Just outside of Little Haiti, stands 18 square blocks known as Miami's Design District. An area originally intended for showcasing wholesale home furnishings and interior design has quickly become more than showroom real estate.

A once gritty neighborhood has been transformed into Miami's version of Manhattan's Soho, with art deco flair. The renaissance of the Design District has attracted big names in the design industry. World famous companies like Holly Hunt, Knoll Inc., HausScape, and Tui Pranich are just a few of the many who decided to open their doors here. Landmark structures like The Living Room Building, designed by Miami husband and wife architect team, Roberto Behar and Rosario Marquardt, and The Moore Building, which houses The Moore Space, have brought new popularity to the area. No longer a place of simply home furnishings, the Design District has expanded to include art galleries, design and architecture firms, modeling agencies, and photography studios, creating a cultural environment filled with color and cutting-edge designs.

Craig Robins, a developer well known for his involvement in the transformation of South Beach, along with planners Andrea Duany and Elizabeth PlaterZyberk, developed the urban master plan for a renovated and improved Design District.

Mr. Robins, currently owning the most properties in this community, is the Design Districts most popular landlord. His vision was to create a place where design, art, and architecture united, but make it more than a "warehouse district for trade professionals." He wanted to create a place where art and design professionals could live, work, and entertain overall, creating an actual neighborhood for the design industry. He also wanted to make it a people friendly environment, believing in this so strongly that he requires all of his tenants to open to the public.

While the revival of the Design District began in the late 90's, it still has a long way to go before completing the "look" it is going for. Construction is scheduled to begin this year for a project that will be "the gateway" to the Design District. The gateway will consist of four modern-art motif buildings, of which two are scheduled to begin construction this year, creating thousands of additional square footage of retail and office space.

At the end of the business day, once the closed signs are put up and the art galleries turn out their lights, an alternative to the South Beach nightlife comes alive. The eclectic scene attracts artsy-Bohemians and people who are simply tired of the South Beach scene, making for quite a laid back trendy crowd. While some spots like the Soho Lounge welcome t-shirts and jeans, others like Grass, only allow the tres chic to enter. Other favorites in the area are the Slak Lounge, I/O, and Piccadilly Garden. An old time favorite, which is presently under renovations, is Power Studios, scheduled to open later this year.

A night strolling through the streets of the Design District is well worth the trip over the causeway: great food varieties, music ranging from old-school hip-hop to world house; plus, the beautiful people Miami is known for.