North Bay Island

Part of North Bay Village's three-island paradise, North Bay Island sits in the heart of the Biscayne Bay's glittering waters with single and multifamily properties.

"Though it’s a small town, most look at it as an extension of Miami Beach," says Anthony Santiago, a local Realtor with Florida Capital Realty; he's been selling homes here for 25 years now. "It's an island community, pretty laidback and away from all the busyness of Brickell and South Beach, though you could be at either in minutes." It may be hard to imagine how an island can be centrally located, but this community is bisected by the John F. Kennedy Causeway, giving residents direct access to the mainland and to everything Miami Beach has to offer. It also chains the islands of the village together, so despite North Bay Island being predominantly a residential community, Treasure Island is right next door with commercial strips, convenient for quotidian shopping, and waterfront restaurants, such as Benihana, an upscale Japanese, Hibachi-style chain. So whether you just need to swing by Presidente Supermarket for some fresh produce or just want to grab a quick pick-me-up from local eatery and cafe, Healthy D'Light, you're within walking distance of your destination.

North of the causeway is where you'll find all of North Bay Island's multifamily homes, including low-rise condos and luxury high-rises. These properties range in price from just under $300,000 for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom, 650-square-foot condo to around $2 million for a two-story corner penthouse with four bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms. "Some of the buildings have private marinas," Santiago says. "It's great for boaters." While the majority of multifamily residences here were constructed in the early 2000s, circa 2007, you can find several that date back to the 1960s. The south side's single-family properties, however, were originally built in the 1950s and 1960s, but many have been remodeled or completely rebuilt, so time periods and designs are a bit all over the place — especially considering that there is no mandatory HOA. A new-construction modern-style house can sit down the street from a grand Mediterranean Revival or even a mid-century ranch-style home. That said, there's a vast range of prices, starting around $1.4 million and going up to almost $10 million. The year built, the square footage, the amenities and whether it's a waterfront or dry lot are just some factors contributing to this price range. You can land a five-bedroom, four-bathroom, 2,401-square-foot midcentury-modern ranch-style home on a 9,000-square-foot, dry lot for around $2.2 million. "A lot of new construction's coming," Santiago says. "More condos, a hotel, mixed-use buildings; it's getting a facelift, and they've already started building on West Drive. I wouldn't say this area is up-and-coming since it's always been great, but it's transforming into a better version of itself."

Students living on North Bay Island can start their academic careers just across the bridge at Treasure Island Elementary School, rated with a B on Niche and home to various cool clubs for kids to join, such as the podcast club for fourth graders and the broadcast club for fifth graders. For grades six through eight, students can attend Miami Beach Nautilus Middle, which was also rated with a B on Niche and hosts fun classes, such as the Exploring Flavors: Culinary Adventures course, which teaches students the fundamental principles and techniques of cooking. Finally, North Bay Island students can graduate from Miami Beach Senior High, rated with a B-plus on Niche. Featuring several academies, this high school allows students to build their curriculum around subjects or careers of interest. For example, the Academy of Marine and Environmental Sciences (AMES) provides students in 10th, 11th and 12th grade with opportunities to shadow and assist local organizations, including the Environmental Coalition of Miami and the Beaches (ECOMB), Tarpoon Lagoon Dive Center, the Big Blue and You Foundation, and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

As for green and recreational space, Dr. Paul Vogul Community Park is right on the island with beautiful bay views, a picnic-perfect lawn and a shaded playground. Follow the bend from West Drive to East Drive, and you'll come upon the neighborhood dog park, equipped with two sections for large and small dogs.

If you're looking for a quiet corner within minutes of Miami Beach, North Bay Island is exactly that and more, with its marinas, waterfront views, tropical flora and impending development. What are you waiting for?

Written By

Micaela Willoughby

Photography Contributed By

Eduardo Ford

Video By

Becky Gaskill