Here is a must-see list of highlights to look forward to this year–ranging from art galleries, to new and exciting openings, premier dining destinations, and more within Miami Design District (MDD) and beyond.

What to See/Do

• Gaetano Pesce’s “Again In Miami With Multidisciplinary Works” | MDD

• “Utopia” by Lara Bohinc - Miami Design District’s 2023 Annual Design Commission | 

• Gucci’s new dedicated men’s boutique | MDD  

• (RE)BOOT + Futbolitis: Tiempo Extra 

• French Artist JR’s “The Chronicles Of Miami” Opening Party with a special performance by Anitta 

• Craig Robins Collection “A Train of Thoughts” 

• Ettore Sottsass & Friends, Memphis Milano X The Office - Presented By Matthew Chevallard The Art of Hip Hop Exhibition | Wynwood

GAETANO PESCE’S “AGAIN IN MIAMI WITH MULTIDISCIPLINARY WORKS” 

Again in Miami With Multidisciplinary Works” is a time-machine blending Pesce's past and present intuitions and ideas, which also spotlights his brand-new works - the majority of them never shown before. The exhibit is an ensemble of 28 works where the legendary designer's kaleidoscope of unpredictability, sensuality and irony is displayed in full force and more gleaming than ever. Among them, Oman Chair and Oman Cabinet are sharp and translucent oversized pieces of furniture thought of for an upcoming show; Il Pugno (Si e' dischiuso), Il Guanto e O' Sole Mio' are works originally conceived in the '70s and crafted again in 2023, where the designer tests the breadth and the durability of his own design using modern techniques; the Affections Chairs explore not only gender but also intergenerational relationships, and are completely made by hand, in painted resin; and, additionally, the gilded Up 5 + 6 “Compasso D’Oro” Limited Edition produced by B&B, is part of an exclusive collection of 500 pieces paying homage to the Italian famous Compasso d'Oro award -one of the most authoritative in the design world- won last year by Pesce's iconic anthropomorphic chair.

Location: 30-40 NE 40th St, Miami, FL 33137

Dates: December 4 - 10

DESIGN COMMISSION 2023 “UTOPIA” BY LARA BOHINC 

MDD recently unveiled this year’s Design Commission installation titled ‘Utopia’ by designer Lara Bohinc. ‘Utopia’ spans four installations featuring irregular, bulbous forms reminiscent of growing cellular organisms. Collectively, they imagine a city where nature thrives peacefully and in harmony with our human presence.  Pieces include outdoor seating, tables and oversized light sculptures, as well as a giant centerpiece egg-form, and 900 egg-shaped birdhouses dispersed throughout the trees. Bohinc’s pieces are made from cork and painted by hand in vibrant hues paying homage to Miami’s architectural color palette. Curated in collaboration with Design Miami/ Curatorial Lab, Utopia’s dynamic sculptures will also welcome visitors with a special installation at the entrance of the Design Miami/ fair.

Location: Miami Design District

Dates: November 2023 - March 2024

GUCCI’S NEW MEN’S BOUTIQUE

Gucci is pleased to announce the debut of a dedicated men’s boutique in the Miami Design District. The opening marks Gucci’s fourth dedicated men’s boutique in the U.S. and second Gucci boutique in the neighborhood. Spanning across two floors, the boutique includes a private VIP shopping area, and carries an expanded offering of men’s products including shoes, ready-to-wear, luggage, small leather goods, and eyewear.

Location: 89 NE 41st St, Miami, FL 33137

(RE)BOOT + FUTBOLITIS: TIEMPO EXTRA

The Buenos Aires-based gallery Futbolitis is teaming up with (RE)BOOT, a new brand championing sustainability through sport. Harnessing the raw passion of football with a vision for upcycling, guest artist Carlos Herrera creates a visual spectacle that offers a fresh perspective on the beauty of football to fans and art enthusiasts alike. Herrera, whose practice focuses on the assembly of found objects, disused textiles and organic materials, creates a body of work from waste. This special 2023 edition puts the emphasis on materials that (RE)BOOT sourced directly from Inter Miami CF. Alongside his work, the exhibition will be showcasing 10 other artists who portray their passion for football in their craft: Ezequiel Suranyi, Mariana López, Eduardo Longoni, Andres Compagnucci, Silvina Aguirre, Marcelo Barchi, Emiliano Miliyo, Patricio Larrambebere, Lucia Harari and Guillermo Iuso. 

Location: 151 NE 41st St, Suite 133, Miami, FL 33137

Dates: November 21 - December 21, 11am - 6pm

JR’S ‘THE CHRONICLES OF MIAMI’ OPENING PARTY

French artist JR debuts his newest mural ‘The Chronicles of Miami’ in Miami Design District’s Jungle Plaza.  Inspired by Mexican muralist Diego Rivera, the piece is part of JR’s ambitious ‘Chronicles’ series that imagines how an entire city can be represented through art. To celebrate the unveiling, Miami Design District is hosting an opening party on December 4th with a special live performance by Anitta at 8:30pm. The event is free and open to the public. 

Location: Jungle Plaza, 3801 NE 1st Ave., Miami, FL 33137

Date: Monday, December 4, 7pm - 10pm

CRAIG ROBINS COLLECTION “A TRAIN OF THOUGHTS”

The Craig Robins Collection in Miami comprises over 1,300 pieces of contemporary art and innovative design, and exhibited within the Dacra headquarters in the Miami Design District. This year’s rehanging of the collection is titled “A Train of Thoughts”, focusing on two core subgroups of the collection’s holdings: figuration and conceptualism. The exhibition highlights a collecting history that has favored a taste for the abject and hyperbolic figurative image, in tandem with the self-reflexive, institutional critique of art based on ideas-- a seemingly incompatible pair that yields unexpected dialogues.

