All Natural And Organic Grocer Plum Market Opens In Aventura

Plum Market, the highly anticipated, service-forward grocer promoting organic and locally sourced food and essentials, is now open. Plum Market will hold their Official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and begin Grand Opening Celebrations on January 13th at 10 am.

During the official Grand Opening Day on January 13, the first 100 guests to spend $100 will receive a limited-edition tote bag filled with signature goodies. The fun doesn’t stop there – free swag and giveaways continue throughout the weekend with gifts including a Yeti cooler filled with OliPop, Norman Love Chocolate Giftboxes, a free cart of groceries courtesy of Niman Ranch Family Farms, Plum Market Gift Cards, and more.

A new grocery shopping experience for South Floridians, the full-service neighborhood market features all natural, organic, specialty and locally sourced products, with a fast casual dining component. The Plum Market store promises peak of season produce, grocery and apothecary essentials, all natural and sustainably sourced meats and seafood, and chef-crafted prepared dishes made from fresh all natural ingredients. The Wine Department is central to Plum Market’s DNA and features an impressive selection of vinos at incredible price points, hand-picked by Madeline Triffon, world renowned Master Sommelier. Guests will also enjoy sustainable sushi made on-site, locally sourced artisan baked goods and specialty chocolates by Norman Love, Kosher favorites, fresh cut floral, and Take Away Catering.

“We’re extremely excited to open our first store here in Aventura and can’t wait to welcome guests from across South Florida,” said Matt Jonna, CEO and Co-Founder of Plum Market. “Our team is committed to serving and supporting our community by sourcing the best local products, carrying well over 100 local brands. We look forward to being the premier retailer for all natural, organic, and locally sourced foods, beverages, and lifestyle essentials here in the neighborhood.”

The independently owned chain of full-service grocery stores has a strong commitment to the local communities they serve. Plum Market makes a tremendous effort to support local growers, artisans, and makers and displays signage that highlights how many miles each local product has traveled to reach the store. This not only helps to support local brands but also ensures that the freshest and best quality products are offered, including seasonal produce, artisan breads and pastries, and dock-fresh seafood.

In support of the local community it serves, Plum Market has committed donations for several organizations such as United Way Miami, providing assistance to veterans, the elderly, children and more; Amigos for Kids, a South Florida organization focused on preventing child abuse in the Hispanic community; Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, providing performing arts and cultural programming for audiences of all ages in our community; Lotus House, a local shelter housing women and children, the I Have A Dream Foundation, providing support for young people’s college journeys; and they have partnered with Food Rescue US for ongoing food redistribution. Plum Market is also pledging a portion of opening week sales to Scheck Hillel School, Allison Academy, and Aventura Learning Center, and encouraging friends and families to further support those proceeds by shopping for their school on dedicated days.

Notes of local culture bring a fresh perspective to the shopping experience. Adding traditional South Florida elements to the décor of the new store, Plum Market enlisted the artistic talent of local mural and sign painting team Chalk & Brush to design a hand painted mural inside the store’s dining area. Featuring vibrant colors and spanning two walls more than 40 feet wide, the mural will be a fun and whimsical focal point for guests to enjoy.

Located at 17801 Biscayne Blvd. in Aventura, the 24,000 sq ft store has hired 125 team members and features more than 1,000 local items.

Limestone Asset Management and Orion Real Estate Acquire Pinecrest Retail Center For $70.5 Million

Miami-based Limestone Asset Management, via a joint venture with Orion Real Estate Group, has acquired Colonial Palms Plaza, a retail center located in the Pinecrest area at 13601–13621 S Dixie Highway, Miami, FL, 33176, for $70.5 million on Dec. 23, 2022. Eric Williams of JLL represented the seller, MetLife Investment Management. Goldman Sachs is providing financing for the purchase.

The 188,389-square-foot property encompasses seven buildings and 29 tenants, including Marshalls, HomeGoods, PetSmart, Old Navy, Party City, Five Below, Visionworks, CycleBar, Panera Bread, Miller’s Ale House, and more.

