How come Miami Beach is now referred to as South Beach?

Question

When I was a kid my family and every other Jew north of the Mason-Dixon line vacationed on Collins Avenue. I have fond memories of The Fountainbleu, Jai-Alai, The Diplomat, The Marco Polo, Wolfies, et al. But nobody called it South Beach back then. Was this term invented by some mayor or rapper (I'm thinking Vanilla Ice) to make it sound more appealing to non-Jewish tourists and when was the phrase coined?

Answer 1

South Beach is only the southern part of miami beach. I would guess that people used to say south miami beach, but then it was shortened to south beach.

Answer 2

When it first started to gentrify, it was "The Deco Area". This was soon discarded in favor of the handier "South Beach".



It pretty much refers to about 45th Street and south, so The Dip and Wolfie's aren't a part of it.



Lots of Florida cities have a "North Beach" and "South Beach", but with increasing popularity, Miami's became THE South Beach, rather like NYC's Greenwich Village become THE Village.

Answer 3

South Beach or SoBe is used now probably because it is the area of Miami Beach that is most referred to in media. Most people do not realize that south beach is just part of Miami beach. interesting.