Coral Gables Miracle Mile: Shopper’s Delight

Upscale is the operative word when describing Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, Florida. Technically speaking, it is a section of Coral Way between Douglas Road (West 37th Avenue) and LeJeune Road (West 42nd Avenue) and it is the primary east-west road traversing the city’s downtown central business district. 

Miracle Mile is known for its many fine boutiques and specialty shops and over 70 dining establishments. If shopping makes you hungry, consider stopping for a bite at John Martin’s Irish Pub, Café con Leche, Rocks on the Mile and/or a host of other choices.

Miracle Mile dates back to the early days of City Beautiful when developer George Merrick encouraged people to buy Coral Gables real estate and designed the downtown commercial district to be only four blocks wide and more than two miles long. The main artery bisected the business district and Merrick boasted that every business in Coral Gables was less than a two-block walk. Once serviced by a free trolley service, in November of 2003 a new trolley system was established and now locals refer to Coral Gables as a pedestrian-friendly destination.

Visitors and residents who own Coral Gables real estate are perennially impressed with the prodigious lineup of entertainment offered by Miracle Mile, which is home to the Actor’s Playhouse, one of more than  twenty major cultural institutions in Miami-Dade County. This private non-profit organization is renowned for its critically acclaimed dramatic and musical theatre. Every year, its program offers a full season of Mainstage and Children’s programs as well as extensive educational outreach and community services. 

In addition to the playhouse, Miracle Mile also offers dozens of art galleries of note, including the the Coral Gables Gallery and the miArte Gallery, which specializes in contemporary works of art.

Friday evenings are very special along Miracle Mile both for those who own Coral Gables real estate and those who may be just visiting the area. Thousands descend upon the half-mile stretch of road to attend numerous gallery exhibits, dine in fine restaurants and frequent live theater shows.

So whether you find yourself in Coral Gables during the work week or have a leisurely week-end to spend, make time to visit the shops and galleries that abound along Miracle Mile. 

You are sure to return again and again for a fresh and new experience each time.

Coral Gables Features Art in Public Places Program

The PonceCat Building on the corner of Ponce de Leon Boulevard and Catalonia Avenue marks the spot of the very first artwork installed as part of the Coral Gables Art in Public Places Program. Miami artist, John Angée’s sculpture is entitled, Flight to Freedom, and he has deftly captured in his creation the essence of flight, the danger of escape and ultimately, the sweet, soaring value of freedom.

This city initiative is one of many designed for the sole purpose of sparking cultural creativity among those owning Coral Gables real estate. In keeping with this tradition of Gallery Night, last year the city launched a trolley route connecting all the art galleries to run on the first Friday of every month. This in turn inspired the gathering known as Gallery Night Live. Held at the Coral Gables Museum Plaza, local residents mingle to collectively enjoy music, art, and fine wine.

The Museum Plaza also offers to local residents and owners of Coral Gables real estate a city-sponsored lunchtime series, Jazz in the Gables on Wednesdays from January through April, as well as the extended Farmer’s Market on Saturdays in April and May.

The Coral Gables Art in Public Places Program was created in 2007 and its purpose is twofold: maintaining Coral Gables historic public art collection and commissioning, acquiring and exhibiting new public artworks featuring local artists. 

Aragon Avenue has been transformed into a dazzling cultural epi-center comprised of the Coral Gables Museum, Books & Books, the Colombian Consulate and Coral Cables Art Cinema. Known as the museum plaza, the city will also soon provide it with decorative gates and exterior lighting.

The Coral Gables Art Cinema is a year-round, seven-days-a-week vehicle for the presentation of high quality American independent, foreign and classic films that are not generally available at other venues in South Florida. Recognized as the theater with weekly attendance averages from 800 to up to 2,000 people, this movie house has become one of the most important venues for independent films in the country. 

Part of this dazzling cultural center is the non-profit organization, Societa Dante Alighieri at 300 Aragon Avenue which promotes the Italian language with classes and lectures, ranging from wine tasting and Italian cooking to quality art classes.

For more information about Art in Public Places and other city initiatives available to owners of Coral Gables real estate, contact the City of Coral Gables Parks and Recreation Division at 305-460-5600.

Most Expensive Properties in Coral Gables

For those with deep pockets who can afford to live in splendor, the following prime examples of Coral Gables real estate are sure to please. These magnificent properties are spectacular although no one could ever say they were bargains!

