Ready to work the design angles at this year's Art Basel? A crop of the latest home products gives new meaning to the term "edgy."

Elastika by Zaha Hadid at the Moore Building.

At this year’s Art Basel in Miami Beach, visitors will encounter the works of some of the world’s edgiest artists of the moment. When it comes to interior design, that focus is no less important, and this season, many of the hottest pieces feature a series of exquisitely chiseled angles.

Forget rounded surfaces. Right now, the coolest collections include stunners such as lighting designer Lindsey Adelman’s hard-lined Agnes chandelier and The Rug Company’s abstract jumble of oblique angles. Smaller pieces also capture the hard-line looks, like Jonathan Adler’s Malachite X vase.

Starburst mirror, Artefacto ($796). 17651 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura, 305-931-9484.

Solid oak Jane dining table, Christophe Delcourt ($2,995). Roche Bobois, 450 Biltmore Way, Miami, 305-444-1017.

Negro marquina and white Calcutta marble Origami box, Kelly Wearstler ($550).

Quantum hand-knotted Tibetan wool rug, The Rug Company ($1,410). 4040 NE Second Ave., #104, Miami, 305-576-9868.

Agnes chandelier, Lindsey Adelman (starts at $8,000).

Malachite X porcelain vase, Jonathan Adler ($148). 4040 NE Second Ave., Miami, 305-576-0200.

Gray lizard skin and metallic bronze Club cocktail cabinet, Armani/Casa (price on request). 10 NE 39th St., Miami, 305-573-4331

After retiring at age 36, Norman Braman went on to create an auto empire, own an NFL team, and help bring Art Basel to Miami Beach.

Irma and Norman Braman in front of some of their collection of 20th-century art, which includes works by Roy Lichtenstein and Jasper Johns.

If you’re ever lucky enough to walk into Norman Braman’s home on the northern tip of Indian Creek Island, you’re first blinded by the sparkle off the water. Then the living room comes into focus. It’s like MOMA on the bay, and that’s before you visit an entire wing devoted to 20th-century giants—a room of Calders, another of Kiefers, the walls of Johns, Lichtensteins, and Warhols. Then there’s Richard Serra’s massive Blade Runner, which sits, in profound weightiness, on the lawn—the four 75-plus-ton slabs of steel monolithic enough to possibly outlast Miami itself. This is the kind of legacy art that interests Norman Braman, and he’s been savvy and successful enough to own it.

Born to immigrant parents in blue-collar Philadelphia (his father was a Polish barber, his mother a Romanian seamstress), Braman had no interest in art as a young man. “My father didn’t drive a car—surviving and moving ahead was prime, not collecting art. I had a full-time job working 40 to 50 hours a week.” He was, however, a zealous Philadelphia Eagles fan, even working as a water boy at the team’s summer training camps. After graduating with a degree in business administration from Temple University, he set out on his American dream, first landing a job as an analyst with a liquor company, then cofounding Keystone Discount Stores, a vitamin retailer. When that firm merged with Philadelphia Pharmaceuticals, Braman found himself, at quite a young age, able to retire. He moved to Miami in 1969 with his wife, Irma, to whom he’s been married for 58 years, and two daughters.

Richard Serra’s Blade Runner is displayed on the Bramans’ lawn.

Part of Braman’s success is that, even at 82 years of age, he seems to have a hard time sitting still. “I had no intention of ever going back to work when I came to Miami,” he says. “I came into the car business as a passive investor.” That “retirement” ended in 1975 when he purchased a Cadillac dealership in Miami, and from there acquired a “sleepy” franchise that included BMW, Bentley, and Rolls-Royce. Today, Braman Motors’ Miami and Palm Beach outposts are ranked fifth and second, respectively, in revenue nationwide.

Building and running the dealerships might have been enough for some, but in 1985, Braman had the opportunity to buy his beloved Philadelphia Eagles. “It was an emotional decision; I was sort of allowing my heart to interfere with my intelligence, but they were wonderful years,” he says. “I am a very competitive person and if we would lose a game, I wouldn’t sleep for about five nights. In 1991, I really got knocked on my butt physically with some major surgery. I decided I would have to reduce the level of stress, and that was coming from owning a football team.” He sold the Eagles in 1994 for a reported $185 million— the most ever for a sports franchise at the time.

The allure of art didn’t strike Braman until he was in his 40s, while he and Irma were staying at their home in southern France. “It was a visit to the Maeght Foundation in Saint-Paul de Vence,” he says. “We became friendly with Maeght, who was still living at that time. It was really our inspiration for collecting.” With no formal art education, there was a lot to learn, and their sensibilities evolved.

Braman with fellow Miami art collector Carlos de la Cruz at a lecture with Jeffrey Deitch held at the de la Cruz Collection this past October.

Braman is adamant that the collection, valued at an estimated $900 million by Forbes, is the joint effort of both himself and Irma, whom he met while working at a summer camp. “Irma deserves a great deal of credit for two of our major masterpieces,” he says. “She really wanted [them] very dearly, and one in particular was an artist that I did not appreciate. One is Jasper Johns, and one is Basquiat. The Jasper Johns was purchased at a time where I wasn’t as financially secure as I am today. The Basquiat—she insisted on it, and they probably are two of our greatest works of art that we own.”

Of their collecting philosophy, he says, “We’re not collectors looking at art as an investment. The key question that we ask ourselves when we look at a work of art is, ‘Does it raise the level of what we have?’ If it doesn’t meet that criteria, we’re just not interested.”

Art Basel in Miami Beach has transformed Miami well beyond the December aesthetic bacchanal, setting a cultural ripple effect through everything from the food scene to real estate. Norman and Irma Braman were largely responsible for throwing the stone that caused those ripples. After attending the Basel fair in Switzerland for years, they repeatedly asked then-Director Lorenzo Rudolf about a second fair—why not hold it in Miami? After a visit, Rudolf was convinced, and rallied the powers that be. It was not smooth sailing. September 11 caused the first fair to be cancelled, and when ABMB finally did launch, the organization had trouble convincing top galleries to attend. “I remember pressuring galleries that I did a great deal of business with, major galleries, to come to Miami. You need the Matthew Marks, the Gagosians, the David Zwirners, and they weren’t here at the beginning,” says Braman. That has clearly changed, as has Miami. As Braman sees it, quality begets legacy. “It’s not about the parties, it’s not about the glamour. It’s all about the quality of the art.”

While minimalism was in vogue last season, the most eye-catching winter accessories are those that shimmer and shine.

HEAVY DUTY: Bold metals and feminine crystals create the perfect contrast.

Minicharm multicrystal-encrusted clutch, Jimmy Choo ($4,050). Village of Merrick Park, 358 San Lorenzo Ave., Coral Gables, 305-443- 6124.

GOLDEN RULE: Gilded details are a timeless classic.

Faceted floral and pearl embroidered box clutch, Marchesa ($2,495). Neiman Marcus, Village of Merrick Park, 358 San Lorenzo Ave., Coral Gables, 786-999-1000. Crystal feather necklace, Oscar de la Renta ($1,195). Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave., 305-868-7986

CAGED GEMS: Glittering crystals adorn this season’s must-haves.

Green crystal Horsebit bracelets, Gucci ($1,350–$1,650 each). Village of Merrick Park, 305-441-2004. Metal and crystal floral minaudière, Ralph Lauren Collection ($4,500). Bal Harbour Shops, 305-861-2059

PURPLE HAZE: Make a statement with pops of plum.

