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Popular Points of Interest in Miami

Miami is the most popular tourist destination in Florida, located on the Atlantic coast it homes a population of over 2,500,000. Miami is famed for its all year round hot climate, pristine beaches and lavish hotels. However, Miami more than just a beach resort. Here are five must-see sites in Miami.

Miami Seaquarium This spectacular 38-acre marine park presents eight different aquatic shows on a daily basis, as well as a number of educational presentations. It is located near downtown Miami on the island of Virginia Key, Biscayne Bay and is easily accessible from all major destinations in Miami. Miami Seaquarium is home to Lolita, one of the world's oldest captive orcas, as well as many other creatures of the deep, including fish, sea turtles, reptiles and sharks. A visit to the Seaquarium is inspiring, educational and fun, making it a great day out for the entire family.

Jungle Island Formally known as "Parrot Jungle", this zoological park is a proven family-favourite. Located East of downtown Miami, Jungle Island allows visitors to get up close and personal with animals from all over the globe, including Hercules, the 900lbs Liger (cross between a lion and a tiger).

A highlight of Jungle Island is the park's "Everglades Habitat" - a hands-on experience where guests can explore a recreation of Florida's Everglades, complete with plantlife and wildlife.

Coral Castle Coral Castle has been dazzling visitors for over 70 years. The stone-built fantasy world was built by a man weighing little more than 100 lbs, standing just 5 feet tall, which is quite astounding. The structure comprises of numerous megalithic shaped stones, mostly coral limestone, some of which weigh several tons. How the structures were built is surrounded by mystery, relating back to their creator Edward Leedskalnin.

Venetian Pool The Venetian Pool is steeped in history, having been designed by architect Phineas Paist in 1924. Fashioned in a beautiful Venetian architectural style, the pool is formed in an old rock quarry, with 820,000 gallons passing through it daily, making it the largest freshwater pool in the US.

Miami Art Museum Located in Miami Cultural Plaza at 101 West Flagler Street in Downtown Miami, the Miami Art Museum is Florida's contemporary hub. The Museum showcases contemporary art from around the globe as well as Western pieces, including photographs, paintings and sculptures.

All pieces of artwork are from the 1940s onwards, including locally inspired art, which reflect Miami's diverse and culturally rich background.

There is so much to see and  Miami architects  do in Miami. No matter how long you stay, the city offers a wide range of days out and cultural experiences for people of all ages.

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The Diverse Miami Homes and Architectural Styles

The Mediterranean Revival style was the characteristic style that defined the Miami homes of the 1920s. This architectural tendency of the boom years of the 1920s reflected a strong influence from the Italian Mediterranean coast and from Spanish and French influences. This style was adopted during this marvelous decade and great examples of these sometimes baroque decorations can be appreciated in some of the Miami Beach homes that we see today. Stucco walls and arches with red tile roofs and iron grilles and railings are very characteristic elements of this beautiful style. The landscaping of these astonishing Miami homes of that era is also a key element of the décor and ambiance of that period.

This style was later adopted by most of the Miami single family homes communities developed in recent years like the ones at Doral and Pembroke Pines and some of the most upscale neighborhoods like Bay Harbour Island, Presidential Estates in Aventura, Pinetree Drive Homes, Miami Shores and Coral Gables.

The Miami Modern style is another tendency that was characteristic during the post world war II era reflected in audacious and creative designs. This architectural tendency evolved from the Art Deco to a more modern and functional architecture. This very stylize designs were present in some of the Miami homes of that era and was preserved as on the jewels and distinctive signs of the Miami architecture of that époque.

Adding to the wealth of new architectures and designs was the explosion of new luxury Miami condos built during the decades of 1980s, 1990s and 2000s when some of the most distinctive Miami luxury condos were built. Glass balconies and audacious structures popped from the ground transforming the "Magic City" into what it is today, a new and vibrant metropolis. Some Miami homes adopted these modern designs of open and spacious glass constructions with emphasis on the views and simplicity of forms where white is the predominant color. Fantastic and lavish swimming pools can be appreciated in most of the more desirable Miami homes for sale today. The water is of course a key element in the design integration and characteristics of most Miami homes.

