The reports are out and it seems that the members of the Church by the Sea have finally given in to the persuasion of the third generation of the Whitmans, the family behind the Bal Harbour Shops, to give out the area for expansion to this trendy, urban shopping enclave. Now, whether this move has been to please Miami’s discerning shopping population, or create a better shopping experience for Bal Harbour residents, or it comes as a desperate attempt to gain some steam especially after tenants started to relocate to the Design District; in any case, we reckon Bal Harbour condo and home residents have much to celebrate.

Matthew Whitman Lazenby has agreed to offer the Church a new building which would be twice the size of the existing one, in lieu of the piece of land which was first eyed and identified as crucial by Stanley Whitman, the man behind the Bal Harbour Shops. Though Lazenby has gone on record to state that Bal Harbour has closed April at an average sales of $2,511 per square foot, one of its best numbers in 50 years, we still think that the driving force behind the decision is the challenge thrown up the shift of focus to the Miami Design District.

For those who could care less about numbers or motives, the good news is that Bal Harbour condo and home residents can now expect their shopping and entertainment experience to reach a new whole new level of excitement. If everything goes as planned, the Bal Harbour Shops will see an addition of 100,000 square feet of retail therapy. This shall include 50 new luxury retailers and a 90,000 sq. ft. specialty department store housing the likes of Bloomingdale’s Soho, Bergdorf Goodman and Barneys New York.

Bal Harbour condo and home residents have one more reason to rejoice, as this move will bring a Cinebistro dine-in luxury theatre as well as a social venue by Barton G for special events closer home. The condo residents set to benefit the most out of this expansion include those at Bal Harbour 101, Bellini, Kenilworth, the Majestic Tower, the St. Regis Residences and Palace at Bal Harbour to name a few.

Envy the uber-luxurious shopping and entertainment choices available to Bal Harbour residents? Browse yourself a Bal Harbour condo and move closer to the action now!