Anchored by the charmingly retro Vagabond Hotel, Miami’s Upper East Side offers a unique blend of old-school Miami Modern architecture (MiMo), with cozy bungalows, boutique mid-rises, and select waterfront high-rises. Largely popularized during the post-war boom, MiMo is characterized by a tropical aesthetic that feels right at home in South Florida, with curved corners, decorative breeze blocks, and an emphasis on indoor-outdoor living.
While timeless classics never go out of style, newer condos in the area deliver always-sought-after waterfront luxury alongside a walkable, neighborhood feel and a more approachable price point compared to popular neighborhoods such as Downtown, Brickell, and Coconut Grove.
In this article, we’ve rounded up the five best condos in the Upper East Side of Miami, in addition to lifestyle details and recommendations, so you can get a sense of what it’s like to own and live in this underrated coastal neighborhood.
— Why Choose Miami’s Upper East Side?
Overlooking Biscayne Bay, the Upper East Side provides the best of urban living with a suburban pace of life, packaged in a historic style that feels classically Miami. The neighborhood is known for its cozy, tree-lined streets, MiMo architecture, and wellness-focused lifestyle. Its collection of gated communities is home to some of the most beautiful waterfront estates, while Morningside Park is a tranquil spot for relaxing, dog walking, and practicing water sports.
When the city calls, Upper East Side is just a 10-minute drive to the Design District, Midtown, Wynwood, Edgewater, Normandy Shores, and North Beach. A 15-minute drive will get you to Downtown, home to Kaseya Center, the Adrienne Arsht Center for Performing Arts, the Pérez Art Museum, and more.
— The Best Condos in Miami’s Upper East Side
5. Nirvana 3
750 NE 64th Street | Average List Price: $485 per square foot
Part of the three-tower Nirvana waterfront complex that was built in 1972 and converted indo condos in 2006, all Nirvana buildings sit directly on Biscayne Bay. Each building has six stories, and across the three, they’re home to 85 condo residences.
This guard-gated boutique condo complex offers resort-style living surrounded by lush landscaping, walking trails winding through majestic Banyan trees, a private sandy beach, an outdoor hot tub and spa, a lap pool, and an expansive swimming pool with a BBQ deck area with bayfront views.
4. The Bank Lofts
8101 Biscayne Boulevard | Average List Price: $514 per square foot
Originally a bank built in 1968, The Bank Lofts got a modern facelift in 2007, transforming into 89 loft-style condos spread across seven stories, with ground-level retail and restaurants below. The building’s New York-inspired style is what sets it apart, with extra-high ceilings (11 to 15 feet), European-style kitchens, exposed ductwork, and open floor plans with designated live-work spaces.
Amenities include a rooftop terrace with two hot tubs, lounge chairs, and cabanas, plus a fitness center and 24/7 gated security. And luckily for animal lovers, The Bank Lofts is pet-friendly.
3. IOS on the Bay
720 NE 62nd Street, Upper East Side | Average List Price: $668 per square foot
Built in 2008, IOS on the Bay is Upper East Side’s newest condo, with rarely available units and a fan-base following due to its exclusivity. This bayfront building is composed of two towers, one with five stories and the other with three, and houses 45 condos in total. Each of its boutique residences opens up to either bay or park views and features granite countertops, marble sinks, and contemporary designer fixtures.
Featuring 175 linear feet of waterfrontage, amenities at this boutique condo include a 40-foot-long bayfront pool, a pool deck adorned with natural keystone-like pebbles, a social room, landscaped gardens, smart building technology, and more.
5. Palm Bay Towers
720 NE 69 Street | Average List Price: $751 per square foot
The crown jewel of Miami Modern architecture, this iconic triangular tower rises 27 stories along 175 feet of direct bay frontage. With only 68 residences, three per floor, Palm Bay Towers offers the intimacy of a boutique building with unrestricted views and expansive floor plans. Set within a guard-gated, lushly landscaped 10-acre complex, it's as much a serene sanctuary as it is an architectural landmark.
Amenities include 17 acres of manicured grounds, four lighted tennis courts, a swimming pool with tropical landscaping, a fitness center, and access to the community marina that can fit large yachts.
— And the Winner of the Most Luxurious Condo in Miami’s Upper East Side Is…
1. One Bay Condos
455 NE 39th Street | Average List Price: $811 per square foot
Completed in 2018, the best condo in the Upper East Side of Miami is a boutique gated community of 38 luxury townhomes sandwiched between Biscayne Bay and the Design District, giving you easy access to the water and a sundry of upscale shops, cafes, and restaurants.
