Downtown Miami consists of the urban business center along Biscayne Bay, blending into the Brickell Financial District to the south and Park West to the west. When people envision Miami, Downtown is often what they think of, with its sleek glass skyscrapers, incredible water views, and vibrant cultural life.

Not surprising, Downtown is the fastest growing area of Miami, with over 70,000 residents and hundreds more moving there each month. New high rises offering luxury condominiums have joined the many parks, museums, theaters, shops, banks, and government buildings there.

Along with Coconut Grove, Downtown is the oldest portion of the city, having been initially settled by pioneers in the early 1800s. Julia Tuttle, nicknamed the “Mother of Miami,” originally owned the property on which Miami was built. She invited industrialist Henry Flagler to help develop the blossoming city. Together with William Brickell and George Merrick, Flagler helped build homes, hotels, and resorts and improved transportation to the area with his rail line. You’ll find Miami’s Flagler Street and Julia Tuttle Causeway commemorating these founders today.

If luxe living is your desire, Downtown is sure to tick all your boxes. The skyline has been transformed over the last two decades with amazing condominium towers. The panoramic views from these homes will take your breath away, and residents enjoy every amenity, from valet parking to swimming pools to in-house concierge-style services.

Superstar athletes, celebrities, and international financial glitteratti are all drawn to Miami’s thriving Downtown. Be sure to check out One Thousand Museum and its innovative exoskeleton, designed by Pritzker Prize winner Zaha Hadid, which features a rooftop helipad and the utmost in luxury comforts.

The scene for art, culture, and cuisine is ever evolving in Downtown. Miami Worldcenter, still under construction, will be the second largest urban development in the country, similar to New York City’s Hudson Yards. The mixed-use development will include over 25 acres of residential, retail, and hotel space with a convention center and a multitude of dining, sports, and entertainment venues.

Meanwhile, there is no shortage of places to eat out, whether you prefer a casual bistro or formal gourmet meal. The Arts and Entertainment Center has a constant menu of exciting experiences, including events at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts.

A can’t-miss part of Downtown is the Jewelry District, full of gem dealers and jewelry stores. Everything Downtown is easily accessible for pedestrians, and Metrorail and Metromover trains can get you to your destination quickly when you don’t feel like driving. Taxis are also popular in Downtown Miami, and you can easily live there without a car at all with everything right at your fingertips.