2200 Brickell Secures $77 Million Construction Loan from Bank OZK

Aria Development Group, Largo and Place Projects have secured $77 million in construction financing for 2200 Brickell, a five-story luxury condominium development on Brickell’s lush Millionaire’s Row. The construction financing was provided by Bank OZK which was represented by King & Spalding. Hunton Andrews Kurth and The Aztec Group represented the developers. 2200 Brickell is slated to break ground in Q4 2023. Residences are priced from $1.2 million with One World Properties as the exclusive developer sales brokerage representing 2200 Brickell.

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Bank OZK to bring this amazing project to life,” said David Arditi, Managing Partner of Aria Development Group. “Brickell remains a top market within Miami’s luxury sector. 2200 Brickell will play an instrumental role in continuing Brickell’s success thanks to its focus on residential wellness, tailored amenities in a boutique setting. Together with our partners, we look forward to welcoming residents into an exciting building in this thriving neighborhood.”

Situated along Brickell’s historic Millionaire’s Row, 2200 Brickell offers two, three, and four-bedroom condominiums and garden villas ranging from 1,200 to 2,100 square feet. Designed by Revuelta Architecture International, with interiors by the award-winning team at ODA New York, it is meticulously crafted to enhance the quality of life for all who live there through a harmonious fusion of organic and geometric design. Additionally, 2200 Brickell is being designed as a WELL Certified building, meaning it adheres to the WELL Building Standard™. This standard is focused on ensuring the health and wellness of residents by creating a positive human experience centered around 10 core concepts ranging from light, movement, and nourishment to materials, mind, and community.

“Bank OZK is pleased to provide construction financing for 2200 Brickell,” stated Greg Newman, Senior Managing Director of Originations at Bank OZK. “Aria and its partners are developing a trophy asset that is destined to be one of the premier condominium developments in Miami. This combination of top-tier sponsorship, marquee asset and dominant location aligns perfectly with our real estate lending strategy.”

2200 Brickell will offer an array of amenities including its one-acre rooftop haven, a sun-drenched lush landscape of exquisitely elevated amenities. This one-of-a-kind rooftop space includes a resort-style pool and outdoor spa with pool-side cabanas, a pickleball court, a summer kitchen with multiple seating areas, an outdoor fitness area designed by HOMAGE Fitness, a children’s play area designed by Silver Hill Arts, and a quarter-mile walking track.

Indoors, additional amenities include a cycling lounge and workshop with bicycle storage, custom indoor children’s playroom designed by Silver Hill Arts, a world-class state-of-the-art fitness center designed by HOMAGE Fitness, a wellness lounge with a treatment room and sauna, dedicated work from home suites with a conference room, a resident lounge and entertaining space, Luxer One automated parcel storage featuring a contactless digital package delivery system with cold storage, and a double-height, 24-hour attended lobby. For further convenience, residents will enjoy above-ground parking on all levels with direct access to their residences, on-site valet parking, electric vehicle charging stations, and a covered porte-cochère.

Images via 2200 Brickell

Chicago-Based Regency Development Group Launches Kobi Karp-Designed La Maré Bay Harbor Islands

Chicago-based Regency Development Group has launched La Maré, an exclusive collection of two light-filled modern contemporary boutique residential buildings in Bay Harbor Islands. La Maré features the 33-unit Regency Collection and the 9-unit Signature Collection, featuring vertically stacked tropical luxury villas designed by world-renowned architect Kobi Karp, while Brazil-based Debora Aguiar Arquietetos, known for her design of 1 Hotel South Beach among others, leads the interior design. La Maré represents Regency Development Group’s first project in the South Florida market. Groundbreaking is expected for later this year and completion is expected in 2025. Residences will range from $1.375 million to $8 million.

“With recycled materials as the foundation, the design ethos is centered around its honoring natural surroundings - water and its movement – to create an ongoing connection to the environment,” said Kobi Karp. “The positioning of each building on the island is intentionally set to optimize sunlight and natural air flow through each residence, while the glass enwrapped LEED certified spaces accentuate peak sunrise and sunset views.”

“We’re creating sky villas that provide families with expansive living and entertainment spaces right on the water in a pocket of Miami that provides everything families desire, from top dining options to one of the top-ranked schools in Miami-Dade County,” said Michael Troyanovsky, Managing Partner of Regency Development Group. “As a company that is family-run, we value and understand what families are looking for in South Florida.”

The eight-story Regency Collection glass-clad modern boutique building will feature 33 residences. Soft interiors frame the panoramic ocean blues by nine-to-10-foot floor-to-ceiling windows that open out to expansive wraparound outdoor living spaces. The residences with direct private elevator access will range from two bedrooms, two baths to four bedrooms, four and a half baths with 1,600 to more than 4,000 square feet of living space. On the second floor, two prestigious 4,200 square feet Bay Villas adorn the north and south corners featuring spiral staircases that lead down to the ground deck with their own individual pools and summer kitchens. Four penthouses top the building, of which two are flow-through corner residences with access to their own private rooftop pools and summer kitchens.