“With the purchase of Colonial Palms Plaza, we are pleased to continue expanding our holdings in the upscale area of Pinecrest,” said Ibrahim Al-Rashid, chairman of Limestone Asset Management. “This purchase confirms our commitment to the South Dixie corridor.”

Kevin Sanz, president of Orion Real Estate Group, led the buyer group, Orion Colonial Plaza LLC. “Colonial Palms Plaza is located in a strong submarket with incredibly high barriers to entry,” Sanz said. “This was an amazing execution by our team, and we are excited to acquire this high-performing center with a superior national tenant roster.”

In March 2021, Limestone and Orion closed on Pinecrest Town Center, approximately one mile away from Colonial Palms Plaza for $32 million. Located at 12651 South Dixie Highway, Pinecrest, FL 33156, Pinecrest Town Center is a mixed-use retail and office property. In September 2022, Limestone began a $4 million renovation of the property, with a slated completion date of Q2 2023.

Pinecrest is a suburban village in Miami-Dade County, located south of downtown Miami and Miami International Airport. It is one of Florida’s most affluent neighborhoods. More than 101,670 residents, with an average household income of $149,442, reside within a 3-mile radius of the property. The average home listing price for Pinecrest/Palmetto Bay is $1 million+. With a high quality of life and vast acre lots, major business executives and professional athletes have long been attracted to Pinecrest with many new Florida residents flocking to the area since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sophisticated Wine and Spirits Concept 'Maison Mura' Opens in Downtown Miami

Maison Mura, a sophisticated wine and spirits boutique and immersive experience, has opened at 333 SE 3rd Avenue in Downtown Miami. Maison MURA will serve and offer for sale an extensive selection of premium wine and spirits, as well as a refined food menu, all carefully curated by owners and long-time friends Matthieu Yamoum, the former Wine Director of New York's Baccarat Hotel, and Philippe Vasilescu, the former Brand Ambassador for the prestigious LOUIS XIII Cognac de Remy Martin. Both share extensive and complementary experiences in the fine wine and spirits industry and have been working for over 2 years on this project to bring this bespoke experience to Miami.

"At Maison MURA, we love what we do and are excited to offer our guests in Miami a comprehensive wine list and menu that is thoughtful and provides a tailored and memorable experience whatever the occasion is! We will always strive to offer a truly personalized service and consistently propose the finest expertise available to all of our clients," says Vasilescu.

"Our passion is meant to be shared every day and the only missing part of all our current ventures was to have our very own place instead of always hosting at different places! From the moment you enter Maison MURA, we want you to feel at home" said Yamoum.

Although open to all, Maison MURA also offers a membership limited to 150 clients who get priority access to exclusive events, tastings with the world's top winemakers and invitations to special events and experiences—not only in Miami but all over the world. Other perks include early access to pre-sold and "en primeur" wines that are nearly impossible to secure, priority reservations of the private room to host events and priority storage at their upcoming warehouse of any wines and spirits that you will buy through the shop. Membership can only be secured through Matthieu or Philippe. The concept is open from 11am-10pm every day.

Ryan Brodsky and Jonathan Carter of Colliers International represented Maison MURA while Lyle Stern and Kerry Newman of Koniver Stern represented the landlord in the 2,500 SF lease at Met Square 333 SE 3rd Avenue.

Club Studio, Earls Kitchen + Bar, and Luli Fama To Join Dynamic Shopping and Dining Collection Coming to Miami Worldcenter

An enticing collection of shops and dining spots in Downtown Miami continues to take shape with three new national retail and restaurant tenants coming to Miami Worldcenter, the $4 billion, 27-acre mixed-use development transforming the heart of Downtown Miami. The development’s ownership has completed leases with a new high-end fitness concept called Club Studio, popular dining spot Earls Kitchen + Bar, and luxury swimwear brand Luli Fama through Leap – a platform that develops and operates immersive retail stores for modern and emerging brands. These latest tenants will occupy a combined 45,000 square feet of retail space at Miami Worldcenter, bringing the development’s retail component to approximately 75% leased.