At 11501 Old Cutler Road there lies a palatial estate that can be yours for a mere $11,900,00! This 10-bedroom 12 full bath and one half-bath mansion is fit for royalty and breathtaking to behold. This residence is perfect for those inspired to host gala parties and festive events. Set on three acres of spectacular greenery, the formal gated entry way is both regal and grandiose. Unbelievably high ceilings a huge family room, grand salon, game room and full home theater are only a few of the offerings of this luxurious residence. 

Not to be outdone, in the community known as Gables Estates, a spectacular waterfront estate priced at $12,500,000 stands like a proud peacock at 2 Casuarina Concourse. Built by Chris Fergis in 1966, the price per square foot on this one-of-a-kind, 6 bedroom/6 bathrooms and one half-bath classic property is $1,117.77. It is unique Coral Gables real estate, featuring both wide and long views of the waterway.

Also at Gables Estates at 150 Arvida Parkway, is a most exquisite and unusual Polynesian-contemporary style residence with an asking price of $14,995,000 which breaks down to $2,711.57 per square foot. Situated on 62,000 lush square feet, 200 feet of which are on the canal for private yacht dockage and another 200 on the open bay, this spectacular property contains 4 bedrooms, 4 full baths and one half- bath. The structure itself offers 5,530 square feet and beautiful views of the bay. 

Another magnificent example of Coral Gables real estate can be found at 400 Arvida Parkway, surpassing in cost all residences that have come before it at Gables Estates at the staggering asking price of $15,900,000. This 8-bedroom, 9 full baths and 4 half-baths classic structure found its inspiration in the style of the French chateaus of the wine region in France. 

Built in 2009, this palatial waterfront estate boasts a total of 13,668 square feet and a grand salon, breakfast room, library, wine cellar and infinity pool and spa just to name a few features. Set on a leafy lagoon with direct ocean access, this estate is truly a tropical paradise.

Ending this list and topping it as well, is this Gables Estates property located at 9151 Arvida Lane. With an $18,000,000 price tag, this Coral Gables real estate was built in 1996, and boasts 8 bedrooms, 10 baths and 2 half baths and a list of amenities fit for the most discerning royalty. Some of these include: 2 docks, heated pool & spa, a guest house, private observatory, a shooting range, dark room and a 2-story library with its own elevator. 

Whether you can afford these properties or not, they are fabulous to behold and after all, everyone can dream, can’t they?

Granada Golf Course: Year Round Coral Gables Fun

Donald Ross designed this small, municipal golf course back in 1923. It has the distinction of being the oldest operating nine-hole course in Florida. Located in the heart of Coral Gables, the Granada Golf Course is known for its private club ambiance and its unique Banyan tree forests.

A Banyan tree is actually a fig which has the ability to expand laterally from the original by using aerial prop roots. The most famous Banyon tree is in South Florida (Fort Meyers) and was planted in 1925 by Thomas Alva Edison. It is also the third largest fig tree in the world. 

Both those who own Coral Gables real estate and those who come to visit the area use this course constantly. A source of fun for golfers of all ages and skill sets, the layout offers stress-free golf with no water hazards and few sand traps. 

The Granada Golf Course offers a fully stocked pro-shop, locker room, handcart rental, electric golf cart rental, and a restaurant. Membership and tournament outings are also available. A talented staff of golf professionals offer private, group, junior lessons and specialty shot classes. The course is located in a lovely section of Miami featuring some beautiful examples of Coral Gables homes and unusually lush forested areas.

The course offers 3,001 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 36. Its general rating is 34.6 and it has a slope rating of 109 on Bermuda grass. The pros and cons concerning this particular course appear to be about the same thing; there are only nine holes. For some, this is optimum stress-free golf and for others it barely whets the golf appetite, so go figure.

One reviewer wrote: “The course is well groomed! It's challenging enough for me! 9 holes are also enough to relieve the stresses of the day”. Another said,” Great place to squeeze in a cheap nine. No waits in the afternoon (except for slow players) you can walk it, and it’s the least expensive 9 in all of south Florida… Course has nice wide straight fairways but around the greens it can really throw some curves. Only drawback is that the residents treat it like it’s a park - especially in the evenings - gotta watch out for dogs and kids on the fairways.”