Exclusive building amenities for the Regency Collection include a state-of-the-art fitness center and residential lounge for group gatherings and screenings.

“I liken La Maré’s Regency Collection to a Harlequin butterfly that opens up in both east and west directions,” said Kobi Karp, founder and principal of Kobi Karp Architects. “This design creates flow-through residences with three glass wraparound windows that bring the outdoors in.”

This eight-story Signature Collection building will feature an exclusive collection of only nine residences thoughtfully designed for families with privacy at the forefront, ranging from 2,100 to more than 4,200 square feet. The top four floors will be comprised of one residence per floor with four bedrooms and four and a half baths. The rest of the building will offer three-bedroom residences and one standout residence will be at the lobby level with private access to the waterfront sundeck.

Exclusive Signature Collection building amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness center, a wine cellar and outdoor kitchen and bar lounge. Residences will range from $2.875 million to $6.3 million. Groundbreaking is planned for later this year and completion is expected in late 2024.

Inspired by the movement of water, The Signature and Regency Collections will offer bayfront verandas and outdoor spaces with landscaping, boat slips, lounge areas and a resort-style rooftop pool deck that will have a pool, jacuzzi and lounge chairs.

Designed to be LEED certified and blend with the neighborhood of Bay Harbor, the low impact all-glass buildings will be constructed on elevated pilings that allow the buildings to be independent of high and low tides to adhere to the everchanging climate of South Florida.

The orientation of the buildings is designed to reduce carbon footprint by minimizing energy loads and maximizing natural sunlight. By incorporating all-glass balcony shadow boxes, its architecture plays with the sunlight to reduce solar gain and maintain a cool temperature throughout the building.

Green rooftops with tree canopies, open green lounge areas and a pool will be built to create a third place for residents to connect and entertain all while doubling as building insulators. The green rooftops will be built on raised wood-like decks made from recycled plastic lifted off the concrete roof to create a natural cooling system, which reduces the use of added material for roof insulation by 70%. Its lush greenery will exclusively feature native species sustained by two-meter irrigation systems that capture and filter rainwater.

Recycled locally sourced materials are married throughout the interiors blending bleached driftwood, travertine, sand-colored natural stones, concrete and metals to create idyllic modern sprawling living areas enhanced by panoramic bay views. Other interior features include private and/or semi-private elevators, elegant custom Italian kitchen and bath fixtures by Antonio Lupi, dual shower and deep soaking tub in primary bathrooms, stone countertops, cabinetry by top-of-the-line luxury Italian brand Poliform and Miele appliances. Additional sustainable features include HEPA filtration systems and in-line heating, Insta-hots, displacing traditional hot water tanks that hold mold overtime.

The Regency Collection La Maré Residences will be located at 9927 E Bay Harbor Drive, Bay Harbor Islands, FL 33154  and the Signature Collection La Maré Residences will be located at 9781 E Bay Harbor Drive, Bay Harbor Islands, FL 33154. The Sales Gallery is at 10301 E Bay Harbor Dr. Bay Harbor Islands, FL 33154.

Global Investment Management Firm Pretium Signs Lease At Eighteen Sunset In Miami Beach's Sunset Harbour

Specialized investment management firm Pretium plans to open an office at Deco Capital Group’s Eighteen Sunset, a Class A office building being constructed at 1769 Purdy Avenue in Miami Beach. Pretium has leased 11,591 square feet on the fourth floor of the project, which together with other completed leases represents approximately 80% of all available office space at Eighteen Sunset. About 9,500 square feet in the building is still available. The project is currently rising after securing a $60 million construction loan last year.

“Miami Beach is excited to welcome Pretium to our community where our business assistance programs and incentives ease the ability of doing business, and our culture and lifestyle benefit business leaders, create jobs, and attract and retain talent,” shared Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber.

With more than 4,500 employees, Pretium has over $50 billion in assets under management across U.S. residential real estate, residential credit and corporate credit. Pretium’s Miami Beach office will span more than half of the fourth floor in the five-story building. The company will join a multibillion-dollar, publicly traded Toronto firm that signed a 20,000 square foot lease earlier this year. On the ground floor, Uchiko, a restaurant concept by award-winning Hai Hospitality group, will occupy approximately 6,000 square feet of space. Stephen Rutchik, executive managing director of Colliers International Florida, and Neil King, vice chairman of CBRE New York, represented Deco Capital Group in the transaction, and Daniel Posy, executive managing director of JLL New York, represented Pretium.

“Pretium is excited to be expanding its office presence to Miami, a region with a growing financial services community,” said Laura Cappiello, Pretium’s Chief Human Resources Officer. “Having an office in Miami will enable Pretium to attract and retain premium talent and broaden the pool of diverse candidates we seek to recruit.”

