Upper East Side South

Moments away from the hottest spots in the Miami Design District, Wynwood and Edgewater, the Upper East Side, or "UES," is a historic neighborhood you'll find hugging the shores of the Biscayne Bay and its south side, UES South, is the closest to all the action in downtown Miami. However, despite being just over 5 miles from downtown and Miami Beach, UES South maintains an air of suburban tranquility and old Florida charm with its abundant verdure, stretches of lush waterfront green spaces, and walkability.

This neighborhood's diverse and characterful single-family homes belong to one of two exclusive gated subdivisions: Morningside or Bay Point. Morningside residents benefit from their own public park, Morningside Park, tucked away on their side of the neighborhood, steps away from home, whereas Bay Point boasts more waterfront properties. Across the board, you'll find that many of UES South's properties date back to the 1920s, '30s, '40s and '50s, displaying characteristics of Mediterranean- and Spanish Revival styles, featuring stucco siding, arches and barrel roof tiles. New construction is peppered throughout the area, but you'll find the most right on the waterfront, including sprawling contemporary and modern estates. Market prices range from $2.3 million for, say, a 1950s three-bedroom, two-bathroom ranch-style home to $45 million for a six-bedroom, seven-and-a-half-bathroom modern residence. Multifamily homes sit on the neighborhood's fringes, along main thoroughfares Biscayne Boulevard and Interstate 195. Prices for these condos range from the high $400,000s to $1.3 million.

UES South contains a section of the MiMo district, a historic area named for the prevalence of Miami Modernist architecture, a distinctive style that developed in South Florida after World War II. It juxtaposes the more efficient and minimalist forms of the post-war period with colorful designs and materials to evoke a feeling of fun and excess. These buildings are located along Biscayne Boulevard, so if you’re short on time or just love abbreviations, the full name of “Miami Modernist Biscayne Boulevard Historic District” can be eloquently reduced to “Mimo on Bibo.” This iconic area is the heart of shopping and dining on the Upper East Side, with a variety of boutiques, restaurants and hotels. Conveniently, you'll also find businesses for day-to-day shopping, such as Publix, along this epochal boulevard.

Morningside Park, bordered by the Morningside community, is a gorgeous neighborhood green space with sporting facilities, a playground and a boat ramp. Due north, more picnic-perfect lawns stretch across the Biscayne Bay's shores at Legion Memorial Park. This scenic spot is also the site of a weekly farmers market, so be sure to stop by on a Saturday for fresh produce and artisan goods.

As for local flavor, Mandolin Aegean Bistro is a great option by the neighborhood. Situated in a beautifully renovated 1940s home with a flora-filled patio, this Greek restaurant prides itself on impeccable service, presentation and delectable Turkish and Greek cuisine. Try the Moussaka, a traditional eggplant-based meal with ground beef, potatoes and béchamel.

Students living in UES South can start school just a mile from home at Morningside K-8 Academy; they can stay there through the eighth grade or transfer to the nearby Horace Mann Middle for grades six through eight before finishing up their K-12 journey at Booker T. Washington Senior High or Miami Edison Senior High — depending on what side of the neighborhood they live on. Booker T. Washington Senior High is one of the oldest public schools in Miami-Dade County, originally built for black students in the late 1920s. Today, this school offers a plethora of clubs, sports, activities and programs to students. Miami Edison Senior High offers a few programs as well, such as the culinary arts program, which offers students the opportunity to train for varying careers in the food industry, and the Academy of Finance and Entrepreneurship, a nationally recognized program where students can gain a leg up on postsecondary education, and future careers in finance or business.

Central, beautiful and right on the water: this is the Upper East Side South.

Written By

Micaela Willoughby

Photography Contributed By

Daniele Giuseppe Del Gaudio

Video By

Daniel Willingham