The Granada Golf Course hosts the Junior Orange Golf Tournament, which is the largest of its kind in the country. Dating back to 1948, this tournament is accompanied by the Junior Orange Bowl Youth Festival that is totally dedicated to Celebrating Youth.

Tee time reservations are required and all in all, the Granada Golf Course is a positive experience for golfers of all ages and abilities.

Coral Gables Real Estate Market Update - Closings August 2012

In the following table you can see all closings in Coral Gables for the month of August 2012. There were a total of 85 closings. The main statistics are:

• Average price per square foot: $268
• Lowest price per square foot: $87 (Grand Palazzo condo unit 302)
• Highest price per square foot: $518 (Single Family Home at Coral Gables Biltmore Sec)

There were 2 units that went pending the same day they were listed located at Grand Palazzo Condo and The Gables Condo.

Address	Community	Bed/Bath	Living Area	Days on Market	List Price	Sale Price	Price per sq ft
3101 SW 27 AV # 302	Grand Palazzo	1/1	630	0	$55,000	$55,000	$87
3180 SW 22 ST # 604	midtown lofts condo	0/1	745	180	$79,999	$98,900	$133
21 EDGEWATER DR # 102	EDGEWATER OF CORAL GABLES	1/1	616	108	$99,900	$88,000	$143
50 MENORES AV # 421	Douglas Grand	1/1	752	132	$110,000	$105,000	$140
1205 MARIPOSA AV # 223	VILLA CAPRI	1/1.5	894	48	$119,500	$110,000	$123
50 MENORES AV # 414	Douglas Grand	1/1	726	13	$130,000	$127,500	$176
290 NAVARRE AV # 303	Navarre Park Condo	1/1	686	62	$139,000	$139,000	$203
50 MENORES AV # 401	Douglas Grand Condo	1/1	710	18	$145,000	$137,000	$193
427 SANTANDER AV # 401	.	2/2	846	58	$169,900	$164,900	$195
888 DOUGLAS RD # 1206	PUERTA DE PALMAS	1/1	797	70	$170,000	$165,000	$207
50 MENORES AV # 707	DOUGLAS GRAND CONDO	1/1	784	106	$170,000	$155,000	$198
95 EDGEWATER DR # 102	EDGEWATER OF CORAL	2/2	849	106	$199,000	$190,000	$224
888 DOUGLAS RD # 109	Puerta de Palmas	1/1.5	1131	100	$224,900	$218,000	$193
3000 CORAL WY # 1516	THE ASTON	2/2	1210	5	$249,000	$239,000	$198
1280 S ALHAMBRA CR # 2207	UNIVERSITY INN CONDO	2/2	910	35	$269,000	$260,000	$286
625 BILTMORE WY # 406	Gables Plaza Condominium	2/2	1266	45	$270,000	$260,000	$205
2030 DOUGLAS RD # 518	THE MINORCA CONDO	2/2	1114	12	$271,900	$271,900	$244
625 BILTMORE WY # 1102	GABLES PLAZA	2/2	1275	474	$273,000	$258,000	$202
101 SIDONIA AV # 301	VILLA FLORINI	3/2	1427	6	$274,900	$287,000	$201
600 BILTMORE WY # 309	BILTMORE 11 CONDO	2/2	1129	15	$275,000	$255,000	$226
625 BILTMORE WY # 307	GABLES PLAZA	3/2	1369	241	$275,000	$250,000	$183
888 S Douglas Rd # 1017	PUERTA DE PALMAS	2/2	1072	35	$275,000	$230,000	$215
90 EDGEWATER DR # 402	GABLES WATERWAY TOWERS	2/2	1310	48	$285,000	$272,500	$208
2030 DOUGLAS RD # 725	The Minorca	2/2	1159	19	$315,000	$305,000	$263
10 ARAGON AV # 810	Ten Aragon	2/2	1251	108	$325,000	$290,000	$232
441 VALENCIA AV # 503	GABLES LAROC	3/2	1606	86	$339,000	$339,000	$211
20 CALABRIA AV # 305	VILLA CALABRIA	2/2.5	1370	21	$375,000	$365,000	$266
4100 SALZEDO ST # 914	One Village Place	2/2	1125	9	$380,000	$340,000	$302
100 ANDALUSIA AV # 313	ANDALUSIA CONDO	2/2.5	1460	127	$429,000	$400,000	$274
55 MERRICK WY # 506	55 MERRICK	2/2	1158	162	$448,000	$431,000	$372
1607 PONCE DE LEON BL # 12B	THE PONCE DE LEON	3/2	1388	17	$473,000	$447,000	$322
1805 PONCE DE LEON BL # 1000	PONCE TOWER	3/2.5	1702	47	$699,000	$560,000	$329
13647 DEERING BAY DR # 151	DEERING BAY	2/2.5	2750	97	$799,000	$730,000	$265
13645 DEERING BAY DR # 144	Venice at Deering Bay	3/3.5	3140	197	$950,000	$830,000	$264
10 EDGEWATER DR # 3E	The Gables Condo	2/3.5	2960	0	$1,275,000	$1,200,000	$405
10 EDGEWATER DR # 15F	THE GABLES CLUB	3/3.5	2950	174	$1,599,000	$1,510,000	$512