“Miami Beach has seen a significant increase in inbound investment, and the most fundamental change to the city’s economy has been the drive to develop Class A, best-in-class office space capable of accommodating the needs of preeminent global companies,” said Bradley Colmer, founder of Deco Capital Group. “Pretium operates from exemplary offices in international financial hubs and is proud to be one of the trailblazing companies relocating or expanding and establishing a more substantial presence in South Florida. Pretium is drawn to Eighteen Sunset for its quality design, prime waterfront location in the Sunset Harbour neighborhood and market-leading amenities and views.”

The City of Miami Beach has assisted a number of technology and financial services companies in expanding or relocating their operations after launching meaningful business incentive programs and business concierge services in 2021. Pretium participated in the city’s Expedited Plan Review and Permitting Program which offers an accelerated permitting review process of 10 business days. The city’s Job Creation Incentive Program offers an incentive of up to $60,000 per year for up to four years for businesses in targeted industries that create or relocate a minimum of 10 new, full-time jobs with average annual wages that meet or exceed 125% of Miami-Dade County or Florida average wages.

“It is really encouraging to see great companies, like Pretium and others, take advantage of Miami Beach’s programs and services,” affirmed Miami Beach City Manager Alina Hudak. “These programs were created to diversify the Miami Beach economy for the benefit of the entire community.”

Renderings via Eighteen Sunset

Ytech Reveals Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel-Designed 70-Story Partially Solar Powered Condo Tower 'The Residences at 1428 Brickell'

1428 Brickell, LLC, a subsidiary of Miami-based real estate development firm Ytech, has revealed The Residences at 1428 Brickell, a 70-story iconic centerpiece of the quintessential Miami skyline, located at one of the most prestigious addresses on Miami's Brickell Avenue. The building will be the first ever high-rise residential tower using solar energy and is designed by architecture and interior design firm ACPV ARCHITECTS and international architecture firm Arquitectonica. The distinctive architecture and design of this private, residential property includes a limited collection of 189 homes priced from $2 million to $7 million, including a Penthouse Collection priced from $8 million to over $40 million. Cervera Real Estate serves as the sales team representing the property. Among the most prolific luxury condominium builders in the country, John Moriarty Associates (JMA) is the general contractor for The Residences at 1428 Brickell.

The Residences at 1428 Brickell will be the world’s first luxury, high-rise residential tower to integrate photovoltaic glazing within the building’s façade. This solar energy feature is deftly blended into the building’s architectural aesthetic, expressing the importance of sustainability and carbon reduction along each of its 70 floors. Since the solar cells are integrated into the glass, the effective lifespan of the panels can match the window itself. The property will feature 500 photovoltaic-integrated windows along the west-facing façade, creating a “Solar Backbone” comprising nearly 20,000 square feet of energy-producing glass. With this orientation and permanently installed generating capacity, the system is capable of producing up to 170,000 kilowatts, or 170 megawatts, of clean energy per year. This is intended to result in the reduction of approximately 4,700 tons of CO2 and the use of 3,000 barrels less of oil. Ytech has selected award-winning firm Cosentini Associates as the property’s expert solar energy consultant to implement this technology into The Residences at 1428 Brickell.

“Over a decade of planning and market research has come to fruition with The Residences at 1428 Brickell. Ytech’s vision is to create residential sanctuaries in an urban environment where design is driven first and foremost by resident experience and needs,” said Yamal Yidios, CEO of Ytech. “Complemented by impeccable architecture and advanced engineering, a remarkable combination of form and function, The Residences at 1428 Brickell will become iconic in delivering an unparalleled, service-oriented living experience.”

Ytech has selected a world-class team of artisans, designers, architects and engineers who understand the nuances of architecture, space, objects and human interaction to conceptualize and deliver a truly exceptional residential product. The concept for The Residences at 1428 Brickell was developed based on market research gathered from more than 250 luxury residential and hotel properties globally and interviews with three dozen renowned architects and designers. As a result, the property was created with the owner’s experience and privacy at the forefront of every decision, making The Residences at 1428 Brickell not only beautiful to behold but ideal to live in. The end result – meticulously curated residences with thoughtfully crafted amenity spaces and private areas throughout the building that will deliver a perfect balance between beauty and functionality. These exclusive and private residences are focused on empowering owners with a sense of privacy, safety and individuality.

Led by CEO Yamal Yidios, Ytech is ​​inspired by great thinkers, creators and innovators, and this inspiration has been woven into each intentionally conceived detail of The Residences at 1428 Brickell. Through the firm’s in-depth market research, design vision and meticulous execution, complemented by Yidios’ background as an engineer and internationally influenced perspective, The Residences at 1428 Brickell have been crafted with intelligence and artistry to create an instant, lasting sense of belonging for all who call it home.

