The once bohemian neighborhood still maintains a bit of the hippie vibe and the artists that attend the festival always evoke that feeling. It’s easy to make a day of it at the festival. With more than 360 artists scheduled at this year’s event, there will be a tremendous variety of pieces available.

Mixed Media 2D and 3D and digital art are some of the funkier pieces available but there’s also printmaking, watercolor, sculpture, claywork, wood, glass, fiber, painting, photography and jewelry and metalwork. It’s the perfect place to find unique gifts and new art pieces for the home or office.

The atmosphere is great too, thanks to the usually fantastic South Florida February weather. It makes for the ideal time to watch the musical performances that take place throughout the weekend. Local legendary acts jazz flutist Nestor Torres and jazz artist Joe Donato are performing as are local sensations Suenalo with their funk, Afro-Cuban, Latin rhythms.

Grab lunch while at the Festival’s Global Food Village in Myers Park along South Bayshore Drive. The view of the yachts and sailboats on the water make the perfect backdrop for a leisurely outdoor snack. It’s an international plethora of Asian, Greek, Latin and Barbecue to name a few of the choices. And speaking of food, the Culinary Pavilion features food demonstrations and tastings by local chefs including Top Chef contestant Chef Ron Duprat, local chef Marc Randazzo, WLRN radio host and former Miami Herald columnist Linda Gassenheimer and agriculture advocate Teena Borek.

Barnacle State Historic Site

It’s also the perfect opportunity to take in the Coconut Grove area and explore the Downtown shopping district which aside from the outdoor mall CocoWalk features various unique boutiques, something the Grove has always been known for. Also, visit the Barnacle Historic State Park, a lovely historic spot right on the bay. The park’s main draw is the house, built in 1891 where visitors can enjoy relaxing on the porch rocking chairs. The surrounding tropical hardwood hammock makes for a great nature walk and the Biscayne Bay view is unbeatable.

There are some fabulous townhouse condos in the Grove area of all different styles, from modern to Spanish influenced. Call one of our agents at 1-877-852-6636 to find out about availability.

The island is home to some beautiful condo buildings including the Key Biscayne Ambassador, Condominium Mar-Azul, Grand Bay Condominiums, Ocean Towers 1 and 2, Key Colony Condominiums and Island Breakers Condominium.

March is a busy month on Key Biscayne with the annual pro tennis tourney the Sony Ericsson Open, which attracts all the big names — Rafael Nadal, the Williams Sisters, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Maria Sharapova and many more — who make this their home for the almost two-week tournament. This year’s dates are March 19-April 1.

The beaches in Key Biscayne are different than what many people are used to when they see the famed Miami Beach. They are more natural, the water shallower and a bit warmer and the sand a different consistency as well. The natural surroundings of sea oats, the park areas at both Crandon Park and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park beaches are ideal for barbecuing and spending the day.

The Cape Florida Lighthouse is a landmark of the area and at the southernmost tip of the island. Sunbathers can enjoy a close-up view of the towering structure which was built in 1825 and reconstructed in 1846. The beach at Bill Baggs is consistently ranked among the Top 10 on Dr. Stephen Leatherman’s (“Dr. Beach”) annual list. There are guided tours of the lighthouse and the lighthouse keeper’s cottage Thursdays through Mondays.

Biking around Key Biscayne is ideal as well. The Rickenbacker Causeway bridge makes for a challenging ride and the views are spectacular from there to the southern tip.

Rusty Pelican waterfront restaurant

There are some spectacular dining options, with the most well known being the Rusty Pelican Restaurant which sits on the water and offers the most breathtaking view of the bay in all of Miami. Recently undergoing a $7 million renovation, it’s the perfect spot for dinner, with a view.

To find out about availability at the Key Biscayne condos listed here or others on the island, call one of our agents at 1-877-852-6636.

Clubhouse

Jesse Carvajal, CAM and Community Association Manager at IL Villaggio for more than a decade and as such the longest running manager on South Beach, recently took time out of his busy schedule to elaborate on life at IL Villaggio.

Q: Give me some background information on Il Villaggio

A: We are a boutique condominium, and a luxury resort lifestyle residence.  We have 127 units and about a dozen are rentals during season and three or so year round.

Q: What makes the concierge services at Il Villaggio so spectacular?

