Shopping Florida Homes and Retail Malls

Boca Raton, Florida - The premier Italian watchmaker expands in sunny in South Florida. Officine Panerai, which is a leading Italian luxury watchmaker, has recently opened two South Florida locations. These Retail stores are located in Bal Harbour Shops and on Worth Avenue in Palm Beach. This makes three Panerai locations in South Florida already. The Boca Raton Homes For Sale staff saw the boutique in Mizner Park of our Boca Raton. Both of the newly opened boutiques offer a selection of limited edition watches. There are only five locations in the U.S., with stores in Los Angeles and New York City.

South Florida Will Have 20 New Condo Towers

There are 20 condominium towers currently being proposed in South Florida. These condo Towers will include two downtown locations and another in South Beach. The 20 towers could have as many as 4,000 units in the area east of I-95. The moves come in part from a surge in foreign buyers prepared to pay with cash. The first condo tower near the coast to assemble a crane for vertical development is the 23 Biscayne Boulevard project in Miami. Miami Condos are a welcome change for many foreign Investors from Venezuela.

New Retail Tenants at Bal Harbour Shops

The Bal Harbour Shops Several new luxury tenants are debuting at the Bal Harbour Shops. These retail tenants include Breguet, CH Carolina Herrera, Panerai and Stella McCartney, with more on the way. The moves follow the high-profile departures of several retailers, including Louis Vuitton and Cartier; Hermes will also leave next year. It’s always been important for Bal Harbour Shops to maintain the allure of luxury. The exclusivity has always defined the Miami Shopping scene. Louis Vuitton is set to open a location in Miami’s Design District in 2014, after opening a branch at the Aventura Mall this year. The Design District is a work in progress that could end up being successful in a different kind of way.

The History Of Bal Harbour Shops

In 1965 when owner/developer Stanley Whitman opened the first exclusive high-fashion shopping center, on what had been the site of a World War II army barracks, retail experts scoffed at Bal Harbour Shops upscale store mix. At that time the norm was to mix essential service tenants such as grocery and hardware stores with retail. And with the advent of air conditioning sweeping the nation, enormous enclosed malls were being built at breakneck speed. Bucking this popular trend in shopping center development, Bal Harbour Shops was designed to celebrate the balmy beauty of South Florida. Ideally situated between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay in the affluent village of Bal Harbour, the lushly landscaped, open-air mall didn't look or feel like any other center in America.

 Affluent Village of Bal Harbour and Paris Style Boutiques

From the beginning Bal Harbour Shops was successful largely due to Whitman's determination in persuading Neiman Marcus to open their first specialty department store outside its native Texas and in luring designer boutiques that previously could only be found along the Champs-Elysee in Paris pre-opening brochure rendering or New York's Fifth Avenue. Attracted by the immediate success of Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue became Bal Harbour's second anchor store in 1976.

Tranquil Green Oasis With Shopping Near The Ocean

Recognized as the forerunner of luxury shopping mall developers, with many "firsts" in the industry, Stanley Whitman was considered something of a maverick. He was the first developer in the country to charge for parking; to restrict illuminated signage on store fronts and to create a "green oasis" of tranquility within the shops walkways. Traditional centers planned for horizontal expansion, while Bal Harbour was planned for vertical growth with the addition of the second level of stores in 1982.

Miami Real Estate News

Miami, Florida - We are pleased to inform Florida that the Midtown Project in Miami has sold 39 units in two weeks. The 2 Midtown property in Miami has sold 39 of its remaining 61 units in two weeks, according to Fortune International, which is marketing the condominium tower. The sales include a penthouse unit that sold for $1.5 million. Most buyers are paying all cash, although Fortune is offering a mix of financing options for some units at the project, which is just south of 36th Street in downtown Miami. The Fortune CEO Edgardo Defortuna has mentioned their Company's strategy for this Miami property to increase sales.

Midtown Miami Condominiums For Sale

The building’s assembly of spatial distinctions is married via the common areas -- its lobbies, pool, and fitness center. An internalized parking scheme removes cars from the street face, enhances pedestrian-friendliness, and integrates issues of access and security. As the flagship building in an entirely new downtown neighborhood, 2 Midtown is designed to mirror the urban plan of the “new city.” Zyscovich created a singular design whose parts convey different ways of living in terms of type, scale, and relationship to the street. A variety of types of residential and live/work units allows for professionals such as designers, artists, or architects to live in the same building as their offices or studios or to be within walking distance of them. more

Architects For Miami Real Estate Projects

Founded in 1977, Zyscovich Architects currently has over 90 employees hailing from more than 26 different countries. With a “concept to keys” approach, the firm offers an integrated practice of urban planning, architecture, and interior design. This collaboration of services enables us to provide a streamlined and cohesive solution that takes our client all the way from the inception of an idea, to the presentation of the keys to the front door.

