[Paul305]

Enjoy.

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[Xing]

Geezus! That's insane. I'm keeping my eye on Miami.

[Lakelander]

Great pics. I can't wait to see what all the tower activity will do for the core at street level.

[beanhead4529]

the rate of construction is crazy! up, up, and away!

[jeremai]

Great set of pics. I played my usual trick and asked my wife where she thought the first photo was from. She said Dubai of course.

[900BiscayneGuy]

Fantastic!!!!! Would love to see more detail shots of Marina Blue and 900.

[Paul305]

Here are some more close ups of the Biscayne Wall towers. Not much of Marina Blue though, sorry.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/210/493309271_ee05a3f16c_b.jpg

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[chris]

woww what's fuueling all the construction? Do that many people want to live in Downtown Miami?

[Complex01]

I would like to live there. What great shots. I can never get enough of Miami. Its looking really good. Im sure with all these condos the core is really going to come alive with people all over the place. Great shots...

:yes:

[bobdreamz]

fantastic update Paul!

[djvandrake]

Holy guacamole! I didn't realize there was so much going up in Miami. Great pictures. :)

[SteveD]

Miami is insane right now. That has to be the second most tower cranes in the air in the World, behind only Dubai. I second a prior poster's question....who's buying up all of that? Is it foreign investment??

[kevin22]

wow cool, i am new here by the way

[hoosier]

Even with all of this construction there are so many vacant or underutilized lots that can house the towers of the next residential boom in Miami!!:slob:

[janiko]

Hello everyone....I'm new here...very nice pics

[arbeiter]

Who's buying these apartments?

[denveraztec]

Great photos! Curious if is true that many developers overestimated the real estate market in downtown Miami and are over building? Hopefully that is not the case but Forbes is saying that real estate investors are loosing big on all of the new buildings? Whatever the case, Miami is looking good and I know I will continue to visit!

[excel]

miami is boosting

[Jularc]

:hyper: It is so Fascinating to see all this construction boom in Miami.

[brickell]

Great photos! Curious if is true that many developers overestimated the real estate market in downtown Miami and are over building? Hopefully that is not the case but Forbes is saying that real estate investors are loosing big on all of the new buildings? Whatever the case, Miami is looking good and I know I will continue to visit!

Most of, if not all, of the buildings were presold. I don't think the developers care one way or the other after that. I think the investor angle is overplayed. Some are surely losing money, but it doesn't seem to have affected the market as some had speculated. I think the second home market for South Americans plays and Europeans is an overlooked factor. Don't underestimate the locals though. We're out of land down here and home prices are already through the roof. Living downtown, once unthinkable, is becoming fashionable now.

[sfcity1]

Wow, so much construction. Have crane will travel is what miami is about:cheers: .

[chris]

With so many Condo Towers being built, one has to wonder if there will be any room left for Office Tower developement in Miami's Downtown within the next couple of years.

[James2390]

So much going on! Great pictures.

I'd love to head down to Miami this summer.

[JasonBerns]

I work in the downtown area of Miami and have found a lot of new construction that looks like it's going to re-urbanize and clean up areas of Miami. I recently spoke to a friend who is looking to relocate his business to the downtown area from Ft. Lauderdale and he told me he had got a lot of good information about the area from a property company by the name of Metro 1 Properties. They found him a great selection of commercial listings. I checked out their site and was shocked at the properties they have. If you're interested in the market I'd def. give them a look.

~Jason

[GREGGYMIAMI305]

are you sure thats miami?
looks like the hong kong and dubai of america

[Mr. Franks]

Im Impressed!

[jalapano]

holy shit f***ing awsome!

:pepper:

[Paul305]

Here's another one that I haven't posted on the thread yet.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/216/504106276_330573f7c9_b.jpg

[Towers]

Omg....miami Is Awesome!!! :)

[mello]

All of these towering condo towers are great but what is urban life like on the street level of downtown Miami. I have never been there myself to look around.

How pedestrian friendly is the area? I am from San Diego which is like a cousin to Miami being in the Southwestern corner of the US, and seen what the condo boom here has done for us (granted on a smaller scale so far). I would say that downtown San Diego has truely become a fairly walkable neighborhood with many amenities such as grocery stores and all of the other daily/weekly things a resident needs.