Designed by IDEA Architects with interiors by IDEA Interior Designers, residences feature modern finishes like Quartz counter tops, Bosch kitchen appliances, and Grohe bathroom fixtures. Select units come with 20-foot ceilings and rooftop terraces with panoramic views. Building amenities include a pool, a spa, a gym, and gated garage parking.
— What Is the Best-Located Condo in Miami’s Upper East Side?
Our top pick for the best-located condo in the Upper East Side is Palm Bay Towers. Positioned perfectly between the community’s marina and Legion Park, this MiMo-style building overlooks the Bay and beyond. With the Legion Park next door, you’re just steps away from a dog-friendly picnic spot with an outdoor gym, basketball court, and farmer’s market. You’re also an easy walk from many of the neighborhood’s top eateries.
With that said, if you’re not concerned about staying within the confines of the Upper East Side and prefer to be closer to the action happening in the Design District, Midtown, and Edgewater, One Bay is another excellent choice.
Quick Facts About the Upper East Side
— How Safe Is Miami’s Upper East Side?
Miami's Upper East Side is considered a safe place to live. Niche rates it #6 on “Best Neighborhoods to Live,” #7 on “Best Neighborhoods to Raise a Family,” and #2 on “Most Diverse Neighborhoods.” It also gets an A for its diversity, nightlife, and public schools, although many residents opt for private or charter schools in the area, which are also excellent.
The scenic sub-neighborhoods of Bay Point and Belle Meade, a peninsula and an island respectively, are gated communities perfect for families as well as those living alone.
— Best Restaurants in the Upper East Side
The ever-growing dining scene in the Upper East Side has a unique touch to it, since most of the older MiMo buildings have been restored and now house all types of eateries, from artisan tea shops to some of the finest restaurants in Miami.
Here’s a list of some of our favorites, most of which you can find along Biscayne Boulevard:
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Blue Collar serves up American comfort food in a laid-back, diner-style setting.
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Ceviches by Divino MiMo is a lively gastropub that claims the “best Peruvian food in the Upper East Side.”
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Conventillo is the go-to spot for nighttime cocktails served in an intimate patio bar.
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Doggi’s Arepa Bar is where locals go when they crave Venezuelan arepas, empanadas, and cachapa.
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Ferraro’s Kitchen adds dimension to Italian cuisine with classic Venetian dishes, including an as-authentic-as-it-gets tiramsù.
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Flora’s “nature-inspired dining” comes with vegan options in a cozy-yet-elevated setting that’s kid- and pet-friendly.
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Ironside Pizza offers customizable, wood-fired Neapolitan pizza set in a landscaped courtyard surrounded by design shops.
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Luna Pasta e Dolci specializes in Italian appetizers, pasta dishes, and desserts, along with some unexpected options like squid-ink crab ravioli and a selection of empanadas.
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Meze Miami’s hearty Greek and Turkish cuisine is served in a quirky interior perfect for catch-ups with friends and family.
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Moshi Moshi is famous for its sushi, sake, and tapas, but their extensive menu doesn’t disappoint.
— Shopping in the Upper East Side
The shopping scene in the Upper East Side is quite eclectic, with most of its boutique stores, vintage shops, and small markets strung along Biscayne Boulevard between Legion Park and NE 77th Street.
For fresh, gourmet, and organic finds, Marky's Gourmet and Legion Park's Farmer's Market are popular choices, while the Midpoint Shopping Center is a one-stop shop for everyday needs, with a Latin American grocery store (Sabor Tropical), several bargain outlets, and a few beauty-and-health services. There’s also a Publix in Bay Point and Miami Shores, and, venturing a little outside of the neighborhood, you can find a Trader Joe’s in Midtown and a Whole Foods in Edgewater.
Coffee-wise, Panther Coffee on Biscayne Boulevard and 64th always pulls in a devoted crowd, with a Starbucks across the street for the brand loyalists. There are also two Publixes bordering the neighborhood.
For interior design and visual arts, Miami Ironside is a unique district that hosts art galleries, designer showrooms, architecture firms, and other creative services. And when it comes to wellness activities, Agni Miami is a neighborhood staple.
— Ready to Own in Miami’s Upper East Side?
That rounds up our list of the best condos in the Upper East Side of Miami! If you’re looking for luxury condos for sale in Miami's Upper East Side, we’d be happy to assist you. As a brokerage with over 20 years of experience in Miami’s luxury condo market, we have the tools and resources you need to help you find the perfect property. Call, text, or email us today!