This is not a development thread, but more of a cultural thread.

A trip down Biscayne Blvd last night really opened my eyes to how fast the area is changing. Is this the "South Beach" of the 2000's? The quantity of restaruants and shops has not only increased but the quality and style has also increased. Is the area already "too cool" for the hipsters? Where will they turn to next?

This used to be prostitute row. Even some of the old motels are getting renovated. My biggest fear is that a lack of mass transit will keep this area from reaching it's full potential, but then again, it was never a problem for the Beach.

I rarely make it north of downtown, so I wanted opinions of those who are more familiar with the area.

Pictures would be nice too.

I've lived in this neighbourhood for the past seven years, and the changes have been dramatic in the area. I've been very impressed to see what has going on. Some really great restuarunts and places to grab a quick bite that have quickly become Miami institutions - noteably Sokyka and Dogma.

Cool thread, hope it takes off. I grew up in Little River (Little Haiti now) and spent my last year in Miami in Shorecrest so any news about that part of town would be great to me. I always loved the upper east side from about Bayside to Morningside up to Miami Shores.

The Bank condominium expected to be completed by summer

By Deserae del Campo
The Bank, a 79-loft condominium at 8101 Biscayne Blvd., is close to completion with 77 units under contract.
James Goldstein, president of Midgard Development Group, purchased the building, once home to Miami National Bank, in 2003 for $3 million.
"The building was first built circa 1955 into a two-story bank," said Daniel Goldstein, Midgard sales and marketing director. "In 1964, construction expanded the building into six stories, turning it into a multi-tenant office building."
Midgard received building and demolition permits to renovate the interior in August 2005.
"Construction is in full swing and should be completed by summer of 2006," said Daniel Goldstein. "Two penthouse lofts are still available. One is facing the bay and Miami Beach and the other is facing the west. Both penthouse lofts are 1,400 square feet and going for $509,000 and $469,000."
Contracts with 20% down payment have been signed for 77 of the 79 lofts, he said.
The top floor includes rooftop amenities with an open sundeck, lounge chairs and multiple hot tubs.
The Bank also has over 15,000 square feet of first-floor retail space. The 5,000-square-foot restaurant space was sold to a very reputable local restaurateur, Mr. Goldstein said, leaving over 10,000 square feet available at $300 per square foot.
http://www.miamitodaynews.com/news/060209/story6.shtml

the change really began with really small minor changes.....one of the first ones was the building of the soyka restaurant(great food) and the complex surrounded it,which included the sushi siam,the movie theather, the ice cream place, and the gym..across the street was the car wash place,they really livened the place up..down the street starbucks and subway opened and or always busy and then dogma and that other place i dont remember.

and every couple of months new stores and restaurants keep opening up and that and the effort to close down those nasty motels has really helped the area..now lets just hope that major project at the shooping complex on biscayne gets built and bank ends up being nice..

Hatter have you heard anything new about that big project at the shoping center recently? I know they were after some major height that wouldnt ever fly.

no i haven't heard anything about it,but i wouldn't be surprised if its never built and the developer is just designing the project just to try and sell the land.

one thing that really fucked up and is still fucking up the upper eastside are those stupid road improvements,on biscayne....they caused a ton of buisnesses to go out of business or move because the fdot took over two years just to add new drains and a couple of ugly palm trees,what a disgrace.

And people want them to work on putting a highway underground???

When I was in Miami for the first time last spring visiting relatives in N. Miami, I was very impressed with the Biscayne blvd. area. I can see how it used to be "prostitute row" as some have described it, but all in all I was very impressed.

On a sidenote:

Does anyone know what the name of this little seafood restaurant I went to in N. Miami is? It's this really tiny place. It doubles as a seafood retailer/restaurant. I know the guy goes out and catches everything in the morning and cooks it at night. I think its around Biscayne blvd. Any help guys???

^^^ Would you be talking about Captain Jim's Seafood Market & Restaurant on West Dixie Highway?

The city of Miami should be sued for their stupid plan of taking forever to fix Biscayne Blvd putting buisness out of businesses. They should have worked on smaller sections at a time instead of long lengths of road. Have you noticed that there never are more then a few guys per block working? This is a discrace and disaster.

On another note, the Kubik project by Soyka is going to be built although it is being held up by the Morningside Assiciation. They would rather keep the pimps, hookers, and drug dealers than have a new highrise. I spoke to the developer himself, and he assured me that it is only a matter of time before the building breaks ground.

South Florida Business Journal - 1:52 PM EST Thursday
Related plans Miami condo towers
The Related Group of Florida said it is planning waterfront luxury condominiums in Miami at what it deemed reasonable prices.

The developer said Oasis on the Bay will be at 7951 N.E. Bayshore Court. Units are to start at $290,000.

The project, on 3.8 acres, is to break ground this spring, Miami-based Related added.

The twin 20-story towers of Oasis on the Bay are to hold a total of 475 units ranging from 686 square feet to 1,900 square feet.

Amenities Related named include a cinema with surround sound and stadium seating, a health club and spa. Also planned: a bayside pool and 20-slip marina.

The project is also to offer a breakfast bar, on-site restaurant and mini-market.

"Oasis on the Bay will serve as a catalyst towards the revitalization of the area while encouraging the city to continue their development of the 79th Street Causeway," said Oscar Rodriguez, Related vice president of development.

Rendering of Oasis on the Bay

http://www.miamibeach411.com/photos/real_estate/oasis-on-the-bay.gif

I've seen ads for that in the Herald. Looks more like Naples than Miami but I can't complain.