Alongside world-renowned architecture and interior design firm ACPV ARCHITECTS and international architecture firm Arquitectonica, Ytech has meticulously designed a perfect balance between form and function without compromise. Over the years, ACPV ARCHITECTS has designed some of the world’s most iconic projects including the Bulgari Hotel Paris, Arte Surfside in Miami Beach and La Bella Vita high-rise in Taiwan among others. ACPV ARCHITECT’S vision for the interior spaces emerges from the firm’s penchant for designing the art of living, with a unique micro and macro perspective, making The Residences at 1428 Brickell a living space where emotion and intellect combine to produce the highest quality of life.

“For the tower’s interiors, we selected furniture, materials, textures and colors that create an ambiance of informal luxury,” said Patricia Viel, CEO of ACPV ARCHITECTS. “Throughout the property’s amenity spaces we integrated pieces of furniture from a selection of world-renowned Italian and international designers, focusing primarily on earth tones to bring nature inside the building while simultaneously celebrating the joyful feeling of spending time outdoors in the company of your loved ones.”

“The architecture and interior design of The Residences at 1428 Brickell fuse seamlessly to make residents feel welcome and at ease from the moment they enter the building. Imagining how owners would use each space within the property was the guiding principle of our design for the interiors,” said Antonio Citterio, chairman of ACPV ARCHITECTS. “For example, we designed large amenity spaces to act as an extension of residents’ private living areas, such as the dining area, pool, bar and wine cellar, and integrated full-height windows in the lobby to offer uninterrupted views of the striking Brickell skyline, bridging the gap between indoors and outdoors.”

The Residences at 1428 Brickell's limited collection of residences will be fully finished with two- to four-bedroom plus den units ranging from 1,800 to 4,000 square feet. The Penthouse Collection residences range from 4,000 to 10,000 square feet. The residences showcase stunning water views and have been thoughtfully created with a true flow-through configuration to maximize light. A significant portion of residences within the property are two-stories, creating the feeling of a single-family home in the sky.

The Residences include high-quality, contemporary finishes and one-of-a-kind Antonio Citterio-designed signature pieces. Further highlights include deep sunrise and sunset terraces with a summer kitchen; two private elevators and a foyer per residence with double door entry including a compartment for in-room dining deliveries and private storage on each level. Encompassed by Rimadesio glass enclosures, standard residences will feature Italian Arclinea kitchens with 11-foot ceilings, while penthouse residences will include limited production Vaselli kitchens and 12- to 30-foot ceilings.

Over 80,000 square feet of amenity space will adorn The Residences at 1428 Brickell. Located 860 feet in the sky, Ytech dedicated five of the eight amenity levels within the top of the tower which will be home to curated private and shared spaces showcasing stunning, panoramic city views.

Level 70, a rooftop pool and atrium, features a pool with direct sunlight exposure; a hot spa and daybed lounging area; and a sky atrium offering a serene, lush greenhouse experience surrounded by foliage.

Level 67 includes a world-class, two-story wine and fine art lounge. The level also features state-of-the-art office suites with private offices and lounge; private dining room with a jewel Vaselli kitchen, ideal for entertaining, private cooking classes or catering; an owner’s lounge with expansive seating for entertaining and a full bar featuring craft cocktails and culinary delectables. Additional services include an on-site beverage director and sommelier as well as private a la carte catering and event services.

Level 66 features an expansive 10,000 square foot gym with weight room, HIIT room and an indoor/outdoor yoga room; a juice and wellness bar offering healthy pre and post-workout food and beverage options; and an immersive spa featuring a meditation room, infrared sauna, steam room, cold and hot plunge pools, treatment rooms, beauty suite and barbershop. Services on this level include a wellness concierge available to assist in scheduling personal training, spa and beauty treatments, nutritional coaching and IV treatments.

Level seven offers a family-focused environment featuring a pool with shallow wading area and poolside cabanas; aquatic therapy area with a stationary exercise lap pool; children’s recreation and learning center featuring indoor and outdoor areas with splash pools, interactive playgrounds and creativity rooms; cinema screening room and a teen’s room. Fully furnished, private guest suites will be available on level eight.

The building’s entrance and arrival lounge features an impressive porte-cochere and access control facility creating a welcoming, immersive arrival experience that includes a library with wine and food options for residents and their guests. Additional services include reception, valet and porter; bellman and doorman services, and a pet facility with grooming area, and in-unit package delivery, among other amenities.

