If you’re dreaming of a White Christmas, okay. Maybe a Miami Beach holiday isn’t exactly your thing. But if you’re looking for a holiday packed with fun, excitement and things to do – with the added bonus of gorgeous, sunny weather – the Miami Beach area has everything you’re looking for, and more. So read on for just a taste of what’s on tap for this holiday season.

If you’re a traditionalist (or a ballet lover), no holiday season is complete without taking in a performance of “The Nutcracker.” Well, the Miami area has not one, not two, but a whopping FOUR places to experience the annual favorite. Check it out downtown, at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts OR the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, in North Miami Beach at the Julius Littman Performing Arts Theater, or in Little Havana at the Miami-Date County Auditorium.

For something a little more – alternative – to the traditional Christmas concert, Miami’s Gay Men’s Chorus will present the humorously-titled “You Bet Your Brass” at Temple Emmanu-El, Miami Beach. Since it’s taking place at a temple, I can only assume it will have a little celebration for the Hanukkah celebrant as well!

Of course, if you really, absolutely must have that “winter wonderland” experience during the holidays, don’t miss Winter Nights & Lights at Key Biscayne’s Miami Seaquarium. This annual event, which runs through the New Year, gives Miami residents the sense that they are far, far away, in a place that’s cold. Like North Dakota.

Of course, for most of us, experiencing a warm, sunny, Miami Beach Christmas is one of the main reasons we invested in Miami Beach real estate in the first place! So deck the halls of your luxury condos and homes and get ready to celebrate another beautiful holiday in the sun with your family and friends.

After all, that’s what the holiday season is all about.

by Lisa Canfield

Whether you want Santa to bring you this…

Or this….!?

Once you buy that piece of pricey Miami Beach real estate, you need to decorate it. Which is why this year’s eighth annual Art Basel Miami Beach, held at the revamped Miami Beach Convention Center, was an essential stop for those with bare walls, those who love art, and those who just wanted to check out some really cool and beautiful things — along with celebrities like superagent Mike Ovitz and movie star Val Kilmer.

The mood at the VIP opening was decidedly bright, with attention actually focused on the art instead of the economy (unlike last year’s post Wall Street crash event). Several pricey pieces sold. In fact, opening night guests were more intimidated by the width of the aisles at the convention center and the amount of walking necessary to get from booth to booth than they were by the prices.

Artists represented at the event ran the gamut, from top artists like James Rosenquist and Guillermo Kuitca (who has a current retrospective at the Miami Art Museum), to those known for a different kind of artistic talent, like “Rambo” and “Rocky” star Sylvester Stallone. Apparently, he is a very accomplished oil painter. Who knew? Top galleries from around the country were on hand showcasing their top talent, and many were pleased with the results of the show.

Of course, not all the works exhibited fell under the heading of “serious artwork.” Unless you consider a chubby tree made of silver pipes, or a beach umbrella festooned with Christmas decorations, or a bunch of silver chains arranged to spell the word “Prozac,” serious art.
There’s always room for the wild and wacky at Art Basel, including the Chinese artist who has changed his name to MadeIn. As in “Made in China.”

Or, if one if his pieces winds up hanging in the wall of one of Miami’s luxury condos and homes, “Made in Miami.” You never know.

by Lisa Canfield

<— Worth a Click —>

Retail addicts around the world know the Bal Harbour Shops as one of the greatest destinations in the world — a true Shopper’s Paradise.

Now, truly dedicated shoppers are about to be presented with an opportunity to have this world-class shopping destination…as their neighbor.

Located directly across the street from the shops on Collins Avenue, the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort will offer the ultimate home base for dedicated shoppers and luxury lovers.

Developed by Starwood Hotels & Resorts, the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort is located right on the ocean (for those times when you want to concentrate on pursuits other than shopping) at the northern tip of Bal Harbour. It will be made up of three separate, 27-story towers, each housing ultra-luxurious one, two, three and four-bedroom residences complete with huge balconies, floor-to-ceiling windows and amazing views of the Atlantic and the bay.

The 268 residences will share the space with 37 condo-hotel suites, 183 hotel rooms and 24 fractional suites.

Because mundane tasks like grocery shopping, driving and housekeeping take away from valuable shopping time, the St. Regis will offer its lucky residents the same amenities as hotel guests, including grocery shopping service, room service, housekeeping, a chauffeur and more. There’s also a health spa, several swimming pools, sculptures, water features, lush gardens and more.

No wonder these luxury condos and homes start at a cool $1.9 million!