Small plexi bejeweled colored clutch, Elie Saab ($2,500). Neiman Marcus, Bal Harbour Shops, 305-865-6161. Alaleone pump, Manolo Blahnik ($1,135). Barneys New York, 832 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305-421-2010

METRIC SYSTEM: Geometrics give winter accessories a real edge.

Crystal-embellished necklace, Giuseppe Zanotti Design ($1,695). Bal Harbour Shops, 305-868-0133. Be Squared silver and jet crystal minaudière, Judith Leiber Couture ($4,995). Saks Fifth Avenue, Bal Harbour Shops, 305-865-1100

This December no taste is too grand. A fantasyland of luxe decadence and glamour is on our holiday wish list—specifically jewels that live behind glass cases of perennial "oohs" and "ahhs." Spend the holidays dripped in diamonds with these once-in-a-lifetime gifts. 

Venetian Quatrefoil Wide Cuff Bracelet with Diamonds, David Yurman ($35,000). Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave., 305-867-1772

This 18-karat gold bracelet by David Yurman is a good enough reason to get cuffed this holiday season. A generous amount of pavé diamonds adds sparkle, while Gothic-inspired design elements make this timeless piece wearable for just about any occasion.

Cuff Amazone, Messika ($34,000). Neiman Marcus, Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave., 305-865-6161; Mayors, Dadeland Mall, 7457 N. Kendall Dr., Miami, 305-667-7517

If nouveau simplicity is more your style, feast your eyes on this dazzling bracelet from Messika’s Glam'Azone collection. Make this your everyday luxe staple and the compliments won't stop coming. (Owners include the Queen Bey herself, who rocked this piece on a recent trip to Paris.)

Oval Yellow Diamond Halo Earrings, King Jewelers ($15,670). 8265 Biscayne Blvd, 305-935-4900

These yellow-diamond earrings embody the magic of the holiday season without being too over the top. They always say diamonds are a girl's best friend, and with gems like these, how can we resist?

Imperiale Set, Buccellati ($400,000). Bal Harbor Shops, 9700 Collins Avenue, 305-866-8686

Those on Santa's very nice list deserve something exquisite, like Buccellati’s regal emerald-and-diamond set. The laurel-leaf motif holds 11 oval-cut emeralds and so many diamonds that onlookers won't be able to take their eyes off it.

Mademoiselle Privé Watch with Jardin de Camélias Decor, Chanel ($128,000). Bal Harbor Shops, 9700 Collins Avenue, 305-868-0550

Every woman needs some Chanel in her jewelry box; why not ask for a piece that practically oozes opulence? With only 18 of its kind, this Chanel stunner features an 18-karat white gold case fitted with 552 brilliant-cut diamonds, plus an additional 254 diamonds on the camélias dial. 

Crazymals Ring, de Grisogono ($28,100). Bal Harbor Shops, 9700 Collins Ave., 305-865-8765

Equal parts nostalgic, youthful, and luxe, this is the most expensive teddy bear you’ll ever own. Have fun with the movable head and arms on this Crazymal—a character from de Grisogono's playful animal collection—made from 302 brown diamonds and two pink sapphires set in yellow gold.

Miami's Simonett Pereira tells us where you can find her during Art Basel—no doubt with a few loyal mafiosas in tow.

Her distinct style is well-known in Miami’s fashion circles, so it's no surprise that her Art Basel invites have been pouring in. Simonett Pereira started her fashion career at the age of 18 as a graphic designer. But it wasn't until she launched a blog in 2012 that her empire really began to bloom. Soon enough, Pereira found herself buying and selling clothing with a network of over 400,000 followers via ShopStyleMafia.com; a year later she launched her own brand and a Wynwood showroom (2324 N.W. Fifth Ave., Miami) and now Style Mafia is carried in more than 50 stores worldwide. 

The 23-year-old entrepreneur will be front and center during Basel, as Style Mafia sets up shop in Pop-Up Alley at Freehand Miami (2727 Indian Creek Dr., Miami Beach) from December 4-7. Basel-goers will also witness an artistic collaboration between The Two's Duda Texeira and Valeria Krasavina and Pereira. (Follow @shopstylemafia for updates.) 

But it won't just be work and no play. When she's not rubbing elbows with the art and fashion elite or paying a visit to Spinello Projects' Design District pop-up featuring Kris Knight’s Smell the Magic, you’ll find Pereira at these Miami spots:

For a cup of joe: “I don’t drink coffee but Panther is my favorite—they also have tea—and super close to my Wynwood showroom.” 2390 N.W. Second Ave., Miami, 305-677-3952

For a quick refuel: “Crumb on Parchment hidden behind the Marni store in the Design District has a great kale salad.” 3930 N.E. Second Ave., Miami, 305-572-9444

For drinks with out-of-town art folk: “The Broken Shaker at the Freehand Miami. Always." 

For a non-sceney lunch spot: “Soya e Pomodoro in Downtown is one of my favorite non-sceney lunch spots. Great food, chill vibe, and the decor transports you to an alleyway somewhere in Italy.” 120 N.E. First St., Miami, 305-381-9511

For a "that's so Miami" hangout: “The Standard on the closing Sunday for Basel is one of my favorite Miami parties.” 40 Island Ave., Miami Beach, 305-673-1717

For a post-Basel relax remedy: “I always feel like I need an entire month to recoup from Basel madness. The Lapis Spa at The Fontainebleau is one of my favorites.” 4441 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305-674-4772

They say a picture is worth a thousand words—but will it get a thousand "likes"? Populate your Instagram feed during Art Basel with these photogenic art exhibits. 

Shepard Fairey’s Tony Goldman mural at Wynwood Walls.

1. "The Art of Collaboration" at the Wynwood Walls
It's time again for the annual metamorphosis of the late Tony Goldman’s "museum of the streets." See what happens when street artists like Shepard Fairey, Cleon Peterson, and Alexis Diaz are paired off and asked to collaborate under the not-so-watchful eye of Goldman’s daughter, Chief Curator Jessica Goldman Srebnick. Open 10 a.m.-midnight during Miami Art Week; 2520 N.W. Second Ave., Miami

Aaron Curry creates.

2. Solo Exhibits & "To Have and to Hold" at the Rubell Family Collection
According to RFC, this group exhibition is the foundation's most ambitious one ever. You won't be able to decide where to point your iPhone lens as you walk through six never-before-seen solo exhibits by Will Boone, Aaron Curry, Lucy Dodd, Mark Flood, David Ostrowski, and Kaari Upson—and that's just on the first floor. Head upstairs for "To Have and to Hold" featuring 20 individual galleries spotlighting the Rubells' history of art collecting. Opens December 3; 95 N.W. 29th St., Miami

Daniel Arsham with Welcome to the Future

3. Daniel Arsham's Welcome to the Future at Locust Projects
Überhip artist Daniel Arsham of Brooklyn-based architecture firm Snarkitecture returned to Miami to excavate the floor of Locust Projects—and if you haven't seen it yet, Basel is your excuse. The post-apocalyptic-like installation represents the future of society’s subterranean wastelands with nearly 3,000 sculptural reproductions of obsolete objects like telephones and video-game controls made of materials like steel, volcanic ash, and crystal. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. during Art Basel; 3852 N. Miami Ave., Miami

The Death of Nature I by Eloise Fornieles.

4. "Auto Body" at Giant Motors
Miami's Spinello Projects is raising the Basel bar with a four-day multimedia installation in a forlorn, 7,500-square-foot warehouse. The project features 25 videos and daily performances by 33 female artists from around the globe—including quite a few from Miami—with plenty of action to catch on Instagram video. Open 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
 December 4 and 5; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. December 6 and 7. 1750 Bay Road, Miami Beach

Fly’s Eye Dome by Buckminster Fuller.

