Miami Beach, FL – August 16, 2015 – North Beach, a vibrant area located between 63rd and Indian Creek Drive to 87th Terrace, is home to more than 43,250 people. Still a hidden and undiscovered neighborhood in Miami Beach, there are residents who have lived in the Magic City their whole lives who do not know about this vibrant and multi-cultural area. To some, it is the most beautiful part of the Beach and deserves the attention of developers and politicians alike to help create a better community. It is a place where locals thrive and would like to see their neighborhood catch up to the beauty that has been restored to other locales in and around our city. Located in between Bal Harbour  and Mid Beach, this unique cultural area must undergo the resurgence it richly deserves. As art fairs, restaurants, and hoteliers from around the globe are starting to understand what is so special about this stretch of beach, we are excited to support the future of this community.

World Red Eye spent a weekend exploring what makes North Beach so unique and then Bella Tamis sat down with developer, Sandor Scher, and asked him what his vision is ‘For A Better North Beach’. He gave us insight into some of his favorite places in the area and why he is asking all Miami Beach voters to Vote YES on #54 for a Better North Beach.

WRE: How long have you lived in Miami and when was the first time you saw Ocean Terrace? What were your first thoughts? What do Miami Beach residents who have lived here their whole lives say when they see this underdeveloped and decrepit part of our beautiful ocean front city?

SS: I’ve been living in Miami Beach for 12 years now and it was about 6 years ago that I first fell in love with Ocean Terrace. I thought, how is it possible that the most incredible Ocean Front area is sitting in such a dilapidated state? It’s more surprising how many Miami Beach residents haven’t ever seen it. North Beach residents are afraid and concerned about nothing ever becoming of this spectacular block and I’m hoping to change that.

WRE: How long have you been working on revitalizing North Beach and why do you think this area has missed the redevelopment that has taken place on the rest of Miami Beach?

SS: I have been working on revitalizing North Beach for the past 2 and a half years and I think redevelopment has been more challenging here over other areas of Miami Beach as a result of property ownership and strict zoning ordinances. It takes a big vision to imagine a place in a way that will change how people interact with it, how they live and engage socially with it. That’s what has been the most interesting about this and the most challenging.

WRE: We know that you have also done redevelopment projects for amazing hotels that we all love and frequent. How does the vision you had for the Standard and the Soho Beach House being sort of “off the beaten path” compare to your vision for North Beach?

SS: I believe that if you do something thats high quality that people understand, it fills a need they have for new and exciting local destinations.  Creating a destination on a blank canvas is exciting and what we have here is incredible DNA, the idea is to unlock the potential and create something truly special.  This can be seen in some of the past redevelopment projects I have been responsible for including the Raliegh, the Standard, Soho Beach House, the Shelborne, and the Thompson.

WRE: Ocean Terrace has been a commercial and tourist area that existed since the 1950’s and 60’s how will this past shape the future of North Beach?

SS: Retail on Upper Collins used to be a vibrant destination and we will look to the past to continue the vision of a low scale walkable local retail district.

WRE: While North Beach houses some of our favorite restaurants, we noticed that there are so many dormant buildings in Ocean Terrace currently. What kind of storefronts do you envision bringing life back to the area? How does a day in the life of a North Beach resident compare now to your North Beach in five – ten years?

SS: It’s clear that new storefronts are needed and some of my initial thoughts include a gourmet market, a coffee shop, and local retailers. I envision the life of future North Beach residents sitting on Ocean Front balconies, watching kids play, meeting friends, grabbing coffee around the corner, walking the landscaped path and enjoying open space and architecture.

WRE: What’s your favorite restaurant in North Beach? What’s your favorite beach? 

SS: Wow, that’s hard to say. Sazon, Katana, and Athens Juice are all favorites. I want to better serve these businesses and keep them in business by driving more traffic and qualified shoppers to the area.

WRE: We know traffic is problem everywhere in Miami and its top of mind from Doral to Kendall, Aventura to the Design District. What plans do you have to reduce the traffic in North Beach?

SS: We know traffic is a problem and it’s something we want to see change in North Beach. By reducing density by half, increasing parking in the area, and creating jobs for local residents, the reduction in traffic is bound to happen. There are multiple additional independent studies that validate this.

WRE: How can the community get involved to support this initiative For A Better North Beach and what is the one thing you ask the voters to understand about why its important to vote for #54?

