Brickell

Overview

Brickell sits just south of the Miami River, across from Downtown. It is Miami's banking district and one of its densest places to live. Glass towers hold offices, rentals and condos, and the streets below fill with people walking to work, lunch and the train.

The name comes from William and Mary Brickell, who settled at the mouth of the river in the 1870s and ran a trading post. Long before that, the Tequesta people lived along this shore. The Miami Circle, a ring of carved holes in the limestone, was found on the south bank in 1998 and is now a protected archaeological site.

Know the area

• Brickell Avenue. The bayfront spine, lined with bank offices and condo towers from the river south toward Coconut Grove. Most of the shoreline sits behind private buildings, so public bay access is limited.
• The urban core. The blocks around Brickell City Centre and South Miami Avenue hold most of the shops, bars and restaurants. This is the busiest part of the neighborhood on foot.
• Brickell Key. A small island reached by a short bridge off Brickell Avenue. It is mostly condos and hotels, with a public walking loop along the water.

Green space

• The Underline. A linear park under the Metrorail tracks. Its first section, Brickell Backyard, opened in February 2021, and a second phase opened in April 2024. The full 10-mile route is still being built in stages.
• Simpson Park. Simpson Rockland Hammock Preserve Park, at 55 SW 17th Road, protects a patch of native hardwood forest between towers. It sometimes closes for events or work, so check the city's park page before you go.

Getting around

• Metromover. The free, elevated Metromover runs a Brickell loop and links to Downtown and Omni.
• Metrorail. Brickell station connects south to Coconut Grove and Dadeland and north toward Downtown and the airport.
• On foot and by car. Walking is often the fastest way to get around the core. Rush-hour traffic on Brickell Avenue and the bridges can be slow, and wide streets and long waits at crossings make some walks less pleasant in the heat.

Places to eat

• River Oyster Bar. A long-running seafood spot at 33 SE 7th Street.
• NAOE. A small Japanese restaurant on Brickell Key. Seats are limited, and reservations are needed well ahead.

Living here

Most homes in Brickell are condos or rental apartments in large buildings. Buyers often ask about a building's budget, its reserve savings, insurance costs and any planned special assessments. Those answers differ from building to building, so they are worth asking for in writing.

Brickell is low-lying and sits on the bay. Flood risk, storm surge and insurance are part of normal homework here. Check a specific address with official flood maps instead of relying on general claims.