Everybody wants a piece of the Miami luxury market.
Aventura Mall, the third-largest shopping center in the U.S. with 2.7 million square feet, has been adding luxury brands to its mix. Givenchy and Gucci will bow in the summer and fall, respectively. St. John and 120 percent Lino, an Italian brand of linen apparel for men, women and children, recently opened.
Aventura in 2017 will add a new three-level, 315,000-square-foot wing. The Carlos Zapata-designed extension will have a rooftop garden and VIP concierge area.

Due to its size, Aventura has a broad array of tenants, the majority of which are not high end. The center, which is anchored by Nordstrom, Macy?s and Bloomingdale?s features other luxury brands including Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Burberry, Fendi, Bally and Emilio Pucci. The competition in Miami started heating up in 2012 when Louis Vuitton, Céline, Emilio Pucci and Christian Dior closed their stores at the Bal Harbour Shops and relocated either to Miami?s Design District or Aventura Mall. Hermès, which also defected, operated a temporary store in the Design District before unveiling its 10,000-square foot flagship there last year.
While several luxury brands operate more than one unit in Miami, the city?s tourist trade has been dented by the strong U.S. dollar, Brazil?s economic downturn and Russia?s prolonged recession. Tourists from Brazil and Russia have been conspicuous consumers of luxury and contemporary goods.
Jackie Soffer, co-chairma...