Craig Robins, founder of real-estate company Dacra, kicked off Miami Art Week with a tour of the latest luxury retail openings in the newly developed Design District – while across the water, the Faena District celebrated the opening of its hotel.

Faena Hotel Miami Beach launched with a celebratory event on 1 December attended by a slew of celebrities and the project's creator, Argentine developer and hotelier Alan Faena. The property is the 1947 Saxony Hotel, a once-glamorous destination frequented by stars like Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe and Dean Martin. The Saxony has been restored by Faena, director Baz Luhrmann and costume designer Catherine Martin.

Located in the heart of Miami Beach, the Faena District is a US$1bn (€918m, £661m) waterfront project that also consists of an arts centre by OMA and residential properties by Foster + Partners.

The night before, in Miami Design District, an invited group was taken on a guided tour of Palm Court and the new flagship stores from Hermès and Fendi. Guests also enjoyed a tour of Craig Robins’ private art collection.

American art dealer Jeffrey Deitch and architect Mohsen Mostafavi gave talks at the event. A number of art installations were unveiled, including Snarkitecture’s holiday sculpture – four gigantic knotted candy canes, measuring 30ft (9m) in length.

Miami Design District has been transformed by Robins over the past ten years from a neglected suburb into a high-end fashion and art area.

For more on Miami Design District, Faena District and upcoming architecture in Miami, see the upcoming issue of CLADmag