Top 5 Things You May Not Know About Westwood Lakes

Built in 1955

Westwood Lakes officially came to life in 1955, named after the lakes woven throughout the area.

Designed as a proper midcentury Miami neighborhood, with family homes, expansive streets, and generous living spaces, people who grew up in Westwood Lakes in the '60s often describe it as an ideal childhood setup, where weekends revolved around backyard barbecues, neighborhood gatherings, and unplanned beach days — a sense of ease that shaped its personality and the Westwood Lakes that we now know today.

Still Very Midcentury

Did you know that some parts of Westwood Lakes seem like they skipped a few decades? 

Here, a handful of homes still resemble their original 1956 designs, from their structure to their street-facing details.
Walking around, you'd spot vintage cars, classic lawn décor, or features that haven't been replaced because they didn't need to be. 

Yet, contrary to what most people think, it doesn't feel outdated, just proudly full of character!

The Old Dip Bridge

Before traffic calming was a thing, Westwood Lakes had its own little thrill. 

At SW 112th Avenue and 51st Street, a narrow, one-lane bridge dipped just enough to give drivers a brief stomach drop.

Kids loved it and waited for it every time, while adults acted unfazed but definitely a bit shaken, and eventually, locals learned exactly how fast to hit it for maximum effect. 

While that particular bridge is now flattened and modernized, longtime residents still remember it as one of Westwood Lakes' iconic spots.

Welcome to the Drive-In Era

Just west of Westwood Lakes, Tropi Aire Drive-In was once a shopping and movie night haunt. 

During the day, it operated as a swap meet where families sold local goods and spent hours browsing. 

At night, it turned into a drive-in theater, complete with cars lined up and kids watching from the backseat. 

Many families religiously spent their entire weekends there  — no schedules, no screens, no rush. 

Just weekends ala Westwood Lakes.

Burgers and First Paychecks

Westwood Plaza Shopping Center has long covered the basics, from groceries to restaurants to everyday errands. 

Though if you ask us, Concord Shopping Plaza played a bigger role in local teenage life once upon a time, as that's where Burger Castle was located, a Miami-founded burger chain competing with Burger King in the '60s and '70s. 

For many teens in Westwood Lakes, flipping burgers was their first job that came with a paycheck and a little independence. 

And those are some heartwarming memories that money can't buy or replace!