With new tenants, varied dining options and safety protocols in place, Miami’s top luxury shopping centers are ready to welcome customers this fall.
shoppers strolling down Paseo Ponti
What’s New With its spiral staircase and glass cylinders that drop from the ceiling (all part of a new design concept by Creative Director Sarah Burton and architect Smiljan Radic), the recently opened Alexander McQueen boutique (146 NE 41st St., Miami, 786.857.5100, alexandermcqueen.com) is the neighborhood’s undisputed new star. To say nothing of the brand’s men’s and women’s inventory of ready-to-wear and accessories, including those oh-so-coveted butterfly-handle box clutches. Just as extravagant in its offerings (albeit in a different way) is the Hästens showroom (112 NE 41st St., Miami, 305.615.2002, hastens.com), the celebrated Swedish bed manufacturer that has been making sleep dreams come true since 1852. This new location features a variety of handmade models, including the Maranga, Eala, Herlewing, 2000T and, of course, the Vividus, a marvel of horsetail hair, flax, cotton and Swedish pine that retails for $200,000 and takes 45 days to complete. Adding her talents to the mix is Dani de Cespedes (@styledbymdd, 305.903.0920), who offers personal shopping and styling services through all of the DD’s stores. Diningwise, St. Roch Market is now Politan Row Miami (140 NE 39th St., Miami, 786.542.8977, politanrow.com), but the food hall’s favorites remain, while the “restaurant on wheels” Yoso Sushi (95 NE 40th St., Miami, 305.420.6650, @yososushi) is the hot spot for a grilled branzino bowl that’s always on point.
Safety First Reduced hours, rigorous cleaning protocols, ticketless parking, free masks at the information desks and bright yellow hand-sanitizer stations are all part of the DD’s health safety initiatives. 305.722.7100, miamidesigndistrict.net
A fall 2020 look from Alexander McQueen, the Design District’s newest boutique
a visitor acquaints herself with the DD’s COVID-19 safety practices.
Socially distant alfresco dining at tables for both Le Zoo and Carpaccio in the center courtyard.
What’s New With all due respect to the almighty ground level (where there are some major and intriguing renovations taking place at Saks Fifth Avenue by the way), level two is where it’s at in BHS these days, thanks to the recent openings of Marni (786.785.7667, marni.com), a colorful dream of a boutique with art deco touches that will soon house fall 2020 collection dresses featuring looms originally designed by Leonardo da Vinci, as well as Scanlan Theodore (305.763.8970, us.scanlandtheodore.com), the Australian brand known for providing corporate women effortless garments that are anything but square. Also worth a ride up is the Shops’ ever-expanding third floor for candles at Diptyque (305.865.8225, diptyqueparis.com), fragrances at Le Labo (786.655.8820, lelabofragrances.com), lingerie at Agent Provocateur (786.536.2944, agentprovocateur.com) and sweet calories at Bianco Gelato (305.458.4455, biancogelato.com) and Vasalissa Chocolatier (786.216.7115). Coming up here in October is a boutique by Michael Aram (michaelaram.com), the home accessories atelier known for its sculptural collections. And, while any of BHS’ eateries are worthy of a visit (all featuring outdoor, socially distant dining), Hillstone (786.260.6650, hillstonebalharbour.com) wins our vote because the restaurant’s massive windows allow dining to take place inside as a cool breeze blows through the space, making specialties such as emerald kale salad with roasted chicken and expertly grilled artichokes much more delectable.
Safety First In addition to required masks for all employees and visitors, frequent disinfecting of surfaces, touchless elevators and hand-sanitizing stations throughout, BHS’ Retail-to-Go program allows visitors to schedule a time and have their purchases from any boutique delivered to their cars in a designated parking spot across from the Carpaccio restaurant. 9700 Collins Ave., Bal Harbour, 305.863.0311, balharbourshops.com
the windows of the new Marni boutique
the Retail-to-Go parking area at the shopping center
Men’s garments from Eden Park Paris
What’s New The leasing agents at Aventura Mall have been busy as of late. Among the brands expected to have presence at the mammoth complex come autumn are Eden Park Paris (eden-park.us), the men’s clothing and accessories label founded by French rugby player Franck Mesnel, whose pink polka-dot bow ties make ideal out-of-the-box gifts, and Elie Tahari (elietahari.com), the brand that popularized the tube top in the 1970s and now offers everything from power suits to bias-cut dresses. There are also two new women’s footwear labels: Italy’s Michele Lopriore (305.974.2038, michelelopriore.com) is all about leather ballerina slippers, reptilian-print sandals and brightly colored pumps, while Spain’s Paloma Barceló (305.607.6577, palomabarcelo.com) caters to more exotic tastes with offerings such as neon platforms and flats with intricately woven details. With all the pandemic chaos in spring, many folks may have missed the opening of Messika (305.974.2530, messika.com), the French jeweler’s first stand-alone U.S. retailer, a treasure trove of minimalist rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings with precious stones set in white, yellow or pink golds. For on-the-go sustenance, ArtPie (artpieusa.com) offers French/Italian handmade pastries.
