Construction on the Venetian Causeway is still dragging on. Construction recently shifted to the south side, opening the completed northern side to traffic. Nice new sidewalks, lighting and some street parking are nearly complete. According to Venetian Causeway Neighborhood Association head, Jack Hartog, the overall deadline for completion will miss its target date of the end of 2011 and should finish by February 2012. Hartog said that the delay is due to unexpected buried structures found at the outset of the project and FPL coordination issues. The Venetian Causeway is a popular place for bikers and runners pounding the pavement and enjoying the beautiful views. Many of Miami Beach's most luxurious homes are located on the Venetian Islands. 27 E Dilido Drive on the Venetian Islands is... 12/09/2011

The Venetian Islands are a chain of six man-made islands in Biscayne Bay in Miami Beach. The islands are, from east to west, Belle Isle, Rivo Alto Island, Dilido Island, San Marino Island, San Marco Island, and Biscayne Island.  Built during the 1920's, when "island building" was popular, this area is now home to some of the most gorgeous homes in South Florida. 27 E Dilido Drive, Miami Beach, FL Experience all Miami Beach has to offer in this 1936 Mediterranean Revival estate located on 106 feet of waterfront on Biscayne Bay, just moments from South Beach. The marble entry courtyard of 27 East Dilido Drive in Miami Beach will impress guests the moment they arrive. The welcoming 20+ foot foyer with Spanish tiles showcases a cypress beamed ceiling, curved wrought iron and elegant stairwa... 12/07/2011

The South Florida real estate market is booming.  Four Florida markets experienced increases of at least 10% in the last year and Miami is up 24% from last August.  These numbers are even more impressive when compared to the national average increase of 0.46%. What has caused this increase? Real Estate Economy Watch attributes it to the depths to which the Florida real estate markets fell.  The sudden decrease in foreclosure actions also played a part, especially in areas like Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale.  A recent article from The Real Deal points out that it is very likely there are more foreclosures on the horizon and that more real estate owned (REO) properties will probably push prices down.  Any additional foreclosures will probably not affect the upper end of the luxury housi... 09/23/2011

The Venetian Islands in Miami Beach are home to some of the most gorgeous houses in South Florida.  Rich in history, few people know about the beginnings of these Islands.  This week I will write a series of posts on the history, architecture and what could have been in the Venetian islands. In 1925 the new all wooden causeway was replaced by a succession of elegantly arched bridges and subsequently renamed the Venetian Causeway.  Today, this stretch of waterfront is frequented by health conscious joggers, walkers and bikers enjoying the tropical beauty of the islands and Biscayne Bay.  Fortunate residents of waterfront islands including Rivo Alto Island, Di Lido Island and San Marino Island enjoy the the ultimate convenience and calm between Miami beach's vibrant South Beach and downto... 09/02/2011

The Venetian Islands in Miami Beach are home to some of the most gorgeous houses in South Florida.  Rich in history, few people know about the beginnings of these Islands.  This week I will write a series of posts on the history, architecture and what could have been in the Venetian islands. The additional four islands planned to be built along two east-west roads connecting to the Italianate themed causeway were never built.  One of these roads was planned along the current route of the 79th Street Causeway and the other paralleled the current route of the Julia Tuttle Causeway.  Because these additional islands were never built, the existing islands and the waterfront homes for sale along the Venetian Islands are very exclusive and desirable. The original bridge (called the Collins Br... 09/01/2011

The Venetian Islands in Miami Beach are home to some of the most gorgeous houses in South Florida.  Rich in history, few people know about the beginnings of these Islands.  This week I will write a series of posts on the history, architecture and what could have been in the Venetian islands. The Venetian Islands are connected by 12 bridges (two of them draw bridges) from the Florida mainland to Miami Beach.  Originally the Venetian islands were planned to extend much further than they do today.  An elegant causeway was to be built named "The Drive of Campanili."  This causeway would have connected Hibiscus Islands to the southernmost tip of Di Lido Island across from the former Di Lido Island Yacht Club, the present day 1 E. Di Lido Drive, recently purchased by Luca Formilli Fendi.  Hib... 08/31/2011

The Venetian Islands in Miami Beach are home to some of the most gorgeous houses in South Florida.  Rich in history, few people know about the beginnings of these Islands.  This week I will write a series of posts on the history, architecture and what could have been in the Venetian islands. Flagler Monument Island remains an uninhibited "picnic island" where weekend boaters congregate to relax and enjoy the beauty of the bay.  Originally perfectly circular in shape, the island was built without a proactive seawall and has distorted into more of an oval shape from erosion and the currents of Government Cut leading into the Atlantic Ocean.  Built in 1920 as a memorial to railroad pioneer Henry Flagler, the 100-foot tall obelisk monument with sculptures at its base was funded by automotiv... 08/30/2011

The Venetian Islands in Miami Beach are home to some of the most gorgeous houses in South Florida.  Rich in history, few people know about the beginnings of these Islands.  This week I will write a series of posts on the history, architecture and what could have been in the Venetian Islands. The Venetian Islands are a chain of six man-made islands in Biscayne Bay in Miami Beach and Miami, Florida.  The islands are, from east to west (the order the islands were developed): Belle Isle, Rivo Alto Island, Di Lido Island (the largest), San Marino Island, San Marco Island and Biscayne Island.  The four easternmost islands are part of Miami Beach while the two westernmost islands belong to the city of Miami. During the Florida Land Boom of the 1920's, dredging and "island building" of new wate... 08/29/2011

Construction has resumed on the major drainage project going on along the Venetian Causeway.  There is active construction and barricades on almost every island between mainland Miami and Miami Beach, including San Marco, San Marino, Dilido, San Remo and Belle Isle.  Even without construction traffic, navigating the Venetian Causeway can be stressful, avoiding other drivers, bikers, runners and buses. Below is an update on the projects and suggestions from Belle Isle blog for easier commuting for Venetian Island residents: The Belle Isle drainage project has been delayed but it is still on schedule to be finished by the end of May.  Expect weekday delays for the next couple of weeks. Once completed, the roadwork and storm drain construction on the north side of Rivo Alto, Dilido, San Ma... 07/13/2011

The islands of Miami Beach offer a lifestyle that cannot be paralleled.  Nestled between Downtown Miami and South Beach, some of the finest real estate in the world featuring waterfront estates, to contemporary designed masterpieces all reside.  Palm Island, Hibiscus Island, and the Islands of the Venetian Causeway create one of the best places to live right in the middle of Biscayne Bay.  Surrounded by water and breathtaking views, below is a sample of some recent sales and rental activity for the neighborhood.  For more specifics on your Island, or the neighborhood in general, call me today! 321-662-5257 Follow me on Twitter: @miamiREguy Like me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Premiere-Miami-Real-Estate/140292262694571 Call, Tweet, Text or Message for help from the best ... 01/06/2011