheep’s milk ricotta plus citron peels and candied fruit.

Interested in visiting Sciuri Bakery Café? It is open every day from 7 am to 7:30 pm and its address is 541 Jefferson Avenue.

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team at Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Murano Grande South Beach. If you are interested in Murano Grande condos for sale, call one of the Murano Grande sales experts at 305-588-2451 for information on buying opportunities and rentals.

Every so often, it’s worth taking a look at the coolest restaurants serving great food in South Florida. Not surprisingly, several of them also happen to be located right here in Miami Beach. Let’s learn a little more about them!

Located inside of 1 Hotel South Beach, Habitat by Jose Mendin has become well-known for its Spanish influenced menu consisting of intriguingly named dishes such as wahoo “esqueixada”, patas arrubravas, and more. The restaurant is by one of the people who also masterminded the popular Pubbelly. The restaurant address is 2341 Collins Avenue.

If you’re a sushi fan and you haven’t tried Sushi Azabu in South Beach, what are you waiting for? The restaurant is so acclaimed, it has received Michelin honors in the past and it offers a full-service dining room. You’ll need to do a little detective work to find the “hidden” sushi counter, but in return, you’ll find some of the best sushi in the entire barrier island. Azabu is located at 161 Ocean Drive.

Stubborn Seed continues to be a popular South Beach hotspot. A project by a former winner of the reality competition show Top Chef, the restaurant serves up dishes like herb roasted wagyu and citrus braised celery root plus delicious desserts. Its address is 101 Washington Avenue.

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team at Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Murano Grande South Beach. If you are interested in Murano Grande condos for sale, call one of the Murano Grande sales experts at 305-588-2451 for information on buying opportunities and rentals.