Brazilians have overtaken Canadians as the top overseas visitors and property buyers in Miami as the city shrugs off the after-effects of the 2008 real estate crash, América Economía reported.

“There is a love affair between Brazilians and Miami, which has helped the economy in both places,” Rolando Aedo, executive vice-president of the Greater Miami Office of Tourism and Conventions, told the online magazine. Brazilians’ stamp on South Florida’s economy has been “incredible,” Aedo said.

Brazilians outnumbered Canadians as Miami’s main international tourists and buyers last year. Around 690,000 Brazilians visited the Magic City, an 8.8 percent gain from 2011, and spent an estimated $1.5 billion.

Favorable currency exchange rates and Brazil’s economic growth – despite a recent slow-down – have helped a larger demographic of Brazilians visit Miami than could a decade ago, consul general of Brazil in Miami, Helio Vitor Ramos Filho, told the magazine. Exempting Brazil from U.S. visa requirements would flood Miami with even more Portuguese-speaking South Americans, the Brazilian consul said.

“If Brazil were included in the visa-waiver program, there would probably be an explosion of Brazilian tourists in the United States. The visa requirement is still an obstacle for many potential tourists from Brazil, since in Brazil obtaining a visa means additional costs related to having to travel domestically just to get the visa, which can increase the overall cost of a trip substantially,” Ramos Filho said. [América Economía] –Emily Schmall

By: The Real Deal – South Florida Real Estate News

 

 

 

 

 Esther’s fabulous Flamingo Drive listing makes the pages of the exquisite Florida Design’s Miami Home & Decor Magazine. Enjoy the photos and article of the painstaking task of bringing this modern Igor Polevitzky masterpiece back to its original splendor. We are so fortunate to have such wonderful architecture here on Miami Beach. If you or anyone you know are interested in this property, please give us a call.

Star Island is by far Miami Beach’s most popular address conveniently located and the closest secured Island to Miami Beach. Star Island is located off the MacArthur Causeway one short bridge away from world famous Miami Beach. Star Island provides round the clock security to its 34 residents. All 46 lots in Star Island are waterfront with a minimum of 40,000 sq. ft. (100 feet of waterfront by 400 feet deep), many Star Island residents enjoy ownership of multiple lots surrounding a beautiful center Palm Tree Lined Park . Star Island lives up to its name by being home to many well known celebrities and businessman it is Miami Beach’s most famous residential Island truly the “choice address”.

It is no wonder that the highest priced home sold in Miami Beach this year was 13 Star Island Drive, located in Star Island! Sold in April 2011, for $25,500,000.00 this home has 15,008 sq. ft. of living area, a 40,000 sq. ft. lot, 100 feet of waterfront and was built new in 2003.

Available Star Island residences for sale range in price from $10,500,000 for a 1925 historically significant De Garmo designed home of 15,008 sq. ft on a 48,266 sq. ft. lot with 205 feet of waterfront.

The highest priced home available for sale is 5 Star Island asking $49,995,000.00 for an 11,308 sq. ft. home built in 1996 plus adjacent lot with guest house, and more lot size of this property totals 80,000 sq. ft. with 200 feet of waterfront and the most spectacular direct Downtown Miami skyline and open bay views

55 Palm Avenue Miami Beach Luxury Waterfront Home

Unique Historical Spanish Colonial Home

Unique historical restoration of original 1920′s Spanish Colonial Palm Island residence providing city tax abatement for 10 years with a 10,000 square foot modern addition on a 30,000 sq. ft. lot perfectly  blending the old with the new, surrounding interior courtyards, this home masters it’s classic architecture.  With such features as 12 foot Cathedral beamed ceilings, coffered ceilings, quatrefoils windows, fireplaces, interior courtyard, keystone details, and astounding presence.   Limitless possibilities abound in this home, there is space for a media room, library-office, gym, outdoor BBQ, separate guest rooms, playroom, additional bedrooms, sitting areas, the options are endless.     The romantic interior courtyard as well as the ample back yard with oversize heated pool, pergolas with flowering vines, and covered terrace surround the formal living room has a wonderful flow through effect felt throughout this estate.  A large state-of-the-art Bulthaup kitchen is adjacent to the family room and surrounded by doors and windows, making it easily accessible to the pool and outdoor entertaining areas.  Other features of this home include 3 car garage, service quarters, formal dining room, elevator, laundry room, tranquil open bay view, elegant staircase, expansive walls gallery entrance, and much more.  A grand waterfront master suite and sitting area, with his and hers separate baths and walk in closets, a large upstairs landing fit for a sitting area surround the  remaining  three upstairs bedroom and bath suites.