A: Our staff is trained to provide a variety of services that are designed to enhance our residents’ lifestyle as they travel in and out of South Beach.  A perfect example would be our Departure & Arrival Services.  The concierges are trained to set up your home as well as shut it down as our resident come in and out for vacation.  We set the temperature, draw the curtains, throw out the kitchen and bathroom trash, order groceries, start your vehicle, and much more.
Q: Do the concierge services make this a more desirable place to live? Why?

A: A well-tuned Concierge service makes life easier and overall better.  Having someone relieve you of mundane tasks and enhancing your lifestyle through art, culture, and entertainment is priceless.  A good concierge can keep you connected on everything that is important to you.

Q: How have those services evolved since the condominium opened?

A: In the late 1990s there were limited concierge services and it was a bit more hotel-like in nature.  The concierge service today in a luxury high-rise has become a necessity of life and if you’re lucky to live in the right building, they will enhance your lifestyle.

Q: How do the services here compare to other luxury condos around Miami? What makes them unique?

A: I believe that each condominium is unique.  Our services are tailored to our residents’ needs and this is why we have been so successful.  While we keep our eyes open to what others do, our main focus is on being unique Villaggio and listening to our clients.

For information on available units at IL Villaggio call a CondoDomain expert at 1-877-852-6636.

And with a spot so beautiful and desirable come first-rate concierge services to match. Silvia E. Erro, community association manager (CAM) at Jade discussed those services with CondoDomain Miami.

Q: First off, some background on the building: When it was built, number of units and floor plans.

A: The Jade was built in 2004 and has 341 units of which 338 are residential and three are commercial units. The commercial units consist of one real estate office, one restaurant and one small office space in the rooftop for a repeater. Floor plans range from one-bedroom to six-bedroom units from 1,183-square-feet to 7,385-square-feet.

Q: What do the residents love about the Concierge Services at Jade?

A: The high quality service and friendly atmosphere to go the “extra mile.” Also, that concierge services are available at all times and “on hand” to assist residents in all Concierge-related matters even if it’s a last-minute request, we can accommodate those.

Q: What are some of the Concierge Services you provide?

A: There are many. Residents’ wake-up calls at their request, dinner reservations at area high-end restaurants, hotel reservations, private event planning with limousine services, scheduling delivery and pick-up of dry cleaning services, private massage therapy visits, flower deliveries, carrier services such as FedEx, DHL and UPS. We can also assist residents with miscellaneous clerical work such as fax transmittals, preparing conference room for meetings with projector service, taxi pick-ups and even scheduling playing time at the Jade’s Fifth Floor racquetball court

Q: What sets them apart from other buildings in the area?

A: Jade is considered because of their continuous emphasis on high-quality services which are provided in a professional manner. It’s what residents have come to expect over the years and we have continually delivered on that expectation.

Q: How have the Concierge Services evolved over the years since the building opened?

A: Because of our consistent and comprehensive service we have not had to tweak or modify our services. Our priority is to remain stable and superceed on such.

For information on available units at Jade Residences at Brickell Bay call a CondoDomain expert at 1-877-852-6636.

The floor-to-ceiling windows in the 1-5 bedroom condos are perfect for the bay and city views as are the beautiful, sweeping balconies of Portofino Tower – one of the tallest buildings in Miami Beach. High ceilings give the feeling that your condo is actually a grand manse and adds to the ultra-luxe setting (features include top-of-the-line European appliances, granite countertops, and oversized Jacuzzi whirlpool tubs). What will remind me you that you live in Portofino Tower and not in a mansion elsewhere in town? Living at Portofino Tower means 24-hour security and 24-hour concierge services – from some of the most dedicated and thorough concierges in town.

SoFi is an amazing place for lots of fun and relaxation but so is the Portofino itself. There are swimming pools with bay views, tennis courts, a library, and Club Portofino. Club Portofino is a world-class residents’ club with a fitness center, a terrace bar, game rooms, a theater, and a five-star spa!

Portofino Tower
300 South Pointe Drive Miami Beach, FL 33139

Vizcayne home buyers receive a VIP Nikki Beach membership with the purchase of a Vizcayne condo! The famous indoor/outdoor beach clubs are known for amazing food, music, parties, celebrity sightings, and lots of fun. The VIP Nikki Beach membership isn’t just for the one in Miami Beach – that location has become something just for tourists in recent years, anyway – in includes all of their locations around the globe! Yes, that is a lifetime Platinum VIP membership to the spectacular jetset Nikkis across the country (Vegas, Midtown, etc.) and worldwide (including St. Barth’s, Cannes, Marrakech, and St. Tropez). What does membership include? Complimentary admission for you and up to 3 guests, a Nikki Beach music collection, exclusive invites, and even more special perks at specific locations (like discount suites and complimentary chair and towel services and VIP cocktails at Nikki Cabo San Lucas).

