Situated south of the Miami River, Brickell is Miami’s bustling financial district packed with glistening high-rise buildings and luxury condos. But there’s more to Brickell than just business and banking.
With its cosmopolitan vibe, diverse dining scene, and vibrant nightlife, Brickell embodies everything that makes Miami such a dynamic global city. Keep reading to discover exactly what Brickell is known for and why it deserves a spot on your Miami itinerary.
A Forest of Glittering High-Rises
Without a doubt, one of the things Brickell is best known for is its iconic skyline dominated by towering high-rise condos, office buildings, and hotels. In fact, Brickell has the largest concentration of international banks in the United States besides New York City.
Some of the neighborhood’s most recognizable skyscrapers include:
- Four Seasons Hotel Miami – 64-story, 789 foot luxury hotel and condo tower
- Panorama Tower – 85-story mixed-use building, tallest in Florida at 868 feet
- Brickell City Centre – $1.05 billion mixed-use development with luxury shopping and condos
- Brickell Flatiron – 64-story luxury condo building with distinctive triangular shape
Brickell’s modern skyscrapers exist side-by-side with historic art deco apartment buildings like The Palace and Atlantis Condominium, remnants of the neighborhood’s early days.
As you stroll the streets of Brickell, be sure to admire both the sleek contemporary high-rises and preserved 1920s architecture.
Financial Hub of the Americas
In addition to its iconic skyline, Brickell is known as Miami and South Florida’s major financial district. Some even refer to it as the “Wall Street of the South.”
Domestic and international banks flocked to Brickell due to Miami’s prime location as a gateway between North and South America. Major banks headquartered in Brickell include Espírito Santo Bank, City National Bank, and Premier American Bank.
Besides banking, Brickell houses many foreign consulates and trade offices that conduct business throughout the Americas. Brickell is also emerging as a hub for the financial technology (fintech) industry.
For businesses looking to expand into Latin America and the Caribbean, Brickell provides an ideal base with its multilingual workforce and proximity to these key regions.
Luxury Hotels, Residences and Shopping
Brickell is synonymous with luxury living, drawing wealthy residents and visitors from around the world.
Luxury hotels in Brickell cater to discerning business travelers and vacationers alike. Some highlights include:
- Four Seasons Hotel – 5-star hotel with award-winning spa and restaurants
- Mandarin Oriental – Forbes 5-star hotel located in Brickell Key
- EAST, Miami – Boutique hotel with rooftop pool and bar
Brickell’s glittering high-rises also contain some of Miami’s most exclusive condominiums. Waterfront residences boast breathtaking views and amenities like private gyms and rooftop pools.
For deep-pocketed shoppers, Brickell offers world-class retail at Brickell City Centre. This $1.05 billion mixed-use complex contains an upscale shopping mall anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue, luxury cinema, restaurants, office towers, and residences.
Vibrant Dining Scene
Brickell’s cosmopolitan population has also cultivated a diverse culinary scene to rival Miami’s top foodie neighborhoods. From casual cafes to fine dining marquee restaurants, Brickell takes you on a journey around the globe one bite at a time.
Some of the top restaurants and cuisines represented include:
- Casa Tua – Upscale Italian in a romantic courtyard setting
- Pubbelly – Inventive Asian-Latin fusion and sushi
- Blue Ribbon – Sister eatery to the NYC favorite, serving eclectic American
- Komodo – Trendy pan-Asian hot spot for sushi and shared plates
- Perricone’s – Classic Italian-American red sauce joint
- Azul – Cuban-inspired rooftop restaurant with views
Of course, everything from steakhouses to Mexican to burgers and pizza are plentiful to suit any craving.
Bars, Lounges and Nightlife
Once the workday wraps up, Brickell transforms into a lively nightlife scene. Young professionals and financiers unwind with craft cocktails at upscale lounges and dance the night away at open-air clubs.
Some of the top nightlife destinations in Brickell include:
- Sugar Rooftop Bar – 40th floor rooftop bar with panoramic city views
- Blackbird Ordinary – Classic cocktails and prohibition-style Brickell watering hole
- El Patio Wynwood – Laid back beer garden vibe with backyard games
- Centro – Trendy open-air bar on South Miami Ave
- Whisky Tango Foxtrot – Speakeasy hidden behind a revolving bookcase
- Club 50 Brickell – Ultra-luxe nightclub occupying the 50th floor penthouse
Patrons dress to impress as DJs spin and drinks flow late into the night. For a wild night out in Miami, Brickell delivers.
Green Spaces and Recreation
Nestled between the urban jungle of high-rises, Brickell offers pleasant green spaces to relax.
Brickell Key is an oasis just across the iconic Brickell Avenue Bridge. Stroll scenic walking trails, admire views of downtown, and spot iguanas sunbathing.
Simpson Park offers a quiet retreat right in the heart of Brickell with benches under soaring ficus trees. Yoga in the Park takes place on Saturday mornings.
For recreation, locals head to the YMCA for a workout or the Brickell CityCentre Climate Ribbon to enjoy a unique elevated trellis with dining and entertainment.
Nearby Museum Park provides breathing room on the waterfront with walking paths, public art, lawns, and Pérez Art Museum Miami.
Transportation Hub
Brickell’s central location makes it a major transportation hub. Public transit and major highways connecting to all corners of Miami converge here.
The Metrorail and Metromover systems offer easy access around downtown and to the suburbs. Trolleys, buses, and the upcoming Brightline train service also utilize Brickell transit centers.
Meanwhile, I-95, I-395, and the 826 Palmetto Expressway are right next door providing north-south routes. The Brickell and Rickenbacker Causeways link to Key Biscayne and Miami Beach east-west.
