Latest news with #BalHarbour


Time Business News
25-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Time Business News
Luxury Flowers Miami: Where Artistry Meets Tropical Glamour
Miami is a city of vibrant color palettes, balmy breezes, and a cosmopolitan energy that draws trendsetters from around the world. Nowhere is this fusion of culture and climate more evident than in its luxury floral scene. From waterfront weddings in Coconut Grove to art-deco penthouse parties in South Beach, high-end florists weave orchids, roses, and rare tropical blooms into living works of art. This guide explores what defines 'luxury' in Miami's floral market, which stems are trending, how sustainability is reshaping design choices, and why discerning clients turn to specialist studios for unforgettable arrangements. In Miami, luxury means more than expensive flowers; it is the artistic vision, service experience, and technical mastery behind each arrangement. Top designers craft custom color stories that echo a client's brand launch or reflect the sunset hues on Biscayne Bay. They import David Austin garden roses from Ecuador, pair them with heliconia straight from the Everglades, and present the final composition in hand-blown Murano glass vases or sculptural acrylic boxes. White-glove delivery in temperature-controlled vans keeps delicate petals fresh despite Miami's tropical humidity. Many luxury studios also offer on-site floral stylists who install and refresh arrangements during multi-day events—ensuring that every petal looks picture-perfect for VIP arrivals and social-media shoots alike. Bloom Why It's Coveted in Miami Seasonal Notes Phalaenopsis Orchid Sleek profile pairs well with modern architecture Available year-round; thrives in humid climate Garden Rose Large, ruffled heads evoke old-world romance Peak from May to October with careful cooling Anthurium Glossy surface reflects Miami's Art-Deco sheen Local growers supply eclectic colors Protea Statement focal flower for bold designs Best from winter through early spring Tuberose Intoxicating fragrance elevates evening events Imported to ensure consistent quality Designers often juxtapose these premium blooms with structural greenery such as monstera leaves or palm fronds, reinforcing the city's tropical DNA while ensuring longevity in outdoor heat. Instead of rainbow palettes, Miami's elite increasingly favor tonal designs—think all-white phalaenopsis cascades at a Bal Harbour gala or an ombré progression of blush-to-fuchsia roses at a Brickell engagement soirée. The limited palette spotlights petal texture and vessel artistry. Eco-conscious clients now request certified Rainforest Alliance blooms, biodegradable foam alternatives, and reusable ceramic containers. Some designers collaborate with local farms in Homestead to reduce carbon footprints while supporting South Florida agriculture. Experiential luxury rules Miami's event scene. Suspended floral tunnels, live 'flower bars' where guests craft mini posies, and AR-enhanced bouquets that reveal QR-coded messages exemplify a shift toward immersive storytelling through flowers. Nothing frames a bayside altar like asymmetric arches draped in cascading orchids and gauzy chiffon. Designers favor salt-tolerant blooms and secure mechanics to withstand coastal breezes. Tech and fashion brands launching in Wynwood rely on large-scale floral sculptures—logo-shaped moss walls, neon-lit 'living' frames—to dominate Instagram feeds and earn organic reach. Compact yet opulent arrangements—roses nested in acrylic cubes, mini orchid gardens with LED uplighting—ensure stability on rolling waves while adding a layer of sophistication to teak decks and marble bars. High-end arrangements in Miami start around $250 for a statement centerpiece and can surpass $10,000 for elaborate installations across multiple spaces. Variables influencing cost include: Rarity of Blooms – King protea and Japanese ranunculus command premium prices. Scale of Design – Larger pieces require more stems, specialty hardware, and setup labor. Seasonality – Valentine's Day and Mother's Day spike demand and wholesale costs. Customization Extras – Hand-calligraphed ribbons, bespoke vases, and overnight importing fees elevate final invoices. When searching for a luxury florist, prioritize portfolios that show versatility across themes—minimalist, opulent, avant-garde. Schedule consultations at least six weeks in advance for events to secure design slots; the most sought-after studios accept a limited number of projects to maintain quality. Evaluate client testimonials, request a mood-board mock-up, and confirm contingency plans for Miami's unpredictable tropical storms. Among the studios redefining upscale floral artistry in South Florida is luxury flowers Miami. Known for combining French floral techniques with Miami's vibrant aesthetic, this atelier sources premium stems globally and locally, offering concierge delivery and personalized design consultations that cater to both private collectors and high-profile event planners. Their signature hat-box roses—meticulously arranged to last for weeks—have become a go-to gift for celebrities and discerning hosts alike. From sunset-inspired orchid walls on Fisher Island to sleek rose-filled sculptures in Wynwood's art galleries, Miami's luxury floral scene keeps pace with the city's reputation for innovation and indulgence. As sustainability, experiential design, and concierge service redefine what 'premium' means, top florists continue to push creative boundaries—turning each bouquet into a sensory celebration of South Florida's unique blend of tropical flair and cosmopolitan glamour. Whether you're planning a lavish waterfront wedding or sending a single, exquisitely crafted arrangement, Miami offers a floral landscape where artistry blossoms as brightly as the city's iconic skyline. TIME BUSINESS NEWS