Miami Worldcenter is continuing to grow its stellar lineup of recently opened and upcoming tenants including two food and beverage concepts by Michelin-Star Chef Michael Beltran, Brasserie Laurel (now open) and El Vecino; Chicago’s Maple & Ash and etta restaurants; Sports & Social, a dining and entertainment concept; as well as other nationally recognized brands including Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty, Lululemon, Ray-Ban, Sephora (now open), Posman Books, Bowlero, and Lucid Motors.

As one of the largest privately owned and developed urban real estate developments in Florida, Miami Worldcenter, which is currently coming alive in phases, will feature a diverse mix of residential, commercial and hospitality uses complemented by a total of 300,000 square feet of retail, restaurant, and entertainment space. Approximately 255,000 square feet of retail space has now been completed at Miami Worldcenter as tenants actively build out their spaces.

The project is being developed by master developers Miami Worldcenter Associates, led by Principal Art Falcone and Managing Partner Nitin Motwani, in partnership with CIM Group.

“Our newest group of exciting retailers speaks to the continued level of interest from brands that see value in having a presence in a mixed-use pedestrian-friendly, open-air environment in the heart of Downtown Miami,” said Nitin Motwani, Managing Partner of Miami Worldcenter Associates. “And Miami Worldcenter is more than happy to answer that call as we’ve always set out to provide a diverse set of lifestyle-driven retail and entertainment options for our residents, locals, and visitors.”

The latest tenants to sign leases at Miami Worldcenter are anticipated to open in 2023/2024.

Club Studio is a cutting-edge fitness experience that brings luxury amenities and boutique fitness classes together in one gym. Club Studio will occupy approximately 35,363 square feet of space in Miami Worldcenter’s Block D-East, along the project’s main pedestrian paseo, between 8th and 9th Streets. The Club Studio concept is a fresh take on fitness design that cleverly redefines the genre and fosters both physical and mental well-being. The club will feature state-of-the-art equipment, dynamic classes, and first-class amenities.

Earls Kitchen + Bar, an upscale premium casual dining restaurant, will be taking 8,400 square feet of space at Miami Worldcenter’s recently completed ‘Jewel Box’ retail building located at the confluence of the 7th Street Promenade and World Paseo open-air retail pedestrian streets. The new Downtown Miami location will embody the company's vision of creating a collection of independently compelling restaurants, inspired by and created for the guest and community in which it resides. Earls has 68 locations throughout North America, including its popular South Miami/Dadeland location.

Leap’s platform enables brands to deploy stores that work in concert with e-commerce more rapidly and at significantly reduced cost and risk. Brand stores powered by Leap bring modern brands to life with compelling, immersive customer experience and operations driven and informed by millions of data points. Leap’s first concept at Miami Worldcenter will be Luli Fama, a women’s luxury swim and resort wear brand, globally recognized for its universally flattering fit, immaculate designs and eclectic mix of vibrant hues. Luli Fama will operate out of a 1,246-square-foot space at the base of the PARAMOUNT Miami Worldcenter tower in Block D-West.

Retail leasing at Miami Worldcenter is led by CIM Group, partner in Miami Worldcenter, and Miami-based The Comras Company. CIM Group is a community-focused real estate and infrastructure owner, operator, lender, and developer. The Comras Company is a leading, boutique real estate firm providing retail leasing, asset sales, consulting, and development advisory services throughout South Florida.

“Retailers and restauranteurs are judicious in the selection of new locations and we view the strong leasing activity, and ongoing interest, from a mix of top quality businesses, as a testament to the compelling destination we are creating with Miami Worldcenter,” said Shaul Kuba, Co-Founder and Principal, CIM Group.

Miami Worldcenter is now home to three completed residential towers – PARAMOUNT Miami Worldcenter, Caoba, and Bezel Miami. Development of a 351-room citizenM hotel is now complete and expected to open at Miami Worldcenter in early 2023. Additionally, construction is underway at phase one of the 52-story Miami World Towers, which will comprise 550 apartment units; at Legacy Hotel & Residences, a 50-story mixed-use tower with 310 branded residences atop a hotel and 50,000 square feet of medical office space; and at the second phase of Caoba, which will encompass an adjacent 40-story tower with 420 apartments.