So please tell me how Miami is doing. Is there anyone out there who is familiar with downtown Miami and San Diego that can give me a comparison of the two? That would be much appreciated.

Thanks :cheers:

[brickell]

I'll be in San Diego later this summer so I can compare better, but I can tell you that Miami isn't quite there yet. Give it another year or two.

[mello]

^^^ Thanks so much Brickell I really can't wait for your comparison because I know that you are a very smart observant man who could possibly do a nice thread on this subject.

Some things I notice about Miami and its towers coming from a San Diego perspective:

A. Thickness! Many of the towers in Miami are extremely wide compared to here. I don't know if that is due to the street/block layout or what. Does Miami simply have larger blocks then San Diego?? Your towers just seem bulky to me, I guess it isn't bad just different.

B. Street level Urbanity Miami looks like it is lacking the street level activities downtown. (Just from what I have seen in the pictures) San Diego has the trolley/lightrail buzzing through downtown, a large convention center pumping out visitors that roam the streets. (I don't know where Miami's convention center is located)

C. Grocery Stores and Retail at bottom of towers Do the people buying these condos have amenities at ground level? What is up with the parking not being underground too?? Your towers have big bulky bases where parking is held, here in San Diego we do not do that, why does Miami have this? To me it is kind of tacky, but I'm open to others opinions, what do you think about it Brickell?

That is all I can think of for now, I hope this can spark some intelligent discussion.:cheers:

[NewAtlantisMiami]

are you sure thats miami?
looks like the hong kong and dubai of america

I'm a native Floridian who has lived in South Florida for over 23 years after living under the skylines of L.A. and San Francisco where I became a skyscraper aficionado. This is literally a dream come true for me. I thought I would never live to see it, and there is lots more to come. They're just waiting for the construction crews to free up! :tup: :tup: :tup:

[NewAtlantisMiami]

Paul that is a great shot of the Plaza on Brickell and Avenue under construction. I can hardly wait for all the other great stuff that's coming that hasn't started construction yet. And to think this is only the beginning. We're going to have skyscrapers under construction well into the next decade. We're already number 3 behind New York and Chicago with what's currently under construction. Are you standing on the people mover tracks to get that photo? Don't want to lose you. We need to you take more great pics! Thanks! Steve:tup: :tup: :tup:

[NewAtlantisMiami]

^^^ Thanks so much Brickell I really can't wait for your comparison because I know that you are a very smart observant man who could possibly do a nice thread on this subject.

Some things I notice about Miami and its towers coming from a San Diego perspective:

A. Thickness! Many of the towers in Miami are extremely wide compared to here. I don't know if that is due to the street/block layout or what. Does Miami simply have larger blocks then San Diego?? Your towers just seem bulky to me, I guess it isn't bad just different.

B. Street level Urbanity Miami looks like it is lacking the street level activities downtown. (Just from what I have seen in the pictures) San Diego has the trolley/lightrail buzzing through downtown, a large convention center pumping out visitors that roam the streets. (I don't know where Miami's convention center is located)

C. Grocery Stores and Retail at bottom of towers Do the people buying these condos have amenities at ground level? What is up with the parking not being underground too?? Your towers have big bulky bases where parking is held, here in San Diego we do not do that, why does Miami have this? To me it is kind of tacky, but I'm open to others opinions, what do you think about it Brickell?

That is all I can think of for now, I hope this can spark some intelligent discussion.:cheers:

