3 Iconic Buildings in Brickell

Many years ago, Brickell began as a neighborhood of luxurious mansions, owned by some of the wealthiest families in Miami. It was referred to as “Millionaires row” due to its prestigious and expensive reputation. Located just south of downtown, Brickell is bordered by some of the most breathtaking towers, five-star restaurants, and scenic marinas. Brickell is often referred to as the “Financial District” of Miami due to its growing population of office buildings. 

In the first half of the 20th century, many prominent families resided in this part of Miami, and began to establish what is now known as Brickell South. As high-rise living became more popular, the Brickell area became more and more sought after. Looking back at the early development of the area, there are three buildings that attracted locals to the new upcoming area; The Villa Regina, The Palace, and The Atlantis. Standing side-by-side, these three beautiful buildings offer endless views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. 

The plans for The Villa Regina, caught everyone’s attention with its old English style architecture. The Villa Regina was built to house the successful Puerto Rican family; The Cabassas. The family’s mansion was still standing into the 1970s, but was razed to make room for a new condominium complex. In 1984, developer Nicholas Morley hired world renowned artist Yaacov Agam to paint the exterior of Villa Regina in order to spark market buzz, and increase sales. The structure became a work of art, changing constantly depending on its viewpoint. Villa Regina boasts a 31-story waterfront high-rise with a total of 208 units. Amenities at Villa Regina include a state-of-the-art gym, spa areas, sauna, 60,000 square foot sundeck and swimming pool overlooking gorgeous Biscayne Bay, and a 43-slip private marina. Today, Villa Regina stands amongst the most iconic and renowned buildings in the Brickell area.

Neighboring the Villa Regina, The Palace, standing 400 feet tall—the 42nd tallest building in the city—was developed from 1978 to 1981 by Franyie Engineers, Inc.  It was designed by Arquitectonica, a famed architectural firm. The building’s 40 floors house a total of 254 units with floor plans ranging from nearly 1,000 square feet to over 3,000 square feet.  The apartments feature floor-to-ceiling glass windows, spacious floor plans, and deep balconies. The Palace combined a conventional main tower with a bright-orange staircase-shaped  protruding extension of the building. It is located within walking distance to shops, restaurants, cafes and entertainment at Mary Brickell Village and Brickell City Centre. Residents get to enjoy features such as: valet parking, two-level covered parking garage, 24-hour concierge, tennis courts, fitness center with state of the art equipment, meeting space and a children’s playroom. Newly updated outdoor space houses event space, daybeds, heated pool and hot tub. 

Just like the Palace, The Atlantis building was designed by the now world famous Arquetonica. It was developed by Sol Luger and completed in 1982. The Atlantis on Brickell Condo is a landmark building in Miami, Florida. The building is known for its glass facade and funky neon-colored elements. Its bright-red spiral staircase in the center of the building,  yellow stack of balconies, and red pyramid make Atlantis look like a work of art. This building is perhaps best remembered for being featured in the opening credits of the 1980s hit TV show “Miami Vice”. Additionally, the staircase leading into the iconic building’s lobby with the large red columns was featured in the 1980s cult classic film “Scarface”. Residents of Atlantis on Brickell enjoy a number of wonderful amenities, including a bayside pool and Jacuzzi, a tennis court, a fitness center, a racquetball court, and the historic Tiffany House which is used as a clubhouse to host private parties. They offer residents a full-service concierge and 24-hour security.

These three iconic buildings have so much to offer their residents. As condo-style living increases in Miami, these buildings continue to grow in popularity. If you are thinking of making the move to the scenic and fast paced area of Brickell, consider looking into these three historical buildings.