On Wednesday, August 13, 2025, Playboy Enterprises made headlines by announcing its decision to relocate its global headquarters from Los Angeles to Miami Beach, Florida. This move is not only a significant shift for the iconic brand but also marks a new chapter in the ongoing story of Miami’s emergence as a magnet for major companies and creative talent. The announcement, which quickly drew attention from major outlets including The Los Angeles Times, Breitbart News, and CBS News Miami, underscores a growing trend: businesses and high-profile personalities are increasingly leaving traditional power centers like California and New York in favor of the business-friendly climate and vibrant lifestyle of South Florida.
Ben Kohn, CEO of Playboy, was forthright in his assessment of the move. He described California as “anti-business” and “extremely expensive to operate in,” citing the state’s regulatory and economic challenges as key reasons for the company’s departure. In contrast, Kohn praised Miami Beach as “phenomenal to deal with, very pro-business,” adding, “When you look at the cost of doing business in California against the cost of doing business in Florida, and you combine that with the energy of Miami Beach, it made all the sense in the world for Playboy to move there.” According to The Los Angeles Times, this sentiment is echoed by a growing number of executives who see Florida as a more welcoming environment for innovation and growth.
The new headquarters will be housed in the penthouse of The RIVANI, a luxurious office tower on Michigan Avenue just north of the famed Lincoln Road in Miami Beach. The building, described as “Class X” ultra-high-end, was developed by real estate mogul Robert Rivani, who has invested over $100 million in the property. Rivani sees the Playboy move as a natural fit for Miami’s dynamic, cosmopolitan atmosphere. “How many amazing things does Miami Beach have? The weather, the beach, the vibe. All the beautiful restaurants and hotels. And I think the lifestyle of Playboy matches very similarly to Miami Beach,” he told CBS News Miami. Rivani’s investments in the area, including the recent purchase of an iconic property on Lincoln Road, signal his confidence in Miami Beach’s comeback story as a global hub for creativity and commerce.
Playboy’s relocation is more than a simple change of address. The company plans to develop a new Playboy Club within the headquarters, featuring a restaurant and an exclusive members-only area modeled after the legendary Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles. This blend of hospitality and business is expected to bring a fresh energy to Miami Beach’s cultural scene. The office will also include studios to support Playboy’s “growing creator network,” further cementing the city’s reputation as a destination for digital content creation and innovation.
Miami Beach officials are welcoming Playboy with open arms. Commissioner Joe Magazine, who spent six months negotiating with the company’s executives, highlighted the significance of the move: “For one of the first times in Miami Beach history, we will have a major publicly traded corporation that is headquartered in Miami Beach.” The city expects the relocation to bring about 200 people to live, work, and play in the area, contributing to local economic development and reinforcing Miami Beach’s appeal to both businesses and residents. Magazine emphasized the city’s proactive approach: “They got fed up with LA’s anti-business mentality. And we worked for months to show them both in the state of Florida, but especially here on Miami Beach, how pro-business we are, focusing on economic development.”
The move is scheduled to be completed by September 2026, with the company aiming to be fully operational in Miami by then. CEO Ben Kohn expressed his vision for the brand’s future, stating that the new Miami location would play a pivotal role in building a robust content creation team and enhancing Playboy’s licensing initiatives on a global scale. He also confirmed that the magazine and the Playmate franchise would be operated out of Miami, marking a clear break from the brand’s longstanding association with Los Angeles.
Founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner, Playboy quickly became a cultural phenomenon, renowned for its provocative content, interviews with luminaries, and literary contributions from some of the world’s most celebrated writers. The company moved its headquarters to Los Angeles, where it became an iconic part of the city’s identity. Over the decades, Playboy has continually adapted to changing market dynamics. After ceasing regular magazine publication in 2020, the brand shifted its focus to digital content, lifestyle, fashion, and global licensing. Earlier in 2025, Playboy announced a return to featuring nudes and fit women after a period of experimentation with a “woke” rebrand, which included plus-size models and a transgender playmate, as reported by Breitbart News.
Interestingly, this isn’t Playboy’s first foray into Miami. In the 1960s and 1970s, the company operated a club on Biscayne Boulevard and even had a hotel on 54th Street and Collins Avenue. Local residents seem intrigued by the brand’s return. “I didn’t really know they were still in business. But I think that’s pretty cool that they’re going to be in Miami Beach because Miami Beach is the same vibe as Playboy,” resident Mario Lombardi told CBS News Miami. Another resident, Rosie Zapata, added, “If they got a great deal on the real estate part of it and want to move their offices here, I see no reason why they shouldn’t.”
The Playboy move is emblematic of a broader trend: a steady migration of companies and affluent individuals from traditional business centers like Los Angeles and New York to Miami. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, who recently hosted the American Business Forum with figures like Lionel Messi and Will Smith, has been vocal about the city’s surge of capitalism and its appeal to those seeking a more business-friendly environment. Suarez used the forum to highlight Miami’s growing influence, contrasting it with what he described as New York City’s “socialist tilt.”
As Playboy prepares to open its new headquarters and club in Miami Beach, the move is being closely watched by both business and cultural observers. For Miami, it represents another milestone in its transformation into a global destination for commerce, creativity, and lifestyle. For Playboy, it’s a chance to reinvent itself in a city that embodies the brand’s spirit of glamour, fun, and innovation. Whether this relocation will mark the beginning of a new golden era for Playboy remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Miami Beach is ready for its new neighbor.
