L’Avenue Parisian Bistro to Open at Bal Harbour Shops

L’Avenue, the renowned Parisian bistro frequented by celebrities, is set to debut at Bal Harbour Shops, the upscale mall just north of Miami Beach. Public filings reveal that the French eatery has signed a lease on the ground floor of the luxurious three-story property, taking over Carpaccio’s previously occupied space. This Italian restaurant has been a staple at the mall since 1994.

The original L’Avenue, located on the prestigious Avenue Montaigne in Paris, is famed for its exclusivity and star-studded clientele, which includes Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, and Rihanna. After their Olympic gold medal victory this summer, the restaurant has also hosted high-profile events, such as a celebration for the U.S. basketball team, including stars like Steph Curry and LeBron James.

Bal Harbour Shops will be home to L’Avenue’s second U.S. location. Its first stateside venue opened in 2019 inside Saks Fifth Avenue’s flagship store in New York City, designed by acclaimed architect Philippe Starck.

In Bal Harbour, L’Avenue will join another iconic Parisian brand. Lapérouse signed a lease last year and is set to open a lounge at the 511,000-square-foot open-air mall. Meanwhile, other notable developments at the property include the expansion of Brunello Cucinelli’s boutique, renowned for its luxury cashmere. The Italian fashion label, which opened a store at Bal Harbour in 2011, is adding a second floor to its ground-level location.

In addition, L’Agence, an L.A.-based fashion brand, has secured a lease on the mall’s second floor. According to public filings, L’Agence will take over the space currently occupied by swimwear brand Vilebrequin.

These changes come amid a significant expansion effort by Bal Harbour Shops’ owner, Whitman Family Development. The company is currently undertaking a 250,000-square-foot expansion project, supported by $190 million in new construction financing from private equity firm Blackstone, bringing the total debt for the project to $740 million.

However, the Whitman Family Development also engages in legal disputes with the Bal Harbour municipal government over a separate expansion proposal. Leveraging Florida’s Live Local Act, the plan aims to add 45,700 square feet of retail space, a 70-room hotel, and 528 residential units to the 18-acre property, with 40% designated as workforce housing for a minimum of 30 years.

Representatives for Whitman Family Development and L’Avenue were not immediately available for comment on these developments.