For air travel, Miami International Airport sits just 8 miles from Brickell making domestic and international flights convenient.
Culture and Performing Arts
Beyond business, Brickell also cultivates arts and culture. The neighborhood provides easy access to many of Miami’s top cultural institutions.
The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts is a must-see modern venue for Broadway shows, concerts, opera, and local performances.
Across Biscayne Bay, the Pérez Art Museum Miami impresses with its progressive contemporary art exhibits overlooking the water.
Every December, Brickell comes alive with entertainment during Miami Art Week, culminating in the prestigious Art Basel Miami fair held next door in Midtown.
Parks and Recreation
Although densely developed, Brickell offers some scenic parks and recreation.
Brickell Key is a congenial green oasis just across the Brickell Avenue Bridge. unwind with water views and strolls under swaying palms.
Simpson Park provides a pocket of tranquility amidst the bustling financial district. Locals find respite under the shade of soaring ficus trees.
Nearby Museum Park is an open 10-acre space downtown offering a lawn, walking trails, public art, and Pérez Art Museum access.
For indoor recreation, the YMCA in the heart of Brickell provides workout facilities, classes, and a pool to stay active.
Growing Tech Hub
Beyond banking and finance, Brickell is strengthening its reputation as a hub for technology and innovation.
As Miami’s startup scene blossoms, Brickell provides tech companies an attractive home base given its amenities and strategic location. Co-working spaces like WeWork and Brickell City Centre’s Cowork accommodate entrepreneurs and remote workers.
International tech giants like Microsoft and Mastercard already maintain Latin American headquarters in Brickell. Meetups and networking events unite the tech community.
Educational institutions are also fueling Brickell’s tech growth. Nearby downtown Miami’s Cambridge Innovation Center supports emerging tech ventures. Just across the river, Miami Dade College’s School of Engineering trains tech talent.
With its melting pot of cultures and business-friendly environment, Brickell is poised to drive Miami’s rise as a global technology hotspot.
Growing Residential Neighborhood
Though known as Miami’s business center, Brickell is increasingly growing into a desirable residential neighborhood as well.
Brickell offers residents walkability, abundant amenities, and quick commutes given its dense mixed-use development. The neighborhood provides easy access to dining, entertainment, Biscayne Bay, and downtown.
New luxury residential towers continue rising to meet demand from young professionals, families, and affluent snowbirds drawn to the Brickell lifestyle. Amenities at Brickell high-rises span rooftop terraces, infinity pools, theatres, and fitness centers.
Brickell’s central location also connects residents conveniently to other Miami neighborhoods and Miami International Airport just 8 miles away.
Dog-Friendly Community
Unlike trendy South Beach, Brickell stands out as a dog-friendly community. Many of its parks, residential buildings, and outdoor restaurants accommodate dogs.
Simpson Park contains designated off-leash and on-leash areas for dogs along with waste stations. Pampered pups will also enjoy visiting Brickell’s pet boutiques and grooming salons.
Events like Yappy Hour at sidewalk cafes and doggie socials at condo buildings provide fun gatherings for furry residents to socialize. Brickell fur parents can easily walk their four-legged friends or find pet care through apps like Wag.
For households with dogs, Brickell’s welcoming pet culture makes it an ideal Miami neighborhood to call home.
Annual Events
Beyond its daily hustle and bustle, Brickell hosts exciting annual events that infuse the business-focused neighborhood with fun.
The Brickell Run Club Annual Races take over the neighborhood with 5K and 10K running events and post-race parties. Runners enjoy stunning skyline views along the route.
During Miami Spice restaurant month, Sizzle Miami sizzles up Brickell with multicultural music, dance performances, pop up shops, and dining promotions.
Festival De La Calle Ocho celebrates Cuban culture each March along SW 8th Street in neighboring Little Havana. Brickell’s location provides easy access to the street festival’s food, music and flair.
These lively happenings add to the invigorating energy that makes Brickell such a dynamic corner of Miami.
Strategic Location
One of Brickell’s best selling points is simply its strategic location at Miami’s core. The neighborhood acts as a gateway connecting many popular areas.
To the north, Brickell seamlessly blends into bustling downtown Miami – an easy walk across the Miami River. Brickell Avenue becomes Biscayne Boulevard, lined with attractions like the Pérez Art Museum Miami.
Eastward, the Brickell and Rickenbacker Causeways provide direct links to Miami Beach and Key Biscayne across the bay. Travel between the beaches and Brickell is quickly accomplished by car, public transit or scenic bike rides.
Just south, Brickell borders Miami’s vibrant Latin American enclaves – Little Havana and Coral Gables. Experiencing Cuban and Hispanic culture is as easy as a quick Uber ride away.
For air travel, Miami International Airport sits just 8 miles from Brickell making domestic and global access convenient.
Brickell’s central location truly lets visitors and residents enjoy the best of Miami.
Final Thoughts
In a city famed for sun and sand, Brickell often gets overlooked by tourists seeking only Miami’s beaches. But to ignore Brickell would mean missing out on what makes Miami a world-class cosmopolitan destination.
Beyond its glittering financial district, Brickell reveals a vibrant neighborhood pulsing with culture, cuisine, recreation and amenities. From cloud-piercing architecture to people-watching cafes to events like Festival De La Calle Ocho, Brickell distills Miami’s exotic energy into a compact pedestrian-friendly area.
Next time you visit Miami, save time to stroll the atmospheric streets of Brickell and experience the city’s alluring blend of ambition, style and global diversity. Just brace yourself for sore neck – you’ll constantly be gazing up at Brickell’s awe-inspiring skyline!
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