If you’re a true urban warrior, the two neighborhoods in Miami you’re probably most interested in living in have to be Downtown Miami and Brickell. These two neighborhoods offer all the advantages and excitement of urban living, with plenty of shopping and dining options, reliable public transit, and a buzzing, active nightlife. However, despite being right next door to one another, divided only by the Miami River, they have some striking differences, each with its own personality.

Here’s our comparison of Downtown Miami versus Brickell to help you decide which of these Miami neighborhoods is right for you!

— The Miami Lifestyle: Downtown vs Brickell 

Downtown Miami

Downtown Miami is the historic core of Miami, bordered on the east by Biscayne Boulevard, Bayfront Park, and Museum Park, and stretching south to the Miami River, north to NE 6th Street, and west as far as Interstate 95. Along with Coconut Grove, Downtown Miami is the city’s oldest settlement and was built around the historic city center known as the Central Business District. 

While many businesses still call Downtown Miami home, with time, Miami’s Business District spread south across the Miami River into Brickell, which today is the city’s primary center of business and Miami’s financial district. In fact, Brickell is now the third biggest banking center in the world, and called the “Manhattan of the South.”

For those who want to be in the center of it all, Downtown Miami is an ideal location, as it provides easy access to the sandy shores of Miami Beach, as well as the city’s most important cultural venues such as the Adrienne Arsht Center, Pérez Art Museum, the Frost Museum of Science, and the Kaseya Center, home of the Miami Heat. There is also Miami-Dade College, Government Center, Bayside Marketplace, and Bayfront Park with our beautiful ferris wheel.

For a more detailed explanation of the pros and cons of living in this neighborhood, watch our exclusive video on what it’s really like to live in Downtown Miami.

Brickell, Miami

On the other hand, while Brickell is also a centrally located neighborhood, it has a bit more upscale appeal than Downtown as the latter is still undergoing a revitalization. The ultimate “live, work, and play” location, Brickell has lured many celebrities to its lair, including Latin stars Shakira, Luis Miguel, Marc Anthony, and the late José José, just to name a few.

Far more than just Miami’s Financial District, this area is also known for its array of shopping and dining options, its vibrant nightlife, the traditional Mary Brickell Village, and the upscale Brickell City Centre, where you’ll find incredible shopping with luxury European brands, entertainment and delicious dining options.

For a better understanding of Brickell, it’s good to know its subdivisions:

• North Brickell - The Buzzing Financial District: It encompasses the area around Brickell Avenue north of SW 15th Road up to the Miami River. It’s characterized by its skyscrapers, a mix of older developments and new, luxury highrises and office towers where many international corporations maintain headquarters and branch offices. Many of new luxury developments are being planned along the bayfront and Miami River, such as Baccarat Residences Brickell and the Viceroy Brickell. When most people say ‘Brickell,’ this is what they’re typically referring to.
• South Brickell - Also Known as Old Brickell: This area extends from SW 15th Road (Broadway), and borders Coconut Grove to the south, and Coral Way and The Roads to the west. It also connects to Key Biscayne via the Rickenbacker Causeway. This area is far more residential than the Financial District and it is the oldest subdivision in the Brickell area, known for its shady tree-lined streets and laid-back way of life. It includes single-family homes, occasional ornate 20th-century mansions, and older, established condo buildings, although there are a handful of luxury waterfront towers planned, including St. Regis Brickell and Una Residences.
• Brickell Key/Claughton Island – An Upscale, Gated Island Community: Combining the ultimate in privacy and exclusivity with easy access to the busy, buzzing Financial District and all its offerings, Brickell Key is an affluent, gated community located off SW 8th Street in the heart of the Financial District. Nestled just south of the Miami River and Downtown Miami, this man-made island was built in the late 1800s and covers 44 acres. It includes several waterfront towers, some townhouses, a corporate office building, and the new under-development Mandarin Oriental Hotel & Residences. Brickell Key’s special appeal is the combination of a quiet island lifestyle with direct access to a bustling urban center.

— What’s Doing Business Like? Downtown vs Brickell

Worldsquare - Miami Worldcenter (rendering)

While Downtown Miami has been overshadowed by the rapid and expansive growth of Brickell as the area’s primary financial district over the past 30 to 40 years, this area is undergoing a complete renaissance, especially in the more northern end of the Arts & Entertainment District, where you have the Miami Worldcenter, the Brightline, many new shops and restaurants. And there there are more than a dozen office buildings here and more planned. 