Planned developments include 600 Miami Worldcenter, a 579-unit fully furnished condominium by Aria Development Group and Merrimac Ventures; The Crosby, a 450-unit turn-key condominium by Related Group and Merrimac Ventures; a mixed-use residential and commercial development by Abbhi Capital; a residential development by New York-based Naftali Group; and a three-tower mixed-use project by The Witkoff Group, which will include up to 2,000 residential units as well as 550,000 square feet of office space and another 50,000 square feet of retail.

Complementing Miami Worldcenter’s retail streets will be World Square, a 20,000-square-foot outdoor public plaza and park. Designed as a central gathering place, World Square will serve as the heartbeat of the development featuring an abundance of open space, shade trees, and oversized, pedestrian-friendly sidewalks lined with dining, entertainment, and retail concepts.

Miami Worldcenter’s $5 million public art initiative – curated by international art dealer Jeffrey Deitch and Miami-based curatorial collective PRIMARY – transforms the streets and buildings of the 27-acre ‘city within a city’ into a permanent outdoor art museum. Now complete, the program features a variety of contemporary and modern art works – in the form of large-scale murals, paintings, and sculptures – created by globally acclaimed 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 occupies 10 city blocks within walking distance of Museum Park, home to Pérez Art Museum Miami and the Frost Museum of Science; FTX Arena; the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts; and Miami Dade College’s Wolfson Campus. It is also adjacent to Brightline’s MiamiCentral station, which offers direct train service to Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and will soon reach Orlando, together with access to Tri-Rail, the Metromover, and the Metrorail – making Miami Worldcenter the largest and most connected transit-oriented development in Florida.

French Fashion House Moncler Opens New Boutique In Miami Design District

French/ Italian high-end luxury fashion house Moncler has opened a new Miami boutique at 132 NE 39th Street in the heart of the Miami Design District, a vibrant neighborhood where art, culture and fashion converge. The Miami Design District boutique is Moncler’s second in Florida, to go along with Bal Harbour Shops.

Following a design concept by globally renowned architects Gilles & Bossier, the boutique covers a total selling area of 3100 square feet (288 square meters), blend’s Moncler’s signature black marble with bold travertine and alpinus stones, along with LED walls. The façade is highlighted by a light cube-shaped installation that creates a moving image effect complimenting the vast, bright interior.

The boutique also offers a private styling suite for the ultimate luxury shopping experience hosted by expert Moncler client advisors.

Moncler is an Italian high-end luxury fashion house which specializes in ready-to-wear outerwear, known for its iconic down jackets. The company was founded in 1952 in Monestier-de-Clermont, France making quilted jackets and has since expanded to offer a full ready-to-wear line as well as collaborations with emerging designers including Italian luxury streetwear Palm Angels which was founded by former Moncler artistic director Francesco Ragazzi. Moncler is headquartered in Milan, Italy where it went public on the Milan Stock Exchange in 2013 and acquired Stone Island in 2020 for €1.15 billion.

Miami Worldcenter Delivers 80,000 SF 'Jewel Box' Retail Building In Downtown Miami

The developers of Miami Worldcenter have completed another 80,000 square feet of lifestyle-driven retail space. The stand-alone building, known as Block F-East, marks one of the final retail components of the 27-acre project to be delivered as active vertical development continues at the $4 billion mixed-use development in the heart of Downtown Miami. Featuring a modern design enclosed with floor-to-ceiling glass, Miami Worldcenter’s ‘Jewel Box’ is located at the confluence of the 7th Street Promenade and World Paseo open-air retail pedestrian streets, directly west of the development’s upcoming citizenM boutique hotel and north of the completed luxury apartment tower Bezel Miami.

With the completion of F-East, approximately 255,000 square feet of retail space has now been completed at Miami Worldcenter as tenants actively build out their spaces. Miami Worldcenter’s stellar lineup of recently opened and upcoming tenants includes Sephora (now open), lululemon, Savage x Fenty, Ray-Ban, Posman Books and Lucid Motors, as well as dining and entertainment concepts such as Bowlero, Sports & Social, Michelin-star-rated Chef Michael Beltran’s Brasserie Laurel (now open) and El Vecino eateries, and Chicago’s Maple & Ash and etta restaurants.