913 WALLACE ST	TAMIAMI PLACE PLAN 3	2/1	1178	1	$250,000	$262,000	$222
911 EL RADO ST	TAMIAMI PLACE PLAN 2	2/2	1116	46	$310,000	$282,000	$253
411 ALESIO AV	FRENCH VILLAGE	3/2	1855	5	$325,000	$326,000	$176
400 VISCAYA AV	FRENCH VILLAGE	3/2	1710	65	$385,000	$375,000	$219
1419 LISBON ST	CORAL GABLES GRANADA SEC	2/2	1731	10	$395,000	$370,000	$214
437 BIRD RD	CORAL GABLES COUNTRY CLUB	3/2	2074	252	$449,000	$429,000	$207
1529 Mercado		4/  .5			$479,000	$440,000	$204
640 NAVARRE AV	CORAL GABLES SEC B PB 5-1	2/2	1470	45	$480,000	$465,000	$316
1410 FERDINAND ST	CORAL GABLES GRANADA SEC	3/2	1865	16	$519,000	$495,000	$265
1306 LISBON ST	CORAL GABLES GRANADA SEC	3/3	1944	49	$520,000	$486,000	$250
629 SAN ANTONIO AV	CORAL GABLES RIVIERA SEC	2/2	1561	32	$550,000	$480,000	$307
1526 DORADO AV	CORAL GABLES COUNTRY CLUB	3/2	1748	71	$570,000	$556,500	$318
1410 BLUE RD	CORAL GABLES RIVERIA SEC	5/4	2609	4	$575,000	$575,000	$220
421 SEVILLA AV	CORAL GABLES BILTMORE SEC	3/2	1883	112	$575,000	$560,000	$297
406 SAVONA AV	CORAL GABLES RIVIERA SEC	3/2	1660	39	$579,900	$520,000	$313
826 MADRID ST	CORAL GABLES GRANADA SEC	4/2	2273	98	$599,000	$547,000	$241
451 MALAGA AV	CORAL GABLES BILTMORE SEC	3/2	1696	33	$599,000	$568,000	$335
5551 SAN VICENTE ST	CORAL GABLES RIVIERA SEC	3/3	2575	98	$648,000	$635,000	$247
1212 HARDEE RD	CORAL GABLES RIVIERA SEC	3/2	2080	58	$649,000	$560,000	$269
637 SAN ESTEBAN AV	CORAL GABLES RIVIERA SEC	3/2	2738	53	$650,000	$580,000	$212
1036 OBISPO AV	CORAL GABLES SEC C	5/4	2847	422	$650,000	$570,000	$200
1245 MESSINA AV	CORAL GABLES GRANADA SEC	4/3	2397	195	$669,000	$649,000	$271
6315 MAYNADA ST	CORAL GABLES RIVIERA SEC	3/2	2164	36	$699,000	$660,000	$305
1700 FERDINAND ST	CORAL GABLES SEC E REV	3/2.5	2343	51	$725,000	$670,000	$286
3920 CRAWFORD AV	COCO GROVE	3/2	2097	14	$725,000	$715,000	$341
6930 ALMANSA ST	CORAL GABLES RIVIERA SEC	3/2.5	2357	10	$729,000	$700,000	$297
1540 ZORETA AV	CORAL GABLES RIVIERA SEC	4/3	3315	24	$749,999	$735,000	$222
906 ESCOBAR AV	CORAL GABLES COUNTRY CLUB	4/3	2756	232	$789,000	$759,000	$275
1215 VALENCIA AV	CORAL GABLES SEC D REV	5/5	3417	131	$849,000	$839,900	$246
637 PALMARITO CT	CORAL GABLES COUNTRY CLUB	3/2.5	3099	417	$849,000	$790,000	$255
66 N PROSPECT DR	SANS SOUCI REV & AMD PB 6	4/2.5	2851	5	$849,000	$825,000	$289
2112 COUNTRY CLUB PRADO	CORAL GABLES SEC E REV	3/4	2792	0	$895,000	$825,000	$295
826 MALAGA AV	CORAL GABLES COUNTRY CLUB	4/4	2790	87	$897,000	$839,000	$301
621 GONDOLIERE AV	CORAL GABLES BISCAYNE BAY	3/2.5	2948	35	$929,000	$880,000	$299
1131 ADUANA AV	UNIVERSITY ESTS	4/3	2618	14	$990,000	$907,000	$346
4800 UNIVERSITY DR # A	CG RIVIERA SEC PART FOUR	7/6	4825	31	$1,100,000	$1,000,000	$207
2222 ALHAMBRA CR	CORAL GABLES SEC E REV	4/3	3728	11	$1,150,000	$1,125,000	$302
1041 CATALONIA AV	CORAL GABLES COUNTRY CLUB	6/5	4186	73	$1,198,000	$1,130,000	$270
1136 ALHAMBRA CR	CORAL GABLES SEC C	4/3.5	3584	51	$1,199,000	$1,130,000	$315
490 CAMPANA AV	HAMMOCK OAKS HARBOR SEC 2	5/3.5	3880	211	$1,199,995	$925,000	$238
1238 ANASTASIA AV	CORAL GABLES COUNTRY CLUB	4/4.5	3165	4	$1,300,000	$1,250,000	$395
5309 ALHAMBRA CR	CORAL GABLES RIVERIA SEC	5/4	3813	150	$1,375,000	$1,261,000	$331
1709 GRANADA BL	CORAL GABLES SEC B PB 5-1	5/5.5	4420	24	$1,750,000	$1,610,000	$364
871 SAN PEDRO AV	CORAL BAY SEC B	5/3.5	4399	681	$1,850,000	$1,580,000	$359
1120 HARDEE RD	UNIVERSITY ESTS	5/5	5838	28	$1,990,000	$1,825,000	$313
721 SEVILLA AV	CORAL GABLES BILTMORE SEC	3/3.5	4051	17	$2,250,000	$2,100,000	$518
180 LOS PINOS CT	COCOPLUM SEC 1	6/6	5775	77	$2,850,000	$2,400,000	$416
6900 SUNRISE TE	SUNRISE HARBOUR REV	5/5.5	4970	294	$2,995,000	$2,500,000	$503
146 ISLA DORADA BL	COCOPLUM SEC 2 PLAT E	7/6.5	8181	145	$4,999,000	$4,216,590	$515