Living in Downtown, depending on where you decide to live, you’ll be within walking distance of the restaurants, shops and businesses, art venues, historic theaters, and cafes with a more traditional “downtown” feel, plus excellent public transportation (see more below). 

You’ll also be within minutes of the financial district in Brickell, so even if you work outside of the Downtown area (or your home), your commute can still be quick and even walkable or bikeable. For some, it may prove more economical to commute from Downtown Miami to Brickell, while others may simply wish to live a short distance from where they work.

Downtown Miami, along with parts of Brickell, also houses most of the state's foreign consulates. The consulates of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Guatemala, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Peru, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom, and several others, are located between Downtown and the Financial District in Brickell.

Financial District - Brickell, Miami

While Downtown is more of a mixed-use neighborhood, the Brickell Financial District is the core of Miami's banking, investment, and financial sectors, and has a more corporate and modern feel. 

A vibrant commercial center with a bounty of regional, national, and international corporate headquarters alongside newer startups, the area is buzzing with international visitors and professionals in every industry, with major investment banks and venture capital firms moving offices here over the last three years. To satisfy this eclectic and sophisticated clientele, Brickell has plenty of restaurants, lots of retail, and a wide assortment of nightclubs and businesses catering to young urban professionals. 

The more residential South Brickell has far less business activity and is dotted with smaller businesses such as physicians, attorneys, accountants, and other professional service providers. Brickell Key is an even smaller community, with only a handful of essential small businesses such as a market, a dry cleaner, and a handful of restaurants. 

— Architecture and Residences: Downtown vs Brickell

Echo, Brickell

Downtown Miami has both many condos and apartment rentals. Recently, thanks to high demand, developers have been flocking to the area with new developments, the most important of which has to be the megadevelopment known as Miami Worldcenter, where multiple projects are under construction. It has plenty of options whether you’re looking for a luxury property or investment opportunities.

Condos in Downtown Miami vary greatly in price and quality:

• There are ultra luxurious options like the recently finished Aston Martin Residences, Epic Residences, or the stunning One Thousand Museum.
• On a more affordable range, you can find Loft Downtown I,  Loft Downtown II, and Centro.
• Plenty of pre-construction options like the ultra-luxury Waldorf Astoria, E11even Beyond, or Okan Tower exist.
• Short-term rental investment options include The Elser Hotel & Residences, Gale Hotel & Residences, One W12, and JEM Private Residences.

In Brickell, you’ll find older and newer condo buildings with more spacious units, bay views, luxurious amenities, and a wide variety of architectural styles. Among the most popular condo buildings that have sprung up in the area recently are Brickell Flatiron, Jade Brickell, and Echo Brickell. 

Pre-construction options here include Viceroy Brickell, Baccarat Residences, Cipriani Residences, ORA by Casa Tua, the ultra luxurious The Residences at 1428, and the highly anticipated 888 Brickell by Dolce & Gabbana, a true tour de force.

South Brickell is home to some of Miami’s most famous buildings, such as the sleek Atlantis on Brickell, designed by Arquitectonica and immortalized in Miami Vice. Here, you’ll also find single-family homes dating back to the 20th Century along South Miami Avenue. And highly anticipated preconstruction projects here include the aforementioned waterfront Una Brickell and St. Regis Residences Miami, both of which will have private marinas, an amenity very hard to find in Miami. 

On Brickell Key, you’ll find buildings such as Asia, Brickell Key I and II, Carbonell, and the Tequesta Point towers, which all feature such luxurious amenities and state-of-the-art fitness centers, spas, infinity pools, racquetball, squash and/or tennis courts, concierge service, and valet parking. If you are interested in buying into the last building to be built on Brickell Key, and will be one of the most luxurious new Brickell condos, consider The Residences at the Mandarin Oriental Miami. 

— Walkability and Transportation: Downtown vs Brickell

If you dream of a car-free lifestyle, both Brickell and Downtown Miami are ideal. Miami’s free and convenient Metromover serves both areas with three lines that include the Downtown Loop, the Omni Loop, and the Brickell Loop. The Metromover also provides service to Wynwood and Coconut Grove via the Metrorail 

Downtown has a slight advantage as it has more public transit options, especially with the new Miami Central station. Here, you can connect from the Metrorail and Metromover to the Brightline, which can take you as far as Orlando, passing through Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. The upcoming Tri-Rail service expansion will also extend service to areas such as Miami International Airport directly from Downtown Miami. 

In Brickell, a car-free life is also entirely possible. It’s easy to get around the neighborhood by foot, bicycle, or scooter, use the Metromover and Metrorail, or the free trolley system that serves the entire Brickell area, while also connecting to trolleys and buses serving Downtown, Midtown, and Coral Gables. There’s also a local shuttle service that serves the Brickell Metrorail/Metromover station, South Brickell, and Brickell Key.

