Brickell Key Condos define urban living at its best. They sit within walking distance to Downtown Miami’s Financial District but in a private and secluded setting with parks, shopping and independent infrastructure. Each Brickell Key condo has been carefully designed to include the best views of Miami, with Biscayne Bay on one end and The Miami River on the other. Once you cross the Brickell Key Bridge and go past the security gate, you will feel like you are in a different world, one of luxury, privacy and safety and to think just a stone’s throw from Miami’s urban core.
I’ve always found this particular island curious because of the density and height of the buildings, but somehow it remains intimate. How can high-rises off of Downtown Miami, located so close to each other, have a warm and hospitable vibe? The landscaping certainly helps. The fact that there’s a pedestrian trail on the perimeter of the island also makes a difference. And let’s not forget the parks and green spaces that supplement the urbanity of the place.
But it can’t be perfect, right? Of course Brickell Key has its negatives and as much as I would like you to put on rose-colored glasses, I need to keep it real. Here’s the major negative – getting on and off the island! Sometimes traffic bottlenecks at the entrance of the bridge on Brickell Avenue. It is Downtown Miami after all. The Brickell Avenue Draw Bridge, located just North of the island also has a busy schedule which contributes to the traffic. (But I love that bridge, and those of you that know that I did bridge aesthetic design work for DOT, will get my affinity with well designed bridges).
Here’s a little history on the bridge by The Brickell Homeowners Association:
At its northern end, Brickell Avenue is bounded by the Miami River that is traversed by the unique Brickell Avenue Bridge. The bascule Brickell Avenue Bridge occupies an exceptional place in the inventory of the Florida Dept. of Transportation in that its design was the subject of an international competition and it is adorned with the bronze sculptures of Cuban master sculptor Manuel Carbonell. The centerpiece of Carbonell’s Brickell Bridge work is the Tequesta Indian obelisk that rises 36 feet over the bridge and depicts at its apex a Tequesta Indian family and around its base a bronze narrative of Tequesta Indian village life. Other sculptures on the bridge are Carbonell’s beautiful bronze renderings of Florida flora and fauna, and four bronze bas reliefs of the Florida pioneers, William and Mary Brickell, Julia Tuttle, Henry Flagler and DA Dorsey, and Marjorie Stoneman Douglas.
Funny thing is that there are no more negatives (but feel free to enlighten me if you disagree). People choose Brickell Key because they want condo living, and they want the convenience of its location. Those same people expect traffic in the downtown area of a metropolitan city like Miami. It’s not unusual to see people “upgrade” or “downgrade” within the island, but they are loyal to the lifestyle the island provides. With that said, Brickell Key has not suffered as much as the other Miami condos in the area – its real estate has remained solid.
Brickell Key amenities include a market place, dry cleaners, beauty salon, restaurant, children’s playground, walking path around the island, park on the South End, and let’s not forget The Mandarin Oriental Hotel (with Azul, Cafe Sambal, M-bar and renowned Spa).
There are a number of Brickell Key Condos on the island and each has its own private amenities (from valet-parking, concierge, swimming pools, spas, gyms, racquetball, tennis courts, billiards, and more):
Brickell Key One (built in 1982)
Brickell Key II (built in 1991)
Isola Condo (built in 1990)
St. Louis Condo (built in 1995)
One Tequesta Point (built in 1995)
Two Tequesta Point (built in 1999)
Three Tequesta Point (built in 2001)
Courvoisier Courts (built in 1997)
The Courts Brickell Key (built in 2002)
Carbonell (built in 2005)
Asia (built in 2008)
Here’s an example of a Carbonell Condo with views, interiors and common areas:
There were 111 Miami Beach Condos sold in February ranging in price from $33,500 for a bank foreclosed Normandy Island studio, to a $3.25 Million South Beach Condo at The Continuum. Curious how the lowest Miami Beach home sold last month was also in Normandy Island, it’s definitely the place to go for good deals, but many Miami Beach purists don’t even consider Normandy a part of the beach … go figure. No surprise that 2 of the 3 highest sales were South Beach Condos – South of Fifth properties historically bring the best investment proposition.
