I toured Miami’s artsy neighborhood that’s becoming the ‘Silicon Valley of the South.’ Here’s what it’s like.

Posted: January 4 2022

By: Joey Hadden

Original Article

Left: A scene from Wynwood Right: The author takes a selfie in Wynwood

I visited Wynwood, an artsy Miami neighborhood known for bold street art and trendy shops.
Wynwood is also where many tech companies are moving into newly developed buildings.
The neighborhood’s artsy vibe and location made me think it’s where I’d want to live in Miami.

I recently visited Wynwood, a Miami neighborhood known as an emerging tech hub with vibrant street art.

A wide view in the middle of a Wynwood street with blue skies in the background

A street in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood. Joey Hadden/Insider

Wynwood is part of Miami’s urban core. Insider previously reported that it was becoming a popular place for young professionals.

A Street in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood on a partly cloudy day.

Thanks to its artistic vibe, great location, and high walkability, it’s where I’d want to live in Miami.

The author takes a selfie on a sidewalk in Wynwood

I thought the whole neighborhood looked like a work of art, with murals painted across boutique shops, restaurants, and newly developed offices and apartments.

A Street in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood on a partly cloudy day.

There’s also a growing tech presence. So much so, that Miami Mayor Francis Suarez nicknamed Wynwood as the “Silicon Valley of the South.”

A field in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood on a partly cloudy day.

Insider previously reported that in the last year, tech companies like Spotify and Microsoft announced that they’re leasing offices in Wynwood.

A Street in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood on a partly cloudy day.

Jon Paul Pérez, president of Related Group, a South Florida developer, told me that Wynwood attracts tech companies because it appeals to young professionals as a fun place to live.

A Street in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood on a partly cloudy day.

Over the past decade, Wynwood nurtured that reputation as trendy restaurants and boutique stores opened their doors.

Palm trees next to a restaurant on a street in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood on a partly cloudy day.

As I explored the neighborhood, I noticed shops and restaurants lining nearly every street.

A Street in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood on a partly cloudy day.

But most noticeable was the fact that Wynwood is like one big outdoor art museum, with bold, colorful murals slathered across every building.

A Street in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood on a partly cloudy day.

In fact, neighborhood developers encourage street art in Wynwood, and it’s also now home to 70 art galleries.

A Street in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood on a partly cloudy day.

Perhaps the most popular is Wynwood Walls, a vibrant outdoor gallery of street art. In 2019, Insider called it the one tourist trap in Florida that’s actually worth visiting.

The entrance to Wynwood Walls — Max K./Yelp

The walls feature work by artists from Lady Pink to Miss Van to How&Nosm, according to the gallery’s website.

A Street in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood on a partly cloudy day.

Source: Wynwood Walls

I saw all kinds of artistic styles painted on facades in Wynwood, from cartoons to realistic portraits of people.

A Street in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood on a partly cloudy day.

Even chain businesses and fast-food restaurants received the mural treatment, like this highly Instagrammable outpost of Sweetgreen.

A Street in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood on a partly cloudy day.

In addition to being very nice to look at, Wynwood is also one of Miami’s most walkable neighborhoods, according to Walk Score. I found it easy to get around without a car.

A Street in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood on a partly cloudy day.

I peeked into a few restaurants, some of which looked trendy and fancy, while others were more casual.

Inside The Taco Stand in Wynwood, Miami

Serving perhaps as a hint of more to come, I saw that the streets without art were under construction.

A Street in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood on a partly cloudy day.

That’s because residential apartments and office space are replacing low-rise warehouses in the area, Insider reported.

A Street in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood on a partly cloudy day.

Many large buildings under construction were right next to homes, and I wondered how the residents felt about the constant noise and development.

A Street in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood on a partly cloudy day.

After getting a feel for the neighborhood, I thought there seemed to be two sides to Wynwood: the funky, gritty side and a tech-forward, posh one. The art everywhere seemed to connect the two.

A Street in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood on a partly cloudy day.

Overall, I was so impressed with Wynwood, that if I was to move to Miami, it’s where I would want to live. There aren’t many other places where you can so easily be surrounded by art, walkable streets, great restaurants, and so much exciting innovation.

A Street in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood on a partly cloudy day.

A street in Wynwood leading to Downtown Miami. Joey Hadden/Insider

© Wynwood Business Improvement District