As one of the largest private urban real estate developments in Florida, Miami Worldcenter, which is currently coming alive in phases, will feature a diverse mix of residential, commercial and hospitality uses complemented by a total of 300,000 square feet of retail, restaurant, and entertainment space. The project is being developed by master developers Miami Worldcenter Associates, led by Principal Art Falcone and Managing Partner Nitin Motwani, in partnership with CIM Group.

“Curating the right mix of diverse retail, dining, and entertainment options is key to creating a vibrant destination that is attractive to Miami locals and visitors,” said Nitin Motwani, Managing Partner of Miami Worldcenter Associates. “Miami Worldcenter’s ‘Jewel Box’ was designed to become a marquee entertainment venue and we have delivered just that with exciting tenants opening soon such as Bowlero, Sports & Social, and more to come.”

“We believe Miami Worldcenter is poised to deliver a captivating infill mixed-use development that weaves together a host of new buildings and businesses with public plazas and gathering spaces in a pedestrian-scaled environment,” said Shaul Kuba, Co-Founder and Principal, CIM Group, which is leading retail leasing at Miami Worldcenter in conjunction with Miami-based The Comras Company.

Miami Worldcenter is now home to three completed residential towers – PARAMOUNT Miami Worldcenter, Caoba, and Bezel Miami. Development of a 351-room citizenM hotel is now complete and expected to open at Miami Worldcenter in early 2023. Additionally, construction is underway at phase one of the 52-story Miami World Towers, which will comprise 550 apartment units; at Legacy Hotel & Residences, a 50-story mixed-use tower with 310 branded residences atop a hotel and 50,000 square feet of medical office space; and at the second phase of Caoba, which will encompass an adjacent 40-story tower with 420 apartments.

Planned developments include 600 Miami Worldcenter, a 579-unit fully furnished condominium by Aria Development Group and Merrimac Ventures; The Crosby, a 450-unit turn-key condominium by Related Group and Merrimac Ventures; a mixed-use residential and commercial development by Abbhi Captial; a residential development by New York-based Naftali Group; and a three-tower mixed-use project by The Witkoff Group, which will include up to 2,000 residential units as well as 550,000 square feet of office space and another 50,000 square feet of retail.

Complementing Miami Worldcenter’s retail streets will be World Square, a 20,000-square-foot outdoor public plaza and park. Designed as a central gathering place, World Square will serve as the heartbeat of the development featuring an abundance of open space, shade trees, and oversized, pedestrian-friendly sidewalks lined with dining, entertainment, and retail concepts.

Miami Worldcenter’s $5 million public art initiative – curated by international art dealer Jeffrey Deitch and Miami-based curatorial collective PRIMARY – will transform the streets and buildings of the 27-acre ‘city within a city’ into a permanent outdoor art museum. Once complete, the program will feature a variety of contemporary and modern art works – in the form of large-scale murals, paintings, and sculptures – created by globally acclaimed 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 occupies 10 city blocks within walking distance of Museum Park, home to Pérez Art Museum Miami and the Frost Museum of Science; FTX Arena; the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts; and Miami Dade College’s Wolfson Campus. It is also adjacent to Brightline’s MiamiCentral station, which offers direct train service to Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and will soon reach Orlando, together with access to Tri-Rail, the Metromover, and the Metrorail – making Miami Worldcenter the largest and most connected transit-oriented development in Florida.

