Named for the river that runs through the Northeast section of the area, Little River was established in the late 1800s. It is home to the Cathedral of St. Mary, the only cathedral in Miami and one that offers masses in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole.

Little River’s accessible waterside location and historic characteristics recently caught the eye of real estate developers Ashley Abess and Matthew Vander Werff, who are working to elevate the community to a new, much cooler vibe. By buying up businesses of questionable reputation or value and bringing in the type of businesses they want to populate storefronts, they are giving a needed facelift to the area. In doing so, the neighborhood will hold on to some of the historic enterprises that makes it unique – like the Center for Subtropical Affairs and Little River Studios – but be combined with modern and eclectic amenities that residents treasure, like flower shops and custom home décor stores.

Little River is becoming more unified than its surrounding neighborhoods, with both big name brands and local entrepreneurs operating side-by-side. It offers pedestrian-friendly streets that deliver a range of cultural activities, entertainment, shopping and modern restaurants. With its close proximity to Biscayne Bay, the locals have plenty of opportunities to enjoy sailing, jet skiing, kayaking and other coastal sports. Or, they can swing a few miles south for a night in downtown Miami.