The city of Miami continuous to inspire famous architects from around the world like Carlos Ott and his majestic design at Jade Ocean Miami, an ultra modern crystal residential tower design that rises over the shoreline of the Atlantic Ocean in Sunny Isles  Miami architects  Beach. All these great architectural examples have transformed Miami in what it is today a fantastic mosaic of diverse styles and designs.

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Miami Beach Is A Town in Southeast Florida

Miami Beach is a well-known city in Southeast Florida and a popular tourist destination. It is situated on a 7.1 square mile island where millions bombard its white sandy beaches year in and year out. Recently, Miami Beach is seen as more than a place to get a good suntan, it is an entertainment mecca for the wealthy and those who choose to wallow in the lap of luxury.

Miami Beach is rated the top City Beach in Southeast Florida. This world-class beach is adorned with palm trees, fine promenades and trademark hotels, and the landscape is dominated by high-rises. The refurbished Art Deco Historic District is now known as the heartbeat of Miami Beach, where fashion models and movie stars frequent. This has been a designated area for the shooting of movies, magazine covers and TV ads.

Many have been lured to Miami Beach through its lucrative condo market. Miami condos for sale on this prime piece of real estate boasts of high-rise towers with killer views of the Atlantic Ocean. Miami condos have been plentiful, but in this stabilizing economic climate, they are selling fast. One might wonder what all the fuss is about. Well, you just have to see it to believe it!

You will find a Miami condo in constructions that consist of the top notch amenities found at any 5-star resort hotel. The difference is that people not only visit, but they actually live this alluring lifestyle everyday. There are so many shops, restaurants and nightlife near a Miami condo for sale that offer a choice of non-stop activities. The socialite as well as the homebody will never spend an idle moment.

There are several spectacular properties to be found on Miami Beach that allow for the best luxury living experience that caters to both individuals and families. One of those properties is the Sunny Isles condos which are a string of condominium constructions designed by expert architects that know what high-end living requires. You won't have to lift a finger with full service amenities that are inclusive of a concierge to fulfil your every desire and whim around-the-clock. Stay fit and fresh when you take advantage of the spas and state-of-the-art fitness centers inside your condo complex.

A Sunny Isles condo in Miami Beach almost always offers sunny sky views, plus a city full of a diversified meshing of cultures. As a trend-setting arts and entertainment venue, Miami Beach is a lively area where you can enjoy the outdoor cafes, and shopping along Ocean Drive and the surrounding streets in the Art Deco Historic District. There is something for everyone in the neighboring locations from the ocean to the bay.

Among the Sunny Isles properties, one is known to be outstanding in the Acqualina Resort & Spa. Visitors of the Acqualina have been thoroughly impressed by the incomparable services rendered that made them feel like royalty from the beginning to the end of their stay. Huge, gorgeous rooms and highly trained staff that offer quality customer service is common-place amongst these condo properties in Miami. This kind of lifestyle makes for the sharing of precious memories that last a lifetime.

Other Sunny Isles properties that deserve notable mention are the Jade Beach and Jade Ocean condos. These condo complexes are Miami's most recent accomplishments. They both offer dramatic entrances with lush landscaped gardens and reflecting pools. The ultra luxurious penthouse living spaces can be accessed from security-controlled, high-speed elevators. Both properties are equipped with "Smart Technology" that does everything a butler would do and more.

Most every budget can be accommodated in obtaining Miami Beach real estate. Large condominiums and luxurious villas allow for panoramic views of the ocean, while beachfront homes and townhouses are available to accommodate the modest budget-conscious family. Home values in Miami Beach range from $235,300 upwards to $1,145,100. The high-end buyers of South Beach and Millionaire's Row consider Miami Beach as the ideal real estate destination. The property tax rate of some of the more affordable homes in Miami have not seen an increase in over a decade. Million dollar properties have been recently purchased by the well-to-do global elite clientele.