Inside INK Entertainment's Newly Opened Miami Design District Italian Hotspot Sofia Design District

From the Canadian-born powerhouse hospitality group behind Miami favorites: Byblos, Amal, & Level 6 Rooftop– INK Entertainment has recently unveiled their widely popular Toronto hotspot, Sofia, in the Miami Design District neighborhood. Born out of a love affair between Contemporary Art and elevated Italian cuisine, and designed with a pristine level of world-class extravagance by the award-winning Studio Munge, Sofia extends an unparalleled combination of first-class hospitality, a refined approach to modern Italian fare, high-end European glam, and captivating couture design that perfectly captures her vibrant, high-spirited ambiance. Complemented by a chic yet sophisticated signature backdrop, guests can look forward to a premier fine dining experience beyond traditional dining while exploring Sofia’s glamourous indoor dining room and livened outdoor courtyard that extends her oasis far into the neighborhood’s iconic Palm Court.

Helmed by visionary entrepreneurs Charles Khabouth, Danny Soberano, and Ricardo Tabet, INK Entertainment Group holds rank as one of the most avant-garde hospitality groups, controlling a collection of award-winning culinary and entertainment concepts across Canada and South Florida. As part of the hospitality group’s rapid expansion plans throughout the U.S., Sofia joins their existing and widely lauded restaurant ventures, marking their fourth restaurant concept opening in South Florida, which reigns as their newest crown jewel of Miami. Situated in the heart of the city’s central arts, culture, and shopping district, Sofia is Miami’s new, bold, and admirably modish dining destination, whose magnetic charm lures guests to celebrate, savor, and explore within.

“We couldn't be more excited to expand our footprint in South Florida, bringing Sofia to what we feel is one of the most significant areas and desirable culinary destinations in Miami,” says Charles Khabouth, Founder and CEO of INK Entertainment Group. “Full of energy and mischievous curiosity, Sofia Design District is the perfect complement to the Miami Design District neighborhood as Palm Court’s newest signature restaurant.”

Sofia Design District offers a fresh perspective and an honest, refined approach to both new and nostalgic Italian dishes. With a commitment to sourcing only the finest quality ingredients that pay homage to authentic Italian flavors, Sofia’s seasonal offerings highlight the quintessential flavors of Italian fine dining. Curated by Executive Chef Daniel Roy, the menu leads with a selection of antipasti including, Prosciutto, Carpaccio, Polpo (Grilled Octopus), Insalatas, Stracciatella, Fiori di Zucca (Ricotta Stuffed Zucchini), Tonno (Raw Ahi Tuna), and a robust collection of Crudo. Fresh, handmade pasta dishes headline the menu’s main section, with dishes like Cacio e Pepe al Tartufo, Rigatoni alla Vodka, and Ravioli di Ricotta e Noci. ‘Pesce’ mains feature Branzino, Orata (Sea Bream Fish), and Gamberoni (Shrimp), while ‘Carne’ mains highlight Bistecca Alla Fiorentina (Tomahawk), Cotoletta alla Milanese (Breaded Veal), Costata di Manzo (Ribeye), among others.

Sofia’s cocktail program is a refreshing medley of signature drinks with an Italian twist. Expertly crafted cocktails are enhanced by regionally sourced herbs and flavor-focused ingredients, with a notable emphasis on execution and elegant presentation. With names like Nights of Cabiria, Sorrentino, and Amarcord, the cocktails are tributes to Italy’s vast geography and pop culture history. Aside from the delectable cocktail menu, Sofia’s vast wine selection features many vintages and an ample selection of authentic Italian wines rare to the local dining scene. Surrounded by a myriad of visionary concepts and iconic luxury brands, Sofia exists as a lively central hub, within the Miami Design District, for guests to indulge in dinner and drinks followed by late-night revelry and bespoke outings, featuring curated nightly entertainment and live music activations.

Imagined by award-winning design collective Studio Munge, nestled between European jewelers and designer boutiques in the heart of Miami’s Design District, Sofia reigns as the exuberant Princess of Miami. Inspired by the bold aesthetics of Sofia Toronto, Sofia Miami seduces worldly travelers and locals alike with its flamingo pink and amethyst palette, ultra-glamorous design, and exquisite taste.

Livening the terrace imagined as a secret garden, a joyful curation of flamingo pink lacquered pieces, teak furnishings, and soft textiles is a playful design statement hinting at the artful experience ahead. Frilly rose umbrellas boast a fresh silhouette rooted in tradition yet utterly contemporary, while modernized peacock chairs pay homage to Miami’s illustrious Deco past.

