Mandarin Oriental Miami to close, lay off 430 staff ahead of renovation
The Mandarin Oriental, Miami on Brickell Key will permanently close May 31 after 24 years of operation.
The closure is part of a $1 billion redevelopment plan to transform the site into a two-tower residential project.
Affected by the closure, 430 employees will be laid off, with separations beginning on the closure date and continuing through Sept. 30. Employees will receive assistance, including unemployment information and available benefits.
To support the transition, Mandarin Oriental has implemented several measures, including a retention plan, career continuity initiative and an alumni program offering future job priority.
The hotel, which opened in 2000, will be replaced by The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Miami, a luxury condominium-hotel complex. The project will feature 220 condos and 100,000 square feet of amenities. It's expected to open in 2030.
Asian-fusion restaurant to replace Bal Harbour Shops eatery
Le Zoo, the French Mediterranean brasserie by renowned restaurateur Stephen Starr at Bal Harbour Shops, will permanently close by the end of this month. The upscale eatery, which opened in November 2015, will end its nearly decadelong run at 9700 Collins Ave., No. 135. Known for its Parisian décor and seafood-forward menu, Le Zoo is part of Starr Restaurants, a Philadelphia-based hospitality group that also included the now-closed Continental Miami at the Aloft Hotel in South Beach.
'We have loved being a part of this wonderful community,' the group said, adding that, while Le Zoo is saying goodbye, a new Starr Restaurants concept is set to debut in late 2025 at a new location within Bal Harbour Shops. Le Zoo's departure coincides with the May 1 closure of Aba, a Mediterranean concept by Chicago-based Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises.
The Business Journal has confirmed that China Grill, the once-popular South Beach Asian-fusion restaurant, will replace Le Zoo. A successor for Aba has yet to be announced. Both are in prime spaces within Bal Harbour Shops, a luxury shopping center with over 100 high-end boutiques. Founded in 1965 by Stanley Whitman, it continues to be family-operated with his grandson, Matthew Whitman Lazenby, serving as CEO.
Cruise companies to launch new ships
The South Florida cruise industry is showing signs of long-term growth and diversification, with major announcements from Carnival Corp., Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. and newcomer Crescent Seas.
Carnival Cruise Line announced April 7 that its fourth Excel-class ship, Carnival Festivale, will debut in 2027 from Port Canaveral. The fifth ship, Carnival Tropicale, will follow in 2028, with its homeport yet to be determined. Both ships will feature new entertainment zones and expanded accommodations for families, including 1,000 interconnecting rooms. Looking ahead, Carnival's Project Ace ships, set to launch in 2029, 2031 and 2033, will be the largest in the fleet, with nearly 8,000 guests each. Additionally, Carnival has ordered two midsize ships for AIDA Cruises, set for delivery in 2030 and 2032, marking a significant expansion for the German brand.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings also made waves April 7, announcing it will charter four vessels across its three brands – Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises – beginning in 2026. The chartered vessels, including Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Sun, will go to Cordelia Cruises in India, while Seven Seas Navigator and Insignia will be chartered to Crescent Seas. Norwegian has 12 new ships on order through 2036, with seven for Norwegian Cruise Line, three for Oceania and two for Regent.
Crescent Seas, a new residential cruise line backed by Miami Beach-based GFO Investments, will add Insignia to its fleet in late 2027. The 594-foot ship will undergo a $50 million renovation and feature 290 residences priced from $650,000 to $10 million. Sales for Insignia residences will begin in late summer 2025 at the Gale Miami Hotel & Residences.
The global cruise industry is projected to reach $16.7 billion by 2031, driven by rising demand for luxury lifestyles, river cruises and global tourism. North America remains the top revenue contributor.
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