Old Cutler Road: Historic and Scenic Coral Gables

Considered by many to be one of the most picturesque byways in Florida, Old Cutler Road is shaded by ancient fig trees and runs south of downtown Miami. The road branches off into many of those private areas known for their prime Coral Gables real estate. These leafy enclaves embrace both waterfront and non-waterfront residences and they include: Cocoplum, Gables Estates, Journey’s End, Hammock Lakes, Hammock Oaks, Old Cutler Bay, Snapper Creek Lakes, Girasol, Cutler Oak Estates and the Golden Triangle.

Old Cutler Road is lush and beautiful and brimming with Old World charm. The finest public and private schools are easily accessed from this road as well as the villages of Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, South Miami and Pinecrest and Matheson Hammock Beach and Park. For those who own Coral Gables real estate and can claim Hammock Lakes as their backyard, boating pleasures are both unique and sublime. Only kayaks and canoes are permitted and the turtles, of course.

Old Cutler Bay and Old Cutler Road have a colorful and notable past, dating back to the 1870s when Dr. William C. Cutler, a leading practitioner of medicine and surgery in Chelsea, Massachusetts, visited the area and fell in love with it. Known as the Big Hunting Grounds to the native-Americans living in South Florida, Cutler bought a 600-acre tract of land for $1.25 per acre and wanted to establish a fruit and vegetable plantation.

