The Paladin of Coral Gables

Pros

• Pause wellness and recovery studio is a must to experience!
• The Plaza Coral Gables, located at Ponce de Leon Blvd, is a vibrant mixed-use development that beautifully blends Mediterranean-style architecture with modern amenities.
• Nice shopping mall.
• Beautiful building inside and out.
• Spectacular restaurant and coffee shop plaza in the Gables.
• The Chinese restaurant - Che 105 is very good with excellent food and spectacular service.
• Its central location offers easy access to major highways and proximity to Coral Gables' attractions, making it a premier destination for both business and leisure.
• The development also includes public art installations, such as Tony Cragg's "Mean Average," enhancing its cultural appeal.

Cons

• The parking at The Plaza is described as the worst in Miami, with cars booted in spots labeled "Reserved for The Plaza."
• The plaza boots cars for no warning and charges a $65 removal fee, which visitors find unreasonable.
• A third-party booting company is described as shady and unprofessional, reusing warning stickers and accepting cash or Zelle.
• Signage for restrictions is said to be unclear or barely noticeable, with staff offering little to no explanation.
• Enforcement is inconsistent, as some tail-in or handicap vehicles go unbooted while others are booted.
• Several reviewers accuse the plaza management and developers of corrupt or unjust policies and threaten legal action.
• The booting experience causes visitors to incur financial losses and delays.
• The plaza is under construction/renovation, with many storefronts closed and some open retailers perceived as overpriced.
• Some comments label the development an eyesore and question its impact on locals.

Review

The Plaza Coral Gables sits at the center of a vibrant, growing district, a mixed?use development that blends Mediterranean architecture with modern amenities and a lively roster of dining, shopping, and lodging. On the surface it promises a refined, walkable experience: a Loews Coral Gables Hotel, Class A offices, luxury residences, a curated mix of retail and restaurants, abundant public art, and green spaces designed to revitalize what was once a quieter corridor near Miracle Mile. Many visitors swoon over the aesthetics, the easy access to the area, and the atmosphere of a high?end, urban gathering place. You'll find praise for the architecture, the stroll along the main streets, and the sense that this is a destination worth a visit for a stylish day or evening out.

Yet a chorus of reviews centers on parking and enforcement that leaves a sour taste. A recurring complaint is the involvement of AR Booting, a third?party company hired to immobilize cars in spots marked as "Reserved for The Plaza." Numerous commenters describe instances where cars were booted for parking in spots that seemed to be reserved for the plaza, sometimes with little to no warning. They depict a process fueled by opaque signage and ad hoc judgments rather than clear rules, and they report fees around $65 to remove the boot. The frustration is compounded by anecdotes of watching cars enter and leave in as little as minutes while others receive no such enforcement, prompting accusations that enforcement is uneven or selectively applied.

Several reviews describe direct, troubling encounters with the booting process. A memorable incident involved two boots on a vehicle, a bright orange sticker, and a staff member's insistence that the driver hadn't parked "head?in only," despite the lack of conspicuous signage. In one case a caller reported language barriers and a delayed response, followed by a confrontational exaction of the fee before anyone could clearly explain the policy or the reason for the boot. Some reviewers allege that other vehicles - tail?in parked, valet, or handicap spots - escaped penalties, leading to charges of hypocrisy or "rules for thee, but not for me." The impression left by these accounts is that the plaza's enforcement feels opaque, uneven, and sometimes punitive.

The dispute isn't just about procedure; it's tied to broader tensions between the plaza's management and the local community. Several posts frame the issue as a conflict between developers and longtime locals, with one set of comments invoking a "Davis vs. Goliath" dynamic and remarks about attempts to push out residents or seize property. There are vehement claims of injustices and even threats of civil action, including references to lawsuits and "proof" of corrupt policies. While these are anchored in personal experience and opinion, they paint a picture of a place where enforcement practices have become a point of friction, coloring visitors' overall perceptions of the Plaza and its operators.

Amid the controversy, the Plaza's offerings - restaurants, wellness, and culture - are frequently highlighted in a distinctly positive light. Pause Wellness and Recovery Studio is singled out as a "must to experience," and a food scene that includes Ceviche 105 (and Che 105 in one review) garners praise for flavor and service. An array of eateries and retail options - ranging from Paris Sweet Paris Crepes & Coffee to Sanguich and Cantina Le?n - are described as contributing to a lively, diverse dining landscape. The environment is often praised as being comfortable for an afternoon or evening stroll, with many noting the presence of a flourishing, if still evolving, retail mix and new shops slowly opening as construction progresses.