I believe where we live does have something to do with the design of our buildings. After all, South Florida really is part of the Caribbean, meaning hurricanes and increased wind load at the tops of these buildings. My understanding of the parking pedestals, as opposed to the subterranean parking garages, is that we have a pretty high and deep water table that makes underground construction not as economically feasible as in California, which is also why we have elevated rails as part of our mass transit system which is in great need of expansion. With the condo boom over now, many developers are reconfiguring their projects to mixed-use where skyscrapers literally become cities unto themselves with condos, office space, retail and grocery stores. I believe these mixed-used projects are part of a more viable future for Miami since the infrastructure is not keeping pace with all this new development happening all at once, namely a lack of new highways and a decent mass transit system. It's all in the works. The Omni Development (six bldgs 644, 624, 624, 604, 604 and 584 feet tall), Brickell Citicentre (3 bldgs 808, 769, and 740 feet tall), and Brickell Financial Center (2 bldgs 903 and 500 feet tall) are three massive mixed-use projects with powerfull developers behind them that will be under construction well into the next decade. They will each be a city within the city. If you ever visit Miami, take a walk down S. Miami Avenue near Mary Brickell Village. It's just to the right of where the Plaza on Brickell (2 bldgs 610 feet and 525 feet supposedly upon completion) and Avenue (2 bldgs with taller one at 480 feet) are going up in that great pic above that Paul took. Infinity I (630 feet tall) and Capital I (649 feet) are also currently under construction further down on South Miami Avenue, but are not yet tall enough to be seen in Paul's photo above. :tup: :tup: :) :) :tup:

[KevinFromTexas]

Crazy man, just crazy.

It's Chicago with palm trees.
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[Paul305]

Thanks, NewAtlantisMiami. I took that photo from inside the metro-mover and edited out the smudges from the window.

[NewAtlantisMiami]

Miami is insane right now. That has to be the second most tower cranes in the air in the World, behind only Dubai. I second a prior poster's question....who's buying up all of that? Is it foreign investment??

This helps explain it: http://www.realcities.com/mld/miamiherald/classifieds/real_estate/11698211.htm

Our war torn economy created a weak dollar against a strong Euro. I believe this is what has fueled the boom for the most part, but it first started with the hit TV series Miami Vice and South Beach gaining popularity in the 90s as a result. The interest in developing South Beach in the 90s was so intense, it caused a public outcry, and the Miami Beach antidevelopment movement eventually forced developers who wanted to build taller to look across the Bay to Miami, so they slowly at first, but surely started to develop Miami. Then, 9/11, which I thought would spell the death of the American skyscraper, ironically resulted in the biggest skyscraper building boom in American history happening in Miami? Suddenly, buying property in Miami was so hot, developers and architects couldn't plan and build projects fast enough. Now it seems every developer in the world, who has the money, wants to jump on the band wagon, regardless of what the real estate market is doing right now, just to make their mark and say they were part of boom that gave Miami the 3rd most dynamic skyline in the U.S. when we only had 4 buildings over 500 feet tall at the end of the 90s. This boom would have been even bigger except for the fact that our airport is in the middle of the city, and height restrictions killed some projects. Then came the most active hurricane season in Florida history, rising insurance rates, rising construction costs, along with rising propery taxes, but the more powerful developers still want to make their mark on the "new Miami" and are still moving forward regardless because they want to be part of what is shaping up to be the biggest high-rise building boom in American history. They want a piece of the action. They want to be able to say "I was there! There is my building! There is my project, and we made history!" Steve

[brickell]

A. Thickness! Many of the towers in Miami are extremely wide compared to here...

B. Street level Urbanity Miami looks like it is lacking the street level activities downtown...

C. Grocery Stores and Retail at bottom of towers Do the people buying these condos have amenities at ground level? What is up with the parking not being underground too?? Your towers have big bulky bases where parking is held...



A: Yes, many of the towers are thick. I think this comes from lots that are currently being developed mostly empty parking lots or demolished hotels. They have the space to do it. Some of us Miamians are critical of these massive buildings and the way they block out the sky, but at the same time, it's 60 story skyscraper downtown. We feel lucky to get anything at all. As the market matures and new zoning is put into place (see miami21.org) we hope this problem abates.

B: Street level urbanity is there. There's quite a bit of shopping downtown, but it's not gentrified. It's either low end shoe and electronics stores or jewelry stores. We have the 2nd largest diamond district in the US (supposedly). The critical mass of people just isn't there yet. The new performing art center is helping and downtown is becoming more of a destination, but you'll still find it relatively empty after 6pm.