Old Cutler Road covers an area of 9.7 square miles. In 1882, a friend of Dr. Cutler, Mr. Wiliam Fuzzard, explored the area and enamored with Coral Gables real estate, returned the following year and built a home for himself. It was Fuzzard who cut a path through the wilderness, which widened into a wagon trail that marked the beginning of what is now known as Old Cutler Road. It ran north from his home and then eastwards into what is today Coral Reef Drive. This early path was declared a public road in 1895. 

The land around the road wasn’t developed as an organized community until 1954 when the first housing development went up under the auspices of a man named Blumberg; the Cutler Ridge Mall opened in 1960. Street names in Cutler Ridge derive from holidays and different ports of call visited by Blumberg when he was a sailor in the US Navy.

Some of the newer homes built along the Old Cutler Corridor can be found on Destacada Avenue. The homes are lovely and provide many modern amenities desired by those seeking to buy Coral Gables real estate. A tennis court sits at the entrance to this particular sub-division. 

Other quiet enclaves in the proximity of Old Cutler Road include: luxurious Journey’s End, boater’s paradise, Old Cutler Bay, beautiful Girasol, Snapper Creek Lakes, Gables Estates, Cocoplum and Tahiti Beach. 

Come visit Old Cutler Road. You may not be interested in the road back.

The Biltmore Hotel: Coral Gables Proud Peacock

At the height of the southern Florida land boom back in the 1920s, wealthy land developer, George E. Merrick founded the city of Coral Gables also known affectionately as “City Beautiful.” In 1925, he expanded his vision to include the construction of a great hotel that “would not only serve as a hostelry to the crowds which were thronging to Coral Gables but also would serve as a center of sports and fashion." 

Merrick joined forces with hotel magnate, John McEntee Brown, and after 10 months of construction and $10 million in expenditures, in January of 1926, the Biltmore Hotel was born and history was made. 

Celebrities gravitated to this prime piece of Coral Gables real estate, and in its heyday the Biltmore hosted the likes of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Judy Garland, Ginger Rogers, Al Capone, Bing Crosby and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who even had a temporary White House office set up at the hotel for when he vacationed on his fishing trips from Miami. 

The biggest bands of the Jazz Age played here and the hotel maintained its reputation even during the economic lull of the depression years by hosting gala aquatic shows that never ceased to draw income from adoring crowds. Synchronized swimmers, bathing beauties and athlete, Johnny Weismuller prior to his days as Tarzan, broke the world swimming record at the Biltmore pool and was a swimming instructor.

World War II changed the character of this luxurious example of Coral Gables real estate. The War Department converted The Biltmore to a hospital that served the wounded under the name of the Army Air Forces Regional Hospital. Many of the windows were sealed with concrete and government-issue linoleum covered the once magnificent marble floors. The hotel was also an early site for the University of Miami School of Medicine and remained a VA hospital until 1968.

Today, the Biltmore Hotel is a National Historic Landmark and a prime piece of Coral Gables real estate situated on 150 lush, tropical acres. The hotel features 275 guest rooms including 130 spacious Mediterranean styled suites and two famed Presidential Suites, a Donald Ross 18-hole golf course, 10 lighted tennis courts, the country’s largest hotel pool and private cabanas, the signature Palme d’Or restaurant and 75,000 square feet of meeting and function space.

An icon of elegance, beauty and old world charm, the Biltmore Hotel remains a precious and stunning jewel in the Coral Gables crown.

The Grove at Grand Bay:The Quintessence of Condo Living

Bjarke Ingels, a prominent Danish architect whose firm is known as BIG, has outdone even his own reputation as a bold and ingenious pioneer by reconfiguring the once luxurious Grand Bay Hotel into a dazzling residential tower. 

Contributing to the “design dream team” in this grandiose project is the architectural firm of Nichols Brosch Wurst Wolfe and Associates, who have worked on various Miami-area and Coral Gables real estate projects for years, including the construction of the original Grand Bay Hotel.

Rising 20 stories on the prestigious South Bayshore Drive, the Grove was inspired by the natural landscape of Coconut Grove and is expected to represent the epitome of luxury living in that burgeoning neighborhood. 

