Miami Design District

Miami Design District lacks what other places in Miami have — soul, spice, and life.
Let me start by saying that I visited Miami Design District and it was completely empty. There weren’t any people outside, and we went into some stores and galleries and they were quite empty. The best way to describe this place is interesting, but dull.
If you’re looking for a place to make you feel broke, then this is also the place for you! Plenty of expensive, fancy stores.
In all honesty, I don’t understand what the big hype is all about. There are barely any visible restaurants around, and the view isn’t phenomenal either. I thought I was going to experience more local art and murals, and there wasn’t much of that, either. I went with different expectations, and they were not met.
There are many galleries around, but they are «hidden». Sometimes you’re walking and you can’t tell if you passed by a gallery or a store.
Miami Design District falls flat from what it promises to offer.

If you want to feel really really poor come here. It is awesome to window shop and imagine what you would buy if you won the lottery. The shops are very nice and they have added so much recently. I remember when this was a wasteland. Also, the staff at most of the shops are very nice even though they know you aren’t going to buy anything. It is a nice walk on a Saturday afternoon. The problem is everything is basically closed on Sunday. I went looking for home furnishing on a Sunday and everywhere was closed. That’s annoying b

I remember the first time i happend upon the Design District. 20years ago I had just started driving and I would often pick a direction and just go explore. I was heading west on 79^th street avoiding hookers and the knock out king that used to stand on the intersection of NW 22^nd Ave punching cars. I made a turn on NW 2^nd ave and headed Downtown. There used to be a pedestrian bridge that connected two buildings on 41^st street and then there it was.
Miami’s Design District.
I snaked through the streets and to be honest was disapppointed. Most of the stores were closed and/​or shuttered but I did remember thinking that it had potential. DASH was gaining steam as THE art school and with nearby neighborhood of Buena Vista and it’s beautiful homes, I knew that big things could happen here
Unfortunately, I am poor and don’t have the means to invest in a meanignful way
Much the same way when I told my dad to invest in Mexican/​South American Telecommunications but instead let Carlos Slim do it
we all have our «what ifs»
Craig Robbins has managed to turn what was clearly potential into Miami’s preeminent design location. No longer do you have to trek up to Bal Harbour to not buy anything. High priced stores such as Hermes, Cartier and Dior now call DD home
The area also has some nice restaurants such as MGFD and art galleries like the de la Cruz building

As an avid fan of Wynwood and supporting the local arts, I had a certain expectation of this district that has also been referred to as «Art Walk» and was very excited to check it out. It was nothing like I thought it would be, but it was still amazing.
When we parked, the garage seemed pretty average and the parking was cheap ($ 3 for 4 hours I believe). We walked up the steps and all of a sudden I didn’t believe I was in Florida anymore. I had a very real Wizard of Oz «I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore» moment because it was so beautiful.
It’s artsy but much more high class than I expected. This shopping district has stores that are high end and the vibe of the atmosphere is so clean and calm, but so sophisticated, almost like an international trip. I don’t mean to exaggerate but also keep in mind that I expected a hipster artopia similar to Wynwood and this was almost the opposite.
The art work is mainly in the form of advertising but still beautiful. I gave it 4 stars because it’s a fun place to window shop at for a while, but unless you drive a Porsche (which we actually saw a few times), it’s more of a sight seeing trip. Also, if you’re not planning to break your bank, you can only walk and look so much before you feel satisfied, like you’ve seen it all.
I only stayed for about an hour, but as the parking was incredibly cheap, especially for Miami, I don’t mind.
It is definitely quiet and there was not a lot of foot traffic. Not as much variety in food as I would’ve liked, like maybe a coffee shop or something, but I didn’t find one.
Oh and most of the stores that seemed more quaint and affordable close at around 6pm-​7pm and that’s on a Saturday so plan on going early, but definitely bring a camera!

Had a great experience in the Miami Design District yesterday that started with great parking (super rare in Miami). The new garage on 38^th street was easy to get into and only $ 3 for 4 hours .Once parked, you walk up the stairs into the Fly’s Eye Dome, which is amazing ! Out of the eye, you walk into a beautiful plaza of some of the most elegant stores in the world. If you don’t have time for a trip to Rome or Paris, the District is the next best thing, The stores are fabulous and restaurants divine. Stop at MC Kitchen, Michaels or for a Cheers experience, I love Oak Tavern, the Bar Tenders are super. Can’t wait to go back, still thinking of those gorgeous Valentino shoes!

3.5 stars
This District is still in transition as many luxury stores are moving in and setting up flagship stores.
I really liked the Design District before (remember Mai Tardi?) and hope it will succeed as a luxury shopping neighborhood, but, I just don’t see a lot of foot traffic here and hope it eventually comes once things are open.
Some must needs for the neighborhood are more restaurants and cafes/​coffeeshops and eventually condos/​apartments. Right now other than a few nice restaurants, its just the luxury stores and the whole place seems kind of dead.

