Today, Miami’s Downtown neighborhood may be one of the world’s great cosmopolitan centers, but even just a few years ago, the area was a ghost town by nightfall. According to Sonia Figueroa, Senior VP for development powerhouse Related Group, “Offices would close, and a mass exodus would begin, with thousands commuting to residential areas like Coral Gables or Brickell. By 5 o’clock the streets would be totally deserted. It’s incredible to see how things have changed.” 

This transformation has been years in the making, requiring significant investments across countless sectors. “There wasn’t a single catalyst,” adds Figueroa. “It was many different things coming together that really drove the change. The opening of the Brightline’s MiamiCentral Station, the progress on Miami Worldcenter and, of course, the huge influx of corporations and new residents from across the country, all became a kind of perfect storm.” 

The data backs up the idea of a seemingly overnight transformation, with a recent report from Miami DDA showing a 40 percent surge in population in the downtown area since 2010 – and a 56 percent increase since 2000. 

Often the best-attuned to neighborhood trends, Miami’s developers were among the first to recognize just how quickly the area was changing. And the residential demand that would soon come.  

According to Figueroa, “Downtown Miami always had incredible potential. It’s right by the bay, it’s seconds from our best museums, our stadium, transportation options – everything. The only thing missing was residential product that could live up to those kinds of surroundings.” 

Where old, dilapidated buildings once stood, now live dozens of sleek condominiums, trendy restaurants and bars and an ample selection of retail boutiques. In fact, rental inventory in Downtown Miami has more than doubled since 2012. More than 5,900 apartments have been completed in the last two years, and another 5,900 units are under construction. 

Developers like Related Group are betting big on the future of the so-called “New Downtown.” In 2021 alone, the company announced plans for three luxury condo towers in the neighborhood, including District 225 and The Crosby – two short-term-rental-ready projects – and Casa Bella Residences by B&B Italia, a project Related believes will speak to Miami’s growing numbers of high-design aficionados. 

Built in partnership with Alta Developers, the 55-story condo looks to take a significantly more upscale approach than its neighbors, especially when it comes to its interior and exterior designs. The property is the first residential partnership for famed Italian design house B&B Italia, known around the world for its high-end collaborations with brands like Rolex, Hermès, and Rolls-Royce.  

The project’s approach to amenities is another indicator of its high-end focus. “We wanted to offer something for every lifestyle,” says Figueroa, lead developer on the project. “Entertainers will have many indoor and outdoor lounges at their disposal. Fitness and wellness enthusiasts will be able to enjoy a world-class fitness center and spa. As for those residents who love to soak up the sun, the renowned landscape designer Enzo Enea created a breathtaking pool deck complete with private cabanas and a poolside bar.”  

During the project’s launch in late 2021, Related President Jon Paul Pérez said, "We are in the middle of one of the most robust markets in Related’s history, a trend we expect will pick up further with the launch of Casa Bella.” And indeed, it did. Just weeks after launch, Casa Bella has already accumulated over $100 million in reservations. 

While still early on in its reimagining, the overwhelming demand for residential units in Downtown Miami has made one thing clear: the neighborhood is ready for its moment in the sun. 

Units at Casa Bella by B&B Italia range from $650,000 to $3.7 million for non-penthouse floorplans. For more information or to arrange a tour of the sales gallery, please visit CasaBellaResidences.com or call 305-290-1008.

This article was produced in partnership with Related Group