— Parks and Greenspace: Downtown vs Brickell

Margaret Pace Park, Edgewater

If parks and greenspace are very important to you, Downtown Miami has a slight advantage over Brickell. Downtown shares the 8-acre Margaret Pace Park with neighboring Edgewater. The park provides breezy waterfront walking trails, outdoor sculptures, and direct access to the bay. 

Downtown also has the beautiful waterfront Museum Park (aka Maurice Ferre Park), connected to PAMM and the Frost Science Museum, and further south, Bayfront Park, where there is an amphitheater and outdoor yoga classes. A soon-to-be-completed Bay Walk will create a walking path from Edgewater to the Miami River, and future residents will also get to enjoy the linear park called the Underdeck under the future Signature Bridge. We have discussed the development of Downtown Miami at length in an exclusive interview with the CEO of Miami DDA.

Southside Park (rendering)

Brickell also has its share of greenspaces, but they are a bit smaller and more what you would expect of urban parks. In the Financial District, you can relax and chill outdoors at Brickell Park, Miami Circle Park, and Simpson Park.

In South Brickell you can enjoy the outdoors at Southside Park—which will be renovated with the construction of the new Mercedes Benz Places— Alice C. Wainwright Park, or Allen Morris Brickell Park. 

Brickell Key offers a children’s playground as well as walking path outlining along the waterfront perimeter, and is also a favorite walking trail among Brickell locals. 

— Arts and Culture: Downtown vs Brickell

PAMM, Downtown Miami

Part of Downtown Miami involves the Arts and Entertainment District, home to Miami’s top cultural venues such as the Adrienne Arsht Center, Ziff Opera House, the Perez Art Museum, the Frost Science Museum, the Kaseya Center, Bayfront Park, the historic Olympia Theater, and many local art studios and galleries.

Downtown Miami is also home to the Art Miami art fair, happening every December for Miami Art Week and Art Basel, and is very close to Wynwood, with its famous murals and yearly art fairs, as well as the historic Design District, home of the always-free-to-visit Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA Miami) and such renowned exhibition spaces as the Moore Building. 

Brickell City Centre

On the other hand, while Brickell is best known for its restaurants and nightlife, the local art scene has been growing steadily in recent years, particularly with the opening of Brickell City Centre, where world-renowned galleries such as Avant Gallery have opened flagship locations. 

— Eating & Shopping: Downtown vs Brickell

CVI-CHE

Both Brickell and Downtown Miami are home to amazing eateries, with each neighborhood having its own vibe. 

In Downtown Miami, there’s an array of diverse international offerings, from Michelin upscale locales with to everyday eateries. Some of the most renowned include:

• The exotic fusions of the iconic CVI.CHE, celebrated for its delicious Japanese-Peruvian cuisine. 
• Standard Italian fare is excellent at Fratelli Milano or Soya e Pomodoro.
• Dolores But You Can Call Me Lolita offers a mix of Latin, Spanish, Italian, and American flavors, here you’ll find a bit of everything for every palate.
• Pollos & Jarras as its name suggests, here is where you can get all variations imaginable of the classic rotisserie chicken.
• The Michelin-rated Niu Kitchen is a place to celebrate the good food and drink we share with friends and family. Let yourself go in its Spanish spirit.
• Naked Farmer offers fresh farm-to-table options where local and seasonal produce is the star.
• Bali Café a lowkey local transporting you to the best of south-eastern cuisine.
• Verde at Pérez Art Museum is set in a dreamy location by the water on the Museum’s terrace.

Shopping in Downtown Miami includes the shops at Bayside Marketplace and the historic—and recently renovated— Flagler Street. Nearby Brickell offers more upscale shopping and for big box names, you can go to Midtown Miami with standard brands such as Target, PetSmart, and Marshall’s.

Brickell also features an excellent array of dining and shopping options, with locations such as the open-air Mary Brickell Village, and the vast Brickell City Centre, where European and U.S. fashion brands take center stage, along with a Saks Fifth Avenue, an Apple Store, other popular retail brands, and a slew of gourmet food shops with exotic offerings from the world over. 