Modern technology will be featured throughout the resort, including a state-of-the-art air conditioning system that uses chilled water instead of heat pumps to cool the air.

It all adds up to a shopaholic’s dream home. But you can’t put one on your AmEx card just yet. While top off of the final tower is just around the corner, construction isn’t scheduled for completion until 2011.

by Lisa Canfield

Thanksgiving has come and gone. Across the United States, trees twinkling with lights and jolly, waving Santas dot the landscape. The days are getting shorter, the weather is getting colder. It’s difficult not to notice that the Christmas season is in full swing.

Believe it or not, the same is true here in sunny South Florida. Okay, so we may not experience frosty mornings or watch the sun go down at 4pm (not that we would want to!), but we have our own unmistakable sign that the holiday season is here.

I’m talking, of course, about the return of the Snowbirds.

The Snowbirds’ annual migration south is greeted with mixed emotions by those who view their piece of Miami Beach real estate is their primary place of residence.

Suddenly, the beaches are a lot more crowded – and often with pasty, pale looking people with nary a tan line to be found. There may be a wait to get in to your favorite nightspot – the same place where you could just wander in on a whim last July. And as for the traffic – it’s like the number of cars on the street suddenly quadruples.

Even for party-happy South Floridians, staying in and ordering a pizza might look like a more viable option than a night on the town.

But as once-empty luxury condos and homes across the Miami Beach area fill up once again, not everyone is suffering. For local businesses all over town, this truly is the season to be jolly – especially since it lasts until next spring. The Snowbirds are what keep our South Florida economy humming. And for that, we all hope that they never face extinction.

So if you happen to be a Snowbird, let me personally welcome you back for another warm and toasty winter enjoying our beaches and nightspots. Who knows? With Aventura real estate and Bal Harbour real estate prices so low – along with the rest of our beautiful beach cities — you might buy in and decide to stay year round!

by Lisa Canfield

Photo by Alexia Fodere

Say you’ve just purchased a prime piece of Sunny Isles Beach real estate. Now, let’s also say you have a spot in your gorgeous new luxury condo that just cries out for a big piece of art. You know, the kind that makes a real statement about who you are and what you’re all about.

What do you do?

Do you wander down to your local gallery in search of the ideal painting or sculpture to compliment your décor?

Do you perhaps commission a local artist to create something just for you?

You could.

Or you could have your car mounted on your wall.

That’s exactly what Trump Palace resident Gil Dezer, whose company also happened to develop the building, has done.

The thing is, 34-year-old Dezer really, really loves Porches. He owns eight of them. But apparently, his 1950 Porsche Spyder 550 is a lot more fun to look at than it is to drive. In fact, it’s so much fun to look at; he considers it a work of art.

So when he was told his new, 8,000 square foot condo needed a piece of art, Dezer knew he already had just the thing to fit the bill.

Of course, hanging a car on your wall isn’t like hanging any other work of art. You can’t just hammer a couple of nails in and try to balance it on a side-view mirror. And as you might imagine, they don’t make heavy duty picture hooks strong enough to support a motor vehicle – even a two seater!

Luckily, Dezer was already in the right business to get this particular job done. He commissioned a local construction company, Coastal Construction, for the job. And while it took six months of planning, engineering and even a crane, the actual job only took a few hours.

And Dezer now has a Porsche hanging over his front door.

Who knows what might be hiding behind (or over) the doors of Miami’s other luxury condos and homes? We’ll keep you posted…

by Lisa Canfield

South Beach real estate may be a little on the pricey side, but that doesn’t mean the denizens of America’s hottest luxury condos and homes spend every day dining on lobster and caviar. Everyone knows, there are some times in a man’s (or woman’s!) life when nothing but a good, old fashioned American burger will do. Luckily, the Miami Beach area boasts some of the best burger joints around.

South Beach’s Cheeseburger Baby has a devoted (and vocal) following – just Google “Miami Beach” and “Cheeseburger” and you’re bound to stumble across a few blog posts singing the praises of this unassuming slice of beef-on-bun heaven. Of course, Cheeseburger Baby also charges a mere $5 to drink all day from their bottomless keg of beer. So maybe it doesn’t actually matter what those burgers taste like after all!

