The neighborhood trend setters: urban chic arrives in South Florida.

New trends in South Florida residential, real estate are being set by some of the area's most outstanding and creative property developers.

"We are seeing new urbanism emerge in South Florida with the rebirth of quality residences within city centers and buyers' strong desire to live, work, play and shop--all within close proximity," said Jorge Perez, chairman and chief executive officer of The Related Group of Florida--one of the Largest and most innovative residential developers in the state.

Currently, the company has about 20 luxury residential condominium projects completed and underway in South Florida, including Icon in South Beach, The Venture and Aventura Marina in Aventura, The Beach Club in Hallandale Beach and One Miami in downtown Miami.

"We are building an urban fiber that will allow a better quality of life as people spend less time commuting and more time enjoying both their home environments and their immediate neighborhoods," said Perez, who holds a masters degree in urban planning from the University of Michigan.

South Florida's real estate market is welt positioned for the increased real estate investment activity now prevalent because of its stability over the past 10 to 12 years, according to Ugo Colombo, chief executive officer of CMC Group, which has developed several of the area's landmark properties.

"Miami's pricing has always been on target for international buyers," he said. "You don't see the spikes that characterize the New York market and so purchasers here are somewhat insulated from the downturns as well."

CMC is planning residences in downtown Miami where the Miami River merges with Biscayne Bay, plus a $100 million condominium high-rise building in Coconut Grove.

"There is a new generation of buyers now with different expectations," said Colombo, who also built Brickell Avenue landmarks Bristol Tower and Santa Maria, along with the Aventura upscale community Porto Vita. "Having the proper services and technology within buildings is becoming increasingly important."

Also of prime importance to current buyers is the ability to purchase a lifestyle with their residence, said Richard Lamondin, president of Cornerstone Premier Communities. A veteran of Miami's property development market, Lamondin and Cornerstone Group principals Stuart Meyers and Jorge Lopez have begun construction on Vue Residences & Beach Club in Ft. Lauderdale Beach. The group is also building La Perla--a 42-story, 326-residence luxury beachfront condominium in Sunny Isles Beach and has completely sold out The Preserve community in Miami Shores.

"The hottest lifestyle amenities have always been centered around the beach and water, but now that list is expanding," said Lamondin, the former president of international community Williams Island. "Sport lounges featuring billiards are high on the List of desirables, in addition to children's Lounges complete with indestructible furniture and video games. Furniture packages--including everything from cutlery to Linens--are also becoming more popular."

Offering a hedonistic lifestyle alternative is Ten Museum Park, designed by renowned architect Chad Oppenheim and set to be built by 2006 as a Clinique La Prairie spa community.

"Every moment in our tropical oasis tower--from the private spa environments in each residence, to the sky garden with multiple pools and pavilions, to the 12 rooftop vitality pools for the penthouses and tower suites--has been conceived to revolutionize the way we Live and dream," said Oppenheim, who is also developing the 200-residence, 50-story crystalline tower with Gregg Covin and Clinique La Prairie owner Armin Mattli.

A lifestyle enjoyed in a minimalist, futuristic community will soon be available at Aria, a 78-residence enclave in the heart of Miami's Design District set for construction in 2004 by Urbana Development.

"The concept is open space with floor to ceiling glass exposures, tall ceilings and deep balconies for residences and an Asian pool and spa on the roof," said Jeff Mort, a principal of Urbana Development.

"The design is about feeling good and not being surrounded by too many walls."

Buyers now see the lifestyle portion of their property purchase as something they work to achieve, according to Yosi Gil, executive vice president and partner of J. Milton & Associates.

The company created Sayan, its Asian-inspired ultra-Luxury high-rise community in Sunny Isles Beach, to appeal to those who appreciate unique services and facilities, he said.

The 90-residence property is to be completed by the end of 2005, about a year after Gil is to complete King David, an 88-unit upscale condominium also Located in Sunny Isles Beach.

"To appeal to our international buyers, which come from so many places around the world, projects have to have four things," he said. "They must be unique and creative in their design, while maintaining quality and beauty."

The trend toward modern design as the indoor and outdoor environment of choice in South Florida residences is emerging strongly along with the concept of affordable Luxury, according to Jose Suarez, an award-winning architect and a principal of BSG Development Corporation. White Suarez and his partner Charles Sieger have been sculpting Miami's skyline as architects of numerous celebrated condominium communities for more than 20 years, the group has begun the first of its development projects: 6000 Indian Creek, an elliptical, tower of 34 exclusive residences in Miami Beach. This is being followed by Terra Beachside Villas in Miami Beach and by Cabana, a studio residential beachside project, also to be located in Miami Beach.

"Clean, simple and classic designs that survive trends are the most desired," said Suarez. "People are also appreciating a vertical lifestyle that can offer luxury in the price range of $200,000 to $600,000. This range has proven the most compelling for us as developers and for developer clients of our architectural practice."

Vertical living is currently being re-defined by many of the new properties in South Florida, said David Martin, a principal of Terra Adi International Developments. The company has several projects underway in the region, including the 400-residence Metropolis in the Dadeland area; the 33-unit Nautica in Miami Beach; and the 750-unit quantum on the Bay community in downtown Miami.

"Strong architectural and exterior design will characterize these new projects," said Martin. "They will each take on the personality of the area in which they are located."

Residences in buildings with retail and other commercial interests--such as restaurants--are now allowing buyers new appreciation of the areas near where they live, according to Willy A. Bermello, an architect and president and chief executive officer of BAP Development Inc. The company is currently building 610 Clematis in the heart of West Palm Beach's shopping and entertainment district, plus two luxury apartment buildings on Brickell. Avenue: Summit Brickell and Brickell View.

Bermello is also building Onyx, a 28-story waterfront tower in downtown Miami; Coral View, a 226-unit luxury condo in Miami with ground floor retail; and Douglas Grand in Coral Gables, which encompasses a 44,000 square foot Publix supermarket, 22,000 square feet of office space and 159 luxury rental apartments.