Some of the area’s most popular restaurants include:

• The Michelin Star Elcielo Miami, where you can find the most delectable Colombian flavors by Chef Juan Manuel Barrientos.
• The Capital Grille is where you go for a fine cut or to try some amazing seafood. Pair it with their fine selection of wines.
• Casa Tua Cucina brings you the best of Italian cuisine in the magnificent setting of Brickell City Centre.
• Come to LPM for a Mediterranean feel by the way of France, filled with delicious food and drinks.
• The River Oyster offers the freshest selection of seafood in an elegant environment.
• Crazy About You is the choice for an everyday lunch, a favorite among locals for the lively ambiance. 
• Kaori is half part restaurant half part listening bar mixing tunes with the fine touches of modern Asian cuisine. 
• Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors in a calm setting await you in Motek.

Locals love Sunday brunch at The Edge Steak & Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel. In South Brickell, check out the sushi at Obba, and in Brickell Key, try the elegant Peruvian fusion cuisine at La Mar by Gaston Acurio set on the waterfront at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

— Schools: Downtown vs Brickell

Mater Brickell Academy

Because Downtown Miami and Brickell are so close to one another, students in these areas may attend many of the same schools. 

Downtown Miami is home to the Downtown Charter School and Bridgeprep Academy, as well as the specialized New World School of the Arts. Miami-Dade Community College Wolfson Campus is also located here. The prestigious magnet program at Design and Architecture Senior High School is also close by, in the nearby Design District.  

Area schools in Brickell include Coral Way K – 8 Center, Southside Elementary School, George Washington Carver Middle School, Ponce de Leon Middle School, Miami Senior High School, and the Robert Morgan Vocational Tech Institute. The recently completed Mater Brickell Academy is also a stand-out charter school option for grades 6-12. 

Students living in both the Downtown or Brickell area may also compete for admission to the highly competitive STEM program at MAST Academy, located near the Rickenbacker Causeway in Key Biscayne. 

Students in both Downtown Miami and Brickell may also opt to attend private schools such as Open Hearts Language Academy (OHLA), Key Point Academy, Brickell International Academy, First Presbyterian International Christian School, Gordon Day Jewish School, and Prima Casa Montessori. Students also have the option of attending private schools in nearby Coconut Grove, including the highly acclaimed Ransom Everglades, Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart, and Immaculata-Lasalle High School. 

To find more prestigious institutions, read our list of top 10 private schools in Miami. 

— Cost of Living: Downtown vs Brickell

One Thousand Museum

Downtown Miami is one of the areas that has seen the most growth in recent years, and one with the widest range of cost-of-living options in the area, including many new buildings in the pre-construction phase. 

The average listing price for a condo in Downtown Miami as of the date of this blog is $688,175, with some listings in ultra-luxury pre-construction condos like the Waldorf Astoria reaching $50,000,000. The median listing per square foot is about $480, while higher-end units in Downtown’s newest developments are priced well over $1 million. 

In ultra-luxury towers such as One Thousand Museum on Biscayne Boulevard, units are generally listed for $5-20 million. Rental apartments also abound in Downtown Miami, with rents varying.  

In Brickell, rental apartments average about $2,800-$3,000 a month for a one-bedroom. For those looking to buy property, you’ll have options that include smaller, more affordable units, luxurious residential units, and exclusive waterfront penthouses. The average condo listing in Brickell is around $420 per square foot, or about $558,667 per unit, although listings in higher-priced buildings may into the multi-millions. 

Use our advanced search tool to locate best Brickell and Downtown Miami condos!

— Which Neighborhood Is Better: Downtown Miami or Brickell? 

When deciding between Downtown Miami and Brickell, you may want to focus on specific buildings, sub-neighborhoods, or specific amenities that you’d like to look at, to narrow down your options. 

If you want to be a little closer to the museums and the local art scene, with faster access to Miami Beach and other areas beyond the city, you might want to consider Downtown Miami, as its access to MiamiCentral provides the maximum in local transportation options.

If you want to be in the center of the international financial action and business community, with an abundance of eating and shopping options, living in Brickell’s Financial District will offer you plenty of opportunities to work and play near your home. 

For those more interested in a quieter, more residential community that’s a bit more suburban and family-friendly, South Brickell may be your ideal home.

It really comes down to what is more important to you and your family! If you’re impressed by Downtown Miami and Brickell and would like to explore options, or you need a helping hand in deciding which area is best for your future home, feel free to contact us via email or phone, and one of our expert, local agents will be happy to help. 

If you’re interested in more of our neighborhood comparisons, check out these:

• Edgewater vs South Beach
• South Beach vs Miami Beach
• Edgewater vs Downtown Miami
• The Miami Beaches: South vs Mid-Beach vs North Beach
• Brickell vs South Beach
• Brickell vs Brickell Key
• Coconut Grove vs South Beach
• Edgewater vs Brickell