The Different Neighborhoods of the Upper East Side in Miami

Introducing Miami’s Upper East Side

The Upper East Side of Miami is primarily a residential neighborhood with a treasure trove of art, history, and architecture dating from the mid-1900s to the present. The area is situated along Biscayne Bay, north of Edgewater, and south of Miami Shores. Miami’s Upper East Side is conveniently positioned to access all the areas of the city, with proximity to 95, Wynwood, the Design District, and numerous cafes and restaurants.

The neighborhood offers residents a Midtown vibe in a suburban setting and waterfront atmosphere. Residents are close to schools such as Cushman (K-12), Miami Dade’s oldest private school, Miami Dade Country Day School, and Design and Architecture Senior High – DASH, recognized as one of the top public high schools in the country.

The Upper East Side Miami encompasses three residential neighborhoods: Bay Point, Morningside, and Belle Meade. They are known for their wide, tree-lined streets, bayfront parks, and sweeping views of Biscayne Bay and Miami Beach. The area features many historic homes, as well as beautiful waterfront estates.

Upper East Side Miami Neighborhoods

Bay Point

Bay Point is an upscale, exclusive gated community that stretches from NE 41st Street to NE 50th Street. In the west, it is bordered by Biscayne Boulevard, and in the east by Biscayne Bay. The neighborhood comprises approximately 250 single-family homes, with many residents being seasonal homeowners. In the last 12 months, Bay Point homes have sold for between $2.7M and $18M.

Many of the Bay Point homes were constructed between 1940 and 1960 and feature a variety of architectural styles, including ranches, Mediterranean Revival, contemporary, and modern homes. Bay Point features many large estates that give buyers a choice to preserve the architectural integrity of a historic home, renovate and remodel it, or use the land to build the ultimate dream home. The average lot size is 14,000 SF, with some waterfront lots reaching 25,000+ SF.

Bay Point is one of Miami’s genuine gated communities, which includes roaming security and security gate officers. Many of Miami’s gated communities are not private and have public access roadways. In contrast, you cannot enter Bay Point without an appointment with one of the owners. Most residences are on dry lots, although there are 90 waterfront properties on the direct bay or with frontage on the Sabal canal or Sabal Lake. The community’s Sabal Palm Road has earned a reputation as one of the most expensive streets in the entire country. As a result, many successful professionals and celebrities live in the community.

Morningside

Morningside is a gated community with two security checkpoints; one for guests and one for resident access. There are 420 single-family homes of which thirteen are waterfront properties. Most dry lots are between 8,000 and 11,000 SF. Waterfront lots are between half an acre to an acre+. The thirteen waterfront properties have direct bay view’s overlooking Miami Beach. In the last 12 months, Morningside homes sold between $900k and $12M.

Morningside was one of the first historically significant neighborhoods to undergo gentrification due to an inflow of more affluent inhabitants. The neighborhood contains many structures built after 1941. However, the “northern part” of Morningside, known as the Historic District, has a high level of historical and architectural integrity. Even though not all single-family homes have historic status, some constraints should be considered. This particularly concerns changes made to any distinguishing architectural elements.

Morningside consists of mainly Mediterranean Revival and Art Deco-style homes. This showcases the variety and trend of architecture during the 1920s and 1930s. In addition, residents can enjoy Morningside Park, a 42-acre bayfront park that offers sailing instruction, temporary kids’ camps, and a variety of recreational features. These recreational features include tennis and basketball courts, picnic tables, walking paths, and a community pool.

Belle Meade

The Upper East Side’s northernmost neighborhood is a quiet residential community called Belle Meade, where most homeowners are full-time residents. It is comprised of 390 single-family homes, 90 of which are waterfront that rests on the water’s edge of Belle Meade Island, with a few properties facing open water, overlooking the scenic views of Biscayne Bay and Miami Beach. In the last 12 months, homes have sold for between $1.25M and $13.25M, and the average dry lot is approximately 7,500 SF, with most waterfront lots ranging between 12,000 and 20,000 SF.

The natural boundaries of Belle Meade are NE 72nd Terrace on the south, Little River to the north, Biscayne Boulevard on the west, and Biscayne Bay on the east. Just east of Biscayne Boulevard on NE 76th Street, there is a single main gate and entrance point for the neighborhood. The northern part of the neighborhood contains Belle Meade Island. Island residents must pass through one more security gate to access the island, after passing the security gate from the mainland,

The architecture of Belle Meade reflects mainly Mediterranean Revival and Art Deco-style homes, with contemporary and modern dwellings scattered throughout the area. The community is beautifully landscaped, with wide, tree-lined streets, plenty of parking, and excellent walkability. Belle Meade offers the ultimate South Florida lifestyle at a lower price than Bay Point and Morningside.