5. Buckminster Fuller's Fly’s Eye Dome at Pérez Art Museum
Step inside Fuller’s 24-foot dome and aim your camera up. To mark the 10th anniversary of Design Miami/, PAMM has installed this interactive prototype of Fuller’s original design that stood in the Design District in 2011. Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. during Miami Art Week; 103 Biscayne Blvd., Miami

Neighborhood Legends - Control, Power by Michael Vasquez.

6. “Current State” at Big Trouble in Little River
There's a lot to photograph at Little River's pop-up, but we suggest making a beeline for "Current State," a group exhibit curated by Chris Oh to show the true state of Miami's art community. Provocative pieces by Miami artists like Jim Drain, TYPOE, Nicolas Lobo, and Michael Vasquez fill a large, raw space within the outdoor courtyard. Noon-10 p.m. December 4-7; 7357 N.W. Miami Ct., Miami

Ana Luiza Dias Batista’s scaled replica of a popular 1980s Brazilian amusement park attraction.

7. Art Basel’s Public Sector at Collins Park
Public Art Fund's Nicholas Baume is back at it for his second year curating the Public Sector in the sprawling backyard of the Bass Museum of Art. Under Baume's theme of Fieldwork and in collaboration with Bass, visitors of the space can walk amongst 26 large-scale and site-specific installations from artists of all backgrounds. (Be sure to get Miami Beach in the background when you take your Instagram.) December 3-7; Bass Museum of Art, Collins Park, 2100 Collins Ave., 305-673-7530

Shelf by Emmett Moore. 

8. Emmett Moore at Design Miami/
Have your phone battery at 100 percent when you stop by Emmett Moore's solo booth—you'll need the camera to document a Design Miami/ milestone. For the first time, the fair features an exhibit by a Miami-based designer and it's the fair's first collaboration with a Miami-based gallery. Represented by Gallery Diet, artist and designer Emmett Moore presents functional, digitally designed pieces inspired by Miami's tropical textures and industrial neighborhoods. December 3-7; Booth G35 at Design Miami/, Meridian Avenue & 19th Street, Miami Beach

Shen Wei will be showcasing a series of paintings for the first time in the U.S.

9. Shen Wei's "In Black, White and Gray" at MDC Museum of Art + Design
Be there for the world premiere of Shen Wei's painting-and-performance exhibition co-presented by Miami Dade College's Museum of Art + Design and MDC Live Arts. (If the name sounds familiar, it's because Wei was the lead choreographer for the Opening Ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.) You won't be the only one fumbling for your phone when the exhibit comes to life with five live performances by Shen Wei Dance Arts during Art Basel (schedule here). The Freedom Tower, 600 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, 305-237-7700

Michelle Weinberg, Intricate Pattern Overlay

10. Michelle Weinberg Mural at The Wolfsonian-FIU
When you visit The Wolfsonian during Basel, we have to warn you: the exterior may look a little different than you remember. Miami artist Michelle Weinberg is using the museum's facade and south-facing wall as the canvas for Intricate Pattern Overlay, a modern interpretation of the dazzle camouflage-painted ships seen during World War I. The 30-foot-tall mural is one of the best backdrops we can think of for a Basel photo opp. December 1-April 5; 1001 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 305-531-1001

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARAH BONI (WYNWOOD WALLS), GUTA GALLI (AUTO BODY), WORLD RED EYE (PAMM), GESI SCHILLING (EMMETT MOORE); VIA RFC.MUSEUM, TWITTER.COM/DANIELARSHAM, MICHAEL VASQUEZ; ANA LUIZA DIAS BATISTA; MICHELLE WEINBERG

There's no place like Miami during Art Basel. Here's how to make the most of it.

What to Wear We found six hot items that go perfect with this week's agenda.		Where to Eat Here’s what's new and noteworthy in food since last year's Art Basel.		What to Instagram Populate your Instagram feed with these photogenic art exhibits.		Simonett Pereira’s Basel Hangouts Where the Style Mafia founder stops for a quick refuel and more.
Food & Drink Happenings Don’t miss out on Miami’s best Art Basel menus and foodie pop-ups.		Cocktail Break When it’s time for a drink, try one of these four works of art in a glass.		Ask an Art Advisor Who are the artists to watch at Basel? Mia Romanik answers this and more.		New Rules of Art Collecting We bring you some pointers from the best in the art biz.
Social Calendar When FOMO sets in, check our digital calendar for an event update.		What’s New at Design Miami? We catch up with the fair's new executive director.		Pro Talk Three in-the-know art aficionados talk about the importance of the fair.		How to Recover Reenergize your body and mind after a whirlwind week at these Miami spas.

Area 31’s eggless, rum-spiked, and chilled “Caribbean” eggnog is as unorthodox as Miami's sultry winters.

Area 31’s eggnog combines elements of the drink’s Cuban and Puerto Rican renditions for a flavor that’s uniquely Miami.

Coquito, crema de vie, eggnog—regardless of its appellation, the ubiquitous holiday beverage made of whipped eggs, milk, a spice or two, and spirits, has many iterations. At Area 31, head bartender Dean Feddaoui takes eggs out of the equation and uses Miami’s proximity to the Caribbean as an invitation to get creative. The result? A cool seasonal cocktail worth celebrating.

As a native of North Africa, Feddaoui never had eggnog as a kid. “When I moved to New York, it was the go-to drink during snow storms,” he remembers. “But here, we don’t have that.” Instead, Feddaoui has taken cues from Puerto Rico’s and Cuba’s renditions of the holiday classic and borrowed elements from both the coquito and crema de vie to make the traditional drink Miami-appropriate.

A mix of coconut cream and coconut oil, condensed and evaporated milk, and dulce de leche (top) is chilled overnight with wintry spices, before being poured over the 80-proof silver rum.

Shellback Rum from Barbados puts out an 80-proof silver rum that hits high notes of vanilla, which Feddaoui magnifies by splitting five Tahitian vanilla beans and letting them soak in the bottle overnight. “What goes better with South Florida’s Latin community than coconut?” asks Feddaoui. He replaces traditional egg with coconut cream and coconut oil, along with condensed and evaporated milk, and some house-made dulce de leche. He heats the ingredients together, then seasons with nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and star anise. The mix is refrigerated overnight, giving the flavors a chance to blend.

Feddaoui pours the rum over ice, then adds the Caribbean mix and stirs it all up into a creamy comfort drink. Next, he uses a whipper filled with coquito and liquid nitrogen, and garnishes the drink with a dollop of foam that’s something akin to coconut and dulce de leche whipped cream. A pinch of ground cinnamon and nutmeg, along with shaved toasted coconut, acts as the cherry on top of this holiday treat.

The first sip can pack a punch, before the ice softens the experience. From there, the drink gets increasingly gentle and sweet. “Makes you feel like the holidays are happening in Miami, doesn’t it?” says Feddaoui. 270 Biscayne Blvd. Way, Miami, 305-424-5234

December 19 marks a homecoming and history-making night for Fleetwood Mac.

FROM LEFT: Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood, Christine and John McVie, and Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac circa 1977. The band recorded its best-selling Rumours album at Criteria Studios in North Miami.

Miami is known for its unique blend of music featuring elements of Latin beats and pop rhythms. Seventies rock ’n’ roll? Not so much. But that doesn’t stop potentially 50,000 or so people from seeking out the classic genre when Fleetwood Mac comes to town on December 19.