New York Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Monroe Milstein, Burlington Coat Factory Founder, Dies at 98
Monroe Milstein, who turned a $75,000 investment in a derelict New Jersey garment plant into the nation's third-largest discount retailer, Burlington Coat Factory — which he would sell in 2006 for more than $2 billion — died on May 9 at his home in Bal Harbour, Fla. He was 98. The cause was complications of dementia, his grandson Samuel Milstein said. Mr. Milstein's career was not quite a rags-to-riches story, unless the word 'rags' is synonymous with garment center merchandise in general. In 1972, he and his wife, Henrietta Milstein, ventured her savings as a Long Island teacher and transformed a former factory in Burlington, N.J., which they had bought for $675,000, into a mecca for busloads of frugal customers. They lured their patrons from the Philadelphia metropolitan area and beyond to buy marked-down designer and brand-name coats for women and, later, linens, men's wear, baby clothes and shoes. By the time they had divested themselves of their family-run company, it was operating 367 stores in 42 states and had recorded sales of $3.2 billion annually. The Milsteins sold their shares for $1.3 billion. 'I'm a very average fella,' Mr. Milstein said on his 80th birthday. 'I got lucky.' The Burlington Coat Factory — which was not affiliated with the fabric maker Burlington Industries — thrived by placing large orders for merchandise directly from manufacturers, for department stores' unsold seasonal items and for other surplus products, and then selling the goods at a 20 to 60 percent discount from retail prices. 'Manufacturers love to sell to us because we move merchandise and don't make demands,' Mr. Milstein told New Jersey Business magazine in 1987. 'The only problem comes about when they're threatened by other retail accounts who don't want to compete against off-pricers like us.' Monroe Gerald Milstein (he changed his middle name to Gary when he was in college) was born on Jan. 14, 1927, in the Bronx. His father, Abe, who was born in Russia, founded Amherst Fashions, a wholesaler. His mother, Ann (Isaacs) Milstein, helped out when her son started his own business. When Monroe was 11, the family moved to Manhattan. He graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx and earned a bachelor's degree in business from New York University in 1946. In 1949, he married Henrietta Haas, an elementary-school teacher who fled the Holocaust in Europe when she was 9 and went on to develop Burlington's children's division; she died in 2001. In addition to his grandson Samuel, his survivors include three sons from that marriage, Lazer, Andrew and Stephen Milstein; his wife, Judith (Kirshenbaum) Milstein, whom he married in 2003; five other grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. (His sister, Barbara Beyda, and two of his children died earlier.) In 1946, Mr. Milstein joined his father's wholesale coat and jacket business in Manhattan's garment district. He was also selling retail on Saturdays, so successfully that his wife persuaded him, against his father's advice, to withdraw her savings to buy the former Burlington factory, which had housed a failing business on the Delaware River in suburban Philadelphia that made and sold dresses for Jonathan Logan. The Milsteins opened their first store in the building, in an area that would become a hub for factory outlets. Their second store, which opened in 1975, was in Copiague, N.Y., on Long Island, and overseen by their son Lazer, who as an Orthodox Jew kept it closed on Saturdays. The store flourished on Sundays, when few other retailers were open. Another store, on Park Place in Lower Manhattan — the company's first in that borough — was in the news when sections of landing gear and fuselage tore through the roof and several floors after terrorists crashed United Airlines Flight 175 into the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. According to family lore, Mr. Milstein was once renovating a former furniture store in Pine Brook, N.J., when a demolition company presented an exorbitant estimate for razing a wall. He spotted a highway crew working nearby; they agreed to knock down the wall for two cases of beer. The company had philanthropic partnerships with a number of charitable organizations, including the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Warm Coats and Warm Hearts Drive, and WomenHeart, which supports women with heart disease. Mr. Milstein was chairman, chief executive and president of the Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation, a no-frills operation (for a long time he rode to work by bus), until he retired in 2005. His sons were executives of the company, which had the third most outlets in the country, behind TJX, which operates T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, and Ross Stores. The family took the firm public in 1983 and sold it to Bain Capital, an investment firm, in 2006. Mr. Milstein was well regarded by his former employees. Judy Grassi, who worked for Burlington for 31 years, recalled on the obituary website Dignity Memorial that Mr. Milstein liked to say, 'If you like your job, it's not work.' Another former colleague, Cheryl Resnick, recalled on the same site: 'We all were using technology to place our buys; Monroe went by his gut.'


