The 2016 Curbed Cup, our annual award for the South Florida’s neighborhood of the year, is kicking off with 16 areas vying for the prestigious (fake) trophy. This week we'll have two matchups per day, and all the results and the full tournament bracket will be reviewed on Friday. Voting for each pairing ends 24 hours after it begins. Let the eliminations commence!
Note: The full bracket will be unveiled on Friday. Keep track of everything Curbed Cup here.
(2) Brickell
One of the fastest growing areas in South Florida, 2016 has been a monstrous year for the ever-evolving Brickell, which looks nothing like it did even three years ago.
The $1 billion Brickell City Centre opened its retail doors recently after its hotel, East, Miami opened to great reception earlier in the year. Condo towers continue to be proposed with inventory approaching staggering levels.
One reader, Stephanie, nominated Brickell because it’s “the most exciting place to live in South Florida.” It’s hard to argue against that.
(15) Kendall
Drawing Kendall in Round 1 is an interesting matchup because many Brickell residents who grew up in Miami have to be extremely familiar with the area, possibly attending school there or at least frequenting its malls (The Falls and Dadeland), affordable restaurants, or bars (Blue Martini).
For the record, I still consider Hungry Bear, located across from Miami-Dade College, to be the best sub shop in Miami.
Can nostalgia pave the way for an early-round upset?