SS: We want to make sure that everyone in Miami Beach knows that the majority of North Beach is passionately behind this and we have been working closely with the community over the last year on this effort. We want voters to understand that North Beach has been left behind for almost two decades and it’s time to revitalize of one of South Florida’s greatest gems.

Current North Beach

 

Days Inn

Oceanfront hotel located in an art deco building. It is the heart of the Ocean Terrace Development and will continue to be the heart of the proposed development.

Ocean Surf

Art deco styled hotel built in the 1940’s. Located right across from the beach and near Bal Harbour Shops and the Bass Museum of art. Right in the epicenter of North Beach. Ocean Surf hotel is an Art Deco Landmark that is perfect for family vacations or romantic getaways.

 

Miami Beach Rowing Club

Located between 62nd and 71st on Indian Creek Dr. This is a center for new and competitive rowers that host some of the biggest regattas such as the Columbus Day Regatta.

Deauville Hotel

Contemporary beachfront hotel dating to the 1950’s and is still very popular. Ocean view rooms, tiki bars, jazz bars and immediate beach access, what everyone wants when on vacation.

Lou’s Beer Garden

Beer garden, gastropub, and cocktail bar all opened until 2 am and served poolside. Great local place to eat drink and swim.

Farmer’s Market at the Normandy Isle Fountain

Everybody’s favorite local farmers market, held every Saturday. They have everything fresh you can imagine from flowers, juices and plants to hand made art and shoes.

North Shore Open Space Park

Dog runs, playgrounds, picnic tables, barbeque areas, AND a beachfront. Known for a developing and clean family area.

Burgers & Shakes

Amazing local burger and shake restaurant open until 4 am everyday. Also serves a variety of hot dogs, desserts, and a long list of beer & wine choices. Great for a quick bite or a late night snack.

Goldstein’s Prime Kosher Market & Deli

Old school kosher butcher shop, restaurant and grocery store all in one.

Fifi’s Seafood Restaurant

Fifi’s only serves fresh locally caught fish. Voted best under the radar restaurants and has recently expanded in size. Most of their meals have a Japanese or Latin twist; it fits everyone’s taste.

The Beach at North Beach

Frequently visited by locals as well as visitors, these beaches are much quieter than the beaches in South Beach, but have the same amenities. Some of the most beautiful beaches on Miami Beach.

Cafe Prima Pasta

Serves traditional authentic Italian food everyday from 5-12am. Prima Pasta is in the ideal location and was awarded best daily happy hour for its comfortable yet refined atmosphere.

North Shore Park Bandshell

On September 9, 2011, after nine months of construction, the City of Miami Beach Capital Improvement Projects and Parks & Recreation Departments announced the re-opening of the North Shore Park Band Shell. The main scope of the work completed to this beautiful outdoor amphitheater, included a historic restoration of the facility with structural repairs, ADA improvements to backstage area and restrooms, expansion of backstage facilities, installation of special acoustical plaster for enhanced outdoor acoustics, new HVAC system, electrical system upgrades, theatrical lighting, stage extension, accent lighting of main architectural features and more. The North Shore Park Bandshell is managed by The Rhythm Foundation and has brought new life and energy back to Ocean Terrace though its music programs.

Shucker’s

Typical seafood shack and sports bar all in one with a water front patio and place to dock your boats. Great place for locals and tourists, extremely family friendly.

For A Better North Beach

This piece of Miami Beach is a diamond in the rough and deserves support from local and community leaders who truly understand this unique neighborhood. To revitalize a neighborhood, you need both a great vision and a solid and experienced team of professionals. Great design, planning and implementation will reshape the area and bring back the life, the vibrancy, and engage the physical space with the oceanfront beauty. This vision is inspired by the lively commercial and tourist area that existed in the 1950’s and 60’s along upper Collins Avenue and Ocean Terrace and will look to this past in shaping the future. The owners will preserve the heritage of the area by restoring the important historic buildings. The ethos of this reborn district will be a beautiful outdoor experience on Ocean Terrace and a great neighborhood retail district on upper Collins Avenue.  The revitalization will also provide needed economic stimulus for the North Beach area with hundreds of quality local, full-time jobs for residents. This supports one of the major objectives and goals of the North Beach community.

Current Conditions

 

Proposed Conditions