By Jan Engoren and Yours Truly
“The City Reimagined” is painted on a wall in the Miami Worldcenter downtown. Indeed. It’s happening. I had a walk around the heart of this $6 billion, 27 acre project right after Christmas, and it’s very impressive. There’s a lot of construction going on, but a visit there still makes for a delightful afternoon filled with world class public art you can self tour with the map I provided and description of the art works. You can also do some shopping at places that are new to Miami like the new Savage X Fenty, located at 851 NE 1st Avenue, Unit D-138, the first Miami location of the pop singer Rhianna’s lingerie and apparel brand for men and women .Afterwards, pay a visit to the Museum of Ice Cream or Lucky Strike to bowl, and stop in for lunch or dinner at one of the restaurants that are also a “first” in Miami such as the Brasserie Laurel, located at 698 NE 1st Avenue. You may also want to do an “add on” visit after going to the Perez Art Museum, Kaseya Center or Frost Science Museum; all are a few blocks away. See below for a list of all the shops, restaurants, entertainment options, opening dates and guidelines for your walk in Miami Worldcenter. There are two public garages, one at 9th Street and NE 2nd Avenue.
Miami Worldcenter – What it Is
The new, $6 billion, 27-acre mixed-use development, known as Miami Worldcenter, is transforming the heart of downtown Miami with a public art program, high end retail, dining and entertainment options. An open-air shopping promenade runs north and south from NE 10th Street to NE 7th Street and between NE 1st and 2nd Avenues. A large public plaza and park will be surrounded by shops and restaurants, creating a central gathering and outdoor space.
Check out public murals and sculptures by artists such as Nina Chanel Abney, Nick Cave and Miami’s own Hernan Bas. His “quiet” history painting, titled, “Miami, FL, January 19, 1977 8:45 AM, 2022,” is inspired by a Miami Herald headline titled, “Snow in Miami.” Keep reading to learn more about the art and artists on view
For more information visit Miami WorldCenter.
A Brief History
Taking approximately 8 years to realize, construction on the ten-block project, developed by Miami Worldcenter Associates, began in Q1 2016 with phased completion in Q2 2019.
The project boasts nearly 11,000 residential units, over 1,100 hotel rooms, 600,000 square feet of office space, more than 2,000 public parking spaces and the best – 100,000 square feet of public green space.
A second phase of the project is planned bringing three additional residential towers with 2,000 multifamily units; a two-tower mixed-use residential and commercial development; a three-tower mixed-use residential project; a mixed-use residential and hotel development; and two 63-story towers with 550 apartments and 550 condos.
Where is Miami Worldcenter?
Miami Worldcenter runs between NE 2nd and 1st Avenues and go from NW 6th Street to NE 11th Street.
It’s situated immediately to the north of downtown Miami’s Central Business District (CBD), extending between 2nd Avenue and Miami Avenue to 11th Street. The development is within walking distance from the Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) and the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, the Kaseya Center, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, as well as Brightline’s high-speed rail at MiamiCentral Station.
It is also just minutes away from Miami International Airport, Port Miami, Miami Beach, and the Brickell Financial District.
Where to Start Your Walk Now
Given what’s open now, the majority of things to see and do are on 7th and 8th Streets, between N.E. 1st and N.E. 2nd Avenue.
Things to Do – Check Out the Artwork
What is the public art?
Miami Worldcenter engaged international art dealer and curator Jeffrey Deitch and Miami-based curatorial collective PRIMARY to spearhead the curatorial vision for the $5 million public art initiative. The program features a variety of contemporary and modern art works – from large-scale murals to paintings, and sculptures by artists including Nina Chanel Abney, Woody De Othello, Viktor El-Saieh, Nick Cave, Trenton Doyle Hancock, Hernan Bas, Serge Toussaint, Zadok Ben-David and Franz Ackermann.
Miami Worldcenter was formed by an art committee that spearheads the creation of public site-specific installations. The curators chose emerging talent and world-class artists to join this outdoor, public gallery experience. Here’s a map of the art works with images and see below for a description of each you can use for your walking tour.Click here.
MURALS
Nina Chanel Abney
Abney created an immersive mural in response to the legacies of gentrification that erased many vibrant Black communities. With her work she hopes to spark a dialogue around gentrification and encourage viewers to learn about the previous and adjacent neighborhoods. The mural is located between NE 1st Ave. and NE 2nd Ave.
