Sunny Isles

Sunny Isles Beach is a place of world-class restaurants, nightclubs, culture, and most of all its stretches of beautiful beaches with beautiful sand and crystal clear water.

Sunny Isles also boasts one of the Miami area’s most stunning oceanfront vistas, with miles of gorgeous white sand, pristine public parks, and plenty of places to play.

It is located halfway between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Sunny Isles Beach is known as a destination for sun worshipers, those looking to relax, and those who want to reside in modern, luxurious homes and apartments with incredible vistas. Visit the landmark fishing pier or enjoy the area’s abundant outdoor activities, such as snorkeling.

It is a barrier island North of Downtown Miami and is commonly known as “Little Moscow,” because of its large Russian community, which makes up about seven percent of the population. Nevertheless, it is as culturally diverse as the rest of Miami-Dade County.

In recent years, luxury high-rise condominiums have sprung up along the city’s shore, making Sunny Isles a prosperous and popular destination for buyers and renters.

Situated about 20 miles northeast of Miami lies Florida’s Riviera: Sunny Isles Beach. Its two-mile stretch of beautiful white sand is lined with opulent waterfront condominiums that glitter under the South Florida sun.

Water frames Sunny Isles Beach on two sides, so picture-perfect scenery abounds. Of course– the higher you go, the better the view. Down on the streets, you’ll find various dining experiences, a great line-up of designer retail options, relaxing green spaces, and the other side of the local real estate market: beautiful single-family homes along the Intracoastal Waterway.

This is your guide to homes for sale in Sunny Isles Beach. Continue reading to learn more.

Sunny Isles Beach sits on a barrier island, with the Intracoastal Waterway separating it from Aventura and North Miami Beach to the west. Golden Beach is immediately north of the city, while Bal Harbour is in the opposite direction. To the east lies the great expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. In total, Sunny Beach Isles only covers approximately 1.80 sq. mi. of area, and nearly half of it is water.

Since it only occupies a narrow strip of land, most of the recent development in Sunny Isles Beach is vertical. Today, the city boasts one of the tallest skylines in the country, with 672-ft. Estates at Acqualina towering over Sunny Isles Beach– for now. Upon its completion in 2027, there will be a new queen in town: St. Regis Residences, which is to stand at 750 ft. tall. But Sunny Isles Beach wasn’t always a city of skyscrapers.

A brief history of Sunny Isles Beach

Sunny Isles Beach was mostly level in the 1920s, when private investor Harvey Baker Greaves arrived and bought the land with the vision of creating an American riviera. Upon the construction of the Haulover Bridge, the land experienced a slow but steady growth, with a few hotels and vacation homes developed along the coast.

The latter half of the 20th century saw Sunny Isles Beach gain more attention from tourists. As a result, motels sprung up along Collins Avenue and gave rise to the so-called Motel Row. Upon its incorporation as a city in 1997, Sunny Isles Beach started to modernize and invested in more infrastructure projects. Run-down motels gave way to the 21st century’s high-rise condominiums and luxury resorts, which have come to define the city.

A prestigious address, Sunny Isles Beach has some of the high-value homes for sale in Miami-Dade County. Median home values hover around the high $600,000s, with nearly 36% of the local housing stock priced between $780,000 to over $1.5 million. Thanks to Sunny Isles Beach’s limited land, high demand, and pristine reputation as a coastal resort city, the housing market also enjoys impressive appreciation rates: nearly 174% in the past decade.

Real estate in Sunny Isles Beach is dominated by high-rise condos and apartments– these properties make up approximately 95% of the local inventory. In the northwest side of the city, however, is a small collection of upscale single-family homes in popular architectural styles: Mid-century Modern, Mediterranean, and Contemporary. These properties only make up less than 3% of homes for sale in Sunny Isles Beach.

Condo or single-family residence, many homes in Sunny Isles Beach share one thing in common: space. Both types of properties can go up to 11,000 sq. ft. in size. But due to their nature as standalone structures, single-family homes and estates are at an advantage since they may also feature room for expansion.

Premier residential developments & communities

• Sunny Isles Beach: Located in the northwestern corner of the city, real estate opportunities in Sunny Isles Beach Include a blend of luxury waterfront homes, low-rise condominiums, and several multi-family residences, all of which enjoy proximity to the Intracoastal Waterway. A large portion of the homes here were built between the 1970s and 1990s, but newer construction does exist, mostly along Collins Avenue. Single-family homes for sale in this section of Sunny Isles Beach start at about $1,600,000.