Location: DACRA Headquarters, 3841 NE 2nd Ave., Miami, FL 33137

Dates: December 6 - 8

ETTORE SOTTSASS & FRIENDS, MEMPHIS MILANO X THE OFFICE  - PRESENTED BY MATTHEW CHEVALLARD

The OFFICE MIA & Matthew Chevallard,  presents Ettore Sottsass & Friends known as Memphis Milano for Art Basel 2023. Ettore Sottsass, the visionary artist and leader of the 1980s Memphis design group, laid the groundwork for the Memphis movement, challenging design norms. Sottsass's legacy extends beyond design, capturing the essence of creativity and innovation. This exhibition will display a variety of pieces by Sottsass and other artists part of Memphis Milano.

Location: 3930 NE 2nd Ave., Miami, FL 33137

Dates: December 7, 5:30pm - 7:30pm 

THE ART OF HIP HOP

Alan Ket & Allison Freidin, Founders of The Museum of Graffiti, proudly present Art of Hip Hop, an immersive exhibition, opening in Wynwood, spotlighting the visual unsung heroes of Hip Hop culture, including photographers, album cover artists, graffiti visionaries, and logo designers. Following successful showings at SXSW and UrbanBreak in Seoul, this showcase lands in Miami on December 5, 2023, offering a unique exploration of Hip Hop's history and Miami's own cultural contributions to coincide with the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop. The inaugural exhibition, entitled From the Bronx to the Beach, will showcase rare vintage ephemera from Hip Hop’s first NYC DJ, Kool Herc, to Miami’s own pioneer Uncle Luke. Visitors can expect to see the works of famed Hip Hop photographers Janette Beckman, Mike Miller, Henry Chalfant, Matt Doyle, Lisa Leone, Joe Conzo, and Daniel Hastings, alongside Hip Hop album covers designed by Cey Adams, Eric Haze, Slick, Kaws, and more. The exhibition will also shine a special spotlight on Miami’s own Hip Hop history.  Open to the public daily 11am – 6pm beginning December 5, 2023. 

Location: 299 NW 25th St., Miami, FL 33127

Dates: Permanent

Where to Dine in Miami

• Chateau ZZ’s (Opening soon) - a new concept debuting in a historical Miami landmark 

• Dirty French Steakhouse | Brickel

• Contessa,  ZZ’s Club & Sadelle’s at Kith | Miami Design District

• Carbone & HaSalon | Miami Beach

• Sadelle's | Coconut Grove

• La Màrtola (Opening January 2024)

• Pura Vida Miami - 19 locations throughout South Florida

MAJOR FOOD GROUP TO DEBUT CHATEAU ZZ’S IN HISTORIC LANDMARK ESTATE

OPENING SOON

LOOKING AHEAD: Before the end of the year, Major Food Group (MFG) will debut the impossibly glamorous Chateau ZZ’s in a historic Miami estate steeped in significance and allure. Here, MFG will introduce the acclaimed company’s first-ever foray into Mexican cuisine. Hidden in plain sight in the heart of Brickell, this two-floor architectural marvel, originally constructed as a private residence in 1931 by legendary architect Martin L. Hampton, is the only known French chateau in the city and was designated a historically protected building in 1983. Now MFG, in collaboration with the visionary Ken Fulk, Inc., have meticulously restored the estate to its former splendor. 

The first level of the reimagined manor features MFG’s first-ever Mexican concept—a glitzy restaurant with impeccable cuisine, an extensive collection of the rarest tequilas, a stunning solarium, a vibrant bar and lounge, and idyllic outdoor gardens. The second level of Chateau ZZ’s, meanwhile, is strictly private and available exclusively to members of ZZ’s Club. At Chateau ZZ’s, tuxedo-clad service captains will orchestrate a journey through iconic Mexicans dishes; features include a table-side guacamole presentation, Sweet Corn Elote, Lobster Aguachile Verde, Ribeye Pastor, and so much more, all presented with MFG’s famed sense of flair.

This endeavor not only signifies the group's first foray into a vast and rich culinary realm but also marks the unveiling of the estate to the public. Paying homage to the address' rich history, Chateau ZZ's stands as a testament to Major Food Group's commitment to revitalizing and preserving historic landmarks.

LA MÁRTOLA

OPENING JANUARY 2024

Debuting in January 2024 in the Buena Vista neighborhood, La Màrtola, draws inspiration from the culinary treasures of the Riviera of Italy, France, and Spain. Founded by esteemed partners, internationally recognized La Filiale owned by Martino de Rosa and celebrity chef Franco Pepe, alongside food and beverage impresario Paolo Domeneghetti, La Màrtola’s menu is characterized by simplicity and anchored by the highest quality local ingredients combined with delicacies imported from the coastal regions of the “old world.” Dishes feature a variety of new and classic favorites including an array of Neapolitan pizzas by La Filiale which will be made using a Stefano Ferrara wood-fired pizza oven, as well as a variety of wood-fired and grilled farm-raised meats, local fish, and locally grown vegetables, prepared in the restaurant’s custom-made wood grill by Grillworks. The space is inspired by the charm of Adriatic coastal towns and features custom-made ceramic artworks by Greek artist Daphne Leon. 

Location: 4702 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33137