CRAIG ROBINS DESIGN & THE DISTRICT

The art aficionado, real estate developer, and entrepreneur continues reenergizing Miami with a new era of innovative design and cultural substance.

By Shayne Benowitz

today’s 18-square-block, LEED-certified neighborhood includes dozens of designer flagships from major fashion houses, like Chanel, Gucci, and Prada, to more accessible, emerging labels, like Reformation, Veronica Beard, and Cult Gaia. It’s home to the highest concentration of Michelin stars in Miami, and Michelin’s only two-star restaurant in Florida is L’Atelier De Joël Robuchon, while Le Jardinier and Cote Miami each earned one star.

With its collection of public art that is both captivating and playful, coupled with local galleries and the Institute of Contemporary Art Miami, visiting the Design District is always enriching and full of discovery. It’s become a true community gathering place thanks to free events, like the Miami Design District Performance Series in collaboration with Grammy Award-winning producer Emilio Estefan, the Miami Symphony Orchestra, and other artists.

“The neighborhood is a hub for art, culture and creativity,” says Robins.

“In addition to some of the world’s leading luxury fashion houses, we also have a roster of global artists and designers who view the neighborhood as a focal point for activating big moments.”

Robins founded his real estate development company Dacra in 1987 when he began revitalizing sections of South Beach’s historic Art Deco District, Lincoln Road, and Española Way. As an avid art collector, the confluence of art, design, and architecture has always been at the core of Dacra’s ethos. In 2005, Robins created Design Miami/ alongside Art Basel Miami Beach, which has evolved into the world’s premier global forum for collectible design with an edition in Basel, Switzerland.

Today, the Design District rivals the most sought-after global shopping districts, from Rodeo Drive to Milan. It’s currently embarking on a fourth development phase, adding an additional million square-feet to the neighborhood, including the first-Class A office building with The Ursa, a collaboration between local architecture firm Arquitectonica and renowned artist Daniel Arsham. With its landmark site-specific installation by Zaha Hadid, the historic Moore Building will transform into a boutique hotel, private members club, and restaurant by the hospitality company Woodhouse.

“In the coming years, we will focus on hospitality, residential and more office to continue making the neighborhood a 24-hour experience,” says Robins. “Miami now has this interesting combination of being a tropical paradise, but also a global city of cultural substance. People see the city again with new eyes, a city that trades on culture and creativity. There’s no telling what’s to come.”