Top of the list of things to do in Miami: cruise down Ocean Drive in a convertible, sipping a drink. cafe-cito in Little Havana, strolling the Vizcaya Gardens and discovering the shops of Bal Harbour.
The latter is a retail rite of passage at 305. The open-air luxury mall is stocked with more than 100 European and American designer boutiques and eight restaurants with a view. Celebrities such as Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian, Eva Longoria, Cindy Crawford, Martha Stewart, Pharrell and Leonardo DiCaprio are often seen shopping or dining at Carpaccio and Makoto.
From the start, Bal Harbor Shops was a bold endeavor. Located between the Atlantic and Biscayne Bay in the residential village of Bal Harbor, it was built on the site of World War II army barracks. Instead of the popular covered, air-conditioned malls of the day, Stanley Whitman built a street of shops open to the sky; landscaped in the middle with lush plantings and fountains; and lined the parking lot with hundreds of coconut palms.
But it was the mix of inclusive tenants — like Martha’s Clothing Salon and the FAO Schwarz toy company — that made it a South Florida sensation.
In 1971, Whitman convinced Neiman Marcus to open its first store outside of Texas. Five years later, Saks Fifth Avenue moved. Many European brands, such as Courrèges, Dana Cote d’Azur and Gucci, inaugurated their buzzing boutiques starting in the 70s. A second level was added in 1982 to meet demand. Dressed in baroque print silks, Gianni and Donatella Versace celebrated the opening of their celebrity-studded store in 1991. Next year, the palm-lined shopping oasis on Collins Avenue will mark its 60th anniversary with a range elegant events and parties.
“Throughout 2025, our year-long celebration will unfold with many pleasant surprises, designed to create pleasant memories for everyone who visits the Shops,” says Matthew Whitman Lazenby, fourth-generation owner of the family business founded by his grandfather his. “Our vision was then – as it is now – to create unique, meaningful experiences and special places that last.”
The initiatives are designed to be playful, whether they include whimsical horticultural sculptures or sweet all-you-can-eat treats. “Our anniversary program will include two annual favorites: Fleurs de Ville, featuring fresh flower-themed mannequins in stores, and the We Love Ice Cream fundraiser, benefiting Holtz Children’s Hospital,” Lazenby tells Alexa . “Both offer immersive, engaging experiences that showcase our commitment to community and to delivering original content events.”
There will also be private brand experiences in the Access Suite, the private lounge for members of the rewards program (no minimum spend required). A Ferragamo pre-Spring 2025 showcase on January 25 and 26, for example, will highlight the house’s bespoke bag and luggage program. Access will also host shopping presentations such as “What to Pack for the Bahamas” in partnership with Bal Harbor Magazine.
The haute couture and jewelery destination continues to add to its prestigious assortment of stores, which rivals that of Avenue Montaigne in Paris. This year, Loewe and Silvia Tcherassi opened boutiques, while Brunello Cucinelli is adding another level to its cashmere era in 2025.
Next year, Tiffany will shed its expanded two-story flagship by architect Peter Marino. The Shops is said to already top the list of the world’s most productive malls based on sales per square foot. Soon, this area will grow. In 2026, another 35 stores will open in a gleaming new wing.
“I am humbled to be a steward of this enterprise 60 years later as it evolves and adapts to best position itself for the next 60 years,” says Lazenby. “We look forward to making 2025 a year of unforgettable experiences and lasting memories for all who visit Bal Harbor stores.
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Image Source : nypost.com