Fine white sand, whimsical architecture of the 1920's and 1930's, pulsating nightlife along Washington Avenue and coconut farm? Yes, South Beach (SoBe) started as farm land in the late nineteenth century but today this area of Miami Beach from South Pointe Park, the southernmost tip, to 23rd Street is a major destination with hundreds of nightclubs, restaurants and sidewalk cafes perfect for people watching. Pastel colored Art Deco hotels line one of the top rated beaches in the world and several unique residential neighborhoods occupy less than two square miles.

South of Fifth (also known as SoFi) encompasses the area from the Atlantic Ocean to Biscayne Bay and south of Fifth Street to South Pointe overlooking Government Cut leading into the Port of Miami. Mostly residential, the area is home to many high-rise condominium developments like Icon South Beach, The Continuum, Portofino Tower, The Yacht Club and Murano at Portofino all offering resort style amenities and panoramic views. Other projects under development are Continuum II and The Related Group's Apogee. Dining establishments include the world famous Joe's Stone Crab, Smith and Wollensky's Steak House and China Grill. The scene continues with many upscale bars and the hot spots of Opium Garden and Prive.

North of Fifth Street there are other high-rise developments along Bay Road and West Avenue such as VITRI, Bentley Bay, The Waverly and The Floridian. You'll also find the neighborhood of Flamingo Park bordered by Alton Road to the west and Washington Avenue to the East. This community is home to one of South Beach's public parks with recreational facilities for tennis and basketball. To the north of this area is Lincoln Road, an open-air pedestrian thoroughfare featuring many shops, outdoor restaurants and a few nightclubs.

East of Washington and North of Fifth Street is the famous Ocean Drive lined with several prominent restaurants including Mango's, NewsCafe and the Clevelander and site of the former oceanfront mansion of Gianni Versace. The public beach and Lummus Park is also located here.

Traveling up Collins Avenue (A1A) past the upscale shops of Armani Exchange, Betsey Johnson and Nicole Miller and past the historic Art Deco hotels is the neighborhood of Collins Park across from the Miami Beach Convention Center and consisting mainly of low-rise art deco buildings built in the 1930's and 1950's. Gentrification is happening in this area with new developments like The Setai and the W Hotel & Residences.

South Beach is a chic urban center with numerous gourmet and casual dining places inspired by the cuisine from around the world; Cuban, Latin American, French, Italian and Chinese. Nightlife thrives to the early hours of the morning, crowds flock to the wide expanses of pristine beaches and residences suited to accommodate all tastes and desires exist. If you would like to buy, sell or lease a property in this area Ocean Crest Realty Group's professional staff would be glad to assist you.