Terranova Reveals Arquitectonica-Designed Carbon-Neutral Mixed-Use Building On Miracle Mile In Coral Gables

Terranova Corporation, led by Stephen Bittel, has revealed plans for 93 Miracle Mile, the first carbon-neutral building in Florida on Miracle Mile in Coral Gables. The Arquitectonica-designed mixed-use commercial building will use electricity-generating photovoltaic glass and will be the first built under the new Miracle Mile Overlay zoning code. Plans were recently submitted to the City of Coral Gables for approval. 93 Miracle Mile will rise four-stories and will feature 6,700 SF of ground floor restaurant space, 9,700 SF of retail space on the 2nd and 3rd floors, and 7,300 SF of office space on the 4th floor. The building will also feature a rooftop terrace.

Terranova is the largest property owner on Miracle Mile with a portfolio spanning 15 properties and 120,000 SF. They acquired the .2-acre site with a vacant 9,000 SF retail building which was previously Navarro Discount Pharmacy for $6.8 million in December 2021.

Miami Design District Becomes The First Neighborhood In The World To Achieve LEED Gold Certification

The Miami Design District has achieved the prestigious LEED Gold certification, becoming the first neighborhood in the world to achieve the Gold level (LEED ND: Built v4 Gold). Miami Design District marks the third neighborhood in the world to achieve LEED certification, which means “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design,” for Neighborhood Development (version 4 Built). The trendy, luxury shopping, art and entertainment enclave is setting the bar for sustainable development in communities across the country.

Miami Design District is home to a number of luxury fashion houses, art galleries, fine dining experiences, and cafés. The open-air, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood, known for its many distinct and artistic façades, notably boasts a highly energy-efficient infrastructure.

Amongst the many sustainability aspects of the neighborhood’s redevelopment focus, several to highlight include: the re-infiltration of rainwater and restored natural hydrology made possible by the additions of expansive vegetated and high-albedo white roofs and tree-shaded streets, enhanced walkable streets and pedestrian walkways that promote community connectivity and encourage visitors to spend more time outdoors, and the integration of innovations from other Green Building Standards, including the WELL's feature "Beauty and Mindful Design," which incorporates different design elements and artwork that lend to a more calming environment.

In 2011 Island Planning Corporation (IPC) was brought in by DACRA and L Catterton Real Estate to design the Landscape Masterplan for the neighborhood. Miami Design District was inspired by the worlds leading shopping districts including Fifth Avenue and Rodeo Drive. IPC helped to establish a sophisticated visual continuity throughout the neighborhood, with mature canopy-covered streets and walkways, sculptural specimen trees, and extensive rooftop gardens.

Spinnaker Group, one of the most respected leaders in the green-building movement, provided LEED for Neighborhood Development consulting and energy modeling for this distinctive project, marking the neighborhood’s 4th earned LEED certification. Spinnaker Group also provided LEED Consulting, Building Commissioning and Energy Modeling for three other landmark projects within the Miami Design District including the Garden Building, featuring an intensive rooftop garden lounge designed by Island Planning Corporation (LEED Gold certified in 2013) - Palm Court, featuring underground parking to allow for a large open courtyard above for pedestrians and artwork, such as the Buckminster Fuller’s futuristic Fly’s Eye Dome (LEED Gold certified in 2015) - and most recently, Paradise Plaza, featuring intensive green roofs and underground parking with a large plaza above for pedestrians and artwork (LEED Gold certified in 2020).

Bentley Motors And Dezer Development Reveal Bentley Residences In Sunny Isles Beach

Dezer Development, a leading real estate developer in South Florida, is pleased to announce its exclusive partnership with Bentley Motors to develop the first ever Bentley-branded luxury residential tower in the world, Bentley Residences. Standing at 749 feet and over 60 stories high, the Sunny Isles Beach building will be the tallest residential tower on a beachfront in the United States.

Designed by the world-renowned architectural firm Sieger Suarez Architects, known for its work on Dezer Development’s Porsche Design Tower and Residences by Armani/Casa, Bentley Residences will contain 200+ luxury apartments built for residents who expect the very best in design and quality.

The Bentley design team has collaborated with Dezer on the exterior and interior of the building, translating Bentley’s luxury design to the residential experience. Each residence will include an in-unit multi-car garage, allowing for cars to be securely stored alongside the apartment – the ultimate statement in exclusivity and privacy. The patented car elevator is a prominent and luxurious feature for any car enthusiast.

Homes in the Bentley Residences will feature a private balcony, pool, sauna and outdoor shower. Other amenities will include a gym, pool, spa, cinema, whisky bar, restaurant and lounge, cabanas and beautifully landscaped communal gardens.

The innovative design of the Bentley Residences will offer unique ocean and bayside views, thanks to the building’s cylindrical form and floor-to-ceiling windows. The tower will be designed to inspire new ways to embrace space and connect to the stunning surrounding environment.

“The modern and progressive brand identity of Bentley Residences is at work in both the tower’s interior and exterior spaces, rooted in authenticity and innovation. We’ve partnered with Dezer to create a living experience that expresses the very philosophy of the Bentley brand and stays true to our vision of inspiring extraordinary journeys,” said Adrian Hallmark, CEO of Bentley Motors.

