THE MIX

AVENTURIST

COVETABLE FINDS, HOT HAPPENINGS, AND MUST-ATTEND EVENTS

SHOP TALK Revolutionary RETAIL

Drop in for plant-based cosmetics, walk out with a mixed-media piece of artwork. That’s the idea behind Showfields, Lincoln Road’s new brick-and-mortar space that blends art and retail in an immersive experience. Offering more than 40 rotating pop-up shops and art installations, Showfields dubs itself “the most interesting store in the world,” which is apparent from its eclectic collection of mission-driven, design-oriented, and innovative brands from around the globe. You’ll find many unexpected goods ranging from striking swimsuits to birthday cake cookies to whimsical napkin ring sets.

The two-story showroom of sustainable, upcycled art and freestanding elements sets the stage for a convenient retail experience, livened up by weekly curations and events. The imaginative shopping experience continues with out-of-the-box visuals, like the store’s signature indoor slide designed by Soraya Abu Naba and the Filthy Luker inflatable tentacle exterior installation, which ties back to the store’s reflection of its surrounding oceanic environment.

“Showfield’s mission is to bring inspiration and function to the customer’s life by connecting them with a brand at the right time and in an unexpected way,” shares the company’s CEO Tal Zvi Nathanel, who opened his New York flagship location in 2017. “That’s why we started in power cities and always in the most iconic street there. Lincoln Road is the perfect manifestation of this definition and offers a rare alignment with our artistic approach and our customer taste.” (showfields.com) —Juliana Accioly

HAPPENINGS Summer Hangouts

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR LONG SUMMER DAYS WITH OUR PICKS ON WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN MIAMI

1

FIND A NEW OASIS

One spot that’s a must: Oasis, Wynwood’s new cultural epicenter. The 35,000-square-foot courtyard is home to the colorful “Tower Bar,” six dining destinations—ordering Prince Street Pizza’s spicy vodka pizza is a must—and a stage for live performances. Past performers have included the likes of Ludacris and Rauw Alejandro. You’ll also be able to peruse retail shops, break a sweat at the fitness studio, and relax inside Huacachina, a cocktail lounge and nightclub with its own unique programming and vibe. (oasiswynwood.com)

2

BEACH IT UP!

Originally known as the only Black Beach in Miami, Historic Virginia Key Beach Park has stood the test of time and today is an ecological treasure containing one of the largest mangrove wetlands in the state. Visitors can go kayaking, set out on a guided moonlight paddle boarding tour, and explore all levels of adrenaline-pumping mountain biking trails. Or, hang beachside and grill up some favorites. (virginiabeachpark.net)

DINE DIFFERENTLY

Looking for a new on-the-water experience? The online rental marketplace Boatsetter has partnered with James Beard award-winning chef Michael Schwartz to provide exclusive dining experiences aboard luxury yachts. Make your get-together one to remember by indulging in Schwartz’s chef-curated menus featuring dishes ranging from ceviche to falafel platters to skirt steak. Reservations can be booked one week in advance via Boatsetter’s concierge team. (boatsetter.com) —J.A.

3

Q&A SUMMER SWIM

No other city celebrates swimwear quite like Miami—especially in the summer. This year, July 8-11 marks the return of PARAISO Miami Beach, the multi-day fashion fair, showcasing the swimwear industry’s most coveted new collections throughout different venues in the Magic City. Guests can expect a whole roster of parties, trade shows, and catwalk presentations in addition to a virtual component. Ahead of this summer’s hottest event, AVM caught up with PARAISO’s co-founder and creative director, Natalija Dedic Stojanovic, to discuss all things swim. —J.A.

AVM: How has PARAISO’s format adapted since the pandemic?

Dedic Stojanovic: Even though the pandemic strongly affected the fashion industry, it also offered a moment of blessing as we were able to revisit the traditional ways and find new and innovative technologies that we can implement to bring a better experience for the whole industry. All PARAISO shows are now being live-streamed, reaching 500 million households globally through our media partners.

What can guests look forward to this year?

PARAISO will be back this July with a full in-person schedule of events. We will be activating at new venues such as Joia Beach Club and The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach. Also, we are adding a few exciting wellness and spiritual experiences to our program.

Who are some must-see swimwear designers?

We are excited to see the new collections by industry leaders such as Agua Bendita, Acacia, Mikoh, Beach Bunny, and Luli Fama. Some exciting names will also appear on and off [the] PARAISO runway for the first time.

REAL ESTATE FLOCKING SOUTH

Exploring Miami’s recent REAL ESTATE BOOM

Developments like E11EVEN Hotel & Residences (inset) and Waldorf Astoria Residences (above) are a few of the fastest-selling projects in miami.

Miami is having to make way for a new group of real estate buyers excited to call South Florida home. According to the International Sales Group’s (ISG) World Miami Report, about 1,000 people are moving to Florida daily, trading high-tax, high-density areas for a paradisiacal lifestyle.

“People realized they preferred to ride out the pandemic in a location with space, sunshine, an incredible lifestyle, and substantial tax benefits,” says Karen Reiter, senior global real estate advisor with ONE Sotheby’s International Realty. “The demand is extraordinary. Inventory is historically low, and this has led to a spike in prices, bidding wars with residences selling above asking price, and agents scouring for off-market deals. Properties are being sold so quickly that often by the time they are listed, they are already under contract.”

As a result, Miami sellers are getting top dollar for their properties. ONE Sotheby’s April market report revealed the average price of single-family homes increased to more than $1 million in March. Condo sellers are also capitalizing as offers get hotter: The average condo sale prices in Miami increased by more than 15 percent; closed transactions in waterfront areas such as Fisher Island shot up by 200 percent, Key Biscayne by 171 percent, and Sunny Isles Beach by 147 percent. Real estate experts say that with more outsiders moving in, Coral Gables, Pinecrest, PonceDavis, and other neighborhoods renowned for their schools have also seen a surge in buyer demand.

New construction developments, such as downtown’s E11EVEN Hotel & Residences and the Waldorf Astoria Residences—soon to be Miami’s tallest tower—show strong sales prior to completion. “From the resort-like health amenities by Deepak Chopra to the branded entertainment venues with world-class food and beverage partners, the self-curated lifestyle of the development has been a major draw for buyers seeking unique social and wellness experiences post-COVID,” shares Kevin Maloney, managing partner of PMG.

But it is not only sellers, developers, and realtors who are benefiting, says Angel Nicolas of the Nicolas Group at Compass: Miami as a whole—including the economy—will gain from the pandemic-related housing trends and influx of migration. “Big name finance and tech businesses from New York and California are opening offices here and that has completely changed the way people see Miami,” he notes. “With that influx of business comes job opportunities in sectors that never existed in Miami before.”

One question remains: When the pandemic subsides, will the market return to a more level playing field? Nicolas says the current outlook is an indicator of what could happen in years to come: “Miami was undervalued for a long time, and I think people are finally recognizing the value in it—everything from the lifestyle to the culture and affordability compared to other major metropolitan cities. I believe that the lack of inventory will keep the Miami market on an upward trend for a decent amount of time. This market could be the new normal for Miami.” —J.A.

E11EVEN Hotel & Residences living room

NEARLY 1,000 l PEOPLE MOVE TO FLORIDA DAILY.