Changes are coming to Coral Gables

Next year several remodeling projects for the city will be carried out. Coral Gable's future comes with towers pushing up against the limits of the city's famously stringent zoning rules, new hotels, hundreds of condos, apartment units, an array of offices, restaurants, public art and pedestrian-friendly developments.

The discussion about the renovation of Miracle Mile lasted for about three decades. Recently, the approval of local residents made the difference to go through with the modernization project. Within this project is also the renovation of neighboring Giralda Avenue.

Miracle Mile and Giralda Avenue streetscape project aimed to give a new face to the streets. An expansion of the sidewalks width will be made, making the streets a lively pedestrian-friendly area capable of luring new and diverse businesses, provide more space for bicycles by slightly narrowing auto travel lanes, and replacing angled street parking with parallel parking. Retractable bollards will make it easy to close the street for special events such as the popular Giralda Under the Stars. The development of this project will be done quickly and without interfering with normal business life since it will not be done all at once but gradually after the holiday season.

Among other projects is the Mediterranean Village at Ponce Circle, a project of more than 6 acres. In one of its areas it will have a greater height than the Biltmore Hotel, which has been the limit for the last 90 years. It is expected to result in an urbanistically cohesive, well-designed set of buildings; including a five-star hotel, a class A office building, two condo towers, 15 townhomes, a rooftop restaurant, public plazas and streets that will bring fresh commercial and pedestrian life to what has been a dead zone for too long.

Under the Mediterranean Village development, the city is also installing new bike lane routes and expanding its popular trolley-bus system.

Also, among new developments redefining Coral Gables is this project that involves replacing the old Holiday Inn with two towers; a 13-story residential building and a 10-story hotel. The project would feature shops and restaurants on the ground floor and a pedestrian passage connecting to the adjoining neighborhood.  It will activate the corner of U.S. 1 and Caballero with transit-oriented development, which includes the green space that the 0.5-acre Paseo will provide.

This is not even the beginning; there are still many projects in the city develoment pipeline. However, not all the contemplated projects will actually get built or go as big as proposed, since they must meet the strict zoning rules of the city. 

Small Tea – Coral Gables Newest Tea Room

Whenever anyone from the UK has something that is consuming their thoughts or day, they typically like to “have a cup of tea” while they figure things out.  They always have tea in the afternoon and at night.  For them, tea is a part of their daily existence.

This tradition seems to have come across the Atlantic.  Although tea is now touted as a miracle elixir for the body, it is also very relaxing to sit down and have a cup of tea.  And there is no place better to have that tea than at Small Tea in Coral Gables.

Small Tea is a relatively new café on Aragon Avenue just off Ponce de Leon Boulevard and only a block off the Miracle Mile.  It is a modern twist on a classic tea room that offers a wide selection of popular and rare teas as well as a delicious menu filled with breakfast, lunch desserts and snack options that go perfectly with their teas.  From the basics like English Breakfast Tea to an absolute decadent Matcha tea, there is something for everyone. 

One of the most appealing features of Small Tea is the way that people simply want to go there.  In addition to simply serving tea and food, they have board games and cards so that people can enjoy an hour (and buy more tea) relaxing with a game of Scrabble or a good game of Gin Rummy.  There is also a smelling bar where anyone can smell different teas to help decide which one to choose. 

Coral Gables has an eclectic feel to it where people love to come and meander around the Miracle Mile.  Small Tea adds the perfect ambiance to the neighborhood either as a way to start your day or a little late afternoon pick me up to finish the day.

Much of the charm of living in the Gables is that everything is within walking distance.  Whether living in a close by neighborhood or in a condominium, being able to walk everywhere makes living here so enjoyable. 

Condominiums feature a broad spectrum of list prices from those starting in the low to mid-$200s at the David William Hotel/Condo to well over $1 million at Segovia Tower.  Mid-priced condos like Coral Gables Tower, 55 Merrick and others offer properties from the mid-$300s and to the mid-$700s or higher. 

As for Coral Gables single-family home neighborhoods, there are several within walking distance (a little more than a block or two).  Most list prices start in the mid-$300s and climb to the multi-millions. 

Small Tea caters to tea lovers of which many live in the Miami-Dade area.  The reviews are stellar – locals love that there is a great place to get tea in Coral Gables. One local said that Smart Tea is “A petite dim lighted place near a corner in Ponce de Leon, not in the mainstream avenue, but in a place that at first sight could look as behind the action, just nailed it” when rating it on Yelp.  

The café is also bringing people out from Miami who want to sit and, you guessed it – have a cup of tea saying that   “OK, this is probably the coolest place that has opened up in Coral Gables in years!!!”

If you love tea and have not been to Small Tea, make sure you visit.  We promise you will come back almost every day!