Top 5 Things You May Not Know About Bal Harbour

A Dream Come True

The dream village envisioned over 75 years ago has finally come to life!

Yes, folks, I'm talking about Bal Harbour, the wealthy Miami suburb elevating South Florida's tourism with exclusive shopping, sought-after hotels, pristine beaches, and select restaurants!

The village was born of a vision beginning in 1929 when Miami Beach Heights, a Detroit-based real estate development corporation, purchased the raw land. 

Headed by industrialist Robert Graham, with associates Carl Fisher, after whom Fisher Island was named, and Walter O. Briggs, Miami Beach Heights began the task of crafting a new community.

From the beginning, the area was envisioned as a modern community that would maintain exceptionally high standards, provide superior services, and foster civic pride. 

Then, following the war on August 14, 1946, Bal Harbour Village was incorporated, and development began in earnest.

And well, the rest is HISTORY!

Bay Harbour--Bal Harbour?

Trivia time!

Did you know that Bal Harbour was first named Bay Harbour? 

The name didn't last long as it did not truly define a community within an oceanfront property-- Bal Harbour isn't JUST by the bay, per se. 

So, a new word was created to accurately describe the beautiful tropical paradise, taking letters from “bay” and “Atlantic” to form the word “Bal.”

Thus, Bal Harbour, a new town encompassing bay and ocean, was named, and it has developed into a household name for luxury living and shopping, not only in the state but around the world as well!

Pretty neat, huh!

The Rodeo Drive of the Miami

Ah yes, the famous Rodeo Drive!

An iconic hangout of the wealthy and privileged,  the strip home to the most fashionable shops and luxury brands is in Beverly Hills, just north of Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles. 

And if you've been dreaming of shopping at one of the most famous streets in the world (or at least window-shop, if you're strapped for cash), then Bal Harbour is where you want to be-- well, if you're far from the REAL Rodeo Drive!

Welcome to Miami's version of Rodeo Drive, the prestigious Bal Harbour Shops, a 500,000-square-foot, open-air shopping mall anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman-Marcus department stores. 

Carrying over a hundred fashion design shops (Chanel, Prada, and Gucci, among others), salons, and chic boutiques, it is considered on par with those accustomed to strolling along the famous Beverly Hills street, and even the streets of Milan, London, Paris, or New York!

Fancy, fancy!

A Slow-Paced Beach Life

Enjoy a private, luxurious stay at Bal Harbour--minus the glittering nightlife scene most tourist-ridden neighborhoods offer.

Yes, that's right! Bal Harbour may be a popular travel destination, but it's also an orderly, upscale neighborhood bearing a small-town feel and peaceful, beachside living. 

Most even find Bal Harbour's pace a little TOO slow, where little happens that’s out of the ordinary, but well, that's how the locals like it!

So if you decide to give this classy area a visit, be prepared to indulge in the most peaceful stretch of a world-class beach, and tuck away your expectations of a busy, party enclave. 

Of course, the village does have its fair share of bars and alcohol-serving restos, but it's generally a serene, secluded community, and that's how a paradise is supposed to be! 

The Independent Village

See this quaint, luxurious town that we have right here? 

Yeah, this village is self-governed!

The independent community is run by its own governing body, The Bal Harbour Village, spearheaded by its five district mayors. 

The village council is the one that oversees all the agendas and projects concerning Bal Harbour and also puts forth the Village Charter and Code. 

Now that's taking exclusivity up a notch!