In the words of Pedro Martin, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Terra Group: “Grove at Grand Bay’s lifestyle offerings combined with the building’s impressive aesthetic is tantamount to the evolution of Coconut Grove. Within the next three years, the area will be completely redefined and Grove at Grand Bay will play an important role in the new experience.”

The 96 exceptional residences that comprise this new high-rise are, even according to owners of the most luxurious Coral Gables real estate, among the world’s most highly evolved condominiums. A spectacular façade with lush tropical gardens and incredible views of Biscayne Bay, Key Biscayne, Coral Gables and downtown Miami are only two of the amenities offered to residents. Other services include but are not limited to: private butlers, private elevators and two-car garages, rooftop swimming pools, wellness spa, state-of-the-art-fitness center, clubroom and pet spa.

Ingle has made quite a name for himself with his high profile projects in Europe, Asia and America. He has performed architectural miracles in Copenhagen, China, New York City and Utah. Known as a “starchitect”, The Wall Street Journal dubbed him Innovator of the Year. 

The Grand View Hotel was a resplendent and luxurious jewel attracting major celebrities, such as Michael Jackson, Luciano Pavarotti, Prince, Sophia Loren and Elizabeth Taylor. In its heyday, it ranked as the only hotel south of Palm Beach to have ever earned the Mobil five-star rating. Its passing has been replaced by a one of a kind condominium phenomenon.

No matter how you look at the Grove at Grand Bay, the view is captivating and spectacular. Innovative design are the operative words here and they ring true as never before in these exceptional condos. Plans for the interior design of the residences at Grove at Grand Bay will be as stunning as the building’s exteriors. An open flow-thru floor plan will showcase 12’ ceilings and 12’ floor-to-ceiling windows, which is very unusual in Florida. Wraparound balconies will allow for the continuation of the indoor/outdoor living environment. 

Construction for Grove at Grand Bay is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2012 and is slated for completion in the third quarter of 2014. While many locals believe they will miss the old Grand Bay building, others are looking forward to what the future will hold.

Pinecrest Gardens: Coral Gables Paradise

A lush 20-acre, municipal park, Pinecrest Gardens is a spectacular example of Coral Gables real estate. Comprised of natural streams, sinkholes, caves, fissures and more than 1,000 varieties of exotic plants and palm trees, this dramatic landscape is a breathtaking tropical paradise.

Pinecrest Gardens dates back to the 1930s and the private vision of Austrian born, feed and supply store owner Franz Scherr, who wanted to build a piece of Coral Gables real estate where birds could “fly free.” In keeping with this goal, he rented twenty acres of hammock land for $25.00 a year and dug a winding trail through the coral rock, leaving the natural flora untouched. This effort became the Parrot Jungle, a world-famous tourist attraction visited by such notables as Sir Winston Churchill and others of his ilk.

The Parrot Jungle moved to Miami's Watson Island in 2002 and was later renamed Jungle Island. It became a municipal park in 2003 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011. Coral Gables real estate is rich in a botanical heritage that is celebrated, cultivated and conserved at Pinecrest Gardens.

The park at Pinecrest Gardens offers many things to many people. In addition to spectacular Botanical gardens, there is also a beautiful butterfly exhibit, swan lake, petting zoo, playground and splash and play area. The park is also home to an annual fine arts festival.

The sustainable management of the public garden illustrates a commitment to nature in a way nothing else can. It enriches the lives of all who pass through it with its silent message of rebirth, rejuvenation and fragile beauty.

Pinecrest Gardens offers residents cultural enrichment in a magnificent setting. This prime piece of Coral Gables real estate is the ideal location for most special events, either private or corporate. Rentals are available to the general public but it is on a first come, first serve basis. This lush historical garden is situated in the heart of Pinecrest, within minutes of Coral Gables, South Miami, Coconut Grove, Palmetto Bay, and Cutler Bay.  

Pinecrest Gardens is a Coral Gables real estate property that offers many entertaining cultural venues. Apart from being one of the most beautiful outdoor gardens in the world, Jazz under the stars is a very popular event attended by many afficionados, both local and foreign.  Theater and classical concerts are very popular as well. A garden tour is a superb way to spend an afternoon as well as a visit to the green market where sustainable fruits and vegetables are sold fresh every day. 

Come to Pinehurst Gardens whether you are an owner of Coral Gables real estate or just a visitor passing through beautiful southern Florida.