Miami Design District

A brief history of the Miami Design District

The area at the southeastern corner of the Buena Vista neighbourhood was once a farm owned by ‘pineapple king’-turned real estate developer and furniture manufacturer, Theodore Vivian Moore. The area fell into a state of disrepair by the 1980s and early 1990s. Its real transformation didn’t begin until the late 1990s.

That’s when real estate developers Dacra and L Real Estate, backed by luxury giant LVMH (otherwise known as Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton), partnered and purchased the run-down buildings in the area. They urged top artists and designers to set up their showrooms and studios there. The scene gradually changed, and it began to integrate art, design, architecture, and fashion.

The Miami Design District’s development continued well after the turn of the millennium. Chic design studios, low-key yet fashionable bars and lounges, fine-dining restaurants, and artist-run exhibition spaces – often boasting ultramodern interiors and installations – helped the area evolve into a cohesive community and a mecca of art, design, dining and shopping.

What are the highlights and features of the Miami Design District?

The legacy of ‘pineapple king’ Theodore Vivian Moore lives on in the Moore Building, a 1921 landmark that forms the centrepiece of the district’s blocks. This dazzling, 4-storey arcaded atrium on 191 NE 40th St was a furniture showroom that now regularly hosts events.

Don’t be deceived by the Moore Building’s old-fashioned facade. Inside, its atrium has a deliberately striking, futuristic sculpture named Elastika. This organic, curvy ligament-like form seems to viscously connect all sides of the atrium. The massive sculpture was designed by Iraqi-British artist Zaha Hadid. It becomes the looming feature over catwalks and exhibitions.

The 18-square-block area of Miami Design District includes over 60 boutique stores from well-known designers. It’s home to dazzling shops from among the world’s finest high-end, luxury jewellery brands, often with limited-edition designs and timepieces in-store. These include Harry Winston, Bvlgari, Cartier, Hublot, Rolex, and Seiko.

Art lovers are treated to delightful museum-hopping with most spots hosting permanent collections and special exhibits from local, regional, and global talent. Check out the conceptual art at David Castillo’s, the private collection of contemporary art at the de la Cruz Collection, or the cutting-edge furniture designs at Friedman Benda’s studio.

When you’re feeling peckish, among the best spots to dine within the Miami Design District are Michael’s Genuine for gourmet comfort food, Mandolin Aegean Bistro for great Mediterranean fare served in a cosy vintage cottage setting, and L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon for an exceptional experience over dishes by the Michelin-star chef.

Good to know about the Miami Design District

The Miami Design District is served by Metrobus as well as the City of Miami Trolley Biscayne-Brickell route. If you were to drive in, the District has several parking garages that make up Miami’s parking space design trend known as ‘parkitecture’. Among these are the City View Garage and the dazzlingly colourful The Museum Garage.

You can enjoy free events in the District like the twice-monthly public concert known as the Miami Design District Performance series.