Not surprisingly, Fleetwood Mac is one of the most iconic bands to come out of that generation and has bridged the gap between the Baby Boomers and Millennials. With their emotionally charged music and charismatic stage presence, Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks, Christine and John McVie, and Mick Fleetwood have captivated audiences for years despite their numerous breaks.

After being on hiatus since 2009, Fleetwood Mac left many South Floridian fans disappointed when the group canceled their much-anticipated June 2013 concert at the BB&T Center—one of a number of called-off shows due to John McVie’s battle with cancer. But like the hook of a great song, the band caught the ear of fans when they announced Christine McVie would be returning to the group after her 15-year leave to help headline their 2014 On With the Show tour. And their one stop in Sunrise is sure to make up for the years of built-up anticipation as the original members featured on the band’s best-selling Rumours album return to the stage. “This is something we never thought we’d see again,” says Miami music critic Howard Cohen. “The Rumours-era lineup hasn’t played these parts since 1997, and Christine was adamant about no more music or touring.”

Not only will this performance be historical, but it also acts as a homecoming of sorts. Fleetwood Mac recorded parts of the classic Rumours album at the famed Criteria Studios in North Miami in 1976, and it was that album that made music history. It spent 31 weeks at number 1 through most of 1977—which is a record-setting run for a rock band’s album that remains intact to this day. It was also the first pop/rock album to score four Top 10 singles from one album, something unheard of in that era. “Criteria was a well-regarded studio,” says Cohen. “Stars liked recording in the sunny heat of South Florida rather than chilly New York and liked the getaway from California.”

While Miami may be better known as a vacation destination than a rock ’n’ roll mecca, the Magic City’s appreciation for music still draws crowds. Says Cohen, “It is impressive that a group that formed as a British blues band in England in 1967 can still get thousands of South Floridians off the beach into a sports arena.” Fleetwood Mac performs Friday, December 19, at 8 pm at BB&T Center, 1 Panther Pkwy., Sunrise

Metro 1 Properties' Tony Cho jump-starts another new neighborhood in Miami. What's next?

Tony Cho at Miami’s Little Haiti Cultural Center.

Inside his Wynwood office—a 1962 two-story Woolworth’s warehouse adapted into the Metro 1 Properties home base—founder and CEO Tony Cho spends so much time surrounded by artists that, in his own way, he’s become one. Turning the once blank canvases of neighborhoods like Wynwood, Little River, and Lemon City into burgeoning pockets of Miami, Cho has played a major role in painting a bright future for once-forgotten areas of the city. He’s buying. He’s selling. He’s doing what he’s done since he was in the nightclub game more than a dozen years ago: promoting. Cho talks to Ocean Drive about how he got started, his vision for the Upper East Side, and how he’s opening the velvet ropes to artists everywhere.

You parlayed early investments in Wynwood and the surrounding areas into big success—how did it start?
I came to the area in 2000 when I got my real estate license, and I was exposed to the underbelly and inner workings of the creative class early on. One of my clients bought a warehouse on Fourth Court, and she showed me a different side of Miami that I didn’t know existed. I bought my first property in 2001 on Bayshore Drive. I bought that apartment with a private mortgage at 11 percent with $9,000 that I had saved, and then a year later I sold that $66,000 condo for $180,000. I started investing in what I believed would be the future: interesting, creative neighborhoods of Miami—Edgewater, Wynwood, Design District, Buena Vista, Little River, Lemon City, Upper East Side, downtown.

What made you see a future there?
An international trend around the world is urbanizing. People are deemphasizing the automobile and moving into the inner cities, and I created this concept of Metro 1 based on embodying those global trends. It’s the first time in history that more than 51 percent of the world’s population lives in cities, and the forecast is that 70 percent of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050.

What’s your next step?
I partnered up with a very successful entrepreneur named Robert Zangrillo out of Miami, and we’ve cofounded an opportunity and development fund called the Magic City Fund. We’ve assembled collectively, between Wynwood and the Lemon City/Little River area, about 15 acres and 200,000 square feet of commercial buildings for development and adaptive reuse projects. That’s our next frontier.

A mural by artist Aleksey Kislow on the side of a building Cho is developing at 560 NW 29th Street.

What do you envision for Little River?
I see Little River as being a creative incubator community. It’s where the creatives are going because it’s more affordable, so you have a lot of art galleries that are moving there like the Michael Jon Gallery and Guccivuitton, and you have a lot of the artist studios there like Bhakti Baxter.

What does the future hold for Wynwood?
If you’re a tech company—whether you’re a start-up or established—you probably want to locate your business in Wynwood, because that’s what it represents: that incubator, entrepreneurial culture. Facebook is looking for a location in Wynwood, and The LAB became a huge success in Wynwood, which was a tenant that we brought to the neighborhood. Miami is seen as a place for this entrepreneurial culture and for a mini-tech Silicon Valley, or Silicon Beach. But I also see more, higher-end art galleries coming into Wynwood and a heavy influx of food, beverage, hospitality, and hotels.

How do you ensure these neighborhoods are successful?
Good instincts. You also have to put your money where your mouth is and promote like hell, and then you create a momentum. You have wonderful people and leaders like Tony Goldman and Craig Robins—with capital and resources and a track record—who came in as well to help propel it forward. It’s getting everybody on the same page and working together collectively as a team for the greater good of the neighborhood.

How is Metro 1 transitioning?
We’re going to do $300 million in sales, and over the last couple of years, I’ve been transitioning from primarily a broker-based business to a fully integrated urban real estate organization that does development, brokerage, and management. We currently have a million square feet under management in our company, and I imagine that’s going to grow exponentially over the next five to 10 years. It’s exciting to now have a stake in some of this stuff and not just broker the deal and let the destiny of a property be in the hands of someone else.

Cedar plank-roasted swordfish by Traymore's Jonathan Lane brings a little bit of high-country smoke to the beauty of local fish.

Traymore Restaurant and Bar’s cedar plank-roasted swordfish with pureed caramelized eggplant and a salad of peppery rocket and shaved fennel, topped with pine nuts.

Chef Jonathan Lane was born in barbecue-steeped Kansas City and raised in the high-plains cattle country of Colby, Kansas, yet here he stands, in the kitchen of the elegant seaside Traymore Restaurant and Bar in South Beach nestled in the Metropolitan by COMO hotel, his fingers tenderly caressing a pristine portion of swordfish with extra-virgin olive oil. This is just one of many species of exquisite fish that he’s been handling these days.

Chef Lane has been away from home for some time, having worked at Four Seasons Hotels in Dallas, New Orleans, Chicago, and New York over the past decade. Apparently you can take the boy out of Kansas City, but you can’t take away his love of smoke. One of the best-selling items at Traymore is swordfish on cedar plank.

THE SOURCE

Lane cites freshness as a pivotal menu factor. “We’re not like some other Miami restaurants, where all you see is branzino,” he says. “It’s a great fish, but we’ve got equally great product right here.” The thick square of swordfish he is currently grilling, for instance, swam in local Florida waters. During summer months, some of the catch will come from farther north, but the chef will only cast his line so far. “At Le Bernardin, Eric Ripert decided right from the start to never serve fish that isn’t from North America. I think that’s the right philosophy.”

Chef Jonathan Lane adding marjoram to a pan with browned butter, piquillo peppers, capers, and toasted pine nuts.

