Bohemia on Biscayne Bay

Visionary architect Ugo Colombo celebrates his triumphant return to Coconut Grove with a distinctive curved design for his newest collection of Miami homes. Resting just off the coast on the eponymous isle, Vita at Grove Isle reflects the hip, laid-back vibes that make The Grove one of Miami’s favorite neighborhoods, complete with its dedication to an indoor/outdoor lifestyle that takes full advantage of the tropical setting. Let’s take a trip through time to discover how Coconut Grove became a little slice of Bohemia on the shores of Biscayne Bay.

Coconut Grove was founded in the 1870s as homesteading land for new immigrants from the Bahamas, and was quickly elevated from these humble roots by the construction of the Florida East Coast Railway around the turn of the century. Once the infrastructure was in place, wealthy northerners flocked to the area, building elegant winter homes and becoming some of the first snowbirds to make the yearly journey south with the coming of cold weather in New England. A pair of estates from this era still stand — Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, which was built by the son of tycoon William Deering, and The Barnacle Historic State Park, a well-preserved example of simpler home design by yacht builder Ralph Middleton Munroe — and are well worth a visit.

As the affluent settled in, creative types followed, including playwright Tennessee Williams, whose play “Sweet Bird of Youth” premiered at the Coconut Grove Playhouse. By the 1960s, the neighborhood had become a counterculture destination, complete with coffeehouses and art galleries beneath the banyan trees. It was around this time that the neighborhood gained its reputation as “Little Bohemia.”

Nowadays, The Grove has blossomed into a multicultural destination for locals and tourists alike. Residents of the stylish homes at Vita will love the family-friendly attractions like the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, which combines an aquarium, planetarium, and science museum in one bayfront facility, and the Cocowalk, a mall by way of a tropical garden. Of course,The Grove is also home to a bevy of boutiques, bars, eateries, retailers, grocers, and ateliers, all illuminated by the tropical sun and easily accessible from nearby Grove Isle.

The atmosphere of relaxation and luxury combined with the wonderfully balmy weather make The Grove the perfect setting for Vita at Grove Isle, which combines resort-style amenities with spacious homes aimed at maximizing outdoor time with friends and loved ones. Architect Ugo Colombo’s curving, glassy building gives each two-story townhome its own unobstructed view ofthe waterfront, creating palaces in miniature for each resident. Looking to start a new chapter of your life on a sunny tropical island? Reach out to the Vita at Grove Isle team today to learn more about these luxurious Coconut Grove homes for sale.