When exploring Sofia’s dining room, Miami’s sartorial elite and international jet setters will instantly connect with the venue envisioned as an art dealer’s entertainment den curated with pieces by Marco Grassi and Mr. Brainwash. Sofia houses a unique rotating art collection, which will freshen quarterly throughout the venue, enabling guests the opportunity to purchase all pieces on display. Nine custom handblown Barovier & Toso glass chandeliers, imported from Murano Island as souvenirs brought back from a Venice escapade, illuminate the room with continental sophistication.

While most tables host groups of four and more, a semi-dining private room with hosting capabilities for up to 14 people lives in the back of the dining room, while three additional intimate niches offer a recessed point-of-view for smaller parties. In their center, framed by sleek pink leather upholstered curved walls, portraits of Grace Kelly, Sophia Loren, and Audrey Hepburn by Russell Young elevate the room with their iconic glamour and charisma.

Sofia is open seven days a week for dinner service starting at 5pm, with brunch and lunch to launch in the coming weeks. Guests can look forward to a diverse selection of live entertainment, music, and unique activations throughout the week. Nightly programming and special larger-scale weekly events will roll out in the coming months.

Images via Brandon Barre

Mens Activewear Brand Rhone Opens First Miami Store In Brickell City Centre

Mens high performance activewear brand Rhone has opened their first Miami store, located at the coveted Brickell City Centre. The store marks the brand’s 8th brick-and-mortar location and first in the Southeast region. The new 1,464 square-foot space is the latest demonstration of Rhone’s commitment to fostering meaningful customer connections through a thoughtful store experiences, providing a one-stop-shop for accessing unparalleled performance apparel.

The store features an inviting, open floor plan alongside crisp, modern design elements, exemplifying Rhone’s dedication to community, innovation, and style. Customers will have the opportunity to shop Rhone’s latest offerings, including their widely loved Commuter Collection, premium activewear including treated with their proprietary GoldFusion anti-odor technology, along with key essentials like socks, underwear and tees.

Photo Credit: Michael LeGrand/Jeffrey Totaro Photography

Major Food Group Unveils Contessa In The Heart Of Miami Design District Set To Open October 28

Tomorrow, Major Food Group (MFG), the globally acclaimed hospitality brand Vogue recently described as “carrying Miami’s decadent dining scene practically single-handedly”— will debut the refined, widely celebrated Italian concept Contessa in the Miami Design District. The restaurant occupies a two-story space in the famed development located at 111 NE 41st Street and open for lunch, and dinner.

Inspired by the old-world sophistication of Northern Italy’s iconic villas and estates, Contessa is a classic yet thoroughly contemporary dining destination by MFG Co-Founders and creative forces Jeff Zalaznick, Mario Carbone, and Rich Torrisi. The original location of Contessa debuted last year on the rooftop of The Newbury Boston and quickly cemented its reputation as one of the most glamorous and exceptional Italian restaurants in America. Forbes wrote that Contessa is “the place you’ll want to trade in the sweatsuit for high heels or a suit.” The luxury magazine Boston Common declared it the “crème de la crème” of the city’s dining scene. And in a rave, Boston Magazine concluded that “The food is terrific. The views are sublime. The wine list—a Nebbiolo nerd’s cherry-toned, vertical-vintage playground—is deep and dreamy.”

“Contessa Miami channels the singular sense of refinement and pleasure of those Northern Italian meals we wish could go on forever, right in the heart of the Magic City. I can’t think of a more perfect location to bring this restaurant to life, and to share with the people of Miami a menu dedicated to a rich and elegant region we’ve long hoped to celebrate.” Said Mario Carbone, MFG Co-Founder.

Beyond impeccable Northern Italian fare, Contessa Miami promises MFG’s signature warm, charismatic, and polished hospitality, carefully tailored to the city the company has called home since 2021, when it embarked on a groundbreaking run of restaurant openings in the region, including ZZ’s Club in the Miami Design District, CARBONE and HaSalon on Miami Beach, Dirty French Steakhouse in Brickell and Sadelle’s in Coconut Grove. The company now operates a portfolio of over 40 restaurants, bars, private clubs, and hotels spread across the globe. In addition to Contessa Miami and a range of upcoming projects in the United States and abroad, the company has several new openings planned for South Florida within the next six months.