Miami Beach obviously has  Miami architects  lots to offer in prime real estate and high-end living. If you're seeking a relaxed virtually care-free lifestyle, look no further, Miami Beach has it all!

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Miami Attractions - Villa Vizcaya

The Villa Vizcaya, officially known as the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens should be on the very top of your list of places to visit in Miami. The spectacular early 20th century villa on Biscayne Bay in the Coconut Grove and the National Historic Landmark will delight both history buffs and visitors who are interested in art and architecture.

The Villa Vizcaya was built by James Deering, an American businessman and art collector as his winter residence. The chief architect and Deering's advisor was Paul Chalfin, a former art curator, interior designer and painter who had a major influence on Deering's selection of artworks, antiquities and architectural details for the villa. The beautiful gardens and the landscape of the property that originally encompassed 180 acres were designed by the Columbian-born landscape architect Diego Suarez who trained near Florence in Italy.

Both the villa and the gardens reveal the influence of the Mediterranean Revival style that impressed Deering during his European grand tour, in first place his visit to Italy. However, the Italian Renaissance gardens that were partly designed as an outdoor living space also reveal Floridian and Caribbean influences as well as include a number of native plants that are not found in the Italian gardens. The 70-room villa was furbished with some of the finest pieces of art which could easily compete with an art museum. With an aim to cover the span from 15th to 19th century, Deering furbished the villa's rooms with artworks, doors, fireplaces, furniture and other items from various periods including Renaissance, Rococo, Baroque and Neoclassicism.

Deering has not enjoyed his outstanding winter retreat for a long time. The Vizcaya Villa was completed by 1916 and the gardens by 1922, while Deering died in 1925 aged 66. The 180-acre property was inherited by his two nieces who eventually started to sell the property's surrounding land retaining 50 acres only by 1952 when the villa and the gardens were acquired by the Miami-Dade County that restored the villa and opened it as the Dade County Art Museum one year later. The villa's furnishing was donated to the County Museum by Deering's heirs in 1952.

Today, the Villa Vizcaya is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Miami and a popular spot for weeding photos. The villa can be also seen in many movies including the Frank Sinatra starring Tony Rome, Ace Ventura, Bad Boys II and many others. It is also known as the location where Ronald Reagan received Pope John Paul II in 1987 and the site of the First Summit of the Americas in 1994. The  Miami architects  beautiful villa and its gardens can be visited every day except Tuesdays, Christmas Day (December 25) and Thanksgiving from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.

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Miami - Ok the Super Bowl is Over Now What's There to Do?

The Super Bowl is over and here you are in Miami looking for a few fun in the sun things to do. Head over to Ocean Drive and enjoy the sites. Here are a few places to get your started.

1). Ocean Drive

South Florida's hip travel season spans from January through April and the near perfect climate of this vacation destination makes this an ideal time to visit Miami Beach's famed beach areas like Ocean Beach Park. The white, sandy shores are perfect for sun goddesses and sand castle architects and the cool, blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean invite swimmers and water babies for a summertime dip. South Beach is known as one of the top entertainment destinations in the world. Throughout the year, it is a preferred getaway spot for the many celebrities from around the world who come to enjoy the beach, sun, and nightlife, in extraordinary style. You never know who you might see at any give time along this famous stretch of sand.

2). Art Deco Center

Art and Architecture lovers can also opt to take either a self guided tour or a nighttime stroll docent led tour every Thursday night thanks to the Art Deco Up-to-Date Tour. This fun-filled tour leaves the Art Deco Welcome Center at 6:30pm and makes note of a number of local hot spots that continue to dominate the architectural seen years after their original creation. Miami interpreted the style using symmetry, glass blocks, sculptural panels of nautical scenes, eyebrows, round porthole windows, terrazzo floors, neon lighting inside and out, and elements in groups of threes.