You may think, what is the catch? There is none! Vizcayne is an incredible place to live – you’d jump at the chance to purchase there anyway! Conveniently located in Downtown Miami, Vizcayne offers many options for residents – flats, studios, lofts, 1-3 bedrooms, and penthouses. Young professionals and social scene fixtures alike gravitate to the chic Vizcayne with its stunning units and special features that include resort pools above the city, a top fitness center, a game room, a large clubhouse, and a spa that takes up an entire floor!

Vizcayne
244 Biscayne Boulevard Miami, FL 33132

Foodies and aspiring chefs love Miami-Dade College’s Miami Culinary Institute. Miami-Dade College Wolfson Campus is a powerhouse in the Downtown Miami community and the institution just keeps on growing. In April they opened the Miami Culinary Institute, a welcome addition to the already well-rounded institution. It’s a great place for condo dwellers in neighboring Brickell and along Biscayne Boulevard near the Omni area to consider for evening and weekend classes or even dinner.

Their goal, according to the Institute’s website, is to “serve up food, culture and innovation.” They offer three main components – a 64-credit Associate in Science in Culinary Arts Degree, continuing education for culinary professionals, and a food and beverage enthusiast education program called “Culinarium” with classes like The Nuts and Bolts of a Sustainable Garden and To Russia With Love! The courses, programs and even the building are rooted in sustainability and eco-culinary approaches.

Developing those courses and programs is an impressive group of the world’s top professional chefs who make up the school’s Chef Council. The Who’s Who list of chefs includes Michelle Bernstein, Norman Van Aken, Michael Schwartz, Allen Susser, Douglas Rodriguez, Jose Andres, Cindy Hutson, Phillippe Ruiz and Rudi Sodeman – all established and legendary names in the restaurant industry and leaders in the sustainable food movement.

The state-of-the-art building features general kitchen labs, a baking lab, a food and beverage theatre, a first floor bakery and café and appropriately an organic garden which will yield crops to be used throughout the campus.

The Institute is now also home to Tuyo Restaurant, led by Executive Chef Norman Van Aken who is the perfect choice being that he’s one of the innovators of “New World Floribbean” cuisine and at Tuyo they’re serving up “an exquisite fusion of new world flavors.” One of their signature dishes is the pan cooked fillet of Key West yellowtail with malaber spinach from the school’s organic garden with citrus butter sauce and garlicky mashed potatoes. Housed on the eight-story building’s top floor means views from Tuyo are spectacular, providing a panoramic look at the many condominiums in the area as well as the landmark icon, the Freedom Tower.

MCI is the perfect spot for foodies to hone their cooking skills and enjoy a delicious dinner at a restaurant with a menu devised by one of South Florida’s premier chefs. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds from the restaurant will benefit the school’s programs.

To learn about condos in the area near Miami Culinary Institute contact one of our agents at 877-852-6636.

From the Kafka-Franz site:

The Brickell on the river complex is comprised of a 42-story North Tower, which was completed in 2006, a 46-story South Tower completed in 2007, and a central plaza between both towers, containing a restaurant, riverfront promenade, and complex amenities. The North Tower took 31 months to build, as construction began in December of 2003, and was completed in July of 2006.  The South Tower construction began in 2004 and was completed in 2008.

The Brickell on the River condo complex in Miami Florida is located on the southern banks of the Miami River next to downtown Miami. The address is 31 and 41 SE 5th Street, near SE 1st Avenue and 5th Street. The Fifth Street Metro mover Station, a station in Miami’s mass transit system, is located immediately adjacent to the North Tower. As it is located practically in the center of downtown, the views from the top floors in the complex are some of the best in Miami.

The Peninsula peaks high from Aventura’s exclusive Williams Island – two towers (Peninsula I & II) of luxury and refinement. The 2-4 bedroom condos dazzle with invigorating Intracoastal views, tinted hurricane-grade windows, and features like high speed internet, digital cable, and a home phone service. Expect marble floors and countertops, stainless steel-filled professional kitchens, and large and lovely master suites. The master baths are also a great treat with marble vanities, walk-in showers, and sometimes even Roman tubs or free-standing soaking tubs.