The Plaza is also celebrated for its cultural and architectural ambitions. The development promotes public art and green spaces, with Tony Cragg's Mean Average cited as a highlight of the plaza's artistic landscape. The aesthetic appeal of the project - both inside the Loews and in the surrounding public spaces - appears repeatedly as a draw for visitors who appreciate design and photo opportunities. Several reviews describe it as a beautiful area with a renewed vibrancy that, once fully realized, promises to be a premier destination in Coral Gables. Even when some stores are still under construction, there is a sense of forward momentum and potential.

Construction and renovation dominate the current reality as one walks through the Plaza. Many reviews note that while the area has a compelling vision and strong architectural character, much of the retail and dining is still taking shape, with several concepts not yet opened and ongoing renovations visible throughout. The sentiment is a blend of anticipation and patience: the Plaza is perceived as a work in progress with a bright future, even as some visitors temper their expectations because "almost everything is closed? under construction" or because "the retail opened is ridiculously expensive." The sense conveyed is that this is a dynamic urban project that will need time, consistency, and reliable operations to fully earn the trust of its critics.

Overall, the experiences reflected in these reviews portray a complex, evolving hub that can be immensely rewarding for its aesthetics, dining options, and cultural energy, while also presenting a set of genuine concerns about parking enforcement and neighborhood impact. The Plaza Coral Gables occupies a prominent place in Coral Gables as a modern landmark with grand ambitions, a place where fine dining and public art meet a blend of residential and office life. If you visit, you're likely to encounter both the allure of a beautifully designed, vibrant district and the friction that comes with growing pains - ambitious plans, ongoing construction, and a contentious enforcement regime that some visitors feel unfairly disrupts what should be a seamless experience.

This particular area of Coral Gables, Florida, offers a diverse range of amenities that cater to the needs and interests of seniors. With numerous restaurants, cafes, pharmacies, parks, hospitals, transportation options, physicians' offices, places of worship, and even a nearby theater for entertainment, residents in this area will have access to all the essential services they may require. Additionally, the proximity of these facilities ensures convenience for seniors who value easy access to dining options, healthcare facilities, religious institutions, recreational activities, and cultural offerings. The neighborhood is well-connected with public transportation options such as American Airlines and Tri-Rail stations nearby. Overall, this part of Coral Gables presents a promising location for seniors seeking a vibrant and convenient community to call home.

Restaurants

• Hillstone Restaurant (0.1 miles)
• Sergio's Coral Way (0.7 miles)
• El Brazo Fuerte Bakery (0.9 miles)
• La Carreta (1.1 miles)
• Versailles Restaurant (1.2 miles)
• Versailles Bakery (1.2 miles)
• Barracuda Taphouse & Grill (1.8 miles)

Cafes

• Crema Gourmet Espresso Bar (0.1 miles)
• Starbucks (1.3 miles)
• Casa Tua Cucina (4.2 miles)
• La Estacion Cafe (4.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.5 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (0.7 miles)
• Walgreens (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.6 miles)

Parks

• Douglas Park (0.7 miles)
• Peacock Park (2 miles)
• Regatta Park (2 miles)
• Tropical Park (4.3 miles)
• Dante Fascell Park (4.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Doctors Hospital (1.9 miles)
• University Of Miami Hospital (3.8 miles)
• South Miami Hospital (3.9 miles)
• Veterans Administration Hospital Miami (3.9 miles)
• Jackson Memorial Hospital (4.1 miles)

Transportation

• American Airlines (2 miles)
• Concourse J (3.2 miles)
• Turkish Airlines Lounge (3.2 miles)
• Concourse H (3.2 miles)
• Security Checkpoint H/J (3.2 miles)
• Concourse G (3.2 miles)
• Miami Airport Tri-Rail Station (3.2 miles)

Physicians

• Nicklaus Children's Hospital (2.3 miles)
• University Of Miami Doctors Office (3.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Dominic's Catholic Church (2.9 miles)
• St Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church (4.3 miles)
• Gesu Catholic Church (4.6 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Sunset Place 24 (3.5 miles)