Architect Bernard Zyscovich Pleases Miami Condo Buyers

President and Managing Partner Bernard Zyscovich, FAIA, has been probing the parameters of design innovation for more than 30 years. A dedicated preservationist and urbanist, he has served in numerous community leadership roles including Chairmanship of the Miami Design Preservation League, the organization responsible for the historic designation of the Miami Beach Art Deco District; Presidency of the Miami Chapter of the American Institute of Architects; and co-sponsorship of South Florida’s first Tropical Green Conference. Mr. Zyscovich’s writing on architecture and urban design has been published widely in numerous magazines. His book, Getting Real About Urbanism, was published by the Urban Land Institute in October of 2008. Mr. Zyscovich received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from Pratt Institute in 1971.

Midtown Miami Residential Real Estate and Retail

Midtown Miami brings together a true urban feel. The Miami area has seen its demographics grow over the past two years as it offers fantastic living and investment opportunities. The area has become a lively neighborhood embracing contemporary-design condominiums, street-level stores, cafes, restaurants, furniture stores and art galleries. The neighborhood welcomes large retailers such as Target, West Elm and Loehman’s. Looking for Miami Real Estate and getting hungry? No problem as newly opened trendy-looking restaurants such as Mercadito and Sugarcane are ready for your appetite.

Miami Condominium Prices Jump Up

Miami condo prices have increased about 46% however sales are slow. Miami residential prices posted strong positive gains for the fourth month in a row in March, with the median condominium sales price rising 46 percent compared to the same period in 2011. According to a recent report from the Miami Association of Realtors, the median sales price also rose, increasing 13%.

Miami Real Estate News On Condos

Some Miami Real Estate specialists expect this trend to continue, as Miami increasingly attracts international buyers and investors. Also there are People shopping for, second homes and vacation homes. These buyers are U.S. residents and Foreign Investors, Along with the drastic price increase came a drop in transactions, however. Sales of existing single-family homes in Miami-Dade County dropped 12 percent in March, and sales of condos fell 10.1 percent in the same period.

Boca Raton Restaurants and Homes

Boca Raton, Florida - Many People move to Boca Raton to experience the great way of living for Florida. Boca Raton has its fair share of retail, shopping malls, events and restaurants. The Boca Raton Homes for sale are scattered throughout the southern most portion of Palm Beach County. The waterfront Homes and Condominiums are plentiful. On that subject of real estate, the mortgage rates are still extremely low so it is the time for many to purchase real estate.

South Florida Businesses Expand in the Retail and Restaurant Sectors

As mentioned by many local Boca Raton Real Estate experts, South Florida is still a hotspot for Northerners to move to. One bit of good news is concerning the Yard House. The Yard House which is a very popular hops happy chain, has signed a deal to build in Boca Raton. This new Palm Beach County Yard House will make many Boca Raton Residents pleased as before they had to drive to Palm Beach Gardens to sample the eclectic menu.

Mizner Park in Boca Raton Continues to Prosper Even With Changes

The Yard House will be preparing to a open a restaurant in the former Cartoon Museum at Mizner Park in Boca Raton. This is what the area needed, a new restaurant entering the former Cartoon Museum space in Mizner Park. This was place for children in Boca Raton yet now will be a favorite for Adults. The Community Redevelopment Agency as of recently unanimously approved a resolution that would allow Yard House USA to open a restaurant in the building. This will happen regardless of what happens to the troubled Mizner Park Cultural Arts Association.

California Based Business Spreads Out in Boca Raton Florida

Jeff Uttz, executive VP and CFO of the Irvine, California based restaurant chain, said the company is “bullish” on South Florida. “We are excited about it and think that, with the existing mix of restaurants, we will blend in well,” he said. Newman thinks it'll help bring the neighborhood, rather than the other way around. "The quality, high standards and discipline will make the other restaurants take notice and sharpen their game,” he said. Yard House continues its expansion with a location opening in June in Boca's Mizner Park.

