Miami Beach is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The city was incorporated on 26 March 1915. It is located on a barrier island between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean; the Bay separates Miami Beach from the city of Miami, Florida. The city is often referred to under the umbrella term of "Miami," despite being a distinct municipality. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 87,933. 55.5% of the population was foreign born. A 2005 population estimate for the city was 87,925. Miami Beach has been one of America's pre-eminent beach resorts for almost a century.


In 1870 Henry Lum and son Charles arrived by sailboat on the large sandbar off the southeast Florida coast, and were so impressed by the island they landed on that they bought from the federal government, for $.25 an acre, most of the island and property further north.

Lum would later sell the property to fellow New Jerseyites Elnathan Field and Ezra Osborne, who, in turn would sell the land to John S. Collins and his son-in-law, Thomas Pancoast, who were also from New Jersey.

In 1913, Collins and Carl Fisher, who had made his fortune from his invention and later sale of the Presto-o-Lite Corporation and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, embarked on an agriculture venture on the beachfront land. Fisher loaned Collins the money he needed to complete the first bridge from Miami to Miami Beach that same year and the bridge, at the time the longest wooden bridge in the world, would be the catalyst for the 1915 incorporation of Miami Beach.

The great boom of the 1920’s would see enormous growth, while during the Depression, new groups from the northeast would build many small hotels along lower Collins Avenue and Ocean Drive. This building boom helped bring the area out of the Depression and forty years later that area of Miami Beach would become the famous Art Deco District, known the world over as "South Beach" or "SoBe."

During World War II 500,000 Army Air Corps cadets passed through Miami Beach when it became a major training center. [ See here for more information and additional resources on these WWII Miami Beach veterans.] Many of these servicemen returned to make the area their permanent home after the war. By the end of the 1950s, South Florida had doubled its pre-war population.

When Fidel Castro took over Cuba in 1959, the revolution radically changed South Florida as half a million Cubans poured into the area. The 1980s and early 90s brought a massive infusion of investment capital that has produced a reborn Miami Beach. Although it has changed almost beyond recognition (again), Miami Beach has thrived amidst that change and overcome many difficulties as it continues to be an international mecca for travel, business, and permanent residents.

Miami Beach | Penthouse Studio with Sweeping Water Views
$3,000 furnished
Sunset Islands, Miami: A Symphony of Swagger and Sophistication in This Architecturally Iconic Villa | 6 Beds | 8.5 Baths | 10777sqft
$300,000 furnished
Luxury Condos in Miami Beach: Where Paradise Meets Modern Living! | 2 Beds | 3 Baths | 1 490 sf
$19,000 furnished
Bar Space at the hotel 865 Collins Ave, South Beach | 1,600 sqft
$10,000 furnished
Brand New Apartment in South Beach | 3beds |3baths | 1,560 sf + Balcony
$6,885
Luxury Furnished 1 bedroom in Miami Beach
$2,300 furnished
GREAT APARTMENT IN MIAMI BEACH
$1,350
Experience the unparalleled luxury and lifestyle that only the Ritz Carlton Residences in Miami Beach can offer.
$57,000 furnished
This stunning ground floor Oceanside unit on Fisher Island redefines luxury living at its finest.
$60,000 furnished
3 bedroom, 3. 5 bathroom, rarely available at the Continuum North Tower.
$46,000 furnished
This beachfront private residence is nestled in Miami s first eco conscious hotel, with their belief being that sustainable hotels are the future and those who travel the world also ...
$41,000 furnished
Experience Fisher Island at its best with this one of a kind, 4 bedroom 4 bathroom Seaside Villa unit that is now available for rent.
$40,500 furnished
Stunning unit direct ocean facing in the heart of Miami Beach the prestigious South of Fifth residential area.
$35,000 furnished
EXPERIENCE FISHER ISLAND LIVING AT IT'S FINEST IN THIS SPECTACULAR BAYSIDE VILLAGE RENTAL OVERLOOKING THE MIAMI DOWNTOWN SKYLINE BISCAYNE BAY.
$35,000 furnished
AVAILABLE NOW ! ! ! BRAND NEW APT.
$30,000 furnished
This luxury rental is found in Miami s first eco conscious hotel.
$30,000 furnished
This beachfront private residence is nestled in Miami s first eco conscious hotel.
$30,000 furnished
WELCOME TO SEASIDE AT FISHER ISLAND.
$30,000 furnished
Welcome to the heart of the Venetian Islands this fully renovated 4 bedroom 4.
$25,000 furnished
Amazing views from this large 2 bedroom 2.
$24,400
This Oceanside residence inside the W South Beach is the perfect luxury lifestyle hotel for your vacation.
$21,500 furnished
THE MOST DESIRED CORNER PENTHOUSE IN SEASIDE VILLAGE.
$20,000 furnished
Discover ecstasy in each sunrise this rental season in this 3 bedroom, 3.
$20,000 furnished
A panorama of beach, ocean, park and city goes on forever from this highly coveted '04' line at the exclusive Il Villaggio.
$20,000 furnished
Wonderful home located on the prestigious San Marino Island of the Venetian Islands.
$19,500
Luxury unit at Mei on Millionaires' Row, fully furnished and appointed.
$19,000 furnished
This upscale beachfront hotel is a minute's walk from Collins Avenue bus stop, a mile from the bustling Lincoln Road and 1.
$19,000 furnished
Stunning newly renovated 4 bedroom 3 bathroom on guard gated Hibiscus Island.
$18,000 furnished
Spectacular Penthouse at La Gorce Palace !
$17,400
Best location in Miam Beach south of fifth !
$17,000
Gorgeous sunset Government Cut views from this tastefully furnished residence at the Continuum.
$17,000 furnished
Amazing tropical Direct Ocean View, 2 Bdr Big Den used as a Third Bedroom with Quinn size bed, 3 Full Bathrooms, Walk in Closets Along with Master Bathroom with Gorgeous ...
$16,500 furnished
Sought after Venetian Islands opportunity !
$15,000 furnished
WELCOME TO SEASIDE AT FISHER ISLAND.
$15,000 furnished
REDUCED AVAILABLE June 12th.
$14,500 furnished
This luxury rental is found in Miami s first eco conscious hotel.
$12,500 furnished
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