Wynwood Shades has opened in Wynwood, marking at least the fourth new eyeglass and sunglass store to open this year in the artsy — and increasingly trendy — Miami neighborhood.
Launched by Turkish entrepreneur Aysegul Colakel, Wynwood Shades occupies 465 square feet at 2621 Northwest Second Avenue, in the Wynwood Block. Redsky Capital and JZ Capital Partners bought the building in March for $26 million.
The store offers sunglasses from various upscale brands, like Furla, Ray-Ban, Balenciaga, Tod’s, Michael Kors, Tom Ford, Miu Miu, Prada, Carolina Herrera, Chopard, Persol, Lanvin, Givenchy, Dolce & Gabbana and Tom Ford, according to a release.
Wynwood is quickly transforming into a shopping and dining destination, and is attracting a slew of new eyeglass stores, in particular.
Warby Parker opened its first freestanding Miami store at 215 Northwest 25th Street in March. Goldman Properties leased the 1,600-square-foot space to the eyewear brand.
Illesteva, a New York-based luxury eyewear and accessories brand, opened its first South Florida store in Wynwood this summer, at 2399 Second Avenue. Jason Weisman, principal of JAW Commercial, brokered the lease for the 1,200 square-foot boutique. Illesteva will also be among the retailers at Brickell City Centre.
Italia Independent, another eyeglass store, also opened this summer, at 2649 Northwest Second Avenue, also in the Wynwood Block.
Wynwood, known for its artsy vibe, has also seen other new retailers and restaurants open in recent months, including Marine Layer, Wynwood Diner and the Lunchbox. The area is also home to art galleries and one of the largest open-air street art installations in the world including Wynwood Walls, creative offices and showrooms.
The area’s neighborhood revitalization district plan went into effect last week. The changes to zoning and land use designations allow denser residential developments on roughly 205 acres in Wynwood.