Miamism

This week's Miamism is totally different and you need to check it out for yourselves. We have been honored with the inclusion in a cybertale entitled "Danger Bay" - "Voyage of the Motor Vessel Sparrow" series inspired by Bob Carney. written by Boomer Jack Boardman - here's the description:

Danger Bay is in its entirety, a wholly fictional series of melodramatic stories. The stories take place in and around the small village of Danger Bay on the Big Lake. Both the village and Big Lake (based on Lake Superiors Minnesota North Shore) exist only in Cyberspace.

The voyage of the Motor Vessel Sparrow actually ends in Miami Beach- and I have been granted the priviledge of taking you through a tour of 2 architecturally relevant Miami homes as well as some additional fun where mojitos are involved.

So what do you think? ....another MIAMISM ?!

You be the judge, check it out!

Danger Bay - Episode 79 - The Tour

**you will even see cartoon  renderings of Rick and Ines - our regularly scheduled Miamism Fridays will resume next Friday - send us your pictures! **

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Ines.Hegedus-Garcia 7 feedbacks »

We wanted to share a Miami real estate deal for sale now in 4 Midtown, one of Midtown Miami's new highrise buildings. This tower received its certificate of occupancy in February 2008 and people are already moving in and making this fabulous building their home.

How do we define a Miami Condo Deal?

In our opinion, a deal is when you can purchase a property for a lot less than similar properties in the same building. In the case of a high-rise like 4 Midtown, we look at the same line of units and see what these are priced at.

A little history on the project

4 Midtown was designed by John R. Nichols of Nichols Brosch Sandoval & Associates, Inc. architects and planners, based in Coral Gables, Florida - and its concept is:

Midtown's urban design is reminiscent of New York SoHo district with a Miami Twist. The pool deck is a true urban oasis nestled seven stories high. The architecture with it's wide expansive opening that emphasizes the panoramic views of Downtown and Biscayne Bay. With a modern minimalist lobby, and custom finishes that pay attention to detail.

Details about this Miami-Condo Deal

3301 NE 1st Avenue, unit 2615 - Miami, Florida 33137

Priced at $425,000

Unbelievable bay and city views from this 26th floor new, and never lived in Midtown 4 condo. Full-amenity building just South of Miami's Design District, centrally located close to Miami Beach, Downtown Miami and both airports. Two bedroom, two bathroom condo with split bedroom plan, high ceilings, Italian kitchen, porcelain tile floors and wrap around balcony overlooking Biscayne Bay.

Similar units in the same line are priced as follows:

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Even for experienced Miami Realtors, visiting new condos is always exciting.  I for one love to check out the finishes and the preliminary design flaws.  Then I tear them apart with my clients, from finish choices to distribution problems.

This week I had the pleasure of visiting Marina Blue, designed by none other than Arquitectonica.  Located at 888 Biscayne Boulevard, in what Miami Realtors refer to as 'the gridlock, because it is right across from the American Airlines Arena, Bayside Marketplace, The Center for Performing Arts, the new Museum Park, and the exit to I-395 that takes you to Miami Beach.  I have to admit that the traffic is always a little intense, but what else do you expect for downtown Miami?

I figure if you dont want the action, excitement and traffic, this may not be the building for you.  On a positive note, you do have the People-Mover right behind the building that takes you through downtown Miami and possibly to the talked about Wholefood Market Place that is rumored to be built nearby.  The concept of this grouping of buildings which include:

The Marquis, Ten Museum Park, 900 Biscayne and Marina Blue

Is Green Urbanism - walkable communities close to everything, close to the action and with good public transportation.

I admit I was impressed with the finishes and the scale of the spaces.  The lobby was austere and grand, the hallways were not finished, doors not painted (but we expect that from a newly finished building) and the common areas almost completed.  The skybeach, although a sexy concept, in my opinion will not last long. (the wind is always powerful and to keep the sand off the interior common areas is going to be tough) - I hope they prove me wrong.

Heres some pictures of the pool areas and their views:

We saw a one bedroom unit on the 5th floor and even that one had amazing views:

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This weeks Luxury Real Estate Pick is located in Aqua - Allison Island in Miami Beach. A man-made island originally built by Carl Fisher in 1912 as a tribute to his friend Jim Allison. Jim Allison built a hospital on the island which later became St. Francis and in the late 1990s the new vision came to life by developer Craig Robins with the help of his development firm Dacra.

¦To transform Allison Island into a modern and enlightened tropical paradise that would offer discerning residents a unique urban lifestyle¦¦ Assembling a team of renowned artists and architects, they began the monumental task of bringing renewed purpose and glory to Allison Island. Paying homage to the sites oneness with Indian Creek, Robins team called this dream project AQUA.

6205 Laguna Pa - Miami Beach, Florida 33141

4-story Island Home on the water with a deeded 29 foot boat dock. Designed by Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company. Home features marble and slate floors, private elevator, Bulthaup kitchen cabinetry, interior courtyard, 4th floor tower studio/guest suite, and plenty of terrace space. Some island amenities include 2 pools, concierge, spa, fitness center and clubhouse.

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A few years ago the word “staging” became a trend in the Miami Real Estate Market as well as elsewhere around the country. Realtors went out and got staging designations and people with decorating skills created staging businesses. Known local Interior Designers even found a niche within the Miami Real Estate Industry. Everyone talked about the importance of staging your home for it to sell quicker and for more money.

It seems that the industry liked the concept of staging but not all home sellers were convinced. Many of our clients even told us that staging was a waste of time and they would possibly consider it once the house was listed but only after they prepared their home by:

• decluttering and packing away collections and personal items
• repaired leaky faucets
• changing all light bulbs
• painting and cleaning
  
• planting new flowers at entrance of the home
• making sure the house smelled clean and fresh for every showing

With all that work, who had time to stage??

Well…..the news is that all of what they were doing was part of staging! The mere act of preparing your home for sale is exactly that. Craig Schiller, a dear friend and stager extraordinaire (I know he is getting tired of the title, but its true), wrote an excellent article about why Realtors are not ‘getting it’. In ‘You Can Stage It! Even if THEY Still Dont Get It’, he writes:

So dont let the words ‘staging’ or ‘Stager” trip you up. While these words are relatively new, what we advise has been given as advice in real estate sales for year. All that has really changed is that there is an entire INDUSTRY now committed to understanding the intricacies of how a home can be best merchandised and marketed as a product so that it entices them to buy.

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