17 December 25–30, 2025 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | NEWS | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | CAFE | MUSIC | tions like Au Cheval, has long been celebrated for elevating familiar American dishes into near-mythic status. At 4 Charles, that reputa- tion rests squarely on two items. The prime rib, offered in cuts ranging up to the indul- gent “King’s Cut,” is rich, deeply seasoned, and unapologetically old-school. Then there is the double Wagyu cheeseburger, often cited as one of the best burgers in America, with its griddled patties, molten cheese, and perfectly soft bun. The move would also underscore a broader shift reshaping Miami’s restaurant landscape. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, more than 20 New York- based restaurants and hospitality brands have established a presence in South Florida, and the list continues to grow. From Carbone in South Beach to cult-favorite casual establish- ments like H&H Bagels, Miami has become a natural next step for operators looking south. If 4 Charles Prime Rib does arrive as planned, it would be among the biggest res- taurant openings of 2026. The Design Dis- trict, long defined by luxury retail and visual spectacle, could soon gain one of the most re- spected dining rooms in the country. 4 Charles Prime Rib - Miami. 90 NE 39th St., Miami; nycprimerib.com. Opening sometime in 2026. NICOLE LOPEZ-ALVAR ▼ CORAL GABLES (KINDA-SORTA) THIS BIRD HAS FLOWN When Red Bird Shopping Center was sold in October for $62.1 million, the transaction ini- tially landed as routine real estate news. Months later, the deal took on a second life online. Local real estate agent Lynley Ciorobea, who posts under @lynleyresidential, recently called attention to the sale in an Instagram video that quickly spread among Miami resi- dents. In the post, Ciorobea noted that the shopping center had sold to a company based in Charlotte, North Carolina, saying, “This place hasn’t sold for 40 years, and we do not know what’s going to happen next, but we’ve promised to keep you in the loop as the story unfolds.” The post struck a nerve with locals who know Red Bird not as an investment asset but as a familiar neighborhood stop. Commenters shared memories of shopping trips with par- ents, walking for coffee and groceries at Mi- lam’s (this is the grocery chain’s first location established in 1984), and long-closed tenants that once defined the center. Some recalled Grand Union and Piggly Wiggly before Mi- lam’s, Mario the Baker’s garlic bread, and the vintage Red Bird sign that still lives on the property to this day. Red Bird Shopping Center is situated in the heart of Coral Gables and South Miami, surrounded by residential neighborhoods. The 92,000-square-foot retail property was sold to Asana Partners after nearly four de- cades under the same ownership. The Bran- don Co., which acquired the center in 1986 for $6.5 million, sold the property for $62.1 million, according to Commercial Edge. The shopping center is fully leased and an- chored by Milam’s Market, Matsuri (winner of New Times’ Best Japanese Restaurant 2025), Walgreens, Orion Fuels, Gilbert’s Bak- ery (winner of New Times Readers’ Choice for Best Bakery 2025) and Ace Hardware. Other tenants include Crown Wine & Spirits and Quest Diagnostics. Many of the busi- nesses have operated at Red Bird for decades. On average, tenants have been in place for more than 30 years. According to the deal de- tails, the center receives approximately 1.5 million visits each year, with around 338,000 individual visitors. Several commenters questioned what the sale could mean for longtime tenants, with some openly worrying that large residential development would replace the center, a con- cern shaped by recent examples in places like Coconut Grove. This year, two of Coconut Grove’s most beloved neighborhood restau- rants have had to either relocate or close en- tirely to make way for a massive mixed-use building that aims to transform the historic neighborhood. So far, only the seller and the buyer are confirmed. Asana Partners has not an- nounced plans for the site, nor have any re- development proposals, demolition permits, or rezoning applications been made public regarding the property. Tenants remain open and operating, but after nearly 40 years un- der the same ownership, the sale marks a turning point for a shopping center that has long served nearby neighborhoods, leaving many residents watching closely to see what comes next. Red Bird Shopping Center. 5761 Bird Rd., Miami; 305-669-5686. OLEE FOWLER Red Bird Shopping Center photo The historic Red Bird Shopping Center in West Miami has been sold for $62M, making the future of Milam’s, Matsuri, and Gilbert’s Bakery unclear.
