Considered the most desirable section of Miami Beach, South Beach encompasses the 23 southernmost blocks on the island. Its east-west boundaries are normally defined as between First Street and Lincoln Road (between 16th and 17th) and the neighborhood encompasses thirteen principal north-south roads. The northern boundary is generally described as Dade Boulevard from Lincoln Road on the bay side of the island and, on the ocean side, 23rd Street.
South Beach was the first section of Miami Beach to be developed, much of which occurred shortly after the island was connected to the mainland via the Collins Bridge (now Venetian Causeway) in 1913. South Beach saw a huge increase in population in the 1920s and many of the country's most well-known millionaires flocked to Miami Beach to purchase a home in this up-and-coming neighborhood.
The 1930s brought the Art Deco movement to South Beach and today the neighborhood still boasts the largest collection of Streamline Moderne Art Deco architecture of anywhere in the world. This late form of Art Deco design features curving forms, long horizontal lines, and nautical elements like porthole windows or cruise ship-style railings.
Jackie Gleason brought his weekly variety show to South Beach in 1966, providing yet more publicity for the area. However, shortly after, the neighborhood changed from a chic locale to a retirement community that housed mostly elderly individuals on fixed incomes. Buildings went into quick decline and the crime rate in South Beach soared until the television show Miami Vice, which used South Beach as a backdrop, brought pubic attention to the art deco gem. A renaissance began in the late 1980s, and today South Beach is considered Miami's major entertainment district.
South Beach is a virtual melting pot, attracting not only wealthy Americans but also large numbers of well-to-do visitors from Europe, Israel, South America (particularly Brazil), Latin America, and the Caribbean. Many own second homes in South Beach and it's not unusual to walk down the street and hear a variety of different languages spoken.
The beaches at South Beach, particularly Lummus Park Beach (aka Glitter Beach), are said to be the desired leisure area for Miami's most beautiful tanned bodies, including the large number of models that have made their home in this neighborhood, largely due to the popularity of South Beach as a place for photo shoots. Along the beach, visitors will also find some of the world's most unique lifeguard stands, created by architect William Lane and placed on the sand after 1992's Hurricane Andrew destroyed much of the area.
While there are plenty of residential areas in South Beach, ranging from low- and high-rise apartments to single family homes, the neighborhood is really best known as an entertainment mecca. During the day, shopping is king and visitors and residents flock to Espanola Way and Lincoln Road pedestrian malls to enjoy upscale shopping, art galleries, and their choice of cafes and restaurants. At night, the club scene is hopping. About 150 clubs are open in South Beach at any one time, though the local Chamber of Commerce notes that many are short-lived. Most of the time, visitors need a connection to gain entrance to the club or must wait several hours and pass muster with the door staff in order to be admitted to these exclusive enclaves.
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