Downtown Miami’s growth is unmatched in South Florida
Each year, life in Downtown Miami looks less like an episode of Miami Vice and more like a trip to Silicon Valley. The city’s central business district has undergone quite a makeover since the late 20th century, transforming blocks of underutilized structures into massive high-rises, cryptocurrency banks and popular new bars and restaurants. “It used to be that there was no nightlife apart from the Olympia Theater,” says Gina Robichaux, Realtor with Coldwell Banker and longtime resident of South Florida. “Things went downhill for a time; they called the whole northeast quadrant the ‘city’s underbelly.’ But now there’s a vibrant downtown nightlife.”
Despite all the changes and recent construction, the Magic City's unique charm remains. Latin American and Caribbean cultural history is prominent and celebrated; historic buildings such as the Gesù Church, the oldest Catholic parish in South Florida, shine with Mediterranean Revival appeal amid contemporary condos; and annual events, bayside parks and busy marinas champion the coastal lifestyle. With Miami Beach across the bridge, the Brickell financial district to the south and the vibrant Arts & Entertainment District to the north, Downtown Miami sits at the center of all the action, offering walkability, convenience and coastal luxury.
You can’t beat fresh stone crabs from Garcia’s
Downtown Miami has dishes to suit nearly every craving and budget, from Cuban sandwiches at longstanding joint Manolo and Rene Grill to a TV-worthy meal at Gordan Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen restaurant. Despite the city’s last decade of growth, Garcia’s Seafood Grill & Fish Market has remained popular since the 1960s, serving up some of the freshest stone crabs in the area. Julia & Henry’s has everything from a casual food court to a basement speakeasy, and late-night vibes are always on tap at The Corner, which is open until 5 a.m. The contemporary upscale culinary scene is just as strong; Newcomers include the Chinese Japanese fusion restaurant Novikov, and the cigar lounge El Vecino.
Nightclubs, casual apparel stores and big names such as Hard Rock Café are all present at Bayside Marketplace, a walkable two-story mall with a marina overlooking Biscayne Bay. For high-end jewelry, shoppers can visit the Seybold Jewelry Building, one of the largest diamond centers in the country and a local fixture since the 1920s. Shoppers also have easy access to a Publix Super Market at 3 Miami Central on Second Avenue and a Whole Foods Market at the Monarc at Met apartments on Third Avenue.
Epic Miami is luxury condo living at its best
This area has nearly as many luxury condo developments as it does restaurants, offering options that range from $350,000 one-bedroom studios to multimillion-dollar penthouses. Some high-rises like One Miami sit right on the water’s edge, offering spectacular views from units with the most up-to-date hurricane preparedness features like shatter-proof windows. The even more luxurious Epic Miami Residences building down the street offers three-bedroom penthouses that are larger and considerably more expensive than most single-family homes — upwards of $2 million for nearly 2,500 square feet. Robichaux says higher prices are a product of demand following an influx of new residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. “It was total insanity after COVID. The change in the prices is crazy.” But there are still a few more affordable options farther inland, where compact two-bedroom lofts offer about 1,000 square feet of living space for $400,000 to $600,000. Buyers should be aware that the CAP Index gives Downtown Miami an overall crime score of 8 out of 10, significantly higher than the national average of 4. Flooding due to storms and rising sea levels is also a major concern for this coastal community.
Biscayne Bay views are a highlight of Bayfront Park
Bayfront Park is Downtown Miami’s largest green space, covering more than 30 acres on the shores of Biscayne Bay. Access to Bayside Marketplace, Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel and the FPL Solar Amphitheater have made this park a shopping, sightseeing and event destination as well as a recreational mecca. At the Lee and Tina Hills Playground, kids can explore nautical elements such as marine animal sculptures and a pirate ship playscape. There’s plenty of lawn space to enjoy a picnic beneath the palm trees and even a small dog park. Famed sculptor Isamu Noguchi designed multiple memorials for the park including the interactive Slide Mantra, a coiled marble slab with stairs leading to a curved chute. Following the Baywalk Path around the Kaseya Center leads right into Maurice A. Ferré Park, home to a colorful sculpture garden, the Frost Museum of Science and the Pérez Art Museum. For a bit of sand and surf, Miami Beach is about 5 miles away.
There’s always something going on in the Magic City
There’s no shortage of events to attend in the Magic City, whether it’s the 40-years-running Miami Book Fair, the Miami Film Festival at Miami Dade College or the Ultra Music Festival at Bayfront Park. Downtown residents also have front-row seats to annual events in neighboring communities, including the popular South Beach Jazz Festival, Coconut Grove Arts Festival and tons of culinary, cultural and LGBTQ+ pride events.
Miami-Dade’s magnet programs include specialized schools for art and law enforcement
For students in downtown Miami, neighborhood assignments include Frederick Douglass Elementary, Jose De Diego Middle and Booker T. Washington Senior High, which score grades of C, C and B-minus on Niche, respectively. However, Miami-Dade County Public Schools operates under a school choice model, meaning that even though a student is assigned a neighborhood school, they can choose to enroll in any of the county’s specialized magnet or charter programs.