Miami Herald
08-04-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Did your favorite South Florida billionaire make Forbes world's richest list?
The Forbes annual list of more than 3,000 global billionaires includes 50 people from South Florida. Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties each can boast bragging rights of having the most billionaires — 23 apiece — while Broward notches four on the 2025 list released in April. The edge? Give it to Miami-Dade for featuring two in the Top 40 of highest net worth, with Indian Creek's Jeff Bezos — Amazon founder, Miami Palmetto Senior High Class of 1982 and Miami Herald Silver Knight winner for science — ranking at No. 3. He is just behind Tesla/Space X's Elon Musk and Meta's Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg at No. 1 and 2, respectively. Ken Griffin, the Daytona Beach-born financier behind Citadel who moved his headquarters from Chicago to Miami in 2022 , ranked No. 35. The highest-ranked Palm Beach County billionaire among the world's Top 40 was Interactive Brokers' asset trading platform's Thomas Peterffy at No. 27. Among Broward's four to make the list, philanthropist Elisabeth DeLuca, widow of Subway co-founder Fred DeLuca, and her family rank No. 344. Newcomers include Ukraine-born Leonid Radvinsky, owner of OnlyFans, who, at 42, is South Florida's youngest billionaire in South Florida, according to the South Florida Business Journal. The collective net worth of the 50 South Floridians was $580.4 billion – nearly 20% more than 2024's list of local billionaires ($487.9 billion), the outlet reported. South Florida list Miami-Dade ▪ No. 3 Jeff Bezos: $215 billion, 61, Indian Creek Village, ▪ No. 35 Ken Griffin: $42.3 billion, 56, Miami, Citadel, a hedge fund, securities brokerage. ▪ No. 274 Josh Harris: $9.9 billion, 60, Miami Beach, Apollo Global Management, private equity. ▪ No. 280: Orlando Bravo: $9.8 billion, 54, Miami Beach, Thoma Bravo, private equity. ▪ No. 343: Micky Arison: $8.7 billion, 75, Bal Harbour, chairman Carnival Corporation cruise line and Miami Heat owner. ▪ No. 540 Sami Mnaymneh: $6.4 billion, 63, Miami Beach, H.I.G. Capital, private equity. ▪ No. 597 Rakesh Gangwal: $5.9 billion, 71, Miami, InterGlobe Aviation. ▪ No. 673 William Berkley: $5.3 billion, 78, Miami's Coconut Grove, W. R. Berkley, insurance. ▪ No. 734 Peter Cancro: $4.9 billion, 67, Miami, Jersey Mike's Subs. ▪ No. 767 Herbert Wertheim: $4.7 billion, 85, Coral Gables, Brain Power Inc., an optical lens and sunglasses manufacturer. ▪ No. 789 Carl Icahn: $4.6 billion, 89, Indian Creek Village, Icahn Enterprises, holding company. ▪ No. 929 Daniel Och: $3.9 billion, 64, Miami Beach, Willoughby Capital, growth equity family office. ▪ No. 948 Leonid Radvinsky: $3.8 billion, 42, Miami, OnlyFans content subscription-based platform. ▪ No. 1,045 Norman Braman: $3.5 billion, 92, Miami, Braman Motorcars. ▪ No. 1,305. Barry Sternlicht: $2.8 billion, 64, Miami, Starwood Capital Group, private equity. ▪ No. 1,533. Scot French: $2.3 billion, 54, Bal Harbour, HPS Investment