From Brickell’s glimmering high rises to South Beach’s bright, turquoise waters, Miami offers something for everyone with a wide array of home styles. Situated between the shore and the mainland lies Bay Harbor, an island community conveniently located along the Broad Causeway. Being just removed from the hustle and bustle of North Beach’s Bal Harbour gives these lucky locals immediate access to some of the city’s finest shops, restaurants, and cocktail bars, without sacrificing the unmatched peace and quiet only found in quiet all-residential areas.
If you’re interested in Miami Beach real estate for sale at Bay Harbor, you’re in luck. Read on to learn more about the hidden gem on the northern side of the Miami Beach real estate market from Ivan Ramirez, one of the area’s top real estate experts.
Amazing luxury and amenities
When it comes to location, the Bay Harbor Islands boast one of the best in the city. Residents of these two exclusive, quiet islands are situated on Biscayne Bay within Indian Creek. The pristine sandy beaches of the eastern barrier island are a stone's throw away, as are some of the most luxurious boutiques and eateries in the city.
Alexander McQueen, Aquazzura, Balenciaga, Chanel, Valentino, and Versace are just a few of the super high-end fashion houses found along the swanky, palm tree-lined walkways within The Shops at Bal Harbour. Bal Harbour is also home to Hillstone, repeatedly ranked as America’s favorite restaurant by Bon Appétit. Here, you can dine in style while rubbing elbows with some of Miami’s greatest athletes, fashionistas, politicians, and other powerful figures. Bal Harbour is also home to a large Neiman Marcus, luxurious hotels and five-star spas, and convenient businesses to make everyday errands a breeze. A little closer to home, chic coffee shops, authentic eateries, and banks are conveniently found along Kane Concourse on the western of the two islands.
At the end of the day, residents rest quietly, knowing the night ahead will be peaceful. The Bay Harbor Islands are approximately 30 minutes north of South Beach and their sometimes-rowdy late-night happenings.
A quaint and quiet retreat, minutes away from it all
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The Bay Harbor Islands are situated between Miami’s eastern barrier island and Florida’s mainland, on Indian Creek and Biscayne Bay. The Broad Causeway to the west makes getting onto the mainland a breeze, and the Kane Concourse to the east puts Surfside Beach at your fingertips. However, these roadways are by far not the largest or most traveled ones connecting the city to the beach — the MacArthur Causeway, Kennedy Causeway, and Interstate 195 to the south are far busier.
Several homes along the water‘s edge of this low-traffic community are gated, allowing for peace of mind, giving more of a suburban feel than other Miami neighborhoods, with the best shopping, cuisine, and recreation the city has to offer just mere minutes away. Put simply, Bay Harbor has struck the perfect balance of suburban and city living without sacrificing too much from either side.
Limitless outdoor recreation
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World-renowned for its sandy shores perched upon the Atlantic Ocean boasting fluorescent hues of aquatic turquoise, residents of the Bay Harbor Islands are a short half-mile from Bal Harbour Beach. Here, guests can enjoy a seaside jog, sunbathe, feast on a picnic lunch, and step out into the ocean to cool off, all while avoiding the dense crowds which may be found just a bit more south.
Several waterfront homes are equipped with boat docks for a day out on the water, whether it be on Biscayne Bay or out on the open sea, easily accessible by the Bakers Haulover Inlet just northeast of the islands. Boat rental companies can be found on the islands and on the barrier island, with jet skis being another popular rental option.
The Bay Harbor Islands are also home to a number of parks. Across the two island’s seven parks, little ones can enjoy fun in the sun at the splash pad, four-legged friends can roam free at the 92nd Street Dog Park, and picnics are enjoyed beneath covered awnings after tennis matches. Several high-end hotels boasting rooftop pools overlooking the water are also found on the western island, many of which offer guest pool passes and other benefits for Florida residents.
Live the resort lifestyle year-round
The Bay Harbor Islands are home to several four and five-star resorts boasting the sleekest of finishes and most luxurious of amenities. In addition to poolside day passes and other great deals for Florida residents, such as free valet parking, locals are afforded the unique opportunity to live the resort lifestyle year-round.
The Altair, one of the very best hotels on the island, offers the most tranquil getaway with crisp, white interiors synonymous with Miami’s glamorous lifestyle, exquisite dining options with a myriad of kosher options available throughout the day, and one of the best pools surrounded by towering palm trees overlooking the bay. While poolside, guests can sip on tropical refreshments from the rooftop’s full bar. Not far away on the other side of the island, The Grand Beach Hotel is another excellent option offering a similar array of amenities positioned on over 200 feet of waterfront footage.
A high number of salons, spas, and med spas are located on the Kane Concourse where well-heeled locals can be seen pampering themselves and enjoying some serious self-care every day of the week. The Bay Harbor Islands are also a stone's throw from the Indian Creek Country Club. This high-end club is for members only, but those who manage to score a coveted invitation are afforded access to one of the most pristinely maintained golf courses and clubhouses in the nation.
Some of Miami’s most beautiful homes, of all sorts and sizes
With sparkling penthouses perched high above the bay, intelligently designed smart homes featuring all the latest trends, and renovation opportunities just waiting for your own personal touch, the homes for sale on the Bay Harbor Islands in Miami Beach real estate offer a plethora of luxury home options at various price points, for buyers from every stage in life.
In recent years, many homes from previous generations have been purchased and extensively renovated, or completely rebuilt, for the style and taste of the current day and age. The Onda Residences is one new condominium development located on the northeastern corner of the eastern island, offering lucky owners a unique and privileged lifestyle inspired by the best Miami has to offer. Italian interiors, fitness facilities featuring state-of-the-art equipment, valet parking and drop-off, and 24-hour concierge are just a few of the luxe amenities found at this coveted address. Another new addition to Bay Harbor is Alana Bay, a seven-story low-rise community consisting of just 30 units. This boutique condominium unit boasts a glamorous, yet minimalist, glass facade and modern interiors featuring Bosch appliances and Bluetooth technology throughout the home, with a rooftop oasis and pool serving as the community’s crown jewel.
While most condos, hotels, restaurants, and other businesses can be found on the eastern island, the western island is entirely made up of single-family homes, with public parks being the only non-residential sites. Here, the streets are quiet, mature palm trees line the avenues, and homes serve as a peaceful refuge from the bright lights of the big city.
Privileged and luxurious touches in every aspect of daily life
With its luxurious home sites, its waterfront location, and close proximity to the beach and other privileged luxuries, the Bay Harbor Islands are perhaps one of northern Miami’s best-kept secrets. Striking a seemingly impossible balance between a central location and a quiet suburban feel, this is one Miami neighborhood that proves you truly can have it all. Locals are afforded immediate access to high-end day spas, some of the best shopping on the east coast found within The Shops at Bal Harbour, and haute cuisine created by some of Miami’s most talented chefs just beyond your doorstep. One of the city's most quiet neighborhoods allows these lucky locals to retreat home at day's end to a peaceful, secure abode, perfectly situated in the midst of everything special south Florida has to offer.
With more than two decades of experience and over $2 billion in sales under his belt, there is hardly anyone more qualified to guide you through the Bay Harbor real estate market than Ivan Ramirez and Monica Sarmiento. As dedicated professionals, Ivan and Monica have served as the head of some of the area’s most high-profile projects, with stellar results. Contact Ivan Ramirez and Monica Sarmiento, and their team to make your move to the glamorous Bay Harbor Islands today.
*Header photo courtesy of Miami and Beaches
*Header photo courtesy of Miami and Beaches