4 August 15-21, 2024 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com New Times | music | cafe | culture | Night+Day | news | letters | coNteNts | MONTH XX–MONTH XX, 2008 miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | RIPTIDE | METRO | NIGHT+DAY | STAGE | ART | FILM | CAFE | MUSIC | | RIPTIDE | ▼ LITTLE RIVER RISING RIVER MIAMI NEIGHBORHOOD MAKES NATIONAL “UP-AND-COMING” LIST. BY JULIA POSTELL N estled within one of Miami’s most historic communities, Lit- tle River has been a prime loca- tion for development in recent years. Comprising roughly 24 acres, the neighborhood is seeing rapid change through commercial and residential investment, with comparisons to Wynwood’s transformation bandied about. An influx of restaurants and art venues has now landed Little River on TravelMag’s list of “The Most Up-and-Coming Neighborhoods in the U.S.” The magazine picked out rising neighborhoods from major cities across the nation and featured them in the July article, running through cultural hotspots and foodie destinations. The website’s highlighted the area’s lure for entrepreneurs and artists aspiring to open up galleries or art spaces in Miami. “Once an industrial hive, this area north of Little Haiti and trendy Wynwood is now a magnet for entrepreneurs and artists re- adapting industrial buildings and art spaces and galleries opening. A major attraction, The Citadel is a rooftop food hall where dining meets shopping and entertainment,” Travel- Mag author Tracy Kaler wrote. The community gets its name from a water- way that flows along Miami’s northern edge into Biscayne Bay. Little River was once a hub of Miami’s industrial production and dairy in- dustry, though its commercial districts grew quiet in decades past owing to offshoring and economic shifts in South Florida. Nowadays, Little River’s central location and relatively high elevation are drawing the attention of de- velopers as property prices have skyrocketed against the backdrop of gentrification sweep- ing through Miami neighborhoods. In 2022, Forbes recognized Little River as a “neighborhood to watch” in an article that summarized commercial development in the community, spearheaded by real estate firms MVW and AJ Capital. Sandwiched be- tween Little Haiti and El Portal, the neigh- borhood was praised for its breadth of local talent, art, and cultural vibrancy With Asian-inspired restaurants like Ogawa showcasing the art of omakase, and other hidden gems like Bar Kaiju, the food scene in Little River makes it a must-stop des- tination in Miami. The magazine started with a list of 25 major cities and zeroed in on came up one neighbor- hood apiece from 16 of them. Alongside Little River were (listed in alphabetical order by city): • Govalle (Austin) • Gowanus (Brooklyn) • Pilsen (Chicago) • Deep Ellum (Dallas) • Corktown (Detroit) • Frogtown (Los Angeles) • Butchertown (Louisville) • Wedgewood-Houston (Nashville) • Bywater (New Orleans) • Brewerytown (Philadelphia) • Buckman (Portland) • Edgewood (Washington D.C.) • North Park (San Diego) • Outer Sunset (San Francisco) • Greenwood (Seattle) The article measured a neighborhood’s “up-and-coming” elements by tracking the emergence of cocktail bars, coffee shops, and Instagram-worthy restaurants. TravelMag also took into consideration the number of vegan and LGBTQ-friendly spots in the neighborhoods. “Some of these areas have witnessed a flurry of new development, and rents have risen more substantially than in other neigh- borhoods in the same city. Likewise, the de- mographic in these districts is shifting towards young professionals, leading to more demand for studio flats and one-bedroom apartments,” TravelMag notes. In March 2023, New Times detailed the Healthy Housing Foundation’s plan to build a 12-story apartment building with “micro- units” to provide affordable housing in Little River. The project is slated to have 325-square-foot studio apartments and 550-square-foot one-bedroom apartments for financially struggling residents. GET MORE NEWS & COMMENTARY AT MIAMINEWTIMES.COM/NEWS The nonprofit alternative art space Locust Projects moved to NE 67th Street in Little River in 2022. Photo by Pedro Wazzan ▼ MIAMI-DADE ON THE BEAM EXPLORE THREE ICONIC MIAMI-DADE LIGHTHOUSES. BY ZULEKHA PITTS L et’s show some love to the beacons that have been lighting up our coastal life for ages. Built out primarily in the past century or so, South Florida may not boast the variety and depth of historical landmarks you’ll find in Northeast states — and we’ve got a nasty habit of bulldozing what venerable buildings we do have, in the never-ending quest for new development. Thankfully, several of South Florida’s iconic lighthouses are still standing. Before the advent of electronic navigation systems, these beacons were some of mariners’ only aids as ships made their way through coves and perilous South Florida inlets that capsized countless vessels from Jupiter down to Biscayne Bay. One can only imagine the relief sailors felt when they spotted the glow of a Key Biscayne beacon after navigating through blinding squalls in the Atlantic Ocean. Miami-Dade County is home to three striking lighthouses that not only serve as historical land- marks but are also totally worth your Instagram feed. Let’s get to know them, in honor of Na- tional Lighthouse Day. Cape Florida Lighthouse: Widely regarded as the oldest large-scale structure in Miami-Dade, the Cape Florida Lighthouse is a true survivor. Constructed in 1825 on the southern edge of Key Biscayne, it has withstood hurricanes, wartime attacks, and explosions. Today, it’s a cultural land- mark on the National Register of Historic Places. From the wraparound balcony on the 95-foot-tall tower, you’ll catch killer views of Miami Beach, the Atlantic, Stiltsville, and Key Biscayne. It’s the perfect spot for your next beach picnic or sunset selfie. Fowey Rocks Lighthouse: The Fowey Rocks Light- house requires a bit of a trek — i’ts four miles south-southeast of Cape Florida. However, the remote vibes make it the lighthouse equiva- lent of discovering a hidden gem. Completed in 1878, the structure features a Second Empire- style keeper’s house with a 50-foot-tall spiral stairwell. The original Fresnel lens of the light- house sits in the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Aids to Navigation Training Center. The tower is now equipped with a solar-powered beacon known as the “Eye of Miami,” which guides ships 17 miles out to sea. Boca Chita Lighthouse: The Boca Chita Lighthouse was built in the 1930s by heating ty- coon Mark Honeywell. The 65-foot-tall oolite limestone beauty was initially intended to guide his family to their private island getaway. Though it was only used briefly as a navigational aid, it’s now a frequented landmark in Biscayne National Park. Accessible only by boat, Boca Chita Light- house has a charming vibe and is ideal for a chill boat trip or a day out in nature. Snap some pics, soak in the history, and enjoy the scenic views. [email protected] ONE CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE RELIEF SAILORS FELT WHEN THEY SPOTTED THE GLOW OF A KEY BISCAYNE BEACON.
