Miami is Top Live-Work-Play Destination

Author:	Lucas Jones
Source:	Homes Discovered
Date:	March 24, 2006

Miami is one of the world's top "live-work-play" destinations due to new residential towers, a growing number of luxury hotels and a vibrant business climate. Among the steady flow of migrants are Fortune 500 corporate executives, sports and entertainment celebrities, successful entrepreneurs, and seasonal visitors coming to Miami-Dade for business or pleasure. "The buzz now is that Miami is hotter than ever," says William D. Talbert III, president and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB). "Miami is recognized as a fashion-forward destination, from its chic boutique and luxury hotels, to its cuisine and nightlife, to its many cultural offerings." Construction is now under way on Miami's uniquely designed Performing Arts Center which should be opening in 2006.  The Performing Arts Center will add to the community's cultural offerings.  Miami already has quite the arts scene with events like Art Basel Miami, Coconut Grove Arts Festival and the Miami International Film Festival, but the Performing Arts Center will also add to the artistic appeal. Visitors come from everywhere to experience Miami-Dade's diverse appeal as tourism has picked up from the post-9/11 slowdown. Last year Miami-Dade attracted more than 10.5 million visitors, including 4.8 million from Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe and Canada. A boom in high-end hotel construction has strengthened Miami's appeal to sophisticated travelers.  Some of Miami's new luxury hotels include the J.W. Marriott, Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental, as well as the Conrad Miami, Hilton's top-of-the-line brand, which opened last year on Brickell Avenue. Many repeat visitors have decided to purchase condo hotel units that serve as a home away from home.  Throughout Miami-Dade county, many new residential condos, loft and townhome projects, and apartment buildings being converted to condos are bringing many new home and lifestyle choices for potential buyers.  In Downtown Miami alone, an estimated 20,000-plus new multifamily units are under construction or are in the planning stages. More than half of the county's residents are foreign-born which reflects Miami's long-standing cultural ties to Latin America and the Caribbean.  Virtually every nation of the Americas--Venezuelans, Argentines, Brazilians, Colombians and a growing stream of Mexicans--is represented in Miami-Dade. The reason that Latin Americans are such a large part of this county is because of the close proximity to the different nations.  Immigrants are attracted to the economic opportunities as well as the strong cultural influence displayed in the city.  Many Latin Americans can enjoy everything Miami has to offer while conducting their lives as they would in their native countries. Since the 1970's the major appeal to international residents is its globally oriented business community. Because of Miami's strategic position, many multinational corporations, import-export companies, international banks and major law firms have long been attracted to the area. After hosting the Summit of the Americas in 1994, Miami has played a leading role as the site of hemispheric and regional free trade negotiations. As the economies of Latin America grow, Miami-Dade County will remain a global gateway for investment and trade throughout the region. And with its new hotels, residential condominiums, and visitor attractions, Miami will strengthen its position as one of the world's top live-work-play destinations.

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