The Neighborhood of the Venetian Islands

Community Info

The Venetian Islands is a string of man-made islands between Downtown Miami and Miami Beach. They are Biscayne, San Marco, San Marino, Rivo Alto, Di Lido and Belle Islands – all connected by the historic Venetian Causeway. Wide sidewalks, a jogging and bike path and nearly uninterrupted shade make this a popular course for runners, bikers and skateboarders. Off the causeway there are old stately Mediterranean-style homes next to Modern-style mansions with great views of the ocean, Miami Beach and Downtown. It’s a lush, little paradise between two of Miami’s most desirable neighborhoods. It’s well worth a visit to see if it’s the right neighborhood for you.

Here are just a few things that make the Venetian Islands neighborhood stand out:

Seaside Neighborhood Feel: Amazing views, the non-stop breeze coming from the bay, and quiet solitude in spacious surroundings. This retreat from big city keeps you close to the pulse of South Florida’s lifestyle without the whizzing traffic and the cacophony of commerce and entertainment.

Active Lifestyle Friendly: The Venetian Causeway is one of Miami’s most popular spots to get your daily jog in. It’s wide path under miles of trees and foliage make any run comfortable under the Miami sun. Bikers also choose this route, sometimes outnumbering the cars on the road. What can you do after your workout? A mojito at either end will be waiting for you at one of the numerous bars and restaurants.

Easy Beach Access: Just take the Venetian Causeway east by bike or Uber and you will find yourself at the north end of South Beach. There you can swim, tan, play volleyball or just people watch-away your day. Getting to the beach is too easy.

Central location: As we mentioned before – you are in between two of Miami’s most vibrant neighborhoods – yet cut off from their hustle and bustle. It is literally the best of both worlds. When it comes to access to Miami nightlife and culture, the Venetian Islands reigns supreme.

A short history of the Venetian Islands neighborhood:

  • During the 1930’s Biscayne Island was home to an airport called Viking Airport. It had a hangar, 2,600-foot runway and seaplane ramps. How cool is that?
  • The Venetian Islands were first connected by Collins Bridge in 1913, a wooden bridge which was then considered the longest in the US. It was replaced by the Venetian Causeway in 1925.
  • The Venetian Islands were meant to be part of a much larger project where four more islands with homes were to be built. But, after the deadly and destructive Hurricane of 1926, the developers declared bankruptcy.
  • Retailer J.C. Penny and inventor Joseph Adams had large estates on Belle Island, which hosted President-elect Herbert Hoover before his inauguration.
  • During the 1920s, Belle Isle and the nearby Flamingo Hotel held the famous Biscayne Bay Speed Boat Regattas.
  • Some of the island most notable residents are conceptual artist Arne Quinze, designer Barbara Becker and Latin singer Paulina Rubio.

Restaurants & Attractions

Some of our favorite places to dine around the Venetian Islands:

CVI.CHE 105: CHE 105: This description will be a little biased. We love ceviche. A lot. If one restaurant in Miami can take credit for popularizing Peruvian fare in Miami, it’s CVI.CHE 105. Spicy ceviche dishes, grilled octopus – and lots of vegan and gluten-free options. Always an amazing meal and boost of good energy to get on with your day.

Kush Wynwood: Kush’s focus is about supporting the local community – collabs with local brewers, locally sourced food – you get the picture. In so doing, they’ve created a cult following that keeps them busy with happy and devoted patrons. Start off with their alligator bites (locally sourced, of course) and try one of their many seasonal craft beers. It will not disappoint.

Primo’s Restaurant & Lounge: Hidden in the Doubletree Hotel right off the Venetian Causeway, you have Primos. Serving traditional Italian cuisine – homemade pastas, classic pizza’s (try the Prosciutto and Arugula Pizza – awesome) and an extraordinary selection of Italian wines. The crowd is an interesting mix of locals and tourists – which provides an endless source of entertainment. Definitely check it out.

Favorite things to do in and around the Venetian Islands:

The Standard Hotel & Spa: The Standard Hotel & Spa: The Art Deco / MiM0-esque Standard Hotel building is more than just a hotel – it’s a Miami legend. Before it became the Standard, it was a 50’s and 60’s hotspot – Josephine Baker once performed there to a desegregated audience. But now it’s a place for reflection and extreme pampering. The spa features a Turkish Hamam, Finnish sauna, aroma steam room, arctic plunge, and a Roman waterfall hot tub. Come by to eat at the Lido Grill, have a decadent drink at the bar or take in a fitness class. It’s all there if you want the ultimate me-day.

South Beach: Have an Uber drop you off on Lincoln Road, and roam aimlessly through the shops, clubs and restaurants. This outdoor pedestrian mall is full of niche surprises, wonderful throngs of people and street entertainment and pop-ups. Or – just take in a movie and immerse yourself in a wild, romantic story.

Downtown Miami: Go west, my friend! In the other direction you have access to Downtown Miami and Wynwood. There your choices are crazy-infinite. From a night at the opera to an outdoor music festival – you will find something to Instagram about during the course of your day or evening. It’s really unfair, that you have this many choices.

Venetian Islands Demographics

  • There are over 3000 people living in the Venetian Islands, the bulk residing in one of the many luxury condos on Belle Island – a little over 1,700 people. Most of the islands have between 200 and 300 residents.

Distance to popular areas
Design District: 3.4 miles
Midtown: 3.4 mile
Wynwood: 3.3 miles
Downtown Miami: 2.5 miles
Brickell Center: 3.5 miles
Miami Beach (South Beach): 2.7 miles
Miami International Airport: 7.9 miles
Aventura Mall: 18.1 miles

Neighborhood Schools

Elementary schools
Southside Elementary School, for Brickell children
Riverside Elementary School, for CBD children
Frederick Douglass Elementary School, for CBD children
Phillis Wheatley Elementary School, for Arts & Entertainment District and Edgewater children
Downtown Miami Charter School
Southside Elementary School
Miami Children’s Museum School
Bridgepoint Academy of Greater Miami (Charter)

Middle schools
Shenandoah Middle School, for Brickell children
José de Diego Middle School, for CBD, Arts & Entertainment District and Edgewater children
High schools (open to all Downtown residents):
Young Women’s Preparatory School, all-girls
Young Men’s Preparatory School, all-boys

High schools
Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial High School, magnet school
New World School of the Arts, arts magnet school
Booker T. Washington High School

Colleges and universities
Miami Dade College (Wolfson Campus)
Florida International University (Downtown Center)
Miami International University of Art & Design
Miami Culinary Institute

Private:
Holy Spirit Church & Inst / Miami Beach Academy – Grades PK-1

Are you in love with the Venetian Islands?

Email or call me (305.318.8557) to learn more, talk about what’s available and hopefully visit a few of these amazing homes. I can’t wait to show you around.