By Laine Doss for Miami New Times
When Brickell City Centre opens this spring, it’s destined to become a hub of activity for the residents and workers of Brickell.
The $1.05 billion mixed-use project, located at 67 SW Eighth St., consists of a condominium, office space, and the East Miami Hotel. But the likely reason Miami denizens will be excited is the 500,000-square-foot, open-air shopping center. Until now, Brickell hasn’t been the best of places to shop, with workers and residents having to drive to retailers. That’s about to change.
Swire Properties, along with retail codevelopers Whitman Family Development and mall giant Simon Property Group, has announced an updated list of retail, service, and restaurant tenants that have signed leases in the space, which features a 150,000-square-foot “climate ribbon” — a trellis of steel, fabric, and glass that protects shoppers from weather and captures sea breezes to regulate the air flow and temperature under it. The $30 million ribbon will also collect as much as 3 million gallons of rainwater for reuse annually.
The development’s fourth floor will be the home of most of the eateries. Restaurants announced for Brickell City Centre are the usual mix of fast-casual and sit-down chains and include American Harvest, Big Easy Winebar & Grill, Calissons du Roy René, David’s Tea, Dr. Smood, Häagen-Dazs, Luke’s Lobster, Santa Fe, and Taco Chic. The signing of Pasión del Cielo to the project was previously announced.
Though many of the restaurants are chains, there are some standouts. Big Easy Winebar & Grill is a South African export from pro golfer Ernie Els. The restaurant has locations in Durban and Stellenbosch, South Africa, as well as Dubai. The Miami location is the first in the United States.
Calissons du Roy René is a French confectioner based in Provence, specializing in calissons — traditional French candies made from a candied fruit paste and ground almonds, topped with a thin layer of icing.
Luke’s Lobster is a small, sustainable-seafood chain by Luke Holden. The New York-based restaurant specializes in lobster rolls using griddled New England split-top buns and sustainable Maine lobsters. While lobster rolls sell for nearly $30 at most places, Luke’s sustainable seafood sandwiches come in under $20. A sample menu on the company website offers the sweet roll at $16, although it states prices may vary.
David’s Tea offers more than 150 kinds of tea, including limited-edition blends and exotic infusions from around the world. It boasts the largest collection of organic teas in North America.
Taco Chic is a new taco concept by Grupo Cinbersol, the group behind Cantina La Veinte. The restaurant will offer refined Mexican fare with indoor and outdoor seating. Taco Chic will also service locals with its adjacent food market.
These restaurants join Pubbelly Sushi from the Miami-based Pubbelly Boys and Quinto La Huella at the East Miami Hotel. Quinto La Huella is the Miami outpost of the famed Parador La Huella in Uruguay, which has twice made the list “Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants.” Rooftop lounge Sugar also joins Quinto La Huella at the East Miami Hotel.
In addition to housing the restaurants, Brickell City Centre will also be the home of Cinemex. Although the Mexico-based company is the sixth-largest cinema chain in the world, this will be the first U.S. outpost from the company that promises a luxury dine-in theater experience. When opened, Cinemex Miami will boast 11 viewing rooms with a total of 622 seats. The theater has partnered with chef Mikel Alonso of Mexico’s Biko restaurant and Mexico City bartender Mica Rousseau to create the food and beverage components.
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