3). The Villa (formerly the Versace Mansion and Casa Casurina)

South Beach's most exceptional experience awaits you at The Villa By Barton G., an event space, restaurant and boutique hotel housed in the former Versace Mansion, one of Miami's historic icons, where elegance and unparalleled service are the norm.

The Villa, where each of the 10 custom hotel suites is lavishly appointed with Versace fabrics, Frette linens, Kindles and Bose music systems. Delight in the thousand mosaic pool. Savor the stars from the roof top bar. The Villa is the master of elegance.

The Villa, By Barton G. was born as Casa Casuarina in 1930, built by architect, philanthropist, author and political reformer Alden Freeman as an homage to the oldest existing house in the western hemisphere, the "Alcazar de Colon" in Santo Domingo.

In 1937, after Freeman's death, Casa Casuarina was bought by Jacques Amsterdam, who renamed it "The Amsterdam Palace." Operated as an apartment building, it housed artists attracted by its architectural curiosity.

In 1992, couturier Gianni Versace first encountered Casa Casuarina. Versace exquisitely restored, expanded, and embellished its features, adding the south wing, the pool and garden areas.

The Casa became a private club in September 2000. Events impresario/restaurateur Barton G. Weiss took over the mansion in December 2009, imprinting his own signature style.

4). Lincoln Road Mall

Lincoln Road Mall is an unusual outdoor mall in Miami Beach, filled with outdoor cafes and restaurants, and some fascinating shops. The mall is within walking distance to the Art Deco district. Lincoln Road Mall is a street mall with as many specialty shops offering a wide range of products and services as your imagination can take you. This Miami shopping attraction is consistently filled with people from all walks of life from locals to foreigners. It is a 10 block stretch, shut off from traffic. The street, along with all the shops, is full of trees and restaurant tables and public benches.

5). Holocaust Memorial

Just a few blocks away from the Lincoln Road Mall is the Holocaust Memorial which is a reflection of the vast number of Holocaust survivors who made their home in Miami. The memorial centers on a sculpture by Tony Lopez. The sculpture, with its amazing detail and the surrounding colonnades clearly depict the tragedy of the holocaust. The Holocaust Memorial is truly a unique and sobering experience.

Spending a few extra days in Miami can be a truly cultural and enjoyable experience. While  Miami architects  you are in Miami take in the sites and enjoy Ocean Drive.

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Santa Maria Brickell Is a Great Example of Miami Modern Architecture

This 51 stories high ultra luxury Miami high rise was developed during the last decade of the glorious twentieth century. These incredible Brickell condos were delivered and finished in the year 1997 and were at that time the tallest residential luxury condos built in Miami. The building is the inspiration of Revuelta, Vega and Leon architects. This architectural firm is the responsible for some of Miami's most notable condominium buildings like the neighboring tower of the Santa Maria Brickell, the Bristol Tower.

Many of the designs of this great architectural firm have a curvilinear pattern that can be appreciated in full use at the majestic Santa Maria Brickell condos. These curvy designs are reminiscent of the water movements and give this tall structure fluidity, freshness and a timeless contemporary look. The fantastic building was developed by Ugo Colombo who uses a lot of glass as a signature element of all his other well known developments like the Grovenor House in Coconut Grove and the Epic Residences in downtown Miami. But the Santa Maria Brickell remains as one of the most notorious and recognizable luxury residential building in all Miami. Even today with all the new Brickell condos that have been developed and finished no other Miami luxury building can compete with the boldness and presence of this majestic crystal architectural marvel.

This beautiful masterpiece seems to have set the pattern of great designs in Miami in other luxury condos like 900 Biscayne in downtown Miami and the Jade Brickell. All these tall residential luxury structures have also a dominating characteristic and that is a spectacular crown. But probably no other building crown was as spectacularly achieved as the one in the Santa Maria where the architects and the developer managed to incorporate an astonishing state of the art massive health club overlooking the Biscayne Bay.