Safety First Mask requirements, social distancing cues and stringent cleaning procedures are all commonplace here, and, as far as dining goes, the mall has transformed its upscale Treats Food Hall (unmistakable due to a massive mural by artist Nate Dee titled “Cherish Home”) into an open-air dining plaza. Musts here include JRK! for Jamaican jerk brisket and Ciabella Bakery (ciabellamiami.com) for artisanal carb delicacies. A large number of Aventura’s stores also offer curbside pickup for those who can’t or don’t wish to step inside. 19501 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura, 305.935.1110, aventuramall.com
One of Aventura Mall’s newest stores; the “Walking Figure” sculpture by Donald Baechler on the center’s first floor.
the interior of Marabú, a new Cuban restaurant from chef Alberto Cabrera that specializes in coal-fired specialties.
What’s New Miami’s newest mall has been busy improving the shopping experience. Coming this fall is Indochino (indochino.com) with a 2,301-square-foot space dedicated to made-to-measure menswear, as well as off-the-rack suits, outerwear, shirts and other wardrobe essentials. Car enthusiasts should take note of the holiday 2020 opening of a 4,002-square-foot showroom from California’s Lucid Motors (lucidmotors.com) called the Lucid Studio. There, the brand will immerse potential buyers in the full Lucid experience, as well as show off its first car, the Lucid Air, an electric sedan capable of a 400-plus-mile range and going from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 2.5 seconds. The mall also seems intent on continuing to up its dining game. The newly opened Marabú (786.598.8012, maraburestaurant.com) is headed up by chef Alberto Cabrera and features the man’s penchant for Cuban dishes (including coal-fired meats and other proteins, and Havana-inspired cocktails). Grove Bay Hospitality Group has combined the footprints of both the former Big Easy Wine Bar & Grill and American Harvest for the massive Los Chinos (loschinos.com), a fusion restaurant of Latin and Chinese dishes that turns into a speakeasy late at night. And this fall, EST. 33 will offer Southeast Asian flavors fused with American barbecue, as well as copious mugs of in-house-brewed Singha Beer, a lager that dates back to 1933 Thailand.
Safety First BCC would make the CDC proud. There is sterilizing of common areas and guest touch points constantly, 32 hand-sanitizer stations, only one entry point per block for access to the mall, one-way traffic in certain areas and complimentary masks. 701 S. Miami Ave., Miami, 786.224.0301, brickellcitycentre.com
A view of Brickell City Centre’s top levels
A look from Indochino, a men’s brand opening shop at the mall this fall
the Mizzen + Main men’s boutique
What’s New Although it was a rather quiet summer at Merrick, fall will bring a variety of tenants. There will be a Tempur-Pedic showroom (tempurpedic.com) where customers can test the popular beds for themselves, and a new addition to the dining options with the opening of Eclectico from the owners of the on-site SAWA (although there was no word on the menu as of press time). Also in dining news: Bazille, the eatery on Nordstrom’s third floor, now features patio dining. Among the newer stores are Mizzen + Main (786.665.8106, mizzenandmain.com), a men’s store that specializes in shirts that are wrinkle-free and quick-dry, and Peloton (305.928.2998, onepeloton.com), where the staff is well-versed in the brand’s state-of-the-art interactive bikes and treads (and which, though closed as of press time, should be open soon). For those seeking jewels and watches, Mayors (305.446.1233, mayors.com) is the company’s first flagship to feature the design layout that all future locations will eventually adopt, and houses exclusives from Roberto Coin and Mikimoto, as well as one-of-a-kind creations under the Mayors High Jewelry Collections by partners JB Star and Uneek—plus a charming cafe/bar in the back to consider purchases over an espresso or something stronger.
Safety First Most of the stores here now offer curbside pickup and the mall has installed numerous hand-sanitizing stations throughout. There are rather frequent and intense cleanings, and, of course, face coverings are required. 358 San Lorenzo Ave., Coral Gables, 305.529.1215, shopsatmerrickpark.com
Mayors’ cafe/bar
Photography by: runway photo courtesy of alexander mcqueen;
center photos courtesy of miami design district; photos courtesy of bal harbour shops; photos courtesy of aventura mall; photos courtesy of brickell city centre & Indochino; photos courtesy of shops at merrick park, mizzen + Main & Mayors