C: As related to B, most of the new buildings will have street level retail. The question now is who will fill it? A lot of restaurants and such have signed on, but they're not here yet. As soon as we do reach that critical mass, I think we'll see a retail explosion and a corresponding street level vibrancy downtown. RE: the parking situation see A:. We don't like the bulky bases either, but we don't want to be too picky. Hopefully as the market matures we can do away with the parking regulations but until then I'm afraid we're stuck with it.

Further: Another issue right now is what I call the wait and see approach. Land and building owners are looking for a big pay check. Instead of fixing up their property, they're letting it detiorate and waiting for some developer to scoop it up. This isn't good for street life and certainly isn't going to attract more people to downtown.

[streetscaper]

Wow..I need to take a tour downtown, this place changes every few months!

[NewAtlantisMiami]

These days, every few months a new skyscraper tops off. Some projects die. New projects are born. Living here these days is very interesting if you're into this type of thing! No place I'd rather be right now! :tup: Steve

[Peter]

Miami is growing soo fast!! I spent a few nights in the area several years ago and thought the skyline wasn't that big, now there is just so much construction going on and it has changed dramatically! Thanks for sharing these incredible images :)

[Urban Sky]

i used to wait on this corner every morning and catch the bus to school.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/227/492008250_2fbf360b82_b.jpg

[Paul305]

^^You didn't go to MAST did you? I used to take the Brickell B-Bus to school and would pass by Espirito Santo and the Four Seasons as they were being constructed. I guess that's what got me into skyscrapers and urbanism in the first place.

[NewAtlantisMiami]

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=131836

There are more pics on this thread guys! No disrespect to you Paul, but these are great too, and I recognize another one of yours! My favorite is the photo second from the top because it captures the full spread of the the new skyline as it currently stands. It's beginning to look a little like Chicago with that impressive spread along the waterfront. The construction crane is Florida's new state bird.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=100920&page=21

There are some great pics on this thread too! :tup:

[JOVIMECARCH]

good pics
thanks for to share it

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v178/JOVIMECARCH/firmauniversal.jpg

[DruidCity]

In terms of the San Diego comparisons, I wonder what the occupancy rate is of the condos in both cities ?

When I visited San Diego, it seemed like most of the residential structures were occupied, whereas along coastal areas of Florida, so much is owned by investors. I'd think this would have a sizable impact on the amount of retail and so forth that could be supported.

In terms of FL real estate investors losing money, most of it is just "paper losses." Don't sell, and you don't lose :cheers: For the most part, people who can afford property that expensive can also afford to wait until they can sell for a profit or at least break even, even if it means holding on to property a few years longer than originally planned.

[ndenton]

Does anyone have an estimate as to what percentage of buildings in downtown Miami are residential in comparison to commercial?

[brickell]

new buildings or overall?

[NewAtlantisMiami]

are you sure thats miami?
looks like the hong kong and dubai of america

That's Coruscant, capital of the known galaxy!:) :tup:

[dave8721]

Does anyone have an estimate as to what percentage of buildings in downtown Miami are residential in comparison to commercial?

It depends on if you are refering to skyscrapers or just buildings over about 10 floors and also what you are referring to as "downtown"

Overall I'd say its about 50/50 right now including most of the current construction. Keep in mind the CBD area north of the river was 100% commercial until this current boom when it saw its first residential buildings go up. The Brickell area south of the river has always been more mixed. I'd say its about 70/30 commercial north of the river now (including the U/C buildings) and 65/35 residential south of the river now. The residential ones stand out a bit more as they tend to be newer and often taller.

[TNTtribute3]

omg UP UP AND AWAYYYYY WE GO yay miami

[GREGGYMIAMI305]

the boom is just starting.....give miami 3-4 years and we ill have THRICE as much tower cranes in the skyline

[ammiel]

Awsome i was just there like ten days ago and i couldnt beleive all the constructions!! ITS AMAZING HOW MIAMI HAS CHANGED AND TRANSFORMED INTO A HUGE INTERNATIONALY RECOGNIZED AND IMPORTANT CITY! I cant wait to see how its skyline will change in a couple of years specially with Met 3, Bayfront Plaza and Empire Towers!