Franz Ackermann
German artist Franz Ackermann’s “Sailing Hammock” mural merges painting and architecture to create a welcoming invitation to the new Worldcenter. The mural is located between NE 1st Ave. and NE 2nd Ave.
Viktor El-Saieh
Haitian American artist Viktor El-Saieh’s “I of the Spiral,” creates an imaginary, supernatural and spiritual space where the setting and symbols are viewed as a portrait of a place – a magical place. His mural is located at NE 1st Ave. near the Bezel condominiums.
Hernan Bas
Florida artist Hernan Bas’s “quiet” history painting, “Miami, FL, January 19, 1977 8:45 AM, 2022,” reflects the day it snowed in Miami in 1977, the year before the artist was born. His motivation is for the work to resonate with local Miami-ans and remind them of that odd day when everyone in Miami experienced some magic. Visit his mural at NE 2nd Ave. near the CitizenM Hotel.
Serge Toussaint
Miami-based Haitian muralist Serge Toussaint painted “Welcome to Miami Worldcenter” based on a photograph by Kevin Jimenez of Polakev Photography. The photograph, which depicts the downtown Miami’s skyline, includes Miami World Center’s Paramount, Caoba Apartments and Bezel Tower, and is painted in Toussaint’s unique style. See his mural near the Bezel condominiums, between NE 1st and NE 2nd Avenues.
SCULPTURES
Nick Cave
Nick Cave’s sculpture “A·mal·gam,” located near the Bezel condominiums, is a manifestation of the divine spirit, steeped in the past and at the same time, fueling the present moment. The colossal sculpture acts as a community beacon, signifying the power of each of us. See his sculpture off NE 2nd Ave., near the Bezel condominiums.
Woody De Othello
Woody De Othello’s “Some Time Moves Fast, Some Time Moves Slow” is a large-scale bronze depicting a seated, hunched figure, embracing a clock. Conceived at the height of the pandemic, when days merged into weeks. Resting on the figure’s shoulder is a telephone receiver, positioned as if a call is in place. The work relates to the nebulous nature of time, and is located between NE 1st Ave. and NE 2nd Ave.
Trenton Doyle Hancock
Trenton Doyle Hancock’s “Undom Endgle (Undom Endgle and the Mound Meat Cycle), 2022,” is a representation of the artist’s own personal mythology.
Using a fictional character her created known as Torpedo Boy, Hancock explores themes of good and evil, authority, race, moral relativism, and religion. His work pays homage to artists such as Philip Guston and Henry Darger, and illustrates his love of toys, comic books, illustrations, animations and horror films. The sculpture is located between NE 1st Ave. and NE 2nd Ave.
Zadok Ben-David
“Girl On The Run” located in the 7th Street Promenade, is a sculpture by London-based artist Zadok Ben-David. In his work, the artist plays with movement and illusion, transforming human-scale people into monumental symbolic figures. Girl On The Run is part of a larger body of work titled “People I Saw But Never Met.” See his sculpture on the 7th Street Promendade.
Historic Pan Am Globe
Originally commissioned in the 1930s by Pan American Airways, the historic 6,500-pound Globe was initially created by Rand McNally to serve as the centerpiece of Pan Am’s Dinner Key seaplane terminal.
Before it became a museum piece, the Globe — with a circumference of 31 feet, five inches — was installed in the center of Pan Am’s Art Deco terminal that opened in 1934 at Dinner Key. That building would eventually become Miami City Hall. The steel globe greeted visitors at the former Miami Science Museum for 55 years until it closed in 2015. The globe is located between NE 1st Ave. and NE 2nd Ave.
Things to Do – Shopping at Miami Worldcenter
Many shops are currently open, including Sephora, The Container Store, Lululemon, Ray-Ban, and the following:
HŸP, located at 851 NE 1st Avenue, Unit #D-120 along the Paseo Promenade, clothing and footwear such as Nike, New Balance, Adidas, Chrome Hearts, Hellstar, Essentials, etc. Visit https://hypmiami.com
Free People, located at 851 NE 2nd Avenue, Unit #D-137, along the Paseo Promenade, bringing women’s lifestyle clothing, intimate apparel, shoes, accessories and beauty and wellness items. www.freepeople.com
Savage X Fenty, located at 851 NE 1st Avenue, Unit D-138, is the brand’s first Miami location of the pop singer Rhianna’s lingerie and apparel brand. The store offers an assortment of accessibly priced styles across lingerie, loungewear, sleepwear and sportswear. Sizes range from XS-4X, in line with their mission of inclusivity. www.savagex.com
The Spot Barbershop, located at 851 NE 2nd Avenue, Unit #D-124, along the Paseo Promenade. Established in 2001, The Spot has been a South Florida staple for over two decades. This new location marks its third shop in Downtown Miami and features its signature industrial décor, classic bar, soft lighting, and comfortable seating. The Spot Barbershop ® – Classic & Contemporary Haircuts
Things to Do – Eating at Miami Worldcenter
There are many new, first-time-in-Miami dining establishments including, Brasserie Laurel, El Vecino Cigar & Cocktail, Sixty Vines , Earls Kitchen + Bar, Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café, and Maple and Ash. Important Note: Check opening times before you go.