I’m not from Miami, but I vacation here a lot…
I wanted to try this area after reading a long positive article on the wall street journal about the developer transforming this area into a new shopping/​dining district… and even taking away some of Bal Harbour best tenants such as L.V. And Cartier…
Two short streets of shopping with famous ultra expensive brands (Lvt, Dior, Prada, Loubutin, Rolex, etc…) I saw very few restaurants, at least within the vicinity of these stores… Maybe for local residents who dont have a Bal Harbour, Lincoln Rd, South Beach, Merrick Park, Aventura… this may work. Not for me! Why do I want to go to shop or dine in a small neighborhood with a street in the middle (cars, noise, danger) — not enough restaurants or innovative stores, just the same super expensive stores in a downsized version (And less of them that found elsewhere…)
I want to be positive… for locals who find it almost impossible to circulate at certain times in Miami, this place may one day be nice… for us tourists, or those of us with families or those looking for the whole gama (high end stores — average stores — local stores… many dining or shopping options) stay away!

The Miami Design District is really starting to become a nice place you can go to. It’s not the best area and in the past not much attention was given to the area.
I’m glad Miami is starting to recognize the potential for art. The area is steadily improving.

I was just passing through the area, running an errand that involved the Christian Louboutin store. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but what I found wasn’t all that great. First off, you have to pay for street parking, and there are no nearby garages. Then there is the endless construction… it seemed like every other block had some major project going on.
After I parked about 2 blocks away from my final destination, I started walking and taking in the sights and sounds. Lots of high end stores, boutiques, and galleries. As a cohesive concept, the Design District could stand to upgrade the landcaping and sidewalks. I think the ongoing construction is not helping the overall vibe.
There didn’t seem to be too many restaurants or bars, which in my mind would make it more of a place to hang out, rather than just a place to go to a specific shop (s).

Despite so much talk and hype, I’ve got to admit that I really don’t get the Design District at all. Since it was transformed 3 – 4 years ago, the Design District is ostensibly Miami’s go-​to for furniture, luxury goods and art, yet it doesn’t really «own» any of these categories. My experience shopping for furniture here was pathetic, I still prefer Bal Harbour for moments when I want to stroll for luxury goods, and it has nothing on Wynwood’s art scene. Overall, I get a deep sense that the Design District doesn’t exactly know what it wants to be.
What started in the 70’s as cheap real estate to showcase home décor and furnishing wholesale shops is now has taken on a about 50% luxury retail: stores like Christian Louboutin, Celine, Louis Vuitton, and even more rarified high-​end brands like Berluti have lined the blocks of this small neighborhood just north of midtown, and just west of Biscayne. LVMH, the corporation that owns all of these brands has made a major move in occupying storefronts here and evidently has plans to build a multi story huge skyscraper luxury mall.
But who is buying? And what are they buying? Is the Design District a modern alternative to Bal Harbour or Merrick Park or is the Design District something meant to be more pertinent to home design?
Over the past year and half I’ve been remodeling my Sunset Harbour Condo and have made many trips to the Design District in search of inspiration, wallpaper, lighting and furniture. My biggest source of confusion and frustration with this neighborhood generally is that it isn’t open past 6 o’clock on weekdays! It seems to me that retail should be open when most people leave work.
I can’t tell you how many times a ride to the Design District only to be able to look in the windows of the stores. Furthermore, the staff generally come off aloof and disinterested which is frustrating. Although I loved a number of pieces at Baxter and elsewhere, I really didn’t buy most of my new furniture or appliances or bath vanity or kitchen pieces from the Design District because I found the experience so frustrating.
Although the long-​term development of the Design District will only benefit Miami and the Historic Bayside area stretching up Biscayne, this place is a ghost town at night and in comparison to the awesome strangeness of Wynwood, all I can say is that the Design District feels a bit… phony.

Rezoning approved, permits pulled, construction in full force.
Huge names slowly moving in and security with cruisers aplenty…
«Hey, why you taking photos?!»… Because we live in the United States of America you silly rent a cop.. . and so a new chapter for the Miami Design District begins.

The only reason you would come here is if there is a specific store you can’t get access to in your home town. I live in San Francisco, so I have access to most of the stores on site.
Christian Louboutin, Hermes and Celine is what drawn me into this district. If you are not planning to drop down $$$$$, then this place wouldn’t be fun. It’s small and a lot of constructions on the road. Place doesn’t open until 11am and you have to pay for street parking.
Didn’t really find or have the items I needed, so I opt to head over to Bal Harbour where I spend the rest of my shopping day.

