Miami Design District versus Beverly Hills

Melissa Hege, AICP of South Florida-based Melissa Hege City Planning LLC. shares her thoughts on the Miami Design District verses Beverly Hills.

Miami Design District versus Beverly Hills: Inspiring Minds Want to Know By Melissa Hege, AICP

Last May, on a trip to LA, I snapped a bunch of pics of my favorite neighborhoods including Beverly Hills. But it wasn’t until I returned to Miami and drove through the Design District that I considered the possible connection between these two coastal shopping meccas. Could it be that the Design District was modeled after the famed Rodeo Drive? I believe the Design District is an even better version of the old school Beverly Hills. Here’s why.

Beverly Hills

Let’s start with branding. Beverly Hills’ brand is its name and its logo pictured above. Maybe some of you can remember those Camp Beverly Hills t-shirts that came out in the 80s? It started with the design pictured above.

Miami Design District

Now the Design District has similar branding to Beverly Hills, but takes it one step further by using iconic art pieces like this one pictured above. Buckminster Fuller’s 24 foot dwelling prototype, called Fly’s Eye Dome, reinforces the Miami Design District’s mission for home and fashion and it’s also really cool. More than that, this geodome has become the symbol for the Miami Design District.

Beverly Hills

Let’s face it, everyone comes to Beverly Hills for the shopping and the possibility of spotting a celebrity or at least the latest reality tv show personality. But it all starts with great streets. The storefronts in Beverly Hills are precious and particular to each store…

Miami Design District

Miami Design District

…but the storefronts in the Design District are like jewelry boxes or a special gift. The wrapping is so beautiful that I can’t wait to open the door and see what’s inside.