Bal Harbour Shops Celebrates 60 Years With Huge Bash

For five hours Wednesday night at Bal Harbour Shops in north Miami, the Champagne was flowing, the crowd was dancing and mood was completely festive.

There was even some shopping, as 1,200 loyal customers as well as shopkeepers, brand reps, socialites, models and some local officials descended on Bal Harbour Shops to commemorate the luxury center’s 60th anniversary.

“Sixty years — it’s really quite a milestone,” said Matthew Whitman Lazenby, president and chief executive officer of Whitman Family Development, the owners of Bal Harbour Shops, who came to the party with his three young boys and other family members. “It makes me proud and it’s humbling to be part of something that was here before I was born, and hopefully will be here for long after I’m not. Tonight we honor not only the legacy built by my grandfather but also the community of brands, guests and partners who have shaped our story.”

Bal Harbour Shops, located at 9700 Collins Avenue in the northern tip of Miami Beach, is very likely to endure for many decades ahead. Despite its 60 years, the center maintains its sophisticated, modern aura, largely because it’s been run by a family that’s very hands-on and is not part of a REIT managing many properties. The firm also has a knack for knowing when to bring in new luxury retail tenants and remove those losing relevance.

Switching to some business talk for a moment, Lazenby confirmed what other executives were buzzing about — that the center generates approximately $4,000 in sales per square foot, to an extent buoyed by strong high and fine jewelry sales. Lazenby did say that BHS continues to see sales gains, but not as the same rate as in recent years, due to how luxury sales, globally, have been soft for several seasons. Still, “We’re super productive,” said Lazenby. “As far as I know, we’re the highest in the country.”

“Tonight I’m thinking of Stanley Whitman and the dream he had that became true,” said Gwen Whitman Lazenby, Matthew’s mother and the daughter of the late Stanley Whitman, the visionary founder and developer of the center. “He was the most amazing person. He knew everybody in the shopping center working the grounds by name.”

As they strolled past the shops and food stations, guests encountered a Balmain exhibit marking the luxury brand’s 80th anniversary with a striking tableau of heritage pieces — some publicly displayed for the first time — alongside contemporary designs, archival sketches and vintage photographs spotlighting Balmain’s defining pillars and signatures. In addition, Braman Miami featured its newest Rolls-Royce and Bentley vehicles for guests to preview, and Yafa Signed Jewels showcased four vitrines of museum-quality vintage jewelry, each highlighting exceptional craftsmanship and design from the world’s most renowned maisons, including a Cartier panther watch with yellow and white diamonds and emerald eyes. “We’re opening a store here next spring,” said Tyler Morado, principal of Yafa. “Given the caliber of the pieces we offer, it seemed most fitting for us to open in Bal Harbour Shops, which serves many the most discerning, sophisticated jewelry collectors in the world.”

“Nights like this get me excited. It’s a celebration of fashion,” said Chanel Iman, the model and former Victoria’s Secret Angel who was on the second floor overlooking the makeshift stage where Gipsy Kings and Chaka Khan delivered high-octane performances, getting many in the crowd dancing. “This is my go-to destination for shopping,” said Iman.

“The majority of the people here tonight are customers of Bal Harbour Shops and love Bal Harbour Shops and want to celebrate it,” said Benjamin Elias, chief operating officer of Bal Harbour Shops.

“I’ve been shopping here for 33 years. It’s just very welcoming. The atmosphere is wonderful,” said Temur Nanikashuili, a Long Islander who frequently comes to Miami, and shops Brioni and Kiton at the center. He was attending the party with his wife Maya, who has a preference for Loro Piana and Alexander McQueen, among other luxury brands. “The outdoor shopping and restaurants are fantastic and in the Access Lounge, they take care of us very nicely,” she said referencing the members-only suite for VICs — very important customers — to relax, receive complimentary amenities and attend special events including styling and activations.

Amrika Charran, another VIC, said she’s lived in Miami Beach for 17 years and has been shopping Bal Harbour Shops the whole time. “I’m here every week, sometimes two or three times a week.” She’s established herself at the “elite” tier of the center’s Access Rewards and Benefits loyalty program. Membership is earned through spending and provides benefits like complimentary premium valet, access to exclusive events and experiences.

“It’s a very calm, peaceful, exotic and luxurious place,” said Charran, a fashion and style expert. “If I’m having a stressful day, I come to Bal Harbour Shops to walk around, shop and visit the Access Lounge. You can relax, have a coffee, be with friends. The Access staff treats you like family.”

“We partnered with the shops in the center to provide personal shopping and create private experiences. It’s really a signature experience,” said Cynthia Boyett, former director of sales and marketing for the Ritz Carlton in Miami, now working at the Ritz in Grand Cayman Island.

“I love this place dearly,” said Cheryl Stephenson, the former marketing and creative director of Bal Harbour Shops. “It’s been a home to me. My favorite thing was to get up every morning, come here, and experience the vision that Stanley Whitman had,” said Stephenson. “Stanley spent eight years visiting and learning about shopping destinations and finally built this gem. It doesn’t feel like any other shopping destination anywhere — and that was Stanley Whitman’s intent. Tonight he is smiling down on all of us.”