Häagen-Dazs Plans to Open in Rivani’s Wynwood Jungle

• Häagen-Dazs plans a new Wynwood location at 50 NW 24th Street, Unit 104 in Miami.
• The property appears tied to Black Lion Investment Group, the Miami real estate firm led by developer Robert Rivani.
• The move adds another national brand to Wynwood’s rapidly growing mix of retail, food, and entertainment tenants.

Häagen-Dazs Expands Into Wynwood’s High-Traffic Retail Corridor

Häagen-Dazs is preparing to open a new ice cream shop in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood, adding another recognizable consumer brand to one of South Florida’s busiest retail districts. Permit applications were recently filed with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation for a space at 50 NW 24th Street, Unit 104.

The location will reportedly operate under Bongo Creamery Wynwood, though an official opening timeline has not yet been announced. The storefront sits within the property commonly known as Wynwood Jungle, which appears to be owned by Black Lion Investment Group, the Miami-based real estate investment and development firm led by Robert Rivani.

The expansion highlights several ongoing trends shaping Miami's commercial real estate:

• National brands continue targeting Wynwood
• Food and beverage tenants remain highly active
• Street-level retail demand is staying strong despite rising rents

Robert Rivani’s Wynwood Jungle Continues Attracting National Brands

The Häagen-Dazs lease adds another recognizable tenant to the growing lineup at Wynwood Jungle, a mixed-use retail property positioned in the center of Wynwood’s high-foot-traffic corridor.

Developer Robert Rivani and Black Lion Investment Group have become increasingly active across Miami’s retail and hospitality sectors, particularly in neighborhoods benefiting from tourism growth and experiential retail demand. Wynwood remains one of the strongest examples of that strategy working.

Why brands keep targeting Wynwood:

• Heavy tourism and nightlife traffic
• Large concentration of young consumers
• Continued apartment and mixed-use development
• Strong restaurant and experiential retail performance
• Walkability and social media visibility

For landlords and retail investors, the arrival of another globally recognized brand reinforces confidence in Wynwood’s long-term leasing fundamentals.

Why Dessert Concepts Keep Expanding Across Miami

Dessert and quick-service concepts have become some of the most aggressive retail tenants expanding across South Florida. Operators are increasingly chasing neighborhoods where pedestrian traffic stays active throughout the day and night.

Wynwood checks nearly every box:

• Constant event activity
• Growing residential density
• High visitor counts
• Strong weekend traffic
• Heavy food and beverage spending

Ice cream and dessert brands also benefit from smaller retail footprints and lower buildout costs compared to full-service restaurants, making neighborhoods like Wynwood especially attractive.

The Global Brand Behind Häagen-Dazs

Despite its Scandinavian-sounding name, Häagen-Dazs was actually founded in the Bronx by Polish immigrants Reuben and Rose Mattus. The founders intentionally created the name to give the brand a premium European identity.

The company launched with only three flavors:

• Vanilla
• Chocolate
• Coffee

The first Häagen-Dazs retail shop opened in Brooklyn in 1976. The brand later became part of Pillsbury and is now operated in the U.S. by Froneri, a joint venture connected to Nestlé.

Today, the company operates:

• More than 200 U.S. locations
• Roughly 400 stores worldwide

What It Means for Miami Retail Investors

The Wynwood deal reflects how experiential food and lifestyle tenants continue driving Miami’s retail leasing market. Landlords are increasingly prioritizing brands that generate consistent foot traffic and align with entertainment-focused districts.

As additional mixed-use projects open throughout Wynwood, demand for highly visible retail space is expected to remain elevated, especially for national operators looking to capitalize on Miami’s tourism economy.

For investors, the continued expansion of brands like Häagen-Dazs into properties tied to firms like Black Lion Investment Group signals that Wynwood’s retail momentum is far from slowing down.