“Partnering with Bentley Motors, a true global luxury brand, and being able to create another first in the Miami marketplace is an extraordinary opportunity,” added Gil Dezer, President of Dezer Development. “We’ve been instrumental in changing the face and value of the South Florida real estate industry through the introduction of brand partnerships. With Bentley Motors, we will create something inspiring, powerful and iconic – a true game-changer when it comes to luxury living.”

The development is keenly focused on luxury living in a sustainable environment. The building is being designed in accordance with the Florida Green Building Council (FLGC) certification and other environmental regulations to protect the local environment and minimize the impact of the development on local wildlife. Further, environmentally-safe building materials will be used, and reduced coastal lighting implemented to protect endangered sea turtles. The tower will be designed and engineered to reduce energy consumption.

Construction on Bentley Residences is estimated to begin in early 2023 with completion expected in 2026.

For more information about Bentley Residences, private showings or purchasing/ leasing information please fill out the form below:

PROFILE Exclusive: Inside The Mind Of Kobi Karp, Designing For The Future By Remembering South Florida's Culturally Rich Past

Kobi Karp’s restoration design techniques have contributed to a renaissance in one of the United States’ most iconic neighborhoods, Miami Beach’s Art Deco District, which is internationally recognized around the world for its culture, lifestyle and architecture. Kobi has designed everything from large-scale, high-rise condominium and hospitality projects to intimate, small-scale low-rise residential and commercial structures. Over the past three decades Kobi has garnered international acclaim and been selected to spearhead numerous resort projects, growing his firm to service projects in the Caribbean, Black Sea region, and the Middle East. His projects in South Florida include Four Seasons Surf Club, One Hotel Miami Beach, Palazzo Del Sol on Fisher Island, The Cadillac Hotel, and 2000 Ocean, amongst many others. Despite his fast-paced, busy schedule and lifestyle we were able to catch-up with Kobi between his work on his current projects including The Raleigh Hotel in Miami Beach and Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale, to get inside the mind of one of Miami’s most prolific and iconic architects:

---

PROFILEmiami: Can you tell us about your background? Where did you grow up?

Kobi: I was born in 1962 in Israel. When I was 11 years old, my family moved to Minneapolis, MN. That was a bit of a change, but it was good to grow up in the Midwest. It was a different time. The Midwest in the 1970’s was a cool place, and Israel in the 60’s was also a cool place. We were outdoor kids and we grew up in nature. The environment, whether it is in the Middle East, which is more desert, or Minneapolis, is radically different. In Minnesota you go ice fishing, ride the toboggan, play pond hockey, and you become part of the environment. In Minnesota if you don’t play hockey or you don’t ski, there is nothing to talk about. All sports were part of our daily, ongoing life. That is how I grew up.

PROFILEmiami: When and how did you first get involved in architecture?

Kobi: I was also artistic, and I liked history a lot. History and the art came together in a nice way when I started to study buildings, art and statues. I was also good at drawing, which is what I enjoyed. Later that became urban planning, but not knowing at the time that it was architecture. That led to studying architecture and environmental design at the University of Minnesota, which later led to me receiving a degree in environmental design and architecture. It gave me an opportunity to see the world in a different light and the opportunity to see how people lived. I also lived in Alaska, and began thinking about how eskimos live in igloos versus how people live in trailer homes versus tents. That gave me an ability to deal with people on a completely different level.

When I came to Florida in 1988, that was the Miami Vice and Scarface days, a little bit different than it is today. I worked in the Caribbean. I lived and worked in St. Lucia, in Grenada, in Turks & Caicos, and Bahamas, where I worked on all-inclusive resorts, which were luxury, but at the time, did not have good phones and mail compared to today. The environment played a big role in my development. Florida is the only tropical climate we have in the lower 48 states, compared to my previous past living in Alaska, Minnesota, and Israel. The experience gave me a contradiction. For example, the contradiction made me appreciate the coconut which falls and floats in the ocean and you can drink it, or eat it. It gave me the ability to understand the world we live in in a broader, more correct fashion. It gave me the opportunity to understand the world for what it really is.

Architecture for me is a backdrop to the environment. It is a backdrop to the landscaping, to the mountains, to the river, to the beaches. I don't care who you are, you are a part of your environment. That is what I take as inspiration on a daily basis and try to do with my design in the buildings. I use the environment, the buildings that were built before us in our community, the historical buildings and historical environment as a cantilever, the point of thought and discussion.

PROFILEmiami: What are some of the elements of design that you have brought to Miami?

Kobi: When I designed a building called the Caribbean Condominium in Miami, which was on the ocean, we used the historical building to welcome you when you walk in. We did the same thing at the 1Hotel in South Beach—we restored the existing building and welcome you into the property via the original building. We do it in other locations more strongly, for example in The Four Seasons at the Surf Club, where we restored the historic structure, and then we bring you into the new structure.