[Red UM Rebel]

Such a cool place with such incredible growth. Thanks!

[kenc]

the boom is just starting.....give miami 3-4 years and we ill have THRICE as much tower cranes in the skyline

Except in 3-4 years Miami will be a city of empty towers, (much like Dubai), and the Florida economy will be in a deep recession. Articles in major news magazines have all mentioned people are walking away from deposits on condos because they know they will never be able to sell them. We are talking CRASH.

[brickell]

The sky is falling, the sky is falling!

[EmpireCityGuy]

Here's another one that I haven't posted on the thread yet.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/216/504106276_330573f7c9_b.jpg

Great photo

[James Bond Agent 007]

Look out Dubai!

[MIAMISKYLINE]

Miami is just different from the rest of Florida and the whole American South. I think someone in this forum said that Miami is a Chicago with palm trees. It is true. Just look at the construccion sites bordering the river, the monorails, the bay, and the location. Another thruth is that Miami's skyline changes every month. We'll just have to wait for the year 2030. :notacrook:

PS: Great photos. :banana:

[Lloyd Braun]

Yes I have to agree that Miami's skyline is starting to look a bit like Chicago's in length, density and architectural style.

By the way I am new here to this forum, happy to be here.

Is that Plaza on Brickell or am I just crazy?

Lloyd

[MIAMISKYLINE]

Yes I have to agree that Miami's skyline is starting to look a bit like Chicago's in length, density and architectural style.

By the way I am new here to this forum, happy to be here.

Is that Plaza on Brickell or am I just crazy?

Lloyd

Welcome to the forum Lloyd.

Yes it is Plaza on the Brickell. And you are not crazy.

[Tom In Chicago]

Nice photos. . . looks like many of these buildings started construction at relatively the same time. . .

[Pinoy2.0]

I was just in Miami. I had to take notice of how most of the (imo) architecture looks the same. basically all big white rectangular buildings. cool place though.

[MIAMISKYLINE]

I was just in Miami. I had to take notice of how most of the (imo) architecture looks the same. basically all big white rectangular buildings. cool place though.

Yes, they all look the same. We lack diversity in our buildings.

[Chelsea Spy]

Except in 3-4 years Miami will be a city of empty towers, (much like Dubai), and the Florida economy will be in a deep recession. Articles in major news magazines have all mentioned people are walking away from deposits on condos because they know they will never be able to sell them. We are talking CRASH.


Miami looks like a very groovy place but I do wonder how anywhere can sustain such rapid growth - it does make the city very vulnerable to downturns in the market. Miami is probably a better bet than Dubai. I can't help feeling that beneath the hype and marketing Dubai is just a mirage or a sandcastle - the moment we have an economic downturn (or one big terrorist attack in Dubai itself) and the property market and construction boom will collapse. The only reason people move there is to avoid paying tax.

[totheskies]

Most of, if not all, of the buildings were presold. I don't think the developers care one way or the other after that. I think the investor angle is overplayed. Some are surely losing money, but it doesn't seem to have affected the market as some had speculated. I think the second home market for South Americans plays and Europeans is an overlooked factor. Don't underestimate the locals though. We're out of land down here and home prices are already through the roof. Living downtown, once unthinkable, is becoming fashionable now.

The architectural style is very tropical/ South American. I'm going to Miami on the next boat (just to visit though) !!:notacrook: :notacrook: :notacrook: :notacrook: :notacrook:

[pj3000]

Yes I have to agree that Miami's skyline is starting to look a bit like Chicago's in length, density and architectural style.

By the way I am new here to this forum, happy to be here.

Lloyd

Welcome Lloyd, happy to have a new Miami forumer on here. But I've really got to disagree with yours and others opinions on Miami skyline comparisons to Chicago's. There really is no valid comparison at this time. Yes, when viewing from far to the west of both cities, I can see where there's somewhat of a resemblance (both seem to be linear skylines stretching down their respective shorelines). But that's really where any similarities end, though. Still, even with all of the new construction, Miami's skyline is not dense... it has nowhere near the density of Chicago (not even remotely close). As for architectural style... Chicago has had over a century of skyscraper styles, second only to (and arguably at that) New York's vast array of architectural wonder. Miami's dominant skyline form is becoming relatively uniform (the concrete slab residential highrise with balconies). Urban Miami and its skyline is growing and vastly improving, but its still about 100 years behind Chicago and thus the comparisons are really kinda silly.

