The Rundown
The Imperial at Brickell is a 30-story, 160-unit condominium completed in 1983, developed by The Harlon Development Corporation and designed by Arquitectonica. It is one of the most architecturally recognizable buildings on the Brickell skyline, with its bold red triangular facade and postmodern geometry that defined the Miami Vice era of Miami architecture. The building sits directly on Biscayne Bay in South Brickell, offering unobstructed east-facing water views and direct marina access. Because it was built during the first wave of Miami's high-rise boom in the early 1980s, the units are exceptionally large by modern standards, ranging from approximately 1,300 to over 5,000 square feet, with only 4 residences per floor. The building is split into two internal towers with dedicated elevators, giving it a boutique feel despite its size. The Imperial has been well-maintained over its 40+ year lifespan, with lush tropical landscaping, resort-style amenities including a bayside pool, tennis courts, racquetball courts, and a fitness center. However, this is unmistakably a building from the 1980s. Common areas and some units retain their original character, and while many residences have been fully renovated to modern standards, others still have the original 1980s finishes. The resident base is notably older and more established than typical Brickell buildings. There are original owners who have lived here since the building opened, and the community is stable, quiet, and non-transient. Being in South Brickell, you get a quieter lifestyle away from the party energy of central Brickell, with excellent bay views to the east that are essentially permanent since the adjacent buildings are not buyout targets and no construction is expected on either side for the foreseeable future.
The Imperial at Brickell is a building for people who know exactly what they want: massive square footage, permanent bay views, marina access, and a quiet community, and who are willing to accept a 1980s building to get it. The Arquitectonica architecture is genuinely iconic, the waterfront location in South Brickell is one of the most stable and protected view corridors in the city, and the unit sizes are simply not available in newer construction without spending many millions more. The trade-offs are real: this is a 40-year-old building with 1980s DNA in its bones, the HOA fees are high, the pet policy is restrictive, and unit condition varies wildly depending on whether the owner renovated. But if you want a large, comfortable home on the Brickell waterfront with boat access and neighbors who have been there for decades, The Imperial delivers something that no new building can replicate. Just know what you are getting into with the vintage factor, and make sure you are buying or renting a unit that has been brought up to your standards.
✦ Ask Chris AI about Imperial at BrickellThe Good
- Enormous units (1,300-5,000+ sq ft) at fraction of new-build pricing
- Permanent, unobstructed east-facing bay views
- Direct marina access for boat owners
- Iconic Arquitectonica architecture
- Stable, mature, non-transient resident community
The Trade-offs
- 1983 construction with aging systems and 80s-era common areas
- High HOA fees due to older building maintenance costs
- Strict pet policy (2 pets, 28 lbs max each)
- Unit condition varies wildly (renovated vs. original)
- South Brickell location is quieter but farther from restaurants and nightlife
Who Lives Here
The Imperial attracts a distinctly different crowd than most Brickell buildings. The resident base is older, more established, and far less transient. There are original owners who have lived here since 1983, retirees who chose the building for its waterfront lifestyle and large units, and professionals who value space and quiet over nightlife and scene. You will not find the typical Brickell crowd of 25-year-old finance bros and influencers here. This is a building for people who want a large, comfortable home on the water with marina access and resort-style grounds, and who do not care that the building was built in the Reagan era. The community is tight-knit by Brickell standards, and residents tend to know each other.
The Neighborhood
The Imperial sits in South Brickell, the quieter southern stretch of Brickell Avenue between SE 15th Road and the start of Coconut Grove. This area is more residential and less commercial than central Brickell, with a waterfront character defined by older luxury towers, lush landscaping, and direct bay access. You are a short drive or bike ride from the restaurants and shops of central Brickell, but the immediate surroundings are peaceful and low-key.
Biscayne Bay (Direct Access)
The Imperial sits directly on the bay with its own marina. East-facing units have unobstructed water views across to Key Biscayne and Virginia Key. The waterfront setting is the building's defining feature.
The Palace Condominium
Neighboring tower to the north. An established building from the same era that is not a buyout target, meaning no construction risk on that side.
Santa Maria Brickell
Ultra-luxury waterfront tower to the south. One of the most prestigious addresses in Brickell. Its presence anchors the south Brickell waterfront as a high-end residential corridor.
Brickell Bay Drive
The waterfront road running along the bay. Provides a scenic walking and jogging path with bay views. Less traffic than Brickell Avenue proper.
Central Brickell (Mary Brickell Village, Brickell City Centre)
The main commercial and nightlife district of Brickell is about 10-15 blocks north. Walkable for the ambitious, but most residents drive or rideshare to restaurants and shops.
◆ What's Changing
South Brickell is one of the most stable corridors in all of Miami for view protection. The buildings flanking The Imperial (The Palace to the north, Santa Maria to the south) are established luxury condos with no indication of buyout or redevelopment. The east-facing bay views are permanent. The west-facing views look toward Brickell Avenue and the city, which are already built out. There is minimal construction risk in the immediate vicinity, making this one of the safest bets in Brickell for long-term view preservation.
What You Get
Pool & Recreation
- ✓Bayside swimming pool with jacuzzi overlooking Biscayne Bay
- ✓Tennis court
- ✓Racquetball courts
- ✓Lush tropical landscaping and gardens
- ✓Marina access with boat slips
Fitness & Wellness
- ✓Fitness center
- ✓Sauna
Social & Entertainment
- ✓Meeting room / party room
- ✓BBQ area
Building Services
- ✓24-hour security
- ✓Concierge
- ✓Valet parking
- ✓Gated guardhouse entry
- ✓Covered parking garage
- ✓On-site management
Schools
Zoned public schools by county attendance boundary. Boundaries change — confirm enrollment eligibility with the school district before relying on this. Letter grades and School of Excellence designations are the Florida Department of Education’s, each for the year shown beside it.
- Elementary
- Coral Way K-8 Center2025-26Florida Department of Education school grade A, 2025-26 school year
- Middle
- Ponce de Leon Middle2025-26Florida Department of Education school grade B, 2025-26 school year
- High
- Miami Senior High2025-26Florida Department of Education school grade A, 2025-26 school year
Elevator Experience
Available in this building
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