A touch of France will be available with a new French Market pop in in South Beach. I have a scoop. There’s a new luxury condo under construction on Brickell, and it will look like something from outer space. I recently discovered Imperial Moto Cafe, which is so much fun you will feel like you are back in college, and for the single ladies, it’s filled with men who like vintage bodies. And in more discoveries this week, there’s an experimental event space that’s very near to where I live, and I found out about it on Facebook.

 OOH LA LA: French Market  Now Pops Up In South Beach

If you can’t get to France this year at least a touch of France is available in Miami Beach. I was surprised as anyone to learn that a new French market is going to pop up the first Sunday of every month, from 9am to 4pm, in South Pointe Park at the Washington Avenue entry plaza. The park is located at 1 Washington Ave. in South Beach. It started last Sunday, and of course, I had to be among the first to check it out.

I worry about any new enterprise that starts in a neighborhood that is so seasonally oriented. The active time for Miami is from November to the end of April. Most folks leave the area when it gets real hot down here. They go back north, or to their homelands around the globe. While South of Fifth is a very luxurious area it slows down from May to the end of October. We do get a lot of tourists renting very expensive condos but these folks may not be coming here for French goods. In fact. Many of the residents here are French. It’s going to be very interesting to see how this all works out.

I hope the local government helps to promote the market so everyone knows about it.  I could easily see that talented artisans and bakers will be offering items we usually do not see from neighborhood stores. Plus it’s fun to walk around to each of the booths and speak to the individual entrepreneurs and see what they are selling. The initiative is hosted by the French American Association of Crafts and Trades. They hope to add more booths every month and make the market a more permanent event.

Twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty

A stunning view of the Residences at 1428 Brickell, showcasing its sculpted exterior and innovative solar-panel-integrated windows against the Miami skyline

Most people who live in Miami don’t know anything about the information I’m going to share with you. Construction has started on a residential at 1428 Brickell that is the strangest thing I have ever seen. It’s also twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty. It’s definitely going to be a landmark skyscraper that combines luxury living with a groundbreaking sustainable design through its integration of solar-panel windows, marking a significant step forward in eco-friendly architecture.

Sustainability Times, an environmental newspaper, said the prestigious Brickell Avenue tower is the brainchild of the local firm Arquitectonica, while the interior design has been crafted by the renowned ACPV Architects. The skyscraper’s distinctive sculpted exterior is inspired by the wind, rather than the nearby sea, showcasing an innovative approach to design that emphasizes both aesthetics and functionality.

The developers said, “The building’s base is designed to harmonize with nature, integrating lush greenery that enhances its urban setting. This project is part of a broader movement within Miami’s architectural scene, which is increasingly embracing sustainable practices amidst environmental challenges. The use of solar panels integrated within the building’s facade marks a bold step towards reducing reliance on grid-based energy, setting a precedent for future developments in the region.”

I personally think the high rise looks like something from outer space. The developers believe this feature is not just a nod to sustainability but it’s a testament to the possibilities of modern architecture when environmental considerations are prioritized. It’s difficult to predict what the reaction will be to the look of this building. Miami is a trend setter so this can be considered an architectural marvel. The developers added, “As skyscrapers continue to dominate the Miami skyline, this new addition stands out not just for its height but for its innovative approach to energy efficiency. The introduction of solar-panel-integrated windows marks a significant step towards a more sustainable urban landscape in one of America’s fastest-growing cities.”

Great Coffee and Vintage Motorcycles

There is a coffee shop in Miami’s Little River named Imperial Moto Cafe that is so much fun you will feel that you are back in college. The other good news is that you could meet the man of your dreams there because it’s filled with men who like motorcycles. Don’t worry about the age factor. Men who like motorcycles really like older models. They appreciate bodies that have been around for a while.

How do I know so much? I was meeting a group of women for lunch and accidentally went to the wrong place. I walked into the coffee shop and was surrounded by men everywhere. Their conversations came to a halt when they witnessed me questioning the cashier about where I was. I told them the name of the restaurant I was looking for and learned that it was 20 blocks away. I said I was meeting a group of women. I should have had my Lyft driver wait for me.

“Stay here,” one shouted out. “Tell your girlfriends to meet you here.” I immediately felt a little uneasy because I was in a Miami area filled with warehouses and storage facilities. I am in the area a lot because it’s also home to art studios and galleries.  I took a closer look at these men and realized they all had laptops, stacks of paper, and were dressed nicely. Nothing to worry about. Then I looked around at the decor. It was not your average coffee shop. It was motorcycle-inspired with its distressed leather seating to vintage Harley-Davidson paraphernalia everywhere. I quickly called for another Lyft because I was late for my date.

The strangest thing happened a few weeks later. Eliot and I, along with another art loving couple, Jane Wesman and Don Savelson (they live in Miami, New York City and East Hampton) were gallery hopping in Little River when Don got a thirst for a cup of coffee. Gallery owner Tomas Redrado told us that there was a coffee shop a few blocks away so without any thought the four of us jumped into our respective cars and drove to the destination.

I was shocked when we drove up to Imperial Moto. I couldn’t believe the coincidence. Actually, I was thrilled. Now I was going to get a chance to drink their coffee and soak in the atmosphere. The net result was that their coffee was absolutely delicious. We all ordered different flavors and everyone really enjoyed their own selections. Don bought us all cookies that were really good too.

The biggest surprise was when I learned that Imperial Moto is a chain. The place just seems so individualized. Read the message below from founder  Matt McKenna.

“In 2016, I embarked on a journey that combined two of my greatest passions: vintage motorcycles and specialty coffee. What began as a vision to create a lifestyle brand and custom motorcycle builder quickly evolved into something much more meaningful. The idea of Imperial Moto was born from a desire to bring together a community of like-minded enthusiasts who appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship behind both motorcycles and coffee.”

The coffee is roasted daily in Miami with unique blends like Finca Beatriz with beans from Guatemala or Finca el Manzano from Colombia. 7299 NW Second Ave., Miami, @imperialmoto

The Event Space That Takes You Around The World 

I just spotted this on Facebook, but I have no idea what it is. The event space is very close to where I live, but I don’t know a thing about it. Not only that, but no one has ever mentioned it to me. It’s like living next to Studio 54 and never knowing it was there. How could such a massive and mesmerizing event space exist without a lot of publicity noise. Maybe the Facebook post is the start of something big.

More details next week but for now this is what The Temple House  said about itself on Facebook.

“The Temple House, an award-winning venue in the heart of South Beach, is recognized as one of the best venues in the nation to host experiential events, and has become the de-facto launch platform for Fortune 500 brands & their agencies as they introduce new products and services to audiences around the world.

“When the goal is to engage, inspire and wow the customer, experiential agencies turn to The Temple House for reliably powerful solutions.  Connecting products and services to consumers through the magic of projection mapping makes experiential marketing and events exceptionally powerful.  With the premiere 360-degree  technology, guests of The Temple House, are treated to experiences like no other event space can provide.

“The Temple House team works with experiential agencies around the world to help produce full scale event for brands including FIFA, Temsa, Dobel, MLS, ESports, Genesis, Pepsi, Courtyard by Marriot, VISA, Hilton Honors, and Sony.  Through the use of projection mapping, brands are able to engage, delight and inspire the customer, while creating emotional attachments, and viral instagrammable experiences.

“The dynamic projection technology available at The Temple House drives seamless experiences between brands, consumers, taste makers and business decision makers.

THE TEMPLE HOUSE | 1415 EUCLID AVENUE   MIAMI BEACH   (305) 673-2526 | EXPERIENTIAL EVENTS GALLERY