[MIAMISKYLINE]

Welcome Lloyd, happy to have a new Miami forumer on here. But I've really got to disagree with yours and others opinions on Miami skyline comparisons to Chicago's. There really is no valid comparison at this time. Yes, when viewing from far to the west of both cities, I can see where there's somewhat of a resemblance (both seem to be linear skylines stretching down their respective shorelines). But that's really where any similarities end, though. Still, even with all of the new construction, Miami's skyline is not dense... it has nowhere near the density of Chicago (not even remotely close). As for architectural style... Chicago has had over a century of skyscraper styles, second only to (and arguably at that) New York's vast array of architectural wonder. Miami's dominant skyline form is becoming relatively uniform (the concrete slab residential highrise with balconies). Urban Miami and its skyline is growing and vastly improving, but its still about 100 years behind Chicago and thus the comparisons are really kinda silly.

I'm not sure if Miami is about 100 years behind Chicago. When Miami completes the construction of all of its approved buildings then we are going to be able to say that Miami looks like Chicago. By now Miami is unique in America. I also was comparing Chicago to Miami, which by now I understand is something stupid to say.

[pj3000]

^ I just meant Miami was 100 years (really an arbitrary number) behind Chicago in terms of Chicago having over a century of skyscraper architecture and having much more history in the urban context than Miami does. I'm well aware of Miami's current hi-rise construction boom (I own an old house near Brickell), but still, it is no Chicago, nor will it be, even when many of the new towers are completed. Chicago's still building up there too, you know. Really though, all you have to do is just go to Chicago and see for yourself. I love Miami, but as far as skylines and urban environment go, it is not anywhere near Chicago's league... and it won't be for a long, long time, if ever.

By the way, MIAMISKYLINE, awesome avatar... George's racy pic on the couch... great episode.

[MIAMISKYLINE]

^ I just meant Miami was 100 years (really an arbitrary number) behind Chicago in terms of Chicago having over a century of skyscraper architecture and having much more history in the urban context than Miami does. I'm well aware of Miami's current hi-rise construction boom (I own an old house near Brickell), but still, it is no Chicago, nor will it be, even when many of the new towers are completed. Chicago's still building up there too, you know. Really though, all you have to do is just go to Chicago and see for yourself. I love Miami, but as far as skylines and urban environment go, it is not anywhere near Chicago's league... and it won't be for a long, long time, if ever.

By the way, MIAMISKYLINE, awesome avatar... George's racy pic on the couch... great episode.

:previous: Yeah, that episode is one of my favorites.:tup:

I found this photo in Skyscrapercity.com some weeks ago, but now I can't find it anymore. If you know where it is, please, tell me.
I've saved this photo because is kind of beautiful.
This photo is not mine:

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/518/936041802c7ba0a4096owo5.jpg

[Complex01]

Just the growth that Miami has had over the past few years is out of this world. The skyline is ever changing and will continue to change for quite a while, at least hopefully it will. As more things get built, the city will become even more dense. I just like seeing the endless construction, and i really love the new buildings, they are nice. A very good place...


:cool:

[Scruff Bucket]

Wow, the Miami skyline is really shaping up! Looks great! My wife and I stayed in Fort Lauderdale for a week, about 5 years ago, just before departing for our honeymoon cruise, and drove all over. We passed close to downtown Miami (we weren’t able to venture into the city that time) along the interstate on our way to Key West. Both urban and rural sceneries were very nice! Impressive system of bridges and canals (this coming from a someone who is quite landlocked!) You can really feel the humidity when you go outdoors! Can’t forget Sawgrass Mills! Have to come by again for another look-see!

Thanks for the great pics!

