Midtown Miami facts for kids
Midtown Miami is a lively area in Miami, Florida. It's a mix of the Wynwood and Edgewater neighborhoods. You can find it just north of Downtown Miami, close to the Miami Design District. It's bordered by North 20th Street to the south, I-195 to the north, I-95 to the west, and Biscayne Bay to the east.
Around 2005, a big building project called "Midtown Miami" started here. It was built on an old rail yard. The plan was to create a modern city area with tall apartment buildings, a hotel, parks, and a large shopping center called "The Shops at Midtown." However, due to economic changes in 2007, only some of the planned buildings and shops were finished. In 2011, new plans were made for an entertainment center, including a hotel and more shops. Some people think Midtown needs more parks.
History of Midtown Miami
Midtown has grown very quickly. It is now home to "The Shops at Midtown," an outdoor shopping area. This area was designed to feel like the SOHO neighborhood in New York City. You can find many popular stores and restaurants here. There are also lots of fancy apartments.
Many businesses have also moved into Midtown's office buildings. These include companies that do interior design or marketing. Places like Büro Urbano offer office spaces for smaller businesses. Midtown also hosts the Art Miami art fair. This event happens during Miami's Art Basel week, which is a big art festival.
On August 1, 2016, health officials issued a travel warning for Midtown Miami. This was due to concerns about the Zika virus. They advised pregnant women to avoid the area. However, by the end of 2016, these warnings were lifted.
Midtown Miami's Economy
The company Bacardi once had its main United States office near Midtown Miami. By 2007, Bacardi decided to move its headquarters to Coral Gables. At that time, Bacardi had employees in many different buildings across South Florida.
After Bacardi moved out, the old Bacardi buildings became very important to Miami citizens. People started a campaign to protect these buildings because of their unique design. Allan T. Schulman, an architecture professor, said the Bacardi buildings show Miami's tropical style. Chad Oppenheim, an architect, described them as "elegant" with a "Modernist look and a local feel." In 2012, the National YoungArts Foundation bought these famous Bacardi buildings. They have now turned them into their national headquarters.
Images for kids
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Northwestward aerial of FEC Buena Vista yard in 1928, now Midtown Miami
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Shops at Midtown
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Businesses such as Midtown Inn have altered their names to reflect the new "Midtown Miami" development
