Craig Robins

The pandemic cemented the Miami Design District as the city’s luxury shopping mecca, thereby anointing Craig Robins as the Magic City’s king of high-end retail. 

The developer began buying up properties in Miami’s derelict Design District in the early aughts with an eye to bringing back luxury furniture showrooms. About a decade later, the developer, along with LVMH-backed L Catterton Real Estate and Brookfield Property Partners, embarked on a retail expansion, bringing some of the most sought-after brands to the 18-block development in the heart of Miami.

Thanks to the building’s intricate modern architecture and outdoor art installations, the Design District became more than just a magnet for high-fashion shopping. It was also a hub for food, culture and, of course, design.

Then came COVID-19 in 2020. Despite forcing a three-month closure, the pandemic times propelled the district to new heights. “As an increasing number of entrepreneurs, investors and creative visionaries have made Miami their year-round home, the district has seen a 125 percent [annual] increase in sales in ’21 and even more in ’22,” Robins said in a statement to Commercial Observer. 

“It’s probably been the most dynamic time in the district’s 20-year history,” the developer added. Among the highlights were Chanel’s debut in the district and the expansion of brands such as Louis Vuitton and Dior, as well as five restaurants earning distinctions from the Michelin Guide. 

Now the Design District is venturing into its third iteration to evolve beyond its leisure image and become a full-fledged neighborhood, where people also live and work. A 15-story office building is set to break ground this year. At the close of 2022, Robins, with a slew of partners, bought a 15-building portfolio at the district’s western end with plans to build a mixed-use development that will likely include a hotel, more stores and a residential component. —J.E.