Convenience on the property comes in the form of a business center, a social center complete with a kitchen, private storage facilities, and concierge and valet services (optional if you prefer to park your own vehicle). For the children, there is a playroom, a playground, and a wading pool (near the adult’s swimming pool). For the adults, the amenities are long to list but include such great add-ons such as a lounge and health bar, 3 tennis courts, a studio for aerobics and pilates, and a full-service spa.

Aventura is a great place for singles and families alike and you will be pleasantly surprised by all of the leisure and entertainment offered nearby and essentials like great schools and a wonderful sense of community throughout the city.

Where will you find your place at The Peninsula? Check out some of the available units.

Unit #2006

Unit #GS3107

If you like what you see then just enter your information into the box on your right and a expert Miami real estate agent will get in touch with you ASAP to show you the Peninsula or any other condo in Aventura!

Photo Credits: condohotelcenter.com

The 20^th street and Collins Avenue property is one of the newest additions to South Beach. 52 stylish units are outfitted with energy efficient glass windows and doors, top appliances from manufacturers such as Miele and Sub Zero (even built-in wine coolers!), and must-haves like a washer and dryer in every unit. Boulan South Beach looks like a boutique hotel from the street-level and apparently from the inside too. Residents can also enjoy marble-walled bathrooms, soaking tubs, walk-in showers, and water closets separate from bathrooms.

The grand scale balconies are ideal for spectacular city and ocean views of South Beach and the Atlantic Ocean and the penthouses have grand views made more special with private rooftop garden terraces.

Residents of Boulan South Beach can enjoy down time at the on-site gym or in the meditation garden and courtyard. There are even beach services for those ready to cross the street to tan or dip into the ocean.

As if the nearby entertainment, dining, and shopping at places like The Setai, The W Hotel South Beach, and The Gansevoort weren’t enough, Boulan South Beach will soon have Parc Place at Boulan South Beach – an on-property complex of designer shops and dining.

If you are interested in taking a private tour of Boulan South Beach then simply enter your information into the box on your right and an amazing Miami area real estate agent will get in touch with you ASAP!

Whether you live at Tower House or La Tour in Miami Beach, or in Miami somewhere gorgeous like Grovenor House, you’d be best advised to come see the finest home offerings from all over the world (to see one of these startlingly-beautiful condos, give a call to a Miami Condo Loft realtor at 888.852.6636). Just park your car and you can literally walk around in a comfortable distance to the 52 fine furniture and home furnishings stores in the Design District!

Fendi Casa: The legendary Italian fashion house brings high fashion and opulence to your home with their first U.S. showroom located in the Miami Design District. The brand doesn’t want you to limit yourself to home décor either; they proudly boast their design skills for yachts and private jets as well. 90 N.E. 39^th Street Miami, FL 33137 305.438.1660

Poltrona Frau: Elegant leather furniture that is modern with a great classical design influence. 10 N.E. 39^th Street Miami, FL 33137 305.576.3636

Abitare: Indoor furniture, outdoor furniture, and lots of darling home accessories with various ethnic influences. 21 N.E. 39^th Street Miami, FL 33137 305.573.5200

Campaniello: This Italian furniture powerhouse name carries the top lines in the industry with a heavy focus on modern design. 180 N.E. 39^th Street Suite 121 Miami, FL 33137 305.576.9494

Ligne Roset: All the luxury additions you could possibly need for your home in bright and funky color schemes in the newest and most cutting-edge silhouettes. 160 N.E. 40^th Street Miami, FL 33137 305.576.4662

If you would like to see some of the awesome condos that are available in the design district, just enter your information into the box on your right and a rock star real estate agent will get in touch with you ASAP!

The Mediterranean-style abodes are airy and majestic properties available in 3,4, 5, or 6 bedroom floor plans. The fairly new property (built in the 2000s) shines with marble floors, hurricane-impact windows, spacious rooms, stainless steel and granite kitchens, walk-in closets, whirlpool tubs, and more! Residents may unwind in the swimming pool or at the Cloisters on the Bay tennis courts as well.

Another bonus? Enjoy easy highway access to quickly get to the rest of South Florida or wherever else calls to you!

A few of the absolutely beautiful homes available at Cloisters on the Bay.

3471 MAIN HWY 1203 Unit #1239

3471 MAIN HWY Unit #205

If you are interested in seeing either of these amazing villas, simply enter your information into the box on your right and a expert real estate agent will get in touch with you ASAP!