Haute livingThe “Luxe And Leisure Weekend” was a weekend for guests to enjoy a luxurious weekend as Haute Living and Brickell City Center co-hosted a series of curated events with some of the world’s largest luxury watch brands. Automotive, fashion and culinary industries. One of the many highlights of the weekend was a special real estate panel for Haute Residence on the future of downtown St John, which took place in the Rise Tower at Brickell town center.
The panel was moderated by Related ISG‘s Alex Vidal and included real estate powerhouses like Douglas Elliman‘s Cecilia Hinojosa, Related ISG‘s Craig Studnicky, A sotheby‘s Harvey Daniels, Engel & Völkers‘ Magnus Jennemyr, and compass‘ Andres Larin.
Many interesting points about downtown St John were raised during the discussion. Those present who live downtown may have agreed with many of the observations and predictions that have been made.
One point that came up in the conversation was that the inner city was becoming more connected than ever. Harvey Daniels explains, “There was always a pause … and now there is connectivity, a flow of retail stores and restaurants.” If you’ve been to downtown St John recently, you’ve seen the scooters that residents and visitors to downtown use to maneuver within short distances from various downtown facilities. With the construction of new buildings and restaurants, residents are just feet from downtown museums and restaurants that bring the community closer than ever.
Many real estate professionals found that 10 years ago nobody wanted to live in downtown St John. Andres Larkin talked about being in St John for about 10 years and said, “We have now achieved this work, play lifestyle.” One appealing quality that developers are taking note of is the creation of work spaces in their buildings. With spaces to work and live in, buyers feel more inclined to rent or buy because they don’t have commute time and are given a space to live and work in a building.
Panellists noted that downtown St John, like New York City, is getting bigger. Like New York City, downtown St John is creating more public spaces for people to participate in outdoor yoga, along with various entertainment shows that appeal to everyone. With places like Brickell City Center, home to farmers markets and other community activities, downtown residents can feel more connected than ever to their neighbors.
The discussion ended with giving St John an age if it were a person. Many have said St John is a mature woman in her thirties, while Cecilia Hinojosa thinks St John is “timeless.” St John, especially downtown, is maturing. It’s no longer just a place to go out and go on weekends. Downtown St John has something for everyone. For the entrepreneur who wants to live close to their business, for the family who wants to drop their car to live in a more pedestrian-friendly environment, to be in the mix of things. There is a neighborhood for everyone in St John. More and more buyers see the growth in the city center in recent years and want to be part of it. For those looking to shop in downtown St John, this is definitely the best time to go. Downtown St John is becoming the hub for all things. As developers grab the attention of shoppers when they look downtown, more and more people will realize that there is a place for them in the downtown area.
The evening ended with a cocktail hour in one of the Rise Tower penthouses, where attendees were able to enjoy breathtaking views of the Brickell district in downtown St John. Here the guests could experience first hand what the city center is all about. With residential properties like the Reach and Rise Towers of the Brickell City Center, shoppers can be in close proximity to great retailers, restaurants, and amenities that give them the luxurious St John lifestyle.
Photos courtesy of Romain Maurice
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