West Avenue

If you've ever wished you could live in the heart of Miami's iconic South Beach without the noise, the fast-growing West Avenue neighborhood keeps an air of tranquility, despite all the hustle and bustle just a few streets away. The community is known for making residents feel like they’re on a permanent vacation, thanks to scenic waterfront views along the Biscayne Bay. "It's located in the middle of South Beach's west side, so you have all the advantages of being in the middle of South Beach without being in the center of the entertainment district," says Allan Kleer, a master broker with ONE Sotheby’s International Realty who has lived in West Avenue for the last 18 years. Enjoy bayfront views or bike for just over 5 minutes to watch the sunset on white sandy shores, all while maintaining proximity to various shopping and dining strips. The three-floor Fifth & Alton indoor mall offers everything from Publix and T.J. Maxx to Best Buy. Visitors also stop by to check out its architecture, designed to mimic the nearby Art Deco Historic District.

West Avenue is characterized by its seemingly endless supply of stunning waterfront high-rises, as well as mid-rises, low-rises and smaller apartment complexes a bit farther inland. The area's southern tip is where you'll find most of the newest developments, such as Five Park, the Bentley Bay Condominiums and the Floridian. On the north side, many condos were completed anywhere from the 1960s up to the 1980s. That said, most of them have been remodeled and beautified. "The least expensive price you'll find for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo today is $500,000," Kleer says. "And they can get up to $4 million or $5 million, depending on the views." Some single-family houses — albeit fewer and fewer of them because of the growing development branching out from the waterfront — can be found along the busy West Avenue corridor, mostly Spanish-influenced ranch-style homes with stucco exteriors and terracotta barrel roof tiles.

It may be hard to believe that South Beach's infamous nightlife can be kept at arm's length, but West Avenue is situated in a sweet spot, pinned between the bay and other residential areas. "You're in a community with strong civic associations," Kleer says. "It's really turned into a luxury area that emphasizes lifestyle for the residents above all else." This successful effort is evidenced by the latest developments in the area, such as the brand-new public green space Canopy Park. These 3 acres of verdure, featuring art installations, a botanical grove, a dog park, an outdoor gym and more, have been brought to the neighborhood thanks to West Avenue's newest residential addition, Five Park, a tower stretching over 20 floors that's expected to be completed in 2024. "West Avenue was really enhanced with Canopy Park, and they're building that iconic tower right at the southern entrance to Miami Beach," Kleer says. "It's adding so much more appeal to the neighborhood and the city."

As for local flavor, Cvi.che 105 is an award-winning Peruvian restaurant known for its creative selection of ceviches, such as the Pucusana, adding rocoto pepper cream to lime-marinated fish mixed with Arequipan onions and cilantro. Down the street, Macchialina has been a community favorite since its grand opening in June 2012. This Italian restaurant charms residents, locals and in-the-know tourists with its sophisticated, creative, but rustic recipes. You can also dine and drink while overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway at Bar One, an Afro-Cuban restaurant located on an active marina right in the neighborhood. Start off a relaxing dinner with fried Alaskan salmon bites or oxtail dumpling stew while enjoying a sobe mojito and the view of watercraft passing by.

Local students on the north side of West Avenue can start school at the nearby Miami Beach Fienberg-Fisher K-8, while students on the south side may start at Miami Beach South Pointe Elementary, which Niche rated with a B-plus. From there, the north and south academic tracks merge, and students may go to Miami Beach Nautilus Middle, rated with a B on Niche, before graduating from Miami Beach Senior High, rated with a B-plus on Niche. This high school features several academies that allow students to build their curriculum around subjects or careers of interest. Take the Academy of Marine and Environmental Sciences (AMES), for example, which provides students in 10th, 11th and 12th grade with opportunities to shadow and gain experience with 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.

Surrounded by dining, shopping, beaches, marinas and beautiful architecture, West Avenue is worth exploring if you're looking for luxury living in Miami Beach.

Written By

Kelly Anderson

Photography Contributed By

Enrique Rios

Video By

Houston Knight