Downtown Miami Charter School, which scores a B-minus on Niche, provides an additional option for elementary students, while the New World School of the Arts is a highly regarded high school with a strong focus on visual and performance arts — Niche rates it as No. 2 among the state’s nearly 120 art high schools. The art school actually “came out of a pilot program that the public schools started in the 9170s; I was part of it,” Robichaux says. Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial High School, which boasts an A on Niche, operates under a unique partnership with the city’s police department, providing a well-rounded education for students considering a career in law enforcement.
Navigating Downtown Miami with Metromover’s Inner Loop
Since the 1980s, Metromover has provided convenient and free loops around Downtown Miami, stopping at key locations such as the Kaseya Center, Bayside Marketplace and Miami Dade College. In the 1990s, additional loops were added to facilitate commuters heading to the Brickell financial district or the Arts & Entertainment District. Metrobus stops dot the area, connecting riders with the Government Center Metrorail station; from here, it’s an approximately 7-mile trip to Miami International Airport. With access to Interstate 395 and the MacArthur Causeway, drivers can reach Miami Beach in about 5 miles. A handful of Citi Bike stations also provide options for those looking to explore Downtown Miami on two wheels.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jose Luis Marrero,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Miami River Walk
Trails
River
Jose Marti Park
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Bike Trails
Bayfront Park
Trails
Playground
Events
Spring Garden Point Park
Bike Trails
Trails
Brickell Park
Trails
Playground
Multi-Purpose Field
Transit
Airport
Miami International
22 min drive
Train
Government Center
Subway
Arena/State Plaza
Subway
Bayfront Park
Subway
College/Bayside
Subway
College North
Subway
First Street
Subway
Knight Center
Subway
Miami Avenue
Subway
Riverwalk
Subway
Third Street
Bus
NW 5 St & NW 3 Av
Bus
Biscayne Bd & NE 5 St
Bus
SE 1 Av & E Flagler St
Bus
NE 1 Av & 4 St
Bus
NW 2 Av & NW 2 St
Bus
Downtown Miami
Bus
SW 1 S & S Miami A
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Downtown Miami
US
Homicide
9
4
Sexual Assault
6
4
Assault with Weapon
8
4
Robbery
7
4
Burglary
7
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
10
4
Larceny
9
4
Crime Score
8
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Downtown Miami, Miami sell after 107 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Downtown Miami, Miami over the last 12 months is $660,036, up 14% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Experience luxury living in this sophisticated 1-bed, 1.5-bath residence on the 35th floor of Epic Residences in Downtown Miami. This unit features 10-foot ceilings, breathtaking views of the Miami skyline and river, porcelain floors, and marble finishes in the bathrooms. High-end Miele and Subzero appliances, customized closets, and floor-to-ceiling impact glass enhance the elegance and
Welcome to the Loft Downtown II. This open format one bedroom offers an expensive 903 ft.² of living space. Take in breathtaking skyline and Bay views from your private balcony. The building permits 30 day rentals up to 12 times a year, ensuring flexibility and income potential. Property also features two swimming pools, a fully equipped gym and spacious club room. Located amidst many popular
Experience breathtaking ocean and city views from this exceptional condo on the 50th floor of the prestigious Epic Residences on Biscayne Boulevard. This sky-high residence combines elegance and luxury, offering 1,500 sq ft of sophisticated living space with 2 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. Indulge in world-class amenities, including a pool, two renowned restaurants (Zuma and Area 31), a fitness
Beautiful and spacious two bedroom/ two bath unit in the heart of Brickell with the endless water and city views. Tile floors, split floor plan, Granit counter top, washer/ dryer inside, large size balcony. Prime location with the walking distance to the best restaurants, shopping and entertainment. Building offers luxurious life style, 24-hr front desk attended, Valet parking, concierge,
Waterfront 2-bed, 2-bath residence, in The Elser Hotel in Miami's most stunning locale, Downtown Miami. Rent could be Yearly or Seasonal. Featuring 9+ ft ceilings, porcelain wood-grain tile flooring, sleek kitchen w/ Italkraft cabinetry, quartz countertops, and stainless steel appliances. Enjoy the latest in smart home technology with co-working spaces and resort-style amenities including a
Spacious 903 sq.ft. 18th floor 1 bedroom studio with stunning Downtown Miami skyline views! Enjoy modern updates, a rooftop pool, an Olympic-style ground pool, and a skyline-view fitness center. Water, basic cable & WiFi included. Steps from Brickell, Bayside, Bayfront Park, top restaurants, and the train system for easy access to Downtown. Parking available for $60 per month for one vehicle.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jose Luis Marrero,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
16,903
Median Age
37
Population Density
40 ppl/acre
Population under 18
14.2%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
9.4%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$80,883
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$103,978
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
90.5%
College Graduates
58.1%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
31.3%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
71.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
68''
Average Winter Low Temperature
62°F
Average Summer High Temperature
91°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
84/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
96/ 100
Rider's Paradise
Transit Score®
100/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