This dynamic and daring curvy style with an impressive sense of motion that blends with the water  Miami architects  reflections of the bay makes this luxury housing landmark one of Miami's top modern architectural designs.

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Design In Miami - Budding And Brimming With Life

There's just so many things to see and do in Miami -- there's the beach, surfing, parties, fashion shows, and other events that attract a lot of tourists each year into this bustling global city in Florida. But in recent years, Miami has added a new offering to its visitors and residents: it has been reinventing itself and is becoming the art capital of America.

Miami is home to many museums and galleries which showcase works from different media. Among the most popular are the Bass Museum of Art and the Lowe Art Museum which both display European artworks from the 16th to 18th century, the Miami Art Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art in North Florida, and Art Central in South Florida that features contemporary artworks, and numerous personal heritage galleries and collections.

Many of these galleries, collections, and museums are located in the Miami Design District near Midtown Miami. Top designers such as Alison Spear, Peter Page, and Holly Hunter have moved and set up their shops in the Miami Design District. Soon after, a growing number of artists and designers have moved in and created a hub for both art creators and appreciators. Aside from the traditional art pieces like paintings and sculptures, contemporary media and non-conventional art materials are also used in the pieces featured in more than fifteen galleries in the Miami Design District.

Galleries and showrooms like the Abitare, Art Fusion, and Art Formz Galleries feature interesting pieces and exhibits with various themes and moods. Collectors and philanthropists troop to the Miami Design District most especially during the second Saturday of each month when the Art and Design night is held. Galleries and showrooms also open their exhibits to the public in this community-wide fair, coupled with performances and refreshments.

Art Basel/Miami Beach Art Show

Aside from the museums and galleries, Miami is also host to many cultural events featuring works and performances from many of the new designers and artists, the biggest of which is the annual Art Basel/Miami Beach (ABMB) art show.

Since 2001, the ABMB art show has highlighted thousands of artists from all over the world and their works in a program that features several events such as musical performances, film viewings, and special exhibitions. It is the sister show of the Art Basel show in Switzerland, and since bringing the show to America, it has attracted thousands of the viewing public which has spurred more interest in the arts, mostly contemporary in recent years. It is usually held in the Miami Beach Convention Center, with many of the other activities spilling over to the surrounding galleries in Miami.

The pieces featured in the ABMB art show range from the mass-appealing, but some galleries carry works that often draw the attention (and checkbooks) of high-rollers.

This year's ABMB will be held on December 4-7, 2008 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Thousands  Miami architects   of guests are expected in the South Beach area during these dates for the show.

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A Walk in the Time With Miami's Architecture

Miami architecture has been at the forefront of Chic and Nouveau since its inception dating back to Carl Fisher and his dreams of what Miami would be. Its newness and bold look has been evident through the eras, never the same, always changing and ever adapting to its surroundings. Its visual difference is unlike any other city and noticeable from building to building and its skyline forms a kaleidoscope of innovative style which is candy to our eyes creating an ambiance of function and pleasure for those who live there and for the tourist Mecca it has become.

In its palm fringed avenues with scantily dressed residents Miami has become the dream commission of world known designers particularly in the downtown and beach areas. The buildings are lively with airy and spacious connections becoming world renown and are constantly reinventing themselves while holding on to its cultural influence.

Carl Fisher got the credit for Miami Beaches' adaptation of Mediterranean architecture and soon after architects influenced by the Art Deco movement of Europe moved to the Magic city to apply their designs to the tropical feel and look of the city. The buildings became streamlined with a nautical flair that accompanied the sea, sun and surf. The hum drum of the past was out and the new and bold became its signature. The materials of the past were put aside for a newer and lighter look with the use of Stucco, Terrazzo and glass to name a few.

From the Mangrove swamps and Palm, Pine, and live Oak forests Miami was transformed into a visual paradise dreamed up from the minds of innovative and forward thinking designers willing to let go of the norm. Miami's architecture was not only functional but became visually sensual to enjoy at every turn which brought tourists in by the millions creating its well known pedestrian atmosphere.