THE PREPARATION

“I like the meatiness, the texture of it,” Lane says of the swordfish, while placing a puree of caramelized baby eggplant laced with garlic and herbs into a pan to heat (he stealthily slips in a small slab of butter, as one might sneak candy to a kid while Mom is looking away). Next, he quickly f licks a water-soaked cedar plank onto the grill. In a second pan, Lane browns butter for a “nutty flavor,” and in rapid succession pops in piquillo peppers, capers, and toasted pine nuts. “Nothing heavy sauce-wise. It’s more like a relish. I want to keep it real light,” he says. Once the edges of the cedar round are glowing bright red, Lane removes it from the f lames. He scoops the swordfish off the grill and caps it with the caper concoction, then gently positions the fish on the hot plank and covers it with a dome.

Swordfish is placed on a cedar plank hot off the grill for a smoky effect.

THE RESULTS

“At the table, when the waiter uncovers the fish, you get the aroma of the cedar smoke rising—I’ve always loved food with a smoky flavor. It has an impact on people. It permeates memories somehow,” says Lane. As cedar vapors waft through the air, the server transfers the fish onto a pool of eggplant puree that centers a pre-arranged plate. Piled alongside is a combo of peppery rocket leaves and shaved fennel cleanly dressed with Hacienda Guzmán extra-virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice. The salad’s bracing acidity slices through the soft cedar smokiness; salty capers and tangy eggplant serve as contrast for the inherently sweet swordfish; piquillo peppers and buttery pine nuts complement it. This colorful aquatic presentation brightly declares: We’re not in Kansas anymore. 2445 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305-695-3600.

We caught up with Andrea and Lucrezia Buccellati inside the bustling, new Buccellati boutique at Bal Harbour Shops during Art Basel Miami Beach.

Andrea and Lucrezia Buccellati.

She may be only 26 years old, but Lucrezia Buccellati is at the helm of one of the most distinguished jewelry houses in the world. The sprightly creative is the first female to assume the role of designer for Buccellati after four generations of leadership by men in her family. The Miami-born and New York-based protégé is poised to take her father’s regal legacy to new heights at a time when Buccellati is refreshing its brand identity and entering the bridal, tech, and bespoke timepiece realms.

Make no mistake: Lucrezia’s innovative spirit won’t jeopardize the glamour or quality so closely associated with the Italian jewelry house while she pushes the family business into its second century of success. Lucrezia and her father, Creative Director Andrea Buccellati, recently spent a month together obsessively brainstorming and designing near the brand's flagship store on New York's Madison Avenue—and the results are captivating.

Roam amongst their timeless pieces at Buccellati's just-opened boutique at the Bal Harbour Shops; it's a fitting week to witness such a significant moment in design history as the world's art elite gather in Miami for Art Basel. As Andrea and Lucrezia mingled with fair-goers and friends at the boutique, we had the chance to speak with the passionate father-daughter duo about the past, present, and future of Buccellati. 

Your family’s company is beloved for its iconic motifs and quality materials. What do you bring to the table? What’s in store for the new generation of the brand? 
LUCREZIA BUCCELLATI: Since the beginning in 1919, two generations have always worked together. In this way you can continue a balance of bringing the brand into modern days. It’s more of a soft passage from old to new, and the guidance from my father creates an important equilibrium. I think I bring a modern touch combined with the traditions of his generation—a freshness. I’m thinking of pieces that my generation would want, like engagement rings and iPhone and iPad cases.

Andrea and Lucrezia Buccellati.

Many of the pieces in your repertoire evoke a High Renaissance vibe. Is this a deliberate nod to the artists who shaped the period of the Italian masters?
ANDREA BUCCELLATI: Our company’s craftsmanship is from the Renaissance. We brought the techniques used 300-400 years ago up to date with more tools than they had, but everything is inspired by the classic design. That’s our legacy.
LB: Our iPhone case is a good example, as it features a cluster of Leonardo da Vinci’s suns [each has been molded, sculpted, and encrusted with precious diamonds]. He was such a visionary, so we linked him to a piece that would reflect his modernity.

Buccellati is based in Milan, Lucrezia, where some of da Vinci’s most iconic works live. Do you feel a personal connection to the artist?
LB: Yes, of course. I went to school right across the street from The Last Supper in the refectory of the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie. As Italians, we live in the Renaissance.

Each Buccellati piece is handmade and most are one-of-a-kind. How many artisans do you employ in order to meet the demand?
AB: We have 200-250 artisans working with us who are part of our family. They pass the proprietary techniques from generation to generation. This style is very common for Italian business and now we’re seeing increased interest from the new generation. They want to create.

What is the most important piece of advice you've received from your father as you embark on your new position?
LB: Every day I’m with him I learn something new. There are secrets to this job that you can’t study and he’s here to share the history with me.
AB: May I add that Lucrezia gives me new ideas? She makes me think in a better way, which has been the most interesting experience. I learned from my father and that was different than this. We talk and create something that’s beautiful.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF RA-HAUS/@RAHAUS

As high-end fashion houses target a luxury sector increasingly concerned with sustainability, Loro Piana is decidedly—and beautifully—on course.

The stalk of the lotus flower produces a strong and lightweight fiber that is harvested and extracted by hand.

We’ve just set sail off the British Virgin Islands with the official Loro Piana race crew during the 2014 Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht Regatta & Rendezvous. Pier Luigi Loro Piana, vice chairman of the eponymous Italian textile and luxury goods brand, and Matthieu Brisset, Loro Piana’s new CEO from LVMH, huddle near the massive helm, strategizing with top sailors from around the globe. Dressed as one of the crew, at age 63, Pier Luigi grins. “Jazz and sailing are my passions,” he says, “besides wool and cashmere.”

Discussing his decision to sell a majority of his family business to LVMH—the European luxury conglomerate acquired an 80 percent stake in Loro Piana in July 2013 for 2 billion euros (about $2.6 billion USD)—Pier Luigi, who remains hands-on, is quick to smile. He feels his company is tacking in the right direction.

And though he may sail the largest yachts in the ocean, he can also be found in a dinghy scouring the far reaches of the earth for the kinds of exquisite textiles his customers associate with his brand. His latest gem, the fiber of the lotus flower, is a frontrunner in the company’s evolving commitment toward sustainable luxury—a buzzword among top-tier brands vying for the attention of a discerning clientele, one that increasingly prioritizes social conscience.

According to a recent study published by the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO), luxury brands may lose business if they fail to emphasize corporate and social responsibility. Jonathan Kendall, CIBJO’s president of marketing and education, notes, “Corporate responsibility will be directly linked to a luxury company’s profitability in the future.” The 2013 Cone Communications/Echo Global Study on CSR found that nine out of 10 global consumers want companies to exceed minimum standards required by law to operate responsibly.

“We are looking for quality—that strategy will never change,” Pier Luigi explains, “but with the mentality to respect the environment in how we produce and manufacture. This is very important—to do less damage to this world.”

“Sometimes, perfection is still guaranteed by the fine mending made by hand,” says Pier Luigi Loro Piana.

THE CALL OF CRAFTSMANSHIP

Established in 1924 by Pietro Loro Piana—with origins dating back to 1812 with the vision of Pier Luigi’s great-grandfather Giacomo Loro Piana—the company was the first to brand and label a textile during the late 1800s.

“We were known for making good, thick, woolen coats—and high-quality fabric, particularly for men,” Pier Luigi explains. “After WWII, [my father] made a strategic change, with products for both men and women.” Pier Luigi and his late brother, Sergio, took over in the 1970s and began exporting fabrics, and today, the Italian house is the world’s largest cashmere manufacturer and the biggest single purchaser of the globe’s finest wools, with 150 retail outlets, 16 of them in the United States, including one in Bal Harbour.