Maple & Ash, located on the second floor at 699 NE 1st Avenue
This two-story, 22,000-square-foot project is led by two Michelin-star chef Danny Grant and brings a modern wood-fired steakhouse experience and include the chef’s “I Don’t Give a F*@k” tasting menu and the Fire-Roasted Seafood Tower, featuring hearth-roasted shellfish with garlic butter and chili oil. The first floor will debut Eight Bar at a later date.
For more information visit
https://www.mapleandash.com/miami
More Things to Do
Museum of Ice Cream
A fun stop could be the Museum of Ice Cream, located at 851 NE 1st Avenue, a 14,000 square feet, two-story fantasy to re-live your childhood dreams. An homage to the love of ice cream, the Museum celebrates creativity, passion, and innovation, and explains the history of ice cream alongside ice cream-themed installations, such as the Cream Liner – a 60’s inspired airline experience – and a trippy Hall of Freezers full of mysterious doors and sweet surprises.
Vegan and dairy-free options available.
For more information visit
https://www.museumoficecream.com/miami
Lucky Strike Bowling
Lucky Strike Miami, a 30,000 sq. ft. premier entertainment destination has recently opened. The venue features28 state-of the-art bowling lanes and a modern aesthetic. Beyond bowling, there’s an arcade, a craft cocktail bar, and an intimate VIP room with six private bowling lanes.
For more information visit www.luckystrikeent.com.
More now open and others to come at Miami Worldcenter
Go Greek Yogurt, located at 851 NE 1st Avenue, Unit #D-118, along the Paseo Promenade. The Beverly Hills-based yogurt chain provides authentic Greek fresh and frozen yogurt with ingredients imported directly from Europe. This is the chain’s first foray into South Florida.
SkinSpirit, is the brand’s first South Florida location, SkinSpirit it’s located at 852 NE 2nd Avenue, Unit #D-116 bringing medical-grade aesthetic skin, face, and body care. www.skinspirit.com
Also open is the Blo BLow Dry Bar and soon to open are Bijoux et Montres and Club Studio fitness studio.
Sports & Social Sports Bar
The new, upscale dining and entertainment venue includes 20,000 square feet of space, with a third-level open-air restaurant overlooking the adjacent World Square public park and plaza. The sports bar is scheduled to open in 2025.
The centerpiece of the venue will be a 53-foot LED display showing multiple games and sporting events at once. You can also play skee-ball, foosball, pop-a-shot and other arcade games.
For more information visit
Where to Stay at Miami Worldcenter
citizenM
Offering affordable luxury, Miami Worldcenter’s first hotel, citizenM,is a 12-story boutique hotel with 351 guest rooms, along with a 10th floor pool deck, a state-of-the-art fitness center and gym on the 11th floor, and Night Swim and rooftop bar overlooking Biscayne Bay and Downtown Miami.
The 128,000-square-foot hotel also features societyM, the brand’s signature creative spaces/meeting rooms.
citizenM is located at 700 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, Florida 33132. For more information visit https://www.citizenm.com/hotels
Legacy Hotel & Residences
Legacy Hotel & Residences is a 219-room hotel featuring downtown Miami’s largest hotel pool deck, an enclosed seven-floor rooftop atrium with a restaurant bar and lounge, a cantilevered pool soaring 500 feet in the sky, and a members-only international business lounge.
Catering to luxury travel and lifestyle experiences, this mixed-use tower features a number of Miami firsts: the city’s first rooftop atrium and event space, international business lounge and center for health and wellness.
Legacy Hotel & Residences is located at 1010 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33132. ·For more information visit
3 Responses
It’s truly unbelievable what Miami is becoming! Thanks for pointing this out!
I was truly amazed by the scope of the project and you’re absolutely right.
Karen, thank you for giving us so much information (and a map!) of a part of Miami that I had seen from a distance but knew nothing about.