Events Highlight the Continued Growth of Downtown Miami

Every day more and more people can be seen walking on the streets of downtown Miami and Brickell.  From bikers and skaters to families and tourists, downtown is slowly transforming itself into a viable 24-hour neighborhood.  

For those who still doubt that downtown Miami is becoming a real urban center - with people walking and taking transit - all you need to do is go to Mary Brickell Village on a  weekend, or walk by Bayfront Park on a Sunday afternoon.  Better yet, one could have seen downtown in all its glory this last weekend, as large scale events showed the evolving face of downtown.

On Saturday, July 10,  Redbull's FlugTag was in town for the first time in 6 years, and drew over 80,000 people to downtown Miami.  But while the event was large, it was the migration of people walking over from their homes to go to the event that is newsworthy. 

Whereas five years ago many of these people would have come in automobiles, Saturday saw thousands (yes, thousands!) who walked over from their new downtown residences to Bayfront Park.

In many ways similar to a large migration, the streets of US1 from the south end of Brickell to Bayfront Park in downtown, were packed with people of all ages walking to and from the event.  Whether coming from their home or a friend's, or taking transit, the number of people walking to the park was in the tens of thousands.

As if that was not enough, Sunday (the following day) the 2010 World Cup final brought yet another onslaught of residents onto downtown streets.  Every bar and every restaurant with a TV was packed to the brim with people cheering at the top of their lungs.  For the first time I can remember, it was nearly impossible to find a spot in any restaurant in the area.

South Miami Avenue, nearby Brickell Irish Pub and Segafredo, saw Miami's biggest World Cup block party.  Over at JB's Kitchen & Bar, crowds were so jubilant and ecstatic, it was hard to contain the energy.  People popped champagne bottles and others danced on the bar; as the free shots flowed.  When the game finished, crowds spilled onto the streets.

Who would have thought this to be possible on a Sunday afternoon in downtown Miami?  A few years ago, no one.  World Cup party in the streets of downtown?  Perhaps in Miami Beach!

Quite amazing to think that only five years ago, the area was a graveyard after hours and on the weekends.  No people, few cars, downtown was a nine to five work center with no street life, residents, or families nearby.

With Florida's best transportation system and largest employment center, oceanfront views, proximity to Miami's best neighborhoods, and a gazillion (that's a lot!) things to do, one can easily see why young professionals are quickly making downtown their new home.  Throw in pent-up demand from urbanites, north-easterners, and Latin Americans itching for some real urban living, and you've got yourself a long term recipe for success.

Today, with more than 74% of new condos now occupied (Source: March 2010, DDA Report), it is fair to say that downtown and Brickell are now the big boys on the block here in Miami.  With so much potential and such high demand, if such a pattern continues, it will not be long until the cranes rise again.  Recession or not, downtown Miami is the place to be.

Just ask Lebron James.