For those who like a little more meat on their buns, The 8 oz Burger Bar offers a full half pound of meaty goodness to their hungry customers. There is a second branch of this establishment in equally glitzy L.A., which begs the question – do the residents of the two cities that traditionally bare the most skin really need burgers that pack the most meat? It makes one wonder…

Finally, for those looking for a totally new – and yet comfortingly familiar – burger experience, there is…the Whopper Bar. Having launched their flagship branch in Orlando, Burger King, the chain that taught you how to “have it your way,” is coming to South Beach with a new concept restaurant dedicated solely to the Whopper. The “bar” will feature “Whopperistas” whose sole job it is to custom design your burger. There will also be a “visible toppings theater” to help you to decide just how to customize your meat and bun – and to make sure your Whopperista really is letting you “have it your way.”

So the next time you’re in the mood for something meaty, remember – in Miami Beach, you’re never far from a good beach — or a good burger.

by Lisa Canfield

Wondering why the denizens of Miami Beach and the surrounding area look so healthy on the outside? It could be because they’re just as healthy, or maybe even healthier, on the inside.

The reason? Miami residents have perfected the fine art of chilling out.

A recent survey of major cities across America named Miami America’s Most Relaxed City. Which probably isn’t a surprise to anyone who has the good fortune to live here.

At the other end of the spectrum sits Chicago, which has earned the dubious distinction of being America’s Most Stressed City. Which makes sense to anyone who’s ever tried to dig their car out of a snowdrift in the middle of a Windy City winter.

How do Miami residents spend the winter? At the beach, of course!

But the citizens of our fair city don’t have to rely on nature alone to keep them in optimum mental health.
If they need a little help achieving the ultimate state of Nirvana, there are plenty of places in the Miami Beach area dedicated to getting them there, with yoga centers, Pilates classes and of course, spas dotting the landscape. They can chill out and watch the people go by at a beachside café, or sip a refreshing beverage (or two!) at a local bar. And for those who find their bliss through retail therapy, the shopping in our little corner of the world is unsurpassed.

Basically, life in the Miami Beach area is a lot like life on vacation. Except it doesn’t ever have to end. You don’t need to spend hours on a crowded flight back to reality. Because if you’re lucky enough to live in Miami Beach, this IS your reality – 365 days a year!

No wonder more than two thousand people all over the world trade life in their their stressful cities for a piece of Sunny Isles Real Estate — or some other spot in the Miami area — every single day.

They know investing in luxury condos and homes and other forms of Miami Beach real estate is more than just buying a place to live.

It’s an investment in their well-being.

It used to be that Beverly Hills was the place to go to for the best in celebrity spotting. But today, there are probably as many people selling “Maps to the Stars Homes” in Miami Beach than there are on America’s other coast. The reason? Miami Beach real estate is hot, hot, hot, with the entire Miami area ranking as a top destination for celebs to vacation, winter and even live year round.

So who might you bump into while waiting in line at the local Whole Foods? Well, as you might expect, Miami Sound Machine founder Gloria Estefan and husband Emilio are longtime denizens of the region, making their home on the appropriately named Star Island. Miami Heat basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal is their neighbor, as is comedienne and former talk show queen Rosie O’Donnell. Sean Combs, also known as Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, Diddy and more, also lives here, while hot couple Jay-Z and Beyonce own a property nearby.

Miami Beach is home to singer Ricky Martin, while Lenny Kravitz lived on Sunset Island. Exclusive Fisher Island is home to tennis king Boris Becker and Queen of All Media Oprah Winfrey — who lives there part time in one of the island’s many luxury condos and homes.

If movie stars are more your thing, keep your eyes peeled for Matt Damon and Will Smith, both of whom have purchased properties in the area. Jennifer Lopez and husband Marc Antony live in sizzling South Beach, while father and son musical duo Julio and Enrique Iglesias both call the Miami Beach region home. As does Enrique’s gorgeous girlfriend, Russian tennis star turned model Anna Kournikova. And the list keeps growing, with more celebs snapping up more waterfront and oceanfront condos and homes in this A-list destination.

So the next time you’re out running errands in the neighborhood, keep your eyes open. When you live in Miami, you never know who you’ll spot.

by Lisa Canfield

Bal Harbour is a lot like the rest of the Miami Beach area.

It’s packed with plenty of luxury condos and homes, including waterfront and oceanfront condos. It’s got sunny skies, white, sandy beaches, warm turquoise waters and cool ocean breezes, along with plenty of beautiful people. In other words, it’s paradise.

But all that idyllic, outdoorsy stuff isn’t the only reason people think of Bal Harbour as heaven on earth.

For some people, the best, most wonderful, most amazing thing about Bal Harbour…is a mall.

But then again, the world-famous Bal Harbour Shops isn’t just any mall. There’s not an Old Navy in sight. There’s no food court offering greasy pizza or fast food. And the only Gap in the place is for kids.

