The Miami Design District is a vibrant and sophisticated international destination for fashion, art, architecture and fine dining.
Spanning 18 square blocks north of the Wynwood neighborhood, this lively shopping and arts district is a treasure trove of high-end, luxury fashion shops, edgy galleries, Instagrammable public art and trendy restaurants. The brainchild of visionary developer and art collector Craig Robins, the Miami Design District has grown into a sophisticated and inviting international destination for art and design.
While window shopping at luxury flagship boutiques such as Prada, Celine and Balenciaga may be what initially draws many visitors to the Miami Design District, the experience is elevated by captivating public art everywhere you turn. From Buckminster Fuller’s palm-flanked Fly’s Eye Dome in Palm Court to Netscape, a web of hanging chairs by German designer Konstantin Grcic, the district is a feast for the senses.
The Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami hosts thought-provoking rotating exhibits, a public sculpture garden and a permanent collection that captures pivotal moments in the careers of major artists.
Don’t miss the Miami Museum Garage – quite possibly the world’s most beautiful parking garage – created by five artists (none of whom knew what the others were designing as they worked).
Other interesting things to do in the Miami Design District include visiting local galleries, such as David Castillo and Locust Projects. At the intimate Haitian Heritage Museum, learn about Haitian culture through art and history exhibits as well as community programming.
The Miami Design District offers excellent restaurants, too. James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Schwartz set the tone back in 2007 with his farm-to-table cuisine at Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink and, ever since, the district has exploded with new concepts by celebrated chefs and restaurateurs. Dine under the stars on Peruvian-Japanese fare at Itamae in Palm Court, indulge in fire-grilled Korean steakhouse cuisine at MICHELIN-starred COTE Miami or join the see-and-be-seen crowd at Swan & Bar Bevy. Round out your evening with a nightcap/dessert combo with the adults-only, alcohol-infused ice creams of Aubi & Ramsa.