February’s Most Expensive Miami Beach Condo Sale
Continuum South Beach: 50 S Pointe Dr #1001/8 – Miami Beach, FL 33139
Listed for $3,500,000 and sold for $3,250,000 on 02/01/2010
The Continuum South Beach keeps bringing us the highest monthly sales (with last month’s highest Miami Beach Condo Sale at $3,482,400). I personally like the first tower better, but who am I to judge? The amenities are out of this world and remember that it is the only high-rise South of Fifth that is directly on the ocean. This particular residence was listed originally for $4,799,000 in February of 2009. The MLS description says the following:
Spectacular sweeping direct ocean and South Beach views from this 4/4 corner residence with 4 terraces and 4 parking spaces (2 valet + 2 assigned). Private elevator and foyer, 10 ft ceilings, hurricane glass floor to ceiling windows, marble floors throughout, superior finishes & appliances. Live in paradise on 13 oceanfront acres at the southern most tip of South Beach with spa like amenities, world-class gym, 3 pools with pool side dining and 3 tennis courts. The Continuum is the preferred luxurious ch
(I guess the MLS ran out of space…..we will never know what “ch” means)
Features:
Built in 2008
3,497 square feet of living space
4 parking spaces (2 valet + 2 assigned)
4 bedrooms / 4 baths
marble floors
beach views
maintenance fees $3906/month
February’s Second Most Expensive Miami Beach Condo Sale
Apogee South Beach: 800 S Pointe Drive, #702 – Miami Beach, FL 33139
Listed for $3,600,000 and sold for $3,200,000 on 2/10/2010
Apogee is known as the most expensive address when it comes to South Beach condos – This particular residence selling at $1,031 per square foot. It had been listed since November 2009 for $3,950,000 with a few reductions and a nice final sale. The view of South Pointe Park, Fisher Island and Government Cut is beyond amazing. The MLS description reads (yes in all caps):
APOGEE-THE MOST EXCLUSIVE NEW ADDRESS IN SOUTH BEACH. AMAZING VIEWS OF THE BAY, FISHER ISLAND, DOWNTOWN SKYLINE, PORT OF MIAMI, AND THE ATLANTIC OCEAN! 300K IN UPGRADES-CRESTRON CONTROL-TRIAD SURROUND SYSTEM – THIS HOME HAS THE GOURMET KITCHEN ON THE SOUTH SIDE WITH BREATHTAKING WATER VIEWS. BEAUTIFUL SUNKEN TUB AND STEAM SHOWER IN THE MASTER BATHROOM SUITE. ONE OF THE FEW UNITS FINISHED WITH BEAUTIFUL 3′X 3′ ITALIAN MARBLE FLOORS. BRING YOUR PICKIEST CLIENTS AND MAKE AN OFFER ON THIS UNIQUE HOME!
Features:
3,103 square feet of living space
2 parking spaces
3 bedrooms / 4 bathrooms
bay views
Marble floors
custom surround sound system
Built in 2008
Maintenance fees $3,810/month
February’s Third Most Expensive Miami Beach Condo Sale
One Thousand Venetian – 1000 Venetian Wy #801/03 – Miami Beach, FL 33139
Listed for $1,699,000 and sold for $1,500,000 on 2/12/2010
This condo unit had been listed since November of 08 starting at $3,950,00 and also showing for rent at a monthly rate of $14,900. One Venetian happens to be one of those Miami Beach condos that people love because of the views – yes it’s an older building, but location is convenient (minutes from Downtown Miami and South Beach) and views, views and more views! MLS says (in caps also – I guess they had to scream to see this baby):
THIS HIDDEN PEARL ON AN ENTIRE PRIVATE FLR BACKS TO AN AMAZING WATERFRONT OFFERING SERENE PRIVACY & VIEWS. THE STUNNING HOME’S 3,840 SQ.FT. 5BD/4.5BA. TWO APARTMENTS W/4 COVERED PARKING SPACES PROVIDE THE PERFECT SETTING FOR MIAMI LIVING. 1,680 SQ.FT. OF TERRACES IS DESIGNED FOR OUTDOOR ENTERTANING W/DIRECT WATER VIEWS,DOWNTOWN MIAMI,& NORTH TO BISCAYNE BLVD. YOU’LL APPERCIATE THR LRG OPEN FAMILY RM-FORMAL DINING AREA. EAT-IN KITCHEN & APPOINTED GRAND MASTER STE. NESTLED BETWEEN MIAMI BEACH & DOWNTOWN MIA
Features:
3,840 square feet of living space
1,680 square foot terrace
5 bedrooms / 4.5 bathrooms
2 parking spaces
bayfront condo
marble and tile floors
Maintenance fees $2586 per month
**all information obtained from the SouthEast Florida Multiple Listing Service**
I almost forgot to change the time!! If it wasn’t for Twitter very late last night, I wouldn’t have done it. So every year I remind you ahead of time, and this year I’m a little late. (oooops). Funny enough, all of our clocks and phones do it on their own nowadays, so I’m sure many of you didn’t even have to worry about it.
I wonder how many people will be late to the birthday party we’re going to now?
Miami never gets old, there are unbelievable views everywhere you look. Take this shot for example, taken by Lenny Furman from ICON Miami Beach showing The Port of Miami, MacArthur Causeway, Government Cut, Downtown Miami Skyline and a a corner of Star Island.
** Here at Miamism we love to post your Miami Photos. If you have a shot you want to share please join the Miamism Group at Flickr.com – or you can e-mail the photos directly to us at info@miamism.com *
Apogee is known as the most expensive address when it comes to South Beach condos – This particular residence selling at $1,031 per square foot. It had been listed since November 2009 for $3,950,000 with a few reductions and a nice final sale. The view of South Pointe Park, Fisher Island and Government Cut is beyond amazing. The MLS description reads (yes in all caps):
