Craig Robins led the design revolution in the area by purchasing a number of run-down buildings and prodding famous designers including Holly Hunt, Alison Spear and Peter Page to move into the neighborhood.
Getting around town and nearby neighborhoods is convenient. Design District Miami is only 15 minutes away by car from Miami International Airport. South Beach is only 15 minutes away while American Airlines Arena is only less than 10 minutes away from the neighborhood.
Transportation around Design District includes City of Miami Trolley Biscayne-Brickell route, Metrobus, and Miami Metrorail at the Allapattah.
Design District is famous for its renovated warehouse displays that feature state of the art furniture and international sculptures. The streets of Design District have art galleries, décor showrooms, fine fashion boutiques, and some of the best restaurants and cafes in Miami.
Showrooms and art galleries are the soul of the Design District and some of them include Aravelo Gallery, de la Cruz Collection Contemporary Art Space, Locust Projects, Maman Fine Art, Opera Gallery and Swamspace.
Design District is also home to the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) that encourages the exchange of art ideas and promotes the works of contemporary artists.
The neighborhood is also a favorite among brand-name fashion that some of the most exclusive labels first seen in Design District. Today, the district is home to 70 stores, with 60 more opening by 2017. The art and fashion district is home to a number of flagship stores including Tom Ford, Hermes, Christian Louboutin, Celine, Louis Vuitton and Prada. The three-story Hermes store measures 13,000 square feet and is the third U.S. flagship after Rodeo Drive and Madison Avenue.
Design District is awaiting the opening of 40 more stores come 2017. Shops include Aesop, Creed, Dior, Be Miami, Dolce & Gabbana, Isabel Marant, Tory Burch, Yves Saint-Laurent and Van Cleef & Arpels to name a few.
For a more tropical shopping experience, the popular upscale Bal Harbour Shops is only a 25-minute drive away from Design District.
True to its trendy spirit, Design District invites crowds to visit its Art & Design Night every second Saturday of the month.