South Beach Businesses Develop in Boca Raton Florida

Red, The Steakhouse is opening in Boca Raton. Red, The Steakhouse's Boca Raton location, which in turn desires to mimic the success of its South Beach by way of numerous Cleveland locations. New steakhouses and restaurants pop up almost every day in South Florida according to Meat Eaters. Many Boca Raton Homes For Sale staff members are huge fans of steak and any beef cooked correctly. The Owners of Red, The Steakhouse believe what sets them apart from the competition and keeps their guests coming back is their mission. That mission is to offer the highest caliber service and cuisine that has become synonymous with the Red brand.

More Great Restaurants For Boca Raton Homeowners

There is a Rosso Italia, Red's Italian Sibling moving to Boca Raton also. Opening right next door to the Steakhouse is Rosso Italia. Red's Italian sister will prepare hand made pastas, brick-oven pizzas, and grilled meats and fish by chef Jonathan Bennett. They have experienced a successful restaurant opening in South Beach four years ago, so they are eager to continue with an expansion. Lucky for Boca Raton Homeowners, South Florida.is a perfect market for this brand of Rosso Italia. They will premier for a sophisticated and stylish audience eager for quality and consistency.

Housing Affordability and Boca Raton Real Estate News

Boca Raton, Florida - Anybody taking into consideration an investment in Florida Real estate should take into account the south east portion of Palm Beach County. Specifically consider Boca Raton Homes and Delray Beach Condominiums. It appears The People from the North are heading there. The Boca Raton area has stunning weather, and the retail and restaurants sector is booming. There are plenty of sources for Florida Homeowners Insurance also.

Housing Affordability Reaches New Records

Housing affordability rose to a record high during the fourth quarter of 2011, which means a home buyer’s purchasing power is greater than it ever has been before, according to the National Association of Home Builders - Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index.

Boca Raton Real Estate News

The index showed that 75.9 percent of all new and existing homes sold in the fourth quarter were affordable to families earning the national median income of $64,200, according to the index. That marks the highest percentage recorded in the index’s 20-year history.

Home Ownership and Boca Raton Florida Condos

"While today's report indicates that home ownership is within reach of more households than it has been for more than two decades, overly restrictive lending conditions confronting home buyers and builders remain significant obstacles to many potential homes sales, even with interest rates at historically low levels," says Barry Rutenberg, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders.

Most Affordable Cities to Purchase Real Estate

According to the index, the most affordable major housing market was Youngstown - Warren-Boardman, Ohio, in which 95 percent of all homes sold during the fourth quarter were affordable to households earning the median family income of $54,900, according to the index.

Other top affordable housing markets include: Lakeland - Winter Haven, Fla.; Modesto, Calif.; Harrisburg - Carlisle, Pa.; and Toledo, Ohio. Also ranking at the top of the most affordable major housing markets, are areas in Indiana, Illinois and Alaska.

Among smaller housing markets, the most affordable was Kokomo, Ind., where 99.2 percent of homes sold during the fourth quarter of 2011 were affordable to families earning the median income of $59,100. Other smaller housing markets at the top of the index included Fairbanks, Alaska; Cumberland, Maryland - West Virginia; Lima, Ohio; and Rockford, Illinois.

Least Affordable Cities for Home Ownership

However, some metro areas still remain too pricey for buyers. The least affordable major housing market during the fourth quarter was New York - White Plains - Wayne, N.Y.- N.J., in which 29 percent of all homes sold were affordable to those earning the area's media income of $67,400.

Higher Priced Metropolitan Ares for Home Ownership

Other high-priced metro areas at the bottom of the affordability index include: Honolulu; San Francisco - San Mateo - Redwood City, Calif.; Santa Ana - Anaheim -Irvine, Calif.; and Los Angeles - Long Beach-Glendale, California. We realize Orange County California is a beautiful area yet is expensive with the cost of living.

Do Boca Raton Homes For Sale Fit the Budget

Ocean City, N.J., where 47.5 percent of the homes were affordable to families earning the median income of $70,100, was the least affordable of the smaller metro housing markets in the country during the fourth quarter.

Affordable Housing Real Estate News and Housing Affordability Index

The housing affordability index measures whether or not a typical family could qualify for a mortgage loan on a typical home. Many Buyers and analysts will check monthly national data, quarterly national data for all buyers and for first-time buyers, and annual data for the 155 metropolitan areas also covered in the metropolitan median price series of research.