By the end of the 1950s, the population of South Florida, especially Miami Beach, had doubled. When the United States Air Force Corps and the United States Navy established training centers on the island, more than 500,000 soldiers were brought to the island through World War II. When the war ended in 1945, many former soldiers moved to South Florida and Miami Beach. Adding to this emerging boom was a revolution in the island nation of Cuba. In 1959, Fidel Castro took control of Cuba, with the result that the mass immigration of Cubans who emigrated to South Florida, eventually totaled more than 500,000 people. In 1980 alone, the yacht Mariel bought more than 140,000 refugees. Migrations of those who escape Cuba continue today.
In the late 1970s and 1980s, there were big changes in the real estate industry in Miami Beach. During this city, it was mainly used as a retirement community, which was viewed throughout the country as a home for the old and decent, not the rich and famous. Once the glorious historic art deco buildings became dilapidated and allowed to fall in ruins, as the city had no money for repairs. In the end, most of the tax base was laid off and had a fixed income. Occasionally, Miami Beach fell victim to the influx of criminals and drug lords, as well as Scarface species, which further tarnished the south beach, once the sparkling reputation.
Miami Beach has come a long way from its source. South Beach Real Estate was once home to some of the most prestigious entrepreneurs and families in the country. Now it was a ruined city, inhabited by dangerous criminals. It was not the city of visionaries John Collins and Karl Fischer. The city needed a miracle to turn around and return it to its original elite status.
While the early years of Miami Beach were filled with glitter and glamor, in the middle of the 20th century, the city faced serious problems. The population has changed from the rich and elite people of the world, to world-class criminals and drug dealers. The preservation of the South Beach and its return to glory originated from several strange and unexpected sources.
The turnaround for South Beach really began in 1979, when Barbara Kaptman started a movement to save South Beach by placing the area, which is now an Art Deco district on the National Register of Historic Places. This protection of architecture led to an extensive renovation project to restore these buildings to their original glory and began the transformation of South Beach.
Then in the late 1980s, the fashion industry drew attention. In 1989, Irene Marie acquired property on South Beach to start her Irene Marie Models modeling agency (ironically, the property she chose was the same apartment complex that was shameful in the field of chainsaw at Scarface - not so glamorous !) This model agency was the first of its kind in Florida. In order to keep up with this new market, most of the major New York model agencies soon followed suit. Miami Beach became the center of a modeling agency, like a new unused and exotic place where photographers flocked to their shores. Of course, South Beach became glamorous again, and the rich and famous from all over the world were returning to Miami Beach.
With the increasing popularity of South Beach, real estate prices began to grow exponentially, which led to a change in demographics and stimulation of development for the rich. Slowly, Miami Beach is turning into a cultural and iconic city. Most of the old low-rise buildings, once inhabited by retirees and drug lords, are being replaced by sumptuous multi-million dollar revenues suitable for kings, or at least those who are looking for a royal lifestyle. Examples include Apogee, Continuum, Setai and Portofino Tower. These South Beach apartments are among the most expensive villas in the country, with every luxury imaginable.
Today, Miami Beach has been revived as one of the most popular destinations for tourists and residents in the country. Those lucky enough to own real estate in Miami Beach have a world at their fingertips with an infinite number of chic boutiques, eclectic restaurants and chic nightclubs. Miami Beach grew out of its original forage lands, and it flourished in a truly international city thanks to its rich history and resilience of its pioneers.