• Regalia Miami: An ultra-luxury residential tower along the beach, Regalia Miami rises 46 stories above the shoreline. 39 of these levels are single-unit floors, offering residents with over 5,500 sq. ft. of indoor space and an additional 2,100 sq. ft. of wraparound terraces, which means 360-degree views of the area. Units at Regalia Miami typically go for $8 million to $12 million.

• The Estates at Acqualina: True to their promise of delivering the world’s finest residences, the developers of The Estates at Acqualina tapped Karl Lagerfeld to design the lobbies of its two 50-story towers: Via Acqualina 888 and Via Acqualina 777. Together, both buildings offer over 240 luxury condos that range from 2,917 sq. ft. to 9,000 sq. ft. in size. Amenities include a private ice skating rink, a movie theater, and three outdoor swimming pools, one of which is for adults only.

• Residences by Armani/Casa: Built in 2019, Residences by Armani/Casa was designed by Cesar Pelli, with some artistic direction from none other than Giorgio Armani himself. The condo stands 56 stories high and features over 300 private residences, with prices ranging from $1.5 million to $18.5 million. Residents have their own elevators to take them to their condos, which boast floor-to-ceiling windows and expansive balconies.

• Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sunny Isles Beach: The prestige of the Ritz-Carlton brand extends to this oceanfront property, offering the hotel’s legendary service and amenities right at home. Ritz-Carlton Residences has 52 levels, with no more than five residences per floor. At the top of the condo are four penthouses. In total, this luxury condo has over 200 units available, ranging from 1,605 sq. ft. to 3,640 sq. ft. in size.

• Muse Residences: Muse Residences is a 49-story development that offers a boutique-style alternative to high-rise residential towers. There are only 68 residences on offer, making the living experience at Muse feel very much like being a part of a tight-knit community where neighbors know each other. Each unit has expansive living spaces, with private terraces overlooking the ocean.

With close access to the beach and gorgeous weather all year round, life in Sunny Isles Beach can easily feel like an extended summer vacation. But there’s more to the city than being a resort community. On top of fantastic shopping and dining options, Sunny Isles Beach extends a wealth of lifestyle advantages to its residents.

Getting around

Living in Sunny Isles Beach means you’re always within striking distance from the best of what South Florida has to offer.

Collins Avenue is the main thoroughfare that traverses the city, running north to south and connecting Sunny Isles Beach to Golden Beach, Bal Harbour, and Miami Beach, which is located approximately 11 mi. away. Meanwhile, the William Lehman Causeway (State Road 856) and Sunny Isles Boulevard (State Road 826) links the barrier island to the mainland.

From Sunny Isles Beach, the drive to Miami and Miami International Airport can take approximately 30 minutes via I-95. Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale are located north of Sunny Isles Beach, with travel times ranging from 15 to 30 minutes by car.

Climate

Much like the rest of Miami-Dade County, Sunny Isles Beach enjoys a comfortable subtropical climate. It receives an annual average of 230 days of sunshine and 60 inches of rainfall. During the winter months, temperatures can drop to 55-77 degrees Fahrenheit, but snow is exceedingly rare.

Fall to spring are generally considered to be the best seasons in Sunny Isles Beach, when average daily temperatures range from 60 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. By May, things start to heat up and get more humid. July is usually the hottest month in the region.

Schools

A luxurious lifestyle and relaxed atmosphere, as well as stunning natural beauty aren’t the only perks Sunny Isles Beach offers. The city is also zoned to excellent public schools that fall under the Miami-Dade County Public School District, the largest in Florida and the third largest in the country.

Sunny Isles Beach’s school-age residents go the following schools:

• Norman S. Edelcup/Sunny Isles Beach School (K-8)
• Highland Oaks Middle School (Grades 6-8)
• Alonzo & Tracy Mourning Senior High Biscayne Bay Campus (Grades 9-12)
• Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School (Grades 9-12)

There are also several private schooling options available in the vicinity of Sunny Isles Beach, such as Tauber School at Aventura, St. Lawrence Elementary School, Miami Country Day School, Learning Academy at Hallandale Beach, and Holy Cross Lutheran Christian Day School.

Designer shopping

There are many high-end retail options located in and around Sunny Isles Beach, including:

• Bal Harbour Shops: The trendiest and most impressive shopping destination in the Miami metro is only a few minutes away from Sunny Isles Beach. Shops at Bal Harbour range from designer boutiques to specialty stores focusing on art and design. Gucci, Alexandre Birman, Lanvin, Emporio Armani, Balencia, Audemars Piguet, Chanel, Chopard, Miu Miu, and Roger Vivier are just some of the boutiques you can find here.

• Bayside Marketplace: A short drive south of Sunny Isles Beach, Bayside Marketplace is a bustling outdoor shopping complex overlooking the scenic Biscayne Bay. It’s a one-stop destination, with an array of restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues all located on-site. Bayside Marketplace also hosts a number of special events throughout the year, from exhibits and art installations to weekend markets and concerts.

