Downtown Miami vs Brickell Office Space Showdown: Which Location Is Best for Your Company?

Are you looking for office space in Miami? You’re in the right place. Beyond its sandy beaches and vibrant nightlife, Miami is a thriving economic center and a growing hub of innovation, particularly in the tech industry, attracting new and established businesses.

Two key neighborhoods offering the best office locations in Miami are Downtown and Brickell, located just south of Downtown. Both areas provide a range of options, from coworking spaces like Mindspace Downtown Miami to premium high-rises, but they differ in cost, transportation, and amenities. To help you make the best decision for your company before you put down any roots, we’ve created a guide to the office space showdown between Downtown Miami and Brickell. Let’s dig in.

Downtown Miami: A Vibrant Hub of Innovation

Before becoming a tech and innovation hub, Downtown Miami was the birthplace of the modern city we know today. With the late 19th-century expansion of the Florida East Coast Railway, it transformed from a small trading post into a bustling town. This development marked the beginning of Miami’s continuous evolution.

Today, Downtown supports a diverse range of industries in technology and beyond, including banking, tourism, and real estate. It attracts startups and established businesses drawn to its central location and Florida’s favorable tax environment. The ongoing revitalization continues to create opportunities for both residents and professionals.

Downtown Miami offers a range of residential and commercial spaces at various price points, making it an accessible neighborhood to live and work. The area boasts ample amenities, including dining, shopping, entertainment, and green spaces like Bayfront Park and Maurice A. Ferré Park, located right near the Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM). Downtown’s central role in Miami’s public transportation network provides easy access to surrounding areas via the Metrorail, Metromover, and Brightline services.

The Brickell District: A Neighborhood of Luxury 

Known as the Financial District of Miami and “the Manhattan of the South,” Brickell has historically been known as a center of business. Like Downtown, it has undergone its own evolution, now featuring more residential spaces, including luxury high-rise buildings blending with the high-end hotels and entertainment venues in the neighborhood. 

There are two main divisions of Brickell: North Brickell, the above-mentioned financial district, where you’ll find most of your office space options, and South Brickell, the residential district. 

Brickell offers its own vibrant nightlife, an upscale dining scene, and high-end shopping. The neighborhood gains points for being very walkable, but unlike Downtown, it does not offer direct access to the beach and features fewer “green spaces.” While Brickell could be an ideal location to live and work for some, the luxury it’s known for comes with a higher price tag to match. 

Why Location Matters for Your Office Space

As the old real estate saying goes, “There are three things that matter in property: Location, location, location!” That couldn’t be more true when choosing the right location for your new office space. 

Here are just a few things to consider when it comes to your Miami office space location:

• Keeping accessibility at the forefront: A centrally located office, close to transportation and with available parking, is ideal for you, your employees, and any clients traveling to you for meetings. 
• Creating a good first impression: Where you locate your business can directly impact brand perception — both positively and negatively. Choose a place that reflects favorably on your business. 
• Attracting Talent and retaining employees: The whole “build it, and they will come” sentiment goes far more smoothly when you’ve chosen a location situated in an environment that fosters innovation and features amenities like nearby restaurants and gyms.

While this isn’t an extensive list, you should keep all of the above in mind when choosing the best place for your company to establish itself. 

Types of Office Spaces: Coworking, Private Offices, and More

There are a variety of office spaces available in Downtown Miami and Brickell, including: 

• Class A office spaces: High-end, luxury office spaces with state-of-the-art amenities.
• Class B office spaces: More affordable but functional spaces without all the frills, typically located in older buildings.
• Coworking Spaces: Locations with flexible office solutions that can scale with your business, including private offices, shared desks, and conference rooms at a more accessible price point, with perks and amenities included.

Office Space Availability and Variety: Downtown Miami vs. Brickell

Brickell is best known for its Class A luxury high-rises in a more competitive real estate market as more established businesses in the finance sector battle for prime locations in the Financial District. With luxury and increased competition come higher rent prices. On the other hand, Downtown Miami features a wider variety of office spaces at slightly more affordable prices, typically attracting entrepreneurs and startups looking for an environment where their businesses can quickly scale. 

There are several decision-making factors to consider when choosing your new office location and type, including:

• Your available budget.
• The size of your company.
• Your industry or business sector.
• The type of company culture you’re trying to foster.

Both Downtown Miami and Brickell offer a variety of office spaces to meet different needs, but the biggest differentiating factors are availability and price. 

Pricing and Affordability: Which Area Offers More Value?

Compared to Brickell, Downtown Miami offers the most value. While Miami office space rent isn’t cheap, Downtown provides more options at more accessible prices. 

Downtown Miami office space rental cost breakdowns:

• Class A Office Spaces: $50 to $85 per square foot annually.
• Class B Office Spaces: $35 to $50 per square foot annually.
• Coworking spaces: $40 to $75 per square foot annually. 

Not surprisingly, Brickell’s reputation for all things upscale and luxury comes with a higher price tag for both living and working, which extends from amenities to real estate. Most commercial real estate in Brickell consists of Class A office spaces for rent. 

Brickell office space rental cost breakdowns:

Class A Office Spaces: $100 to $200 per square foot annually. 

Class B Office Spaces: $40 to $75 per square foot annually. 

Coworking Spaces: $50 to $100 per square foot annually. 

Office space in Brickell tops the list for being the most expensive in Miami. Keep in mind that you’re paying for the status of being in the Financial District, and you’ll be competing for space with established financial institutions and international companies breaking into the Miami business scene. 

The Perks of Working in Downtown Miami vs Brickell

Your company needs and resources will ultimately determine the best location for your business. However, when comparing Brickell vs. Downtown Miami, Downtown comes out on top for offering the most value, accessibility (to both amenities and transportation), and business opportunities thanks to its central location and the wide range of industries it supports, including the tech industry, which is only continuing to grow. 

Downtown is incredibly welcoming to startups and growing businesses, so the popularity of coworking spaces continues to grow, thanks to their accessibility, flexible solutions, and amenities. You don’t need to dump your budget into a Class A luxury high-rise, when you can get far more value from coworking spaces like Mindspace Downtown Miami without sacrificing the perks.

Spotlight on Mindspace Downtown Miami: Your Ideal Office Space Solution

We know how important location is when finding the right office space for your business. That’s why Mindspace Downtown Miami is centrally located in the heart of Downtown Miami’s Central Business District. Our coworking space is inside the Biscayne building, a Class A office tower offering beautiful views of Biscayne Bay. It also provides connections to local transportation and on-site parking.

In addition to having a central location, we offer several fully furnished workspace options to accommodate you and your business, including: 

• Shared open spaces: Ideal for freelancers, solo entrepreneurs, and remote employees.
• Private offices: For small teams or larger companies that need room to grow.
• Team suites and dedicated space: To design a space that matches your needs with our customizable layout design services. 

We also offer a long list of amenities and benefits to increase your productivity and keep your business running smoothly, including: 

• 24/7 access (It’s a flexible workspace, after all!)
• IT services
• Cleaning services 
• Coffee & tea services
• Networking events
• And more! 

Ready to explore the ideal office space for your business? Book a tour of Mindspace Downtown Miami, and let us help you find a solution that will set you up for scalable success.