West Grove: A Guide to Coconut Grove's Most Historic Neighborhood

When most people think of Coconut Grove, they picture the tree-lined streets near CocoWalk, the waterfront estates along Biscayne Bay, or the gated communities of South Grove. But there is another side of the Grove with a story that goes back even further. West Grove, officially designated as "Little Bahamas" in 2022, is the historic heart of Coconut Grove's founding Bahamian community and one of the most fascinating neighborhoods in all of Miami.

Whether you are a buyer exploring different pockets of the Grove or someone who simply wants to understand what makes this neighborhood special, here is what you should know about West Grove in 2026.

Where Is West Grove?

West Grove sits in the western portion of Coconut Grove, roughly bordered by Douglas Road to the east, LeJeune Road and the Coral Gables line to the west, Grand Avenue to the south, and the areas near Day Avenue and US-1 to the north. Its main commercial corridor is Grand Avenue, which has been the neighborhood's social and cultural center for well over a century.

The neighborhood is served by the Douglas Road Metrorail station, making it one of the most transit-accessible parts of Coconut Grove. It is also within easy walking or biking distance of CocoWalk, Peacock Park, and the rest of downtown Coconut Grove.

The History That Built West Grove

West Grove's history is, in many ways, the origin story of all of Coconut Grove. Bahamian settlers were among the very first people to call this area home, arriving in the 1880s to work at the Peacock Inn, South Florida's first mainland hotel. These families, many of them originally from Eleuthera and other Bahamian islands, built their homes, churches, and schools in what became a thriving Black community on the western side of the Grove.

Mariah Brown, who arrived from Eleuthera in the 1880s, was one of the first Bahamians to purchase land in the area. The Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, founded in 1895, is the oldest African American Baptist church in Miami-Dade County and still stands today. The E.W.F. Stirrup House, a Dade County pine home built around 1897, is a designated historic landmark and one of the best examples of early Bahamian vernacular architecture in South Florida.

These families did not just settle here. They helped build Coconut Grove. Bahamian laborers constructed many of the area's earliest buildings and landmarks, and their contributions are woven into the very foundation of the neighborhood.

The Goombay Festival and West Grove Culture

If you want to feel the soul of West Grove, visit during the annual Goombay Festival. Founded in 1977, Goombay is a celebration of the neighborhood's Bahamian heritage, featuring Junkanoo parades, live music, Bahamian food like conch fritters and conch salad, and three days of community gathering along Grand Avenue.

The festival was originally created to bridge the cultural divide between the eastern and western sides of Coconut Grove, and it continues to serve as a homecoming for former residents and their descendants. In recent years, attendance has grown to around 20,000 people, and the Goombay Committee has partnered with the Bahamian Consulate of Miami to bring performers and vendors directly from the Bahamas.

Beyond Goombay, West Grove is home to the Coconut Grove Organic Farmers Market, held every Saturday. The market was launched in 1977 (the same year as Goombay) and has become one of Miami's most beloved weekend traditions, drawing residents from across the city for organic produce, prepared foods, and a genuine community atmosphere.

What Does West Grove Real Estate Look Like Today?

West Grove's real estate landscape is diverse and changing. The neighborhood offers a mix of property types that you will not find in other parts of the Grove, including historic Bahamian-style cottages, Mediterranean townhomes built in the early 2000s, modern "sugar cube" townhouses with rooftop terraces, older ranch-style homes on quieter streets, and brand-new single-family construction.

For buyers, West Grove offers some of the most accessible price points in Coconut Grove. Townhomes in the neighborhood have recently traded in the $1.3 million to $1.75 million range, while new single-family homes and renovated properties are selling from $2 million to $3.5 million depending on size, finishes, and lot. Several streets in West Grove, including portions of Day Avenue, Hibiscus Street, Plaza Street, Indiana Street, and Trade Avenue, have seen significant new townhome development in recent years.

In our March 2026 market data, several West Grove area townhome sales stood out. Properties on Day Avenue, Plaza Street, and Trade Avenue all closed during the month, with prices ranging from $1,300,000 to $1,750,000. Some of the fastest sales in the entire neighborhood were townhomes in this area.

Development and Change Along Grand Avenue

Grand Avenue is undergoing significant transformation. Several mixed-use projects are in various stages of planning and construction along the corridor, bringing new residential units, retail space, and Class A office space to the neighborhood. The Atala project is bringing 175 apartments and ground-floor retail between Hibiscus and Plaza Streets. A new 80,000-square-foot office building at 3443 Grand Avenue is also in development.

These developments represent both opportunity and tension. Long-time West Grove residents and community organizations have raised important concerns about how development is affecting the neighborhood's identity and affordability. Community groups like the Coconut Grove Village West Homeowners and Tenants Association and GRACE (Grove Rights and Community Equity) are actively working to ensure that new projects preserve the cultural fabric of Little Bahamas.

Several affordable and workforce housing projects are also in progress, including the 3710 Grove Landing project and new family apartments on Mundy Street that will incorporate a restored 1926 coral rock home into the design. These efforts aim to keep the neighborhood accessible to residents with long-standing ties to the community.

Schools Near West Grove

West Grove is well-served by local schools. Frances S. Tucker Elementary is located within the neighborhood, and George Washington Carver Elementary and Middle School, technically in Coral Gables, primarily serves Coconut Grove students. For families seeking private education, West Grove is within a short drive of Ransom Everglades, Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart, St. Stephen's Episcopal Day School, and Immaculata-La Salle High School.

Parks and Green Space

Elizabeth Virrick Park is the centerpiece of West Grove's outdoor life. Named after the civic activist who fought for decades to improve housing conditions in the neighborhood, the park features a community pool, basketball courts, a playground, and open green space. It also serves as the home base for the Goombay Festival and the Coconut Grove Food and Wine Festival.

Armbrister Park, a smaller neighborhood park along Grand Avenue, is another community gathering spot. And because West Grove sits so close to the rest of Coconut Grove, residents also have easy access to Peacock Park, Regatta Park, Kennedy Park, and the waterfront paths along Biscayne Bay.

Historic Landmarks Worth Visiting

West Grove's historic landmarks tell the story of one of Miami's founding communities. The E.W.F. Stirrup House on Charles Avenue is a beautifully preserved example of Bahamian vernacular architecture. The Mariah Brown House is one of the oldest residential structures in the area. Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, founded in 1895, remains an active congregation. The Coconut Grove Cemetery, used since the early 1900s by Bahamian immigrants, is a quiet and meaningful place to reflect on the neighborhood's roots.

Walking through West Grove, you can still see some of the original "conch houses," brightly painted wood-frame homes that reflect the building traditions brought over from the Bahamas more than a century ago.

Who Is West Grove Right For?

West Grove appeals to a specific type of buyer. If you value history, community, and walkability more than waterfront views and gated privacy, this neighborhood deserves your attention. It is ideal for buyers looking for a more accessible entry point into Coconut Grove, for people who want to live close to the village center without paying Center Grove or South Grove prices, and for anyone who appreciates the kind of authentic neighborhood character that cannot be manufactured.

It is also a neighborhood in transition. Buying in West Grove in 2026 means investing in an area with significant appreciation potential, but it also means becoming part of a community with deep roots. We encourage every buyer to take the time to understand the neighborhood's history and to engage with the community in a meaningful way.

If you are thinking about buying or selling in Coconut Grove, we would love to connect. Reach out to the Ally and AJ Team at ONE Sotheby's International Realty at 305.744.2989 or visit us at allyandaj.com.