OVERVIEW
Found in Midtown Miami, the Design District is roughly bound by North 36th Street to the South, North 43rd Street to the North, West First Avenue to the West and Biscayne Boulevard to the East.
Found at the crossroads of other city neighborhoods, the Design District has developed a character all of its own–specifically becoming a design, arts, and fashion destination.
Originally known as Buena Vista, the area had fallen to urban decay until heavy public and private investments allowed it to undergo a major redevelopment in the early 2000s.
SHOPPING
A fashion destination in and of its own, the Design District is home to a variety of luxury retailers.
Hermes, Cartier, and Dior moved their boutiques from the Bal Harbour Shops back in 2012. Burberry, Celine, Cartier, Christian Louboutin, Emilio Pucci, Fendi, Armani, Louis Vuitton, Prada and MiuMiu are only few of the many high-end stores that can be found here.
ASTORIA
ART
The Design District is home to a variety of galleries and showrooms that have shaped the city’s overall approach towards art. These include the Institute of Contemporary Art Miami, which resonates among out-of-towners as well; Sou Fujimoto’s building façade, which has rapidly become a symbol of the area; and the Haitian Heritage Museum, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the exploration of Haitian culture.
DINING
With the variety of cultural and fashion destinations in the District, it is no surprise that the area’s dining offerings were developed to match. Amongst the variety of cafes and restaurants to be found here, highlights include Harry’s Pizzeria, a casual eatery named after chef and owner Michael Schwartz’s son, Harry; MC Kitchen, serving Italian cuisine by chef Dena Marino; and The Cypress Room, by James Beard award-winning chef and restaurateur Michael Schwartz.
TRANSPORTATION
Reach the Design District via both the Metrobus and the Miami Metrorail.