The argument is in order to understand the new, or appreciate the new, you have to walk through the original space as well. You then understand who was there before us, 100 years, 80 years before us. It is a bit nicer to walk into the old, and then walk into the new. I do that as well in the Marriott Autograph in Miami Beach and the Confidante Hotel. I try to do it anywhere I can in order to make you appreciate where we came from and the community’s history. I think understanding the history of who we are, as a human race, helps us to have a better idea of who we are individually and who we are architecturally going forward.

PROFILEmiami: How has design in South Florida changed since you arrived here over the past 30+ years?

Kobi: Design is continuously changing and modifying and reflecting who we are as society. It is dynamic, not static. At the same time, the architecture basis, the DNA, is essentially the same. Despite this, the materials and the methods that we use to build today are radically different, and I believe that they will be even more radically different in the next two decades and the next generation. The methods of construction are going to be much more sophisticated than they have been. A lot has happened in my generation, and a lot will happen in the next generation. Since the industrial age, civilizations have moved radically forward. We as architects are the tools to help evolve that environment; we are the tools that help people to live and create the spaces that we live in which are continuously changing.

A house is like a tree or a person. The tree you plant is not the tree you have 50 years later. You have to respect that and you have to acknowledge that. Whether it is a house or hotel or office building. We have to recycle it.

PROFILEmiami: Within the design ecosystem who is driving it? Architects or construction firms?

Kobi: I think it is individualistic. The people who push forward are usually visionaries. It is a minority in the population. East, West, North, South. It makes no difference. It is a minority of people. Sometimes it is the architect, but not always. In my case, yes, I push, but I seek the input of developers, bankers, institutions, operators, etc. who have the same thoughts and ideas. I work very well with Barry Sternlicht, Steve Witkoff and Nadim Ashi, people who have that kind of a thought process and vision.

PROFILEmiami: Can you explain how you developed your relationship with Nadim Ashi and the Four Seasons properties he has developed?

Kobi: Nadim was originally not a developer or builder. He brings the canvas and asks, “What can you do?” He purchased one of my buildings in foreclosure, the Capri, before I designed Four Seasons Surf Club for him. I designed Four Seasons Surf Club in a way that helps make the property successful for him, but also really creates value, and most important created value through historical preservation within the town of Surfside. Four Seasons Surf Club is in Surfside, and there was pushback to call it The Surf Club in Miami Beach, or the Surf Club in Bal Harbour—everyone has their visions and desires of what they want to be. People told me that Surfside was going to be a complete failure, it is the armpit of Miami Beach. You drive through it and it is not as nice as Bal Harbour. Even people on Indian Creek.

The Surf Club used to be a beach club for people that lived in Indian Creek. People would go to the beach, then play a little golf or party at the club, then go to Bal Harbour Marina and get in their yacht and sail out through Haulover Inlet and head down to Havana, Cuba. The minute you understand the history and how rich the history was 100 years ago, you realize that you are just a single designer who has to think “What are you trying to make?” or “What are you trying to create?” It really is the anchor of the direction of that community.

PROFILEmiami: How does the buyer differ from someone who wants to be in an urban city center, like Miami WorldCenter, as opposed to someone who wants to be in a more beach lifestyle location such as The Four Seasons at the Surf Club or Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale?

Kobi: That is a sophisticated question that must be analyzed on multiple levels. People who live in Fort Lauderdale may not have a desire to live in Miami, and vice-versa. This gives you an opportunity to really create a unique destination of a residence for people who want to, for example, live in Fort Lauderdale. The minute you understand that, you will understand that people will live in a town like Surfside if you give them the right property. People will actually buy in the building you are building if you give them what they want, even if it was desolate before. It is my duty, my responsibility to provide them with the product that they want.

In Fort Lauderdale I was able to do that. I was able to have a block on the city’s 50-yard line with great views of the Atlantic Ocean, phenomenal views to the West and Southwest looking towards Downtown Fort Lauderdale and the historic part of Las Olas and the river. It is a great location. If we have a brand like Four Seasons—which was also the anchor of The Surf Club—as well as having one of the best locations in the city, when combined it creates one of the best locations in perpetuity.

We designed Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale so that the land, which is the most valuable commodity that we have, belongs to the community. We have lush landscaping and corner parks and linear parks so that the public can come and sit and enjoy their coffee in the morning or dinner at night. Anyone can come to the building and enjoy the urban fabric of it. We have both indoor and outdoor experiences.

PROFILEmiami: What other features did you use that were unique when designing The Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale?