Recently Miami's architecture with its resident icons, the Fontainebleau Hotel and the Eden Roc were renamed - MiMo - for Miami Modern. But in this modern age of travel and easy access too many destinations, and the economical collapse of the 70's and 80's Miami lost its luster and some of its influence. In the late 70's Miami's Art Deco district of the past was put on the National Historic Registry and the area was restored to prominence making it Chic and shifting thought back to the Magic City, once again bringing back people and value to the once forlorn area which had fallen into decay.

Thanks in part to a new visually vibrant television show called "Miami Vice" that featured Miami as its backdrop, the city was revitalized and it brought back relevance and international attention, and the people came running to Miami once again.

Pastel colored buildings and mirrored towers became what people thought of when they thought of Miami. It was edgy and experimental and a pleasure for everyone to gazed upon it.

But the Magic Cities architecture wasn't done, and through the 80's and 90's it was evolving once again and a big push to designate more areas as Historical was made and eventually named 11 more as such.

Miami is a city which has always put civic pride first, thus designers have incorporated the indoors with the outdoors. Many world famous architectural firms such as Herzog and de Meuron to name one have helped change the landscape and look of the Magic City. For years the city committed itself to reclaiming public spaces like Lincoln Road in Miami Beach which became an outdoor living area for people to enjoy shopping while connecting with Mother Nature.

Downtown Miami's effervescent skyline meshed residential buildings with its multifaceted cultural makeup making it a place to enjoy with all your senses and a true one of a kind destination.

The Miami art Museum is a great example of innovative design and is scheduled to open in 2013. It has incorporated large balconies with spacious outdoor spaces and multiple levels adding once again to the wonders of the city's innovative designers making it unique in a world of copycat designers.

The economic crisis which has gripped the world today has made waterfront properties which were once out of reach viable for purchase and developing, and Miami has become a prime location for developers again.

A Malaysian firm recently purchased the land surrounding the Miami Herald building and is planning on creating a 3 billion dollar complex which will once again change the face of the Magic City in a new, innovative, and eye catching way incorporating residential, shopping, and public areas on the waterfront with spectacular views of the city and ocean beyond.

A new and exciting group of designers are now building in Miami for the first time, and they're not trying to recreate the Art Deco designs or the MiMo features of years past, but are adding to the skyline with a Latin American flavor and tropical feel. It won't be the glitzy forms of yesteryear but a subtle balance which will be uniquely Miami, taking into consideration its cultural mix and paying much more attention to detail instead of flash and adapting its designs more to the city's tropical surroundings and feel.

Miami is refreshingly sophisticated and unique but does not take itself too seriously which will create a skyline that will be a joy to look at and its spaces a wonder to live in, work in and relax in. The future of Miami's architectural designs is in good hands. The   tropical lushness which is Miami and the beautiful buildings will be a wonder for all to enjoy.

I am Rafael Montilla, a SEO Manager Mercadeoporinternet.com and I also write articles for my  Miami architects   clients, aboutModern Furniture, travel, Architects and Internet Marketing. I love what I do for a living!! I hope you too!

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Top Must-See Attractions In Miami, Florida

Miami is a city filled with texture, color and a wide range of emotions. This place is also regarded as a true stimulator for all your senses, because of its constantly growing Latin culture. It is located in the south-eastern part of the United States, very close to the Pacific Ocean, being one of the largest cities in Florida and an important center for tourism, finance and fishing at the same time.

The city of Miami has a strong Latin influence, being often called the Casablanca of the United States or the Magic City. It is also the third most popular city for overseas visitors, after New York and Los Angeles. The fact that it is a truly multicultural city makes it different from all other cities of the country and adds uniqueness to its overall image.

Much of the charm of the area is due to the different neighborhoods, which include buildings ranging from skyscrapers to the trendy South Beaches, which are probably the main factor that give the fame of the city. During the sunniest days, it is an absolute pleasure to admire the vividly colored buildings and the palm trees swayed by the wind. But let's take a look at the attractions that you should not miss whenever you visit the city of Miami.