Unlike brands that outsource steps in production, Loro Piana’s sheep-to-shop production allows for tight quality control. At its group headquarters in Corso Rolandi, Italy, one will find artists with tweezers working over swaths of cashmere, while huge, high-tech machines support a large-scale, modern-day operation as the sixth-generation Italian brand remains rooted in its quest for high-quality craftsmanship. “In the ’80s, we invested in a lot of new technology,” Pier Luigi says, “but the machinery can do nothing without people who can manage it and sometimes perfection is still guaranteed by the fine mending made by hand.”

GLOBAL GOODS, ANCIENT GOODS

Traveling with a small circle of two to three trusted researchers, Pier Luigi frequently leads international trips to uncover new materials. “It’s important that somebody who wants to judge new products has a deep knowledge of the raw material,” he explains.

Much of the fabric used for the brand’s most coveted pieces comes from the vicuña, a South American relative of the llama. Only 12.5 to 13 microns thick, vicuña fibers are considered the finest that can be legally culled from an adult animal; the resulting wool is incomparable in softness and quality. Due to poaching, at one point only 5,000 vicuña remained. Loro Piana began working with local governments to safeguard the animal in the 1980s, and in 2008, it established the nature reserve Dr. Franco Loro Piana Reserva (named after the founder’s nephew). Today, the vicuña head count is approximately 180,000 and Loro Piana is the top producer of vicuña goods.

But it is an ancient, natural fiber once used for hand-crafted monks’ garments and sacred to the Buddha that is Pier Luigi’s latest preoccupation—and with good reason. “An old friend of mine, Choichiro Motoyama, gave me a piece of fabric made in Myanmar. He said, ‘This is from the lotus flower.’ I touched it, and it was different than anything else; it looks like raw silk, has the shine of a linen, but it’s soft.” Immediately smitten, Pier Luigi decided to fasttrack production and in 2010 contracted the local community to produce the lotus-flower fiber.

“This fabric is the greenest textile fabric of the world,” he says. “There is no electricity involved, no engine that works on the machinery, nothing.” The stems of the aquatic plant produce an extremely fine raw material akin to linen and raw silk. But they have to be hand-worked on wooden looms; from the moment the flowers are de-stemmed, the filaments must be extracted within 24 hours or the material is no longer usable. It takes 6,500 stems to obtain a little over four yards of the light-as-air, breathable yarn needed for a single cut length of a blazer. The production supports an ancient art and economy in jeopardy. “We will not lose this tradition, which was ready to die,” Pier Luigi says.

Given this hands-on approach, a limited number of blazers are produced each year. Packaged in a beautiful, handcrafted lacquer box, the Lotus Flower jacket—available only in its natural ecru color—is custom priced, and limited-cut lengths are offered for made-to-order blazers.

Managers and office staff of Loro Piana predecessor Fratelli Lora and Company Woollen Mill, in Valsesia, in northern Italy, in the late 1800s. bottom: Loro Piana’s Palm Beach boutique.

A NEW LEVEL OF LUXURY

To some, the merger of Loro Piana with LVMH, which also owns prestigious brands such as Veuve Clicquot, TAG Heuer, Dom Pérignon, Céline, Loewe, and Givenchy, was a surprising move. For Pier Luigi, however, it made perfect sense. “The group has the know-how, the system, management, and the potential to continue and develop the strategy Loro Piana already put in place,” he says. “That’s why we selected LVMH for the future of the company.” LVMH is also a committed advocate of environmental protection and a member of the United Nations Global Compact, which requires its signatories to apply and promote 10 principles in the fields of human rights, labor, and the environment.

“Quality is the prime character of everything we do,” Pier Luigi notes. “We’ve built a consciousness that high quality is related to natural fibers.” By quality, he refers to unparalleled texture, color, refinement—and the avoidance of a detrimental effect on the environment. “If you put a jacket of wool under the dirt, it will die. The nylon jacket never dies.” Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave., 305-867-1680; 245 Worth Ave., Palm Beach, 561-833-7016

Giorgio Armani's new exclusive Borgonuovo bag adds the perfect accent to a Miami wardrobe, while the brand's Armani/Casa residences reimagine the city's skylines.

The designer concluding his Spring/Summer 2014 Giorgio Armani Privé show, part of Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week in January.

Giorgio Armani might be known best as the epitome of elegant, timeless design, but innovation and modernity are also two concepts near and dear to the designer, and his new Borgonuovo bag combines the best of both worlds. Named for Armani’s longtime address at the Via Borgonuovo in Milan, the classic, versatile tote is now available in a limited-edition shade of lime green, designed exclusively for the American market.

“I wanted to condense the sense of purity and surprise that I see in the arts district of Brera, specifically that of Via Borgonuovo, where I have lived since 1982, into the Borgonuovo bag,” says Armani of his inspiration behind the handbag, which is available in medium and small versions at the Giorgio Armani boutique in the Design District. "The functional elegance of the bag’s design conceals unexpected contrasting interiors, just like the austere façades of the buildings on my street, which often conceal beautiful gardens.”

Borgonuovo bag ($3,425).

Featuring adjustable handles with buckle accents along with horizontal and perpendicular seams, the design of the Borgonuovo works to showcase its different surfaces and shades. “The Borgonuovo has a simple, timeless design that works for any occasion,” he says. “It’s a minimalist bag that is well-proportioned.”

Reimagined in bold, exotic materials, the lime green incarnation serves as a Miami-appropriate electric pop of color against the current Armani fashion collection, which has a more subdued palette of gray tones. And while the vibrant shade seems tailor-made for South Beach, the new bag isn’t the only offering the designer has cooking for the Magic City. Soon, those who love Armani clothes and accessories can take their devotion one step further, with an Armani-inspired apartment. Armani/Casa Interior Design Studio has partnered with Dezer Development and The Related Group to design and develop the Residences by Armani/Casa at 18975 Collins Avenue. Designed in collaboration with architect César Pelli, the Residences feature a sleek, 60-story oceanfront tower encompassing 260 luxury condos envisioned with the Armani aesthetic in mind.

“For me, interior design is always about creating a calm and safe atmosphere in which you can relax and recover from the stresses of the outside world,” says Armani. “Aesthetically, I prefer timeless style to anything more overtly fashionable or trend-driven, and many people share a love of this approach, especially where their homes are concerned. My clothing and work for Armani/Casa are united through a shared consistency of approach.”

The Residences by Armani/Casa in Sunny Isles.

Scheduled to be completed in 2016, the Residences by Armani/ Casa will have interiors created by the Armani/ Casa Interior Design Studio, an interior design services branch of the company that was launched in 2003. Under the artistic direction of Giorgio Armani himself, the studio develops designs that take into account cultural, geographical, and architectural elements of the space and location—including custommade built-in furnishings—in order to integrate seamlessly into the landscape.

“Armani/Casa was born from my desire to see my design aesthetic at work in interior spaces,” says Armani, adding that the Miami project is particularly unique and close to his heart. “On a project like this, we get the opportunity to create something really very special—a remarkable living space, imbued with the spirit of modern elegance.” Giorgio Armani, Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave., 305-861-1515; Armani/Casa, Miami Design District, 10 NE 39th St., 305-573-4331

Daniel Arsham returns to Miami to transform Locust Projects into an art-world excavation site.

Welcome to the Future, 2014, by Daniel Arsham (installation view).

Call it a homecoming: For his Locust Projects installation Welcome to the Future, Miami expat Daniel Arsham returns from Brooklyn to his early stomping grounds—literally. A decade ago, Locust Projects’ Design District building was the site of Arsham’s own Placemaker gallery, where he exhibited his inventive forays into the realm of architectural decay, as well as the handiwork of a kindred local crew. But Welcome to the Future is less a walk down memory lane than an amble through an invented past. Arsham is burrowing into Locust Projects’ floor to create a faux-archeological dig, revealing an array of iconic ’80s consumer items.

