Miami World Center vs. Brickell City Centre (Aventura, Bloomingdale: rent, mover)

[pierrekid]

What are your thoughts on these two projects? Which do you think will have the biggest impact on the Brickell/ Downtown Miami area?

Do you think the proximity of both projects to one another will basically be a wash (so close it feels like one massive luxury shopping area) or will one go the way of Mall of Americas ( probably not that drastic but you get the point ( or think Dolphin mall/ Miami international mall relationship)).

I personally believe because the projects are so close ( 15 minute walk between the two) and so massive in scale that it will turn that whole area into one giant shopping/ business mecca.

Interested to hear everyone's take..

[SFLrunner]

I believe there is room for both.....Brickell City Centre will be extremely upscale, I wonder how it will affect Design District.........and World Center being anchored by Macy's and I think Nordstrom will appeal more to the masses. I think World Center has a great location between the Port of Miami and the new Miami Central train station in Downtown Miami.....

[ace587]

Traffic is gonna get worse in downtown

[OptimusPrime69]

Can someone please explain to me the two projects?
My understanding is it is two luxury shopping districts being built? Are they trying to make it like "Miracle Mile" in chicago? or like.... what is it?
And when is it planned on being completed?

[oronzous]

Originally Posted by SFLrunner

Brickell City Centre will be extremely upscale, I wonder how it will affect Design District........

That would be very interesting . The owners of Bal Harbour Shops partnered with BCC to stop the hemorrhage of tenants to the Design District.

An interesting article on the subject:
http://www.departures.com/fashion/sh...esign-district

[hurricaneMan1992]

It will be convenient for travellers with layovers at MIA who want to go shopping. Eventually FLL as well once the Tri-Rail opens in downtown Miami. But if you have to drive there of if you're a worker taking a bus that gets stuck in the traffic, it will be a PITA. Already is on the Brickell side.

But it does seem they will complement each other, with City Center being more posh and upscale, and MWC being a bit more "ordinary." So Saks/Neiman Marcus at City Center vs. Bloomingdales/Macys in MWC. They cater to a different clientele.

HOWEVER, with the dollar becoming more strong in general and possible economic instability in Europe with the "GREXIT" situation, you've got to wonder...maybe the influx of foreign shoppers is going to ease up. But at any rate, it will be WAY more convenient for these foreign shoppers to shop in the downtown/Brickell/midtown area than, say, Aventura or Sawgrass Mills, so it may not be the downtown malls you have to worry about. Sure they can rent a car, and they probably will still do this, but the traffic is just so bad now, especially with the I-95 road work which will continue for the next 5 years.

[Coconut1]

There are pros and cons to each. BCC isn't going to be as upscale as once thought... they were having trouble filling BCC with all high end tenants and brought Simon on board to help fill it.

I think BCC is a big game changer for Brickell and helped spur a lot of interest since the last crash. MWC would be huge for Downtown, but I'm not confident it will get built still.

[SFLrunner]

With the new train station I think MWC makes total sense......

[rnc2mbfl]

All I know is that I am going to be very happy to be able to take bike share over the Venetian and possibly the Metromover from Omni to go to both projects. No need for a car and being stuck in traffic. I think that many underestimate these projects to feed upon those who are local and spur more housing interest/development in both areas.

[pierrekid]

That I agree with. The culture change in the area is going to be huge. Most people forget how many anchors there are in place ( hospital, highway access, medical and marine science students from UM, also maimi-dade, art institute and FIU mini campuses, law firms etc....). All the area was missing was true retail. Add the fact that the mover will freely move people from one project to the other in 10 minutes and your looking a chnage for the ages.