Instead, the Bal Harbour Shops is a very different kind of mall. Think less “mall” and more “temple.” If shopping is your passion, a visit to the Bal Harbour Shops is more like a pilgrimage than a shopping trip — kind of like taking in the Sistine Chapel, the Pyramids and the Taj Mahal all at once.

The reason? The Bal Harbour Shops is a mecca devoted solely to the very best in fashion. Anchored by top end department stores Saks Fifth Avenue and Nieman Marcus, this collection of over 80 shops reads like a Who’s Who of the biggest names in design – from (dare I say it?) Armani to Zegna.

While prices are all definitely perched at the high end of the spectrum, there’s something for just about every taste, with legendary brands like Chanel, Dior, Prada and Versace standing side by side with new industry stars like Tory Burch and Custo Barcelona. There are jewelry stores like Bulgari and Tiffany, shoe stores including Jimmy Choo and Tod’s, and just about everything else a fashionista could ever desire.

Okay — except, maybe, a bargain.

by Lisa Canfield

Miami Beach Art Basel 2009

The popular four day Miami Beach contemporary Art Basel show will be held this year on December 3-9 at the Miami convention center. The festivities have grown into a week-long celebration and an international meeting place. You will find festival exhibitions, music, and film events sprawling from South Beach to the Miami Design Center. What better place to hold an international art festival than Miami Beach with its perfect climate, gorgeous beaches, art deco architecture, some of the best cuisine in the world, chic boutiques and so much more!

Since it debuted in 2002, Art Basel, the sister event of Switzerland’s Art Basel, has attracted art lovers and art curators and dealers from all over the world. It is the largest art festival in the country. This year, expect to find more than 250 international art galleries participating in the festival from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa. The show ranks as the third largest show at the convention center, along with the car expo and the boat show. The 2009 event will feature 20^th and 21^st century artworks from more than 2,000 artists. Mark your calendars so you don’t miss this spectacular event!

Life Styles of the Rich and Famous at Affordable Prices

Miami Beach’s melting pot of nationalities attracts visitors not only to its many cultural and tourist attractions, but also to its resort style living featuring luxury waterfront/oceanfront condos and homes. With miles of gorgeous beaches, world class golf courses, international fine dining, fishing and diving, there is something for everyone. It is a favorite vacation, second home and retirement destination to millions of people worldwide. Miami Beach real estate and the surrounding South Beach real estate offer some of the most desirable real estate in the world. So if you are looking for a lifestyle of the rich and famous at today’s affordable prices, look no further. With its close proximity to Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe and Canada, you can see why Miami Beach attracts so many buyers to its luxury condos and homes.

Leave Your Luxury Condos and Homes behind and Celebrate Halloween – Miami Beach Style!

Okay, so there’s no chill in the air, no leaves falling, no howling wind whipping through the trees (not that we don’t get a few of those a little earlier in the year). But here in the Miami Beach area, we don’t need the traditional trappings of fall to do Halloween right.

In fact, despite the absence of a layer of ice on our pumpkin patches, dare I say that we do Halloween better than anyplace else in the country?

Here’s a brief rundown of how to celebrate the spooky season in style.

Since you’ll likely be spending the night pigging out on treats (and not necessarily the candy variety), have a healthy Halloween morning by running in the Miami Beach Halloween Half Marathon! Not only does the race give you a head start on burning the day’s calories, it also gives you an opportunity to score some great prizes for running in costume.

If you have kids, swing by the Miami Beach Botanical Garden for Halloween Family Day for a few hours of pumpkin carving and other seasonal arts and crafts. Or, head south to the MetroZoo for the annual MetroBoo! Party at the zoo.

Of course, after hours is when the holiday really heats up, and nowhere more so than in South Beach. Halloween in SoBe isn’t about trick or treating – it’s more about treats for the over-21 set. There’s the official Playboy Halloween Party, with a bevy of bunnies and a sprinkling of centerfolds, at the Shore Club. While for those who prefer their adult entertainment to be scary rather than sexy, Mansion will host the release party for the latest “Saw” movie all weekend long at the House of Jigsaw Halloween Weekend. Or if theme parties are more your thing, pull out your best 1920’s attire for the Raleigh’s speakeasy-themed Cat’s Meow party.

Of course, all this partying may have a downside. With no one home to pass out candy to the trick or treaters, don’t be surprised if a lot of prime South Beach real estate gets egged on Saturday night!

by Lisa Canfield