Page 103 - ATHENS RIVIERA JOURNAL 2022

ATHENS RIVIERA JOURNAL
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WHEN IN MIAMI
Designed by Oscar-winning SUMMER IN MIAMI
duo Baz Luhrmann and wife
Catherine Martin, Faena Hotel IS YEAR-ROUND AND
Miami Beach is as fantastical,
glamourous and Hollywood-
esque as you’d imagine. SOUTH BEACH IS THE
MOST EXCITING BEACH IN

THE WORLD.

of the South, Brickell has the most international banks in the
country. Its residents enjoy a lively, friendly area with luxurious
buildings and remarkable views. Brickell and Miami Avenue,
the main road arteries, are packed with stores, restaurants and
clubs, while new arrival Brickell City Center complex has already
completed the first stage of its construction, featuring office
buildings, residential towers, a hotel and a large commercial
and entertainment hub. It’s all very impressive, but let’s not
forget South Beach. After all, summer in Miami is year-round
and this is the most exciting beach in the world. From the Art
Deco architecture that put the city on the map in the ‘30s to
the relaxed energy of Ocean Drive, the endless kilometers of
white sand, and the turquoise waters, the Miami hotel scene
includes icons like the Delano, designed by Philippe Starck
and featuring one of the most impressive pools in the world.

THE INSIDER VIEW
About a decade ago, Anastasia Koutsioukis – AKA Mrs. Man-
dolin – left a successful career in New York to launch Mando-
lin restaurant with her husband, Ahmet. This Aegean bistro
in the Design District used to be somewhat of a secret spot
for creatives of the city who would enjoy the wonderful am-
bience, Mediterranean flavors and the company of the owner
herself, who stands out with her style, glamorous personality
and cosmopolitan air. “Ten years ago, Miami was a completely
different city. The beach and its matchless beauty were there,
but it wasn’t developed. Some parts were almost derelict, even
depressing. In the past five years, developers have seen Miami’s
incredible potential, and the city’s skyline has been constantly
changing”, she explains. Luxurious residential buildings such
as the 57-floor The Jade Signature on Sunny Isles – completed
last spring by well-known architects Herzog de Meuron – or
high-rise One Thousand Museum by Zaha Hadid Architects
at Brickell, and investments exceeding $10 billion are reshap-
ing downtown Miami at light speeds. “The city has an excit-
ing art, culture and culinary scene. To get a good taste of its
multifaceted character, start by walking South Pointe Park all
the way to the end of the pier, the southernmost edge of the
beach. It’s ideal for picnics, or for champagne, steak and lobster
at Smith & Wollensky restaurant. Visit the Perez Art Museum
Miami, which houses an exceptional collection of 2,000 piec-
es by American and Latin American artists. It is designed by
Pritzker Prize laureate architects Herzog & De Meuron and

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