First of all, the Bass Museum of Art is located in Miami Beach and specializes in the art of the Renaissance world, as well as modern art. It was founded in 1963 by the city council of Miami Beach from a private donation. Nowadays, it is considered one of the best museums of ancient art in the area, along with the Wolfsonian Museum.

Next, Bayfront Park is a large urban public park in downtown Miami, Florida. Stretching on an area of 13 square kilometers, the park was built in 1924, designed by Warren Henry Manuing and officially opened in mid 1925. In 1980 the museum was remodeled by the Japanese architect Isam Noguchi. Today it is managed and maintained by the Miami Dade Country Park, a public agency that manages most of the parks in the city.

Finally, the "Coral Castle" is another must-see whenever you visit Miami. Most visitors remain amazed by the beauty of this attraction. This rather strange building was imagined, designed and developed over 20 years ago by Edward Leedskalnin (1887-1951). His motivation was his true love for the woman who left him the day before the wedding. Apparently, this sentimental failure transformed Edward into  Miami architects  a person who was totally dedicated to his work, which led to the creation of this marvellous building.

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The Magic City Called Miami, Florida

What an overflowing residential market we have these days! Every state and city in the nation have sellers vending their once cherished properties, and many home buyers are eating the bait. And yes, even beachfront houses, such as among Miami homes for sale, are in great demand. Local realtors have revealed that the once, "just for the rich and famous," is now candidly open to any common home buyer as well. With inventories higher than ever, and home prices at their lowest, who wouldn't be lured to grab one, and just solely relax by the beach - either for a short or an indefinite vacation?

But to an inquisitive mind and perhaps a curious home buyer, just what makes throngs of Americans flock to Miami to call this their "piece of paradise here on earth?" What are the reasons why people can't get enough of this place and even dubbed it as "The Magic City?" Where does the "magic" lie, exactly?

In its many accolades This warm city was hailed as one of the richest cities in the United States and fifth in the world (UBS Survey, 2009). Just last year, this city ranked seventh in the US in terms of finance, commerce, culture, entertainment, fashion, education, and other sectors. With its good air quality, clean drinking water, vast green spaces, clean streets, and city-wide recycling programs, no wonder it had been ranked as America's Cleanest City (Forbes, 2008).

In its people Undoubtedly, it is considered as the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the whole nation, with a population of 2.5 million people. Every year, about 38 million people visit this city, lured by its many beaches, conventions, festivals, and events. From notable actors, musicians and singers, A-list athletes, writers, architects, artists, businessmen, so-called young-sophisticates, families, couples, retirees, among others, embrace this city as their home.

In its immense and scenic white-sand beaches Ah, its many beaches which are considered top picks for recreation and families and have been consistently recognized by USA Today, Surfrider Foundation, and Travel Channel. It has 15 or so beaches, all to the pleasures of Miami's residents and local and international visitors. Consequently, the Port of Miami is the largest cruise ship port in the world, and serves as the headquarters for many cruise companies. From swimming (of course), hiking, dining, boating, kayaking, fishing, holding family picnics, biking, to simply walking, loitering, or sunbathing - these are the many activities you can do with a long beach stretch and many amenities at your disposal.

In its first-class amenities and/or attractions Although Miami's main attraction is, of course, its smooth beach stretch, there are still many and exciting choices to go to in this diverse city. From pastel-colored hotels along the Art Deco District, elegant and huge performance arts centers (i.e. Gusman Center for the Performing Arts; Coconut Grove Playhouse, New World Symphony House, Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, among others); numerous museums located Downtown; renowned media outlets or agencies; a line of restaurants offering diverse cuisines; large and popular sports facilities (i.e. Miami Gardens and Tropical Park Stadium); its 80 or so parks; and the list just goes on and on.

With all these said, wonder no  Miami architects  more why Miami is considered a "Magic-al City." Going and living here is like a vice you just keep returning to. No innuendo intended.