MIAMI BY DESIGN

Florida's vibrant city is more than just its gorgeous beaches. Arzoo Dina discovers how art, architecture, design, and food come together to offer a delightful mélange of one-off experiences.

- Arzoo Dina

IT IS A HOT, MUGGY afternoon when I arrive at Miami's central train station. I've spent the last three odd hours comfortably ensconced in a high-speed train, traversing Florida's evergreen landscapes from Orlando to Miami. It's peak summer and the city is under a heatwave alert, but that hasn't deterred thousands of holiday-goers and locals from flocking outdoors. I step out into Downtown Miami, immediately enveloped by the torrid heat, in search of a taxi to take me to South Beach. As I whizz past tall buildings that make up Miami's impressive skyline and massive cruise liners that are docked in PortMiami, the scenery soon shifts to swaying coconut palms and elegant villas overlooking the calm waters of Biscayne Bay. Located on tiny, secluded islands that dot the bay, these are the enclave of the rich and famous who've purchased this coveted piece of real estate in the Sunshine State.

Miami is a city of contrasts, one would say. While most people come here for the beaches and the nightlife, there is another side to the city that is less explored-one which is reflective of its rich design history and significant Latin American influence. And it's a side that is truly worth your while. So, when you're done partying the night away at one of the city's many nightspots and getting a tan at the beach, head out to explore Miami's design and architecture scene for a heady dose of inspiration.

When in SOBE