Great place Louis Vuitton and Prada just opened. Really good places to eat and they say in the next year they are expected to have 100 shops, and 15 new restaurants. This place keeps growing and valet will run you $ 3 to park your car. Or there is also tons of metered spots. Not quoits there yet probably another year this place will be swamped with shoppers. If you have not been worth checking out.

A few years ago this area was not necessarily one you were in late at night but if you were an Interior Designer or Design & Architecture Senior High student you came to this gritty area for great art, furniture or to go to school. Nervous when my child had been accepted into this school 4 years ago, I was worried but was told that it was all right, that this was definitely where the design students wanted to be and yes, the area was slowly but surely turning into a nice area since the Target/​Marshalls shopping and a couple of nicer buildings went up. Soon going to be urban, fun & cool something that is sorely missing in Miami.
Excited I have watched the area sprout edgy restaurants, galleries, shops and some nightlife. It was so promising, so great — Mai Tardi was our place to go for a nice evening dinner outdoors for great food and ambiance, Sra. Martinez another and more. Art Basel started spilling into the area providing some great fun outside of the nightmare which is Miami Beach when ANY event is going on (Art Basel, Boat Show, etc) — Miami Beach can be such a nightmare now. The DD and Wynwood hosts Second Saturdays where Galleries are open and soon food trucks began to take advantage of the growing crowds. Miami was FINALLY promising something unique and wonderful. Gritty, fun, like a real city.
… and then something happened… something that happens everywhere in this city. Where there is promise comes greed and that incredible need for pretense and fakeness.
What was an eclectic area with promise of substance is now being mowed down for pretension. It is sad but Mai Tardi was kicked out so the owner of most of the DD can build what? A building to house another designer boutique, OH JOY, what can we expect? ANOTHER designer store that few people can actually afford?
Lets face it, now Prada, Gucci, Vitton are now taking over. of course for this city that places no value on anything other than brands, expensive cars, plastic lips, breasts and buttocks. Where money buys you love and now an area that was for everyone turns into a soulless pedestrian shopping mall for the über rich and the Miami wannabes. The Design District has now turned into The DesigNER District. Shame. Such a shame.
The soul was sucked out of the DD, I am just glad after June I no longer have to witness the slow shallow shiny death of a once promising area.

Short and to the point review.
Really interesting place to check out if you’re in the area.
You can definitely find some things your normally don’t find in Miami here.
If you’re the type of person that likes «Off the beaten path», the Design District is totally for you. Here’s to you artsy fartsy hipster!

It’s so beautiful here. The stores are modern and trendy and the area is nice and clean. Still it is very creepy at night; And waaay overpriced for EVERYTHING! This area’s prices are way ahead of it’s time

It not just a Design District, but a neighborhood too. People live there and it’s kind of a cool place to be, look around and hang out. For the most part, it’s rather quiet, and for those who might prefer the more rowdy nightlife and drunkenness of Miami, somewhat boring. But for those who appreciate looking at spectacular interior designs as well as works of art, it’s difficult to beat.
One thing about the district is that it is difficult to write any sort of comprehensive review about in that I’ve found the area to be constantly in a state of change or development. So for what holds true for any given Monday may not hold true by that same week on Friday.

Hipster. Trendy. Cool. San Fransisco. Downown Brooklyn.
These are all things that describe the design district. I like it. But because it isnt fully developed yet. Its sparce and a little like the wild west (cue tumbleweed). I suppose it is very exciting on a different day, but friday afternoon from 3 – 5 it was pretty quiet.

What is there not to love about the Design District?!?
Yes, I am a bit biased, since I reside here, but, when moving to Miami I knew I had to live in this neighborhood. Not only does the Design District boast two of Miami’s best chefs’ with Sra. Martinez, Crumb on Parchment, Harry’s Pizzaria & Michael’s Genuine, but now there are more and more specialty boutiques popping up every month!
If you haven’t spent a Second Saturday in the Design District, then quickly add it to your list of chill spots. In comparison to Wynwood art walk, the atmosphere is quite a bit more relaxed and the crowds — well, that’s the good part, there aren’t crazy crowds of drunkies wandering around and elbowing for food truck lines, just folks who are actually interested in art. The galleries close earlier here, so make it out early to check them out.
PS: Make sure to check out the Haitian Heritage Museum as well, there are frequently free events and exhibits.

I have witnessed first the transformation of this neighborhood for over a decade, and it has gone through a fantastic awakening journey. One might argue that its revival is artificial and has done nothing but displace those who have rightfully lived here for many years. Not so, I say, this kind of change requires courage and risk.
The area is still in transition, but it is certainly gratifying to walk around here on the weekends or even weekdays and see the hustle and bustle of industry and art. Good places to eat, for all budgets, safe walkable streets, and art in public places. Not to mention one of the best Magnet Schools in the country.
Find yourself in Miami and want to explore some off the beaten path places? Spend the afternoon in the DD, it will be a day of discovery.