Normandy Isles, often known as the Isle of Normandy, is situated in the shimmering Biscayne Bay close to the North Beach area of Miami Beach. Normandy Isles is bordered to the north by Normandy Shores and to the south by the affluent La Gorce area.
Normandy Isles is located in the heart of Miami but it has the laid-back vibe of a beach town thanks to its proximity to Biscayne Bay and the neighboring beaches. Normandy Isles has its own unique cultural blend, with its streets and town center reminiscent of a European town and its extensive exhibition of Miami Modern architecture.
French entrepreneur Henry Levy began the hard work of transforming the area that is now known as Normandy Isles from an underwater swamp in 1926. Levy, an Alsatian French businessman, also established multiple silent film theaters in the Greater Cincinnati area until he turned his attention to Miami Beach, where he dredged for 24 hours a day over the course of two years to make his idea a reality.
Levy’s European roots are evident in the street names, illumination and the grand Vendome Fountain that stands at the eastern gateway to the modern-day Normandy Isles where four apartment buildings and the landmark fountain were the first permanent structures built on the Isles.
After a terrible hurricane hit Southern Florida in 1926, Levy dedicated his life to assisting in the region’s recovery and the 79th Street Causeway, which connects Normandy Isles and mainland North Miami, was built under his direction and finished in 1929.
Many businesses, apartment complexes, condominiums and private homes were built across the island in the decades following World War II with many of the buildings from that time period still standing and some of the surrounding regions have been designated as historical districts to preserve them for future generations.
Living in Normandy Isles is like getting the best of both worlds, the hustle and bustle of a major city and the peace and quiet of a tropical island. You can also eat everywhere from Cuban to Japanese to fusion at Normandy Isles’ many restaurants as well as visit the weekly markets selling all kinds of items from food to handicrafts.
Nearby attractions include the outdoor Bal Harbour Shops, home to more than a hundred high-end businesses and the Lincoln Road Shopping District, where you’ll find unique shops and restaurants run by the locals.
The Normandy Shores Golf Club can be found on the neighboring island just over the canal and featuring Bermuda grass greens that are both hard and quick, making this course not for the faint hearted. The club’s full-service restaurant, The Normandy Shores Grill, is open to both members and the surrounding community for brunch and happy hour specials.
At the top end of the golf course is Fairway Park and Garden which is open to visitors between 7am and 9pm every day Monday- Sunday and includes a children’s play park with swings and a slide as well as a basketball court and seating areas.
The Normandy Isle Park and Pool can be found in the center of the area and is a well-kept outdoor recreational center available for free to everyone with access to a number of amenities, including a lap pool, basketball courts, playground and picnic pavilion that can accommodate up to 2,000 people.
There are many excellent educational opportunities for students of all ages in the Normandy Isle area, including Montessori schools, military academies, public schools and private schools.
There is also a wide range of housing options and prices in Normandy Isles including condominiums, apartments and single-family homes and a good number of garden flats and affordable single-family homes on the north side of the area.
The southern part of Normandy Isles is primarily made up of condominiums and larger single-family residences and with direct access to Biscayne Bay, these homes offer breathtaking views of the water.
The vintage Miami Modernist and mid-century appeal of many homes has been preserved despite recent renovations in which Mediterranean and modern aesthetics having been incorporated.