• Aventura Mall: Considered one of the best places to shop in Miami, Aventura Mall is known for its wide variety of shopping options, luxury boutiques, casual and fine dining restaurants, and cutting-edge architectural design. This ever-evolving shopping destination offers culture, fun, and a great atmosphere. There are boundless culinary experiences to highlight the marvelous shopping that can be done here.

• Sawgrass Mills: Hailed as the largest outlet mall in South Florida, Sawgrass Mills is home to over 350 stores that offer everything from clothing to electronic gadgets and sporting equipment. But for designer outlet shopping, head to The Colonnade– located on-site– to check out great deals from brands such as Burberry, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Versace.

Memorable dining experiences

Good food can be found in almost every street and corner in Sunny Isles Beach. Below are some of the best loved restaurants in the city:

• TIMO Restaurant: Led by renowned chef Tim Andriola, this inviting spot at RK Beach Place offers gourmet eats in a warm and relaxed setting. Their menu features a selection of Mediterranean-inspired dishes, such as pizzas, pasta, and seafood. For a better meal, try to get seated at the outdoor patio area to enjoy a delicious repast with stunning ocean views.

• Il Mulino New York – Miami: A name synonymous with Italian excellence, Il Mulino brings a slice of New York City to the distant shores of Sunny Isles Beach. This award-winning restaurant boasts an elegant ambiance and an extensive menu of classic Italian fare, prepared with fresh and seasonal ingredients. Don’t miss their house-made pasta and mouth-watering desserts.

• BALEENkitchen: Perched oceanfront at Solé Miami, BALEENkitchen offers an upscale dining experience with breathtaking vistas. American and French cuisine is the house specialty, with an emphasis on fresh seafood dishes. Come early for tapas and, if you’re visiting on a Wednesday, special cocktails with BALEENkitchen’s master mixologist.

• Ke-uH: This hidden gem at Acqualina Resort and Residences is all about a modern take on Japanese cuisine. On the menu: innovative tapas-style dishes that combine traditional Japanese flavors with Spanish flair and culinary techniques. Don’t forget to order a specialty cocktail or try one of their sakes, all sourced from Japan.

Outdoor recreation

As part of its efforts to become a world-class city, Sunny Isles Beach has expanded its outdoor recreational offerings to include 11 community parks on top of its famous 2-mile beach. In addition, some of South Florida’s best outdoor destinations are located a short distance away.

• Sunny Isles Beach: No list would be complete without mentioning the city’s crown jewel. This two-mile stretch of pristine white sand gives way to calm waters that are perfect for swimming. Water recreation can be had, such as jet-skiing and paddle boarding. Back on land, visitors can lay out and spend a day under the sun, take a relaxing stroll along the beach, or lounge in a poolside cabana.

• Haulover Beach Park: Located just south of Sunny Isles Beach, Haulover Beach Park covers over 170 acres of surfside and with various amenities to boot. These include pickleball courts, designated fishing spots, a state-of-the-art skate park, and bicycle rentals (standard and electric). Haulover Beach Park is also one of the best places in the area to fly kites– you can bring your own or purchase a customized kite at Skyward Kites, which operates in the park.

• Gateway Park: A five-acre park along Sunny Isles Boulevard, Gateway Park is quite the green respite in the middle of the city. Some of its attractions include an outdoor performing arts stage as well as a butterfly garden. Located near the park is the 15,000 sq. ft.-Gateway Center, a resident-exclusive facility where you can socialize with other Sunny Isles Beach locals, host a special event, or take fitness classes.

• Oleta River State Park: A nature lover’s paradise, Oleta River State Park is right at Sunny Isles Beach’s doorstep. The 1,043-acre park is home to approximately 15 miles of off-road bicycling trails and air-conditioned cabins that can be rented by anyone who wishes to spend a day or two at the park. Long-distance paddlers taking the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail can also make Oleta River State Park a rest stop before they proceed with their 1,515-mile journey.

• The Everglades: Sunny Isles Beach is about an hour’s drive away from the nearest access point to the Everglades National Park. It’s one of the best places in the region to spot manatees in the wild and, if you’re lucky, catch sight of the Florida panther. Some of the activities you can do at the Everglades include boating, camping, bird watching, hiking, and paddling. You can also join a ranger-led program for a more immersive Everglades experience.

Our multilingual team at Great Properties International Realty would be delighted to show you the full range of your real estate opportunities in Florida’s Riviera. Call us at 305.215.1686 or send us an email to learn more about homes for sale in Sunny Isles.