“From the moment we arrived, I fell in love with the Miami Design District and the most iconic corner inevitably made for our beloved Italian restaurant. Contessa is grand and glamorous; it’s designed to be an all-day anchor where you can eat, drink and celebrate into the night in the most elegant yet energetic neighborhood in Miami. Our mission is to continue innovating and elevating luxury dining experiences in the Magic City and I’m honored to once again have the opportunity to collaborate with my dear friend and visionary, Craig Robins." Said Jeff Zalaznick, MFG Co-Founder.

Culinary images via Major Food Group

Miami Health Food Hotspot Expands To South Miami And Signs Lease To Open Second Brickell Location

Miami’s health food hotspot Pura Vida has continued their expansion with the unveiling of the brand’s latest café in South Miami and has signed a lease to open a second location in Brickell. The South Miami location marks Pura Vida’s 12th location to date, and they plan to open another Coconut Grove location in addition to the newly revealed second Brickell location.

The South Miami location opened in late September and is located just steps away from Sunset Place and the University of Miami at Pura Vida South Miami will be located at 6022 South Dixie Highway. The brand’s South Miami café spans 2,370 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor seating and showcases Pura Vida’s iconic health-focused menu including their beloved All-Day Breakfast offerings, Bowls, Superfood Smoothies, Açai Bowls, Wraps & Sandwiches, their newly-launched Dinner Plates, and more. Additionally, to coincide with the opening, Pura Vida will be introducing a new ‘Blueberry Cake’ to be offered exclusively at the new South Miami location before rolling out store-wide.

“We are constantly amazed and humbled at how well-received our brand has been, and continues to be, in the different communities we branch into. We’ve had our eyes set on South Miami for some time now and we’re thrilled to finally be bringing this dream to fruition.” - Omer Horev, Co-Founder and CEO of Pura Vida Miami

For the second Brickell location Pura Vida recently signed a lease at 701 Brickell, one of the premier office towers in Miami’s Brickell Financial District. Marking its first location ever in a trophy office tower, Pura Vida will occupy a 5,000-square-foot space and have access to a 2,500-square-foot outdoor patio space with direct proximity to the highly trafficked Brickell Avenue and the neighborhood’s growing residential and workforce population.

JLL Managing Director, Zach Winkler, represented the ownership group, Nuveen Real Estate, in the lease negotiations. According to JLL’s Q2 Retail Outlook, Miami boasts one of the lowest retail vacancy rates in the country at 3.2% compared to other gateway markets including San Francisco, Chicago, New York City, etc.

“As demand for retail space in densely populated urban cores continues to rise, there is limited availability remaining in areas like Brickell, making this restaurant lease with an established brand like Pura Vida especially noteworthy,” said JLL’s Winkler. “701 Brickell’s premier location and high visibility makes it a top choice for food and beverage concepts looking to capitalize on a growing residential and workforce population within the neighborhood.”

Current office tenants at 701 Brickell include Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, Holland & Knight, AIG, EFG Capital, and the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau. A 7,400 square-foot waterfront retail space overlooking Biscayne Bay remains available, featuring oversized windows, 19’ ceiling heights, and the potential for outdoor space.

Founded in 2012 by husband-and-wife duo Omer and Jennifer Horev, Pura Vida was created to serve as a place for friends and family to gather and eat delicious food. The brand currently operates 12 other locations throughout South Florida, including outposts in Coral Gables, Miami Beach’s Sunset Harbour, and Fort Lauderdale, and has plans to expand outside of Florida. The restaurant, which has become hugely popular across South Florida, serves a menu that includes fresh cold-pressed juices and superfood smoothies, artisanal coffees, an extensive all-day menu comprised of breakfast items, customizable salads, bowls, wraps and sandwiches, in addition to dinner items and a wide variety of gluten-free and vegan sweet treats.