Partners, private equity. ▪ No. 1,573. Leonard Abess: $2.3 billion, 76, Miami, City National Bank of Florida. ▪ No. 1,688: Jorge Mas: $2.1 billion, 62, Miami, MasTec, construction. ▪ No. 1,763: Marcelo Claure: $2 billion, 54, Miami Beach, Claure Group, private equity and venture capital. ▪ No. 1,850 Itzhak Ezratti and family: $1.9 billion, 72, Indian Creek Village, GL Homes. ▪ No. 2,019 Jorge Pérez: $1.7 billion, 75, Miami, Related Group. ▪ No. 2,019 Albert Nahmad: $1.7 billion, 84, Coral Gables, Watsco air conditioning parts company. ▪ No. 2,933 Jeffrey Soffer: $1 billion, 57, Aventura, Fontainebleau Development and Turnberry Associates. Broward ▪ No. 344 Elisabeth DeLuca and family: $8.6 billion, 77, Pompano Beach, Subway. ▪ No. 364 Igor Olenicoff: $8.3 billion, 82, Lighthouse Point, Olen Properties. ▪ No. 767 Rajiv Jain: $4.7 billion, 57, Fort Lauderdale, GQG Partners, hedge fund. ▪ No. 948 Nick Caporella: $3.8 billion, 89, Plantation, National Beverage. Palm Beach ▪ No. 27 Thomas Peterffy: $57.3 billion, 80, Palm Beach, Interactive Brokers. ▪ No. 95. David Tepper: $21.3 billion, 67, Palm Beach, Appaloosa Management and owner of NFL's Carolina Panthers. ▪ No. 111 Stephen Ross: $18.4 billion, 84, Palm Beach, Related Ross and Miami Dolphins owner. ▪ No. 199 (tie). J. Christopher Reyes: $12 billion, 71, Jupiter, Reyes Holdings, food distribution. ▪ No. 199. (tie). Jude Reyes: $12 billion, 69, Palm Beach, Reyes Holdings. ▪ No. 380 Paul Tudor Jones, II.: $8.1 billion, 70, Palm Beach, Tudor Investment Corp. ▪ No. 390 Jeff Greene: $7.9 billion, 70, Palm Beach, Florida Sunshine Investments, real estate. ▪ No. 418 Terrence Pegula: $7.6 billion, 74, Boca Raton, East Resources natural gas company and owner of NFL's Buffalo Sabres. ▪ No. 498 Dirk Ziff: $6.2 billion, 61, North Palm Beach, Ziff Capital Partners. ▪ No. 581. James Clark: $6 billion, 81, Palm Beach, Netscape, technology. ▪ No. 639 John Henry: $5.5 billion, 75, Boca Raton, Boston Globe and Fenway Sports Group. ▪ No. 688 Russ Weiner: $5.2 billion, 54, Delray Beach, Rockstar energy drinks. ▪ No. 700 President Donald J. Trump: $5.1 billion, 78, ownerships include Mar-a-Lago, Trump Organization, Trump Media & Technology Group. ▪ No. 734 Isaac Perlmutter: $4.9 billion, 82, Palm Beach, Marvel Entertainment. ▪ No. 751 Charles B. Johnson: $4.8 billion, 92, Palm Beach, Franklin Templeton Investments. ▪ No. 979 Steve Wynn: $3.7 billion, 83, Palm Beach, Wynn Resorts. ▪ No. 1,045 Robert Johnson: $3.5 billion, 77, Palm Beach, Johnson & Johnson, NFL's New York Jets. ▪ No. 1,045 Michael Jordan: $3.5 billion, 62, Jupiter, NBA's Charlotte Hornets. ▪ No. 1,072 C. Dean Metropoulos: $3.4 billion, 78, Palm Beach, Metropoulos & Co. private equity. ▪ No. 1,072 William Wrigley Jr.: $3.4 billion, 61, North Palm Beach, Wrigley Management, Inc. ▪ No. 1,219 Robert Sands: $3 billion, 66, Delray Beach, Constellation Brands (alcohol) ▪ No. 1,850 Terry Taylor: $1.9 billion, 74, Palm Beach, Automotive Management Services car dealers. ▪ No. 1,968 Christopher Ruddy: $1.8 billion, 60, West Palm Beach, Newsmax Media.