However, Arsham isn’t taking the ready-made path of least resistance. His installation’s make-believe fossils are all hand-cast from obsidian, ash, or quartz. “I want to question what linear time means, and what your place in it is,” Arsham explains.

So is his show a warning to start heading for higher ground? After all, alarmed climatologists have already moved a submerged Locust Projects—and all of greater Miami—out of the realm of science fiction and firmly onto the looming horizon. “I don’t prescribe what viewers take away; it’s an invitation,” Arsham says of his work.

Still, he’ll concede that South Florida serves as fertile grist for his imagination. “You can fly into Miami on a plane, look down, and see the edge of the Everglades. You can see communities with houses, pools, and roads. And then there’s a line. Beyond it is only swamp,” he muses. “That line has always fascinated me—the idea of competition and conflict between man-made and natural things.” Welcome to the Future is on view through January 2015 at Locust Projects, 3852 N. Miami Ave., Miami, 305-576- 8570

The world's largest paint party returns to its home city of Miami, spraying everyone and everything in its way.

Revelers at a Life in Color party. The Miami phenomenon regularly sells out arenas around the globe.

If the idea of dancing wildly for hours with a sweaty mob slathered in paint sounds a bit much, you’re not alone. Once upon a time, the crew behind Life in Color—dubbed “the world’s largest paint party”—felt exactly the same way. “We thought it was really crazy, to be honest,” says Sebastian Solano, who founded the traveling event with partners Paul Campbell and brothers Lukasz and Patryk Tracz. “We ended up having the time of our lives.”

Seven years and millions of gallons of paint, partiers, and dollars later, it’s safe to say the team doesn’t think the concept is so crazy anymore. Regularly selling out arenas and nightclubs for more than 200 performances yearly in over 60 countries around the world, Life in Color isn’t simply a party. If anything, it’s a full-on, blown-out bacchanalia with DJs, paint, confetti, and upwards of 25,000 revelers. The event is coming back home to Sun Life Stadium in Miami, this time for an expanded two days on December 26 and 27, for its biggest throwdown yet, featuring over 100,000 gallons of paint and superstar DJ Kaskade.

Not bad for a group of local boys, none of them older than 30. It all came together when they were attending Florida State University in Tallahassee, plunging deep into the college party scene. Electronic dance music hadn’t quite taken a hold of the public yet, but the guys were early evangelists. “We were already all best friends, and we all have a serious love for the music,” says Lukasz Tracz. “We started throwing a bunch of house parties for fun.” They went to one party in particular, with paint being sprayed everywhere, and an idea was born.

Patryk Tracz, Sebastian Solano, Lukasz Tracz, and Paul Campbell. 

The concept? Douse attendees in a cascade of nontoxic, water-based bright paints (via giant cannons) and let the human rainbow bounce with the music—it’s often nothing less than pure, beat-and-color-fueled euphoria. Inspired, the team held its first party here in Miami. It was a massive success. Sell-out after sell-out saw the paint parties spread north, and with club promoters all over America calling to get the then-dubbed “Dayglow” brand to their city, immediately. A career turning point came when legendary New York nightclub Webster Hall sold out in minutes, reached capacity, and then was shut down by the fire marshal when too many people without tickets showed up trying to get in. “It was almost like a riot in the streets,” says Solano.

It was this kind of rapturous mania that made it clear to Solano and his friends that they had to devote all their effort to it—even if that meant a serious change of plans. “One of my teachers saw what we were doing and just asked me, ‘What are you doing here? Go pursue your dream,’” Lukasz Tracz recalls.

Giant cannons spray the bouncing crowd with streams of dayglow paint.

“I remember being in class with Lukasz at FSU just when we were about to start a tour of eight cities,” says Solano. “All we were talking about was tickets and marketing. We realized that this was a multimillion-dollar business and we had to pursue it, especially because we all came from nothing.”

In the years since, Life in Color has been staged in such far-flung locations as Poland and Australia, and in 2012 it was acquired by SFX, one of the world’s largest live events production companies. All the success aside, however, the founders still become giddy when it comes to throwing another party in their hometown.

“We’re such proud Miamians,” says Solano of the festival, which last year featured ziplines and Ferris wheels at Sun Life Stadium. “We became big here before anywhere else, and this is our flagship event. This is going to be the best show we’ve ever produced.” Life in Color Festival 2014 takes place Friday and Saturday, December 26 and 27, at Sun Life Stadium, 2269 NW 199th St., Miami Gardens

What did Derek Jeter and a former New York Yankees teammate do during their weekend in Miami? This and more in this week’s celebrity sightings.

Derek Jeter.

Derek Jeter and Andruw Jones Do Boys Night at Touché

The MLB All-Stars were seen posing for photos with fans while dining at Touché on Saturday, November 29. The former teammates ordered two bottles of Don Julio 1942 tequila and enjoyed Chef Carla Pellegrino's Italian cuisine. They partied late into the night and enjoyed live music from Face2Face.

Jeter was also seen dining with friends at Zuma on Sunday, November 30.

Paulina Rubio Stops by Seasalt and Pepper for Seconds

The singer arrived at Seasalt and Pepper by boat on Wednesday, November 26 with her two children and new beau. The family dinner featured samples from the new menu at Modern Garden, a crudo and hot stone venue by Seasalt and Pepper owners Carlos and Maryam Miranda. 

Rubio returned to the restaurant with her mother, actress Susana Dosamantes, for round two on Monday, December 1.

Peter Marino Goes for French Fare at Villa Azur

On Saturday, November 29, the fashion and luxury retail architect was spotted dining with a group of friends at South of France-inspired restaurant Villa Azur.

Jason Derulo Dines at Zuma

The singer was seen with a friend at Zuma on Wednesday, November 26.

DJ Carnage Gives Surprise Set at WALL

DJ Carnage surprised guests at WALL Lounge's Favela Beach party on Tuesday, November 25 with an impromptu DJ set, playing from 3 a.m. until closing.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF ROB KIM/GETTY IMAGES

Two powerhouse, record-breaking luxury real estate agents discuss what's changed in the Miami market since last year's Art Basel.

Nancy Batchelor and Niki Higgins on the balcony of Apartment 1402 at the Continuum.

Art Basel serves as a benchmark for the health of Miami’s cultural and economic states. Last year’s acclaimed event—along with several infrastructure developments in the past 12 months—added to Miami’s allure as an international landmark for high-end living. Nancy Batchelor, of The Nancy Batchelor Team at EWM Realty International, and Niki Higgins, director of luxury sales at the Seaside Properties Group at Douglas Elliman, take a look at how Miami’s real estate market has grown since the 2013 fair, and why last year’s buyers are here to stay.

Nancy Batchelor: We’ve got three buyers: The millennials who went to college [and] came back. They’ve got baby-boomer parents [who] are buying big stuff. We’ve got the hedge-fund market, which is not just New York; it’s California, Europe, India. They fall in love with [Miami], they get a taste during Basel, and then they come back for a long weekend, go deeper and figure out what part of South Florida works for them. Then there’s your international buyer. When people look into moving here permanently, it becomes different. People put their toe in and come for holidays and it’s a second-home market, but then they like it here, [their kids] can go to college [here]. Now we have world-class medical [facilities] and universities. All the pieces of the puzzle are here.

Niki Higgins: The Knight Frank Wealth Report 2014 says that Miami is the number-two [top global city in the] US [region]. And as far as cities in the world that ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWI) want to be in, it’s number eight. And 20 percent of them are considering buying a new home this year.