Here are a few of my own (not great ones) reflecting the Miami skyline from 5 years ago:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1411/1403647411_e141575888_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1416/1403648247_9e8a63c61c_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1252/1404532622_168f116744_b.jpg

and (of course!) some of Key West (sunset cruise)
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1409/1403649867_a1657288a4_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1114/1403651633_1763acd62c_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1131/1404534338_e2908a0679_b.jpg

[MIAMISKYLINE]

^^^^^^ Wow!! These photos are ancient. 2002? 2003?

[Pinoy2.0]

Yes I took a photo of the skyline while at a college football game.

Not in detail or as good as the original poster, plus I don't have much else (i.e. enough to make a thread of it) but figured this would complement nicely and something I can slide in so y'all can have a good look at the skyline from another angle.

http://img481.imageshack.us/img481/5134/img1740hi4.jpg

[Scruff Bucket]

^^^^^^ Wow!! These photos are ancient. 2002? 2003?

Heh! Yep, they're from July, 2002! :ancient:

[MIAMISKYLINE]

Heh! Yep, they're from July, 2002! :ancient:

I remember those days. Downtown Miami was a boring and isolated hell hole with numerous parking lots and ugly old lowrises from the 30's. The skyline has always fascinated me, but once inside downtown...mmm:( :( Everything has changed and now I'm happy to be here. :tup: :tup:

[Scruff Bucket]

I remember those days. Downtown Miami was a boring and isolated hell hole with numerous parking lots and ugly old lowrises from the 30's. The skyline has always fascinated me, but once inside downtown...mmm:( :( Everything has changed and now I'm happy to be here. :tup: :tup:

So, how does the pedestrian friendliness of downtown Miami today compare with 5 years ago? Has it improved? Along where the new developments are? Overall in downtown? I suppose all large city cores have their friendlier areas, usually the up and coming redeveloped areas.

Before we visited there, we heard not to venture into downtown unless you knew where you were going. We didn't seem to notice any problem areas, though we only had time to visit the more touristy destinations in greater Miami.

Take Vancouver, BC for instance. Practically all of downtown Van is presently undergoing major transformations, and most areas downtown are now quite ped friendly, but there is one area downtown that is quite run-down (slated for future redevelopment!), still prone to drug trafficking - the (in)famous Eastside Downtown Vancouver - but it's so-o-o close to Chinatown, a major tourist magnet! Only very occasionally would you hear about an altercation that occured between a tourist and the locals there, and if it did happen, I'd bet it was a dumb tourist who was cruisin' for a bruisin'! Still, it's scary when you hear about it! By the way, Vancouver is another great city to see!

I'd still love to visit Miami area again sometime!

[Lloyd Braun]

Just out of curiosity for those of us who have Google Earth...

Has anyone noticed that there seems to be less buildings in the full scale 3D mode in the newer versions of Miami's skyline?

Or AM I CRAZY?

http://www.seinfeld-fan.net/pictures/kramer/kramer053.jpg

[MIAMISKYLINE]

:previous: :previous: The same thing happened to some parts of Israel and Buenos Aires.

[Goody]

Lots of new towers... but ugh.. where are the people?

[MIAMISKYLINE]

Lots of new towers... but ugh.. where are the people?

That's the question.

[Paul305]

Lots of new towers... but ugh.. where are the people?

Probably in Miami Beach. I took those photos in late spring or early summer when the beach is usually crowded with hundreds of thousands of people. I was actually going to Fort Lauderdale Beach that day for the Air and Sea Show but traffic was so bad that I decided to take a tour of downtown instead. The only people I saw were construction workers.

EDIT: Actually, I spoke too soon. I completely forgot about the random festival they were having on the Brickell Key bridge. They had tons of booths and dragon boats races. I only posted a couple of the pics from that though. Also, there was a marriage ceremony taking place in the First Presbyterian Church in the heart of downtown. There were actually thousands of people but I chose to take pics of the skyscrapers instead.

[MIAMISKYLINE]

Probably in Miami Beach. I took those photos in late spring or early summer when the beach is usually crowded with hundreds of thousands of people. I was actually going to Fort Lauderdale Beach that day for the Air and Sea Show but traffic was so bad that I decided to take a touR.

I think he was referring to the CBD area.