Posted October 1, 2015

By MARIA HERNANDEZ

“I would describe Brickell as a Manhattan of the South,” Angelica Sanchez, a Miami-Dade student and Brickell resident, described this emerging area she calls home.

Brickell is the heart of Downtown Miami; it is an urban neighborhood, South of the Miami River with the perfect combination of sugar and spice. Brickell is where skyscrapers and Bayan trees meet and people loudly enjoy their friends company. Brickell is a blend of the best with a growing multicultural population.

Brickell is quickly emerging into one of the most powerful cities in America. It has the highest concentration of international banks in the country.

Since 1982, it has been the financial capital of Latin America.

Small businesses, magazines, firms and more also form part of the Brickell working atmosphere. A lot of young professionals work and live in the Brickell area. As lunch break arrives the streets are filled with cars while people search for a feast.

“Spaghettino has a variety of choices and serves lunch and dinner. It’s very convenient,” said Fernando Langa, a University of Miami law graduate student living in Brickell.

While commuting to the office, some of them walk; they enjoy all the different cultures all tangled on both crosswalks. All speaking with different accents, yet the same language, Spanglish.

Variety is found in every corner. Driving along Brickell Avenue, on one corner there’s a Peruvian restaurant, Coya, and three corners later there’s an Argentinean, Novo Cento.

Brickell is a huge blend of different cultures. Miami has become the capital of Latin America. A high percentage well-to-do immigrants choose Brickell as their new home due to it perfect location in Miami.

Not so hectic as South Beach, yet close for desired commutes. A lot of Brickell residents do not live full time in Miami. They come and go and prefer Brickell due to its proximity to the Miami International Airport. Brickell’s potential keeps growing each year with new, innovative projects and restaurants.

A revolution in the metropolitan living area is underway to the heart of Brickell. Brickell City Center is strategically located in the center and is currently the largest project. Includes spaces for offices, residential, hotel, retails, entertainment and two-level underground parking across the 5.4 million square foot property.

Now, it might seem annoying due to the constant traffic near the construction area. But once it’s done, Brickell will rise higher and will call attention to others.

It thrives with a diverse culture and, therefore, allows for eclectic and authentic variety of restaurants.

“Sometimes it becomes a task to choose a restaurant due to the variety of option,” added Marcella Azcona, Florida International University student who frequently visits the premises.

Countless activities happen each day: yoga, Cross Fit and Brickell Run Club. Brickell is a multitask neighborhood. By day there’s life and by night even more. New York City is not the only city that doesn’t sleep.

Brickell runs on coffee, and the best cortadito is found at Tinta y Café. It’s conveniently located right at the exit of I-95 on SW 8^th Street. The flan is worth the extra hours burning calories at the gym.

If someone’s rushing to their 9 a.m. class and does not have time, there is an outdoor walk-up window to get your goodies on the go. But if you do have time, sit inside and enjoy the local art.

Brickell Key is a small residential island community with a few retail spaces. It has a walk track circulating the island to exercise with a view of the ocean and building silhouettes.

It also has a beauty parlor, dry cleaners, marketplace, juice bar and more. The Mandarin Oriental Hotel is also in the island.

“La Mar by Gaston Acurio hardly needs an introduction,” said Natalie Stoclet from The New Black Miami Blog.

It’s a Peruvian restaurant with fresh food next to the ocean and Miami skyline; it’s perfection. Brickell Key has a jogging track that circulates the island. It’s the best spot to jog, enjoy the view or take the puppy for a walk while enjoying the sunset and watching the kids run around.

As the sun starts to set and the office hours come to an end, some cool places start organizing for the nightly fun festivities. Whether you feel sophisticated and want to party at the Viceroy, Club Fifty, or want to catch up with some old friends while savoring some tapas, Balans, Brickell perfectly fits into multiple scenarios.

Sidebar is one Brickell best kept secrets, characterized with old school music and a comfortable cozy atmosphere. But if you want a Latin night out experience with reggeaton, bachata and merengue, try Tucandela. It’s small in size but big in party atmosphere.

Last, but never least, are The Shops at Mary Brickell Village. Mary Brickell has many boutiques and restaurants all around the block.

“It’s a great outdoorsy space full of wonderful shops and restaurants. It’s my favorite part of Brickell,” said Jamie Shub, a University of Miami student, who frequently visits the premises.

Brickell is a blend of the best of all the different cultures passed by Miami. It has a fast growing multicultural population allowing Brickell to keep evolving and innovating day by day.

IF YOU GO

Parking

• The Shops at Mary Brickell Village have an indoor garage located at SW 10 Street and SW 1 Avenue.
  
• Try to parallel park on the street, if not try the outdoor garages on South Miami Avenue or valet parking services. Prices vary from $8 to $15.

Restaurant

• Balans is located at 901 S. Miami Ave., Miami, Fla. 33130.
• Brickell Fresh is located at 52 SW 10^th St., Miami, Fla. 33130.
• Burger and Beer Joint is located at 900 S. Miami Ave., Miami, Fla. 33130.
• Cantina La Veinte is located at 495 Brickell Ave., Miami, Fla. 33131
• Coya is located at 999 Brickell Ave., Miami, Fla. 33131.
• Doraku is located at 900 S. Miami Ave., Miami, Fla. 33130.
• La Mar is located at 500 Brickell Key Dr., Miami, Fla. 33131.
• L.A. Sweets is located at 900 S. Miami Ave., Miami, Fla. 33130.
• Novo Cento is located at 1414 Brickell Ave., Miami, Fla. 33131.
• Perricone’s is located at 15 SE 10^th St., Miami, Fla. 33131.
• P.F. Chang’s is located at 901 S. Miami Ave., Miami, Fla. 33130.
• P.M. Fish and Steak House is located at 1453 S. Miami Ave., Miami, Fla. 33130.
• La Sandwicherie Brickell is located at 34 SW 8^th St., Miami, Fla. 33130.
• Segafredo is located at 1421 S. Miami Ave., Miami, Fla. 33130.
• Suviche is located at 49 SW 11^th St., Miami, Fla. 33130.
• Tinta y Café is located at 268 SW 8^th St., Miami, Fla. 33130.
• Toasted Bagelry and Deli is located at 83 SW 8^th St., Miami, Fla. 33130.
• Toscana Divino is located at 900 South Miami Ave., Miami, Fla. 33130

Bars/Lounges

• Better Days is located at 500 Brickell Ave., Miami, Fla. 33131.
• Blackbird Ordinary is located at 729 SW 1^st St., Miami, Fla. 33130.
• Blue Martini is located at 900 S. Miami Ave.. Miami, Fla. 33130.
• Club Fifty is located at 485 Brickell Ave.. Miami, Fla. 33131.
• MO Bar is located at 500 Brickell Key Dr.. Miami, Fla. 33131.
• Sidebar is located at 337 SE 8^th St., Miami, Fla. 33130
• Spazio Nightclub is located at 1421 S. Miami Ave., Miami, Fla. 33131
• Tucandela is located at 1200 Brickell Bay Dr., Miami, Fla. 33131

Shops

• Atikshop is located at 900 S. Miami Ave., Miami, Fla. 33130.
• Basik is located at 900 S. Miami Ave., Miami, Fla. 33130.
• Blush Boutique is located at 900 S. Miami Ave., Miami, Fla. 33130.
• Joanna Paige is located at 900 S. Miami Ave., Miami, Fla. 33130.
• Studio LX is located at 900 S. Miami Ave., Miami, Fla. 33130.