Potential buyers are drawn to the luxury oceanfront lifestyle the Continuum offers (here, the living room).

NB: Just like the art world has exploded in the last 12 months, so has the ultra-luxury market. [The Nancy Batchelor Team has] had more sales in the last 12 months of $1 million, $5 million, $10 million and higher than in the past few years.

NH: The UHNWI wants to come to cities that are ranked on economic activity, quality of life, knowledge and influence and political power, so the US is very appealing. These individuals are moving and reallocating their assets around the world, and they want to be in their top cities, and Miami’s arrived. We are feeling, in Miami all the way up to Palm Beach, the increase of the global reallocation.

NB: What’s happened is Miami is year round. We had a lot of people who had a great time at Basel, then maybe came for the Miami International Boat Show, President’s Weekend, and they love it during this time. But everyone says it’s so hot in the summer. Our team had such a busy August because people wanted to come in the worst month and see if it’s really that bad. We had some big sales that month, and they are going to come back to Basel to buy the art.

NH: Art Basel is kind of the mixer in the mixing bowl. The art comes together with the real estate. The buyers [aren’t] buying real estate during Art Basel—they are here to buy art—but they certainly enjoy the excitement and vibrancy of the city.

ON THE MARKET: Penthouse 4 at Bellaria in Palm Beach, represented by the Seaside Properties Group at Douglas Elliman, and the Miami Beach estate at 2830 Lucerne Avenue (below) in gated Sunset Island, listed by Nancy Batchelor.

NB: Realtors, during that period, [are] connectors. “What’s happening? What’s the good place to be? What restaurant? How do we get there?” It’s more of that we’re doing.

NH: We do entertaining, eating, talking, meeting maybe at one of the art fairs. It is a time to connect with people and show them what a beautiful place we live in.

NB: Speaking of art, [in] all these brand-new buildings, the architecture [and] art are really selling the condominiums. It’s one thing to know floor plans, price points…. and then it’s, “Oh, by the way, who is the architect?” It has become very high-end. It’s like, “Is that a Prada bag or not?” It’s branding with the architects, the designers, and the art that’s there.

NH: Miami is still a great buy. It’s only the 14th-most-expensive city in the world. 2014/2015 is a good time to buy before Miami prices catch up with the other leading cities of the world. The Nancy Batchelor Team, EWM Realty International, 419 Arthur Godfrey Road, Miami Beach, 305-903-2850; Niki Higgins, Seaside Properties Group at Douglas Elliman, multiple locations, 305-728-2448

This year’s Art Basel brought us everything we wanted: million-dollar works by the top artists in the world, a crop of exclusive exhibits and installations across Miami, and endless celebrity sightings. Here, we bring you our favorite celeb-centric moments from the past week.

Mirando Kerr.

Seen: Miranda Kerr, Kate Hudson, and Michelle Williams all rocked Louis Vuitton to—what else? A private event hosted by Louis Vuitton to welcome Basel-goers to Pierre Paulin's "Playing with Shapes" furniture concept on December 2. More photos here.

Heard: This year’s CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund recipient Paul Andrew held a spring/summer trunk show at Capretto on December 4. As he graciously took photos with shoppers, it became clear that the shoe designer is still on cloud nine after being recognized by the Council of Fashion Designers of America and Vogue: “Our Instagram following just jumped up maybe 10,000 in the last week,” he said. “It’s crazy—I’m trying to keep very level-headed about the whole thing.”

Seen: Artist and Instagram darling Donald Robertson (a.k.a. Donald Drawbertson) rolled up to Art Basel on December 4 in a customized, lip-print 1974 Cadillac El Dorado. The car, which started its journey in LA on November 29, celebrated Robertson’s new partnership with Smashbox by handing out tubes of limited-edition Be Legendary Lipstick shade, Bing, with a custom, kissy-face sleeve designed by Drawbertson.

Lem Jay Ignacio and Jena Malone of The Shoe.

Heard: Two-man band The Shoe, comprised of Hunger Games star Jena Malone and Lem Jay Ignacio, mesmerized an intimate crowd at the Thompson Miami Beach’s Crown Room with an off-the-cuff musical performance on December 2. It was the now-redheaded beauty’s first time at Basel. “It's so fun and overwhelming here in the best way,” she said. “I love the feeling of so many artists coming together in a single place.”

Seen: Leonardo DiCaprio sat at a private table with friends Tobey Maguire and Lukas Haas at artist Mr. Brainwash’s party at WALL Lounge on December 3. Rick Ross and Joe Jonas were also spotted chatting with friends, while A-Rod popped Champagne with his entourage.

Heard: The next day at WALL, Paris Hilton took the stage as DJ, playing a mix of top hits. The heiress is no stranger to the Magic City: “Miami is such an amazing scene,” she said. “I come out 3-4 times each year and always have a great time. I actually came out to a studio in Miami to work on some of my singles. I find the atmosphere here very relaxed and fun.”

Chrome Hearts Founder Laurie Lynn Stark with Kate Hudson.

Seen: Kate Hudson, Elle Macpherson, Marina Abramovic, and Iggy Pop watched Zoe Kravitz perform with her band, Lola Wolf, at the opening of Chrome Hearts in the Design District on December 3.

Heard: At the official launch party for The Miami Beach EDITION on December 2, hotelier Ian Schrager chatted with guests about the birth and creation of his newest property. What makes it stand out? “Originality,” according to Schrager. “It has to be daring. There has to be a level of sophistication that creates that magic that happens when you mesh all the details.” (The hotel features a Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurant, a bowling alley, and a Studio 54-like nightclub.)

FKA twigs.

Seen: Between gigs and red-carpet appearances all over Miami Beach, newlywed Solange Knowles caught the FKA twigs show presented by YoungArts and iii Points on December 4. FKA twigs’ boyfriend, Robert Pattinson, was also in the audience and kept a low profile during the performance.

Heard: Miley Cyrus performed in a tinsel wig and silver tights (and not much else) at The Raleigh South Beach on December 3 during the Art Basel party hosted by Tommy Hilfiger, Jeffrey Deitch, and V Magazine. Cyrus engaged with the crowd and candidly shared, “Usually I don’t smoke and drink on show days, but I felt like it was fine in Miami.” Also spotted: Cyrus’ boyfriend Patrick Schwarzenegger, Keith Richards, and Lady Bunny. Cyrus continued the party at E11even with Schwarzenegger in tow.

Frida Giannini with Kris Knight.

Seen: Canadian artist Kris Knight kicked off Art Week on December 1 with a private preview of his latest exhibit, “Smell the Magic.” Hosted by Gucci and the Spinello Projects, the event drew influencers—like Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini and actor/designer/restauranteur Michael Chow—to the Design District pop-up featuring Knight’s stark yet masterful works. More photos here.

Heard: Two was the lucky number for crochet artist Olek, who spent two days cutting more than 200 pieces of Club Monaco clothing, followed by two nights crocheting and two nights sewing all of the pieces together. The result is the Endless Outburst in-store installation, which Club Monaco and Jeffrey Deitch presented during a party on December 4. “Inspiration is for amateurs,” Olek told us. “I put my lipstick on and go to work.”

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF SASKIA LAWAKS (MIRANDA KERR); THOMPSON MIAMI BEACH (THE SHOE); DIMITRIOS KAMBOURIS/GETTY IMAGES FOR CHROME HEARTS; ROBIN MARCHANT/GETTY IMAGES for YOUNGARTS; JOE SCHILDHORN/BILLY FARRELL AGENCY (KRIS KNIGHT)