Kobi: We floated the building up in the air and created semi-private spaces for the hotel and its guests. The hotel guests have a separate entry and the residential units also have their own separate entry. We created an environment of privacy that gets more public and semi-public as you go around the building. We were able to do that because we made the building sustainable and resilient by taking the demand for the parking, and instead of floating it up in the air as a louvered parking garage, we buried it underneath. That freed up the land to make the public and semi-public spaces, which also freed up the building to float above the landscaped marble deck that Fernando Wong created. It makes for really nice, three-dimensional urban landscaping with functional gardens and indoor-outdoor spaces. On top of the public spaces, we were then able to create a lanai deck, which is the pool for the hotel and the residences. That also allowed us to have the pool out towards the ocean in a way that mimics the bow of a ship. The geometry of the design adds a nautical feel to the building.

We also made sure to provide panoramic views not only towards the ocean—which at night is just black—but also to the city side, which at night is vibrant and lit up. The building is pretty sculptural so it has a unique feeling. As opposed to being rigid and geometric, it is free flowing and takes inspiration from the nautical sand dunes and the waves of the ocean. It is a more environmentally sustainable and resilient building, especially as the shape allows for the winds and tropical breezes to blow around and surround the building in a gentle fashion so when you are on the terraces it is enjoyable. People want to appreciate the environment and the Florida weather. I think it all comes together to make Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale one of the best buildings to live in, and it will continue to be.

PROFILEmiami: You are now involved in the redevelopment of The Raleigh Hotel in South Beach with Michael Shvo, can you give us some insight into what you are building over there?

Kobi: Michael Shvo hired me a bit over a year ago to look at the Raleigh Hotel, which itself is already a beautiful piece of architecture that Michael already appreciates. We met there and discussed why many of the previous owners and their past projects at The Raleigh had failed. Michael is a great visionary and saw the neighboring Richmond and The South Seas Hotels, which are not the nicest looking buildings architecturally speaking in modern terms. They were gorgeous at one time, and they were designed by a great architect named Dixon. When he built them they were beautiful. Over time they changed them and different designers updated them; thus, the original charm was lost, and with those changes the original value of the buildings were lost.

After discussing, Shvo went ahead and purchased the adjacent Richmond and The South Seas Hotels, which allowed me to create a master plan known as the Raleigh Master Plan. We went to the city and explained to them that bringing back the splendor of the original structures would restore the properties to their original glory. Instead of just encumbering the development rights, which disengages the design and the DNA of the property, we created a new tower closer to the ocean while restoring the original structures. This harkens back to the way I love to design property, in which you enter the original structure and, as you walk through the building, you are greeted by the old and get a feel for the history of the property before walking into the new. In the Raleigh Master Plan, you walk through the original structures, then out to a historical landscaped garden and pool before arriving at the new tower, which is behind the Richmond and South Seas Hotels and becomes part of the environment. The new structure will in essence float over what we call The Raleigh Gardens, which allows you to appreciate the land; again, the land is the most valuable commodity that we have. You create the value of the architecture by understanding the value of the history and the land.

My job as an architect is to create and think back to our forefathers who were unique and special themselves, whether we have discovered that already, or we are yet to discover that. That is my job as a space-maker and a designer. I not only create value for my client, not only for the community, but also for the end user. The person who will spend a good chunk of their quality time at the property.

PROFILEmiami: Any last words? How about thoughts on your legacy?

Kobi: I don’t really think about a legacy myself. I think that we go through this world like sand; if people remember you, then you are blessed. I just really love what I do. As my wife would say, I would do it for free. We joke that she works in the office to make sure I don’t do it for free. My two most important projects that I have, one I have been working on for 24 years and one for 18 years, are my sons. If I can help sculpt who they are, and assist them, and be there for them, that is really my biggest enjoyment. I love what I do and do not have a reason to retire. It’s not like I want to stop so I can go fishing or golfing—if I want to do that, I go do it anyway. I get self-enjoyment by hearing what people want, and being able to give that to them. To make people happy in their homes is what I enjoy. It gives me a sense of fulfillment, and that is really important.

About Kobi Karp:

Kobi Karp is the Founder and Principal of Kobi Karp Architecture and Interior Design, Inc (KKAID). Kobi Karp founded the firm in 1996 and has been the Principal-in-Charge of design since that time. KKAID is a full-service architectural and interior design firm providing a vast array of services, ranging from the design of large-scale, high-rise condominium and hospitality projects to intimate, small-scale low-rise residential and commercial structures. His restoration design techniques have contributed to a renaissance in one of this country’s most cherished areas, Miami Beach’s Art Deco District which is internationally recognized around the world.

Kobi Karp has developed expertise in design over the last 20 years, working with a wide range of project types, sizes, complexities, and budgets. It is through this last quarter century working in warm weather climates that KKAID has garnered international acclaim and been selected to spearhead numerous resort projects. Developers and builders in the Caribbean, Black Sea region, and the Middle East have relied on the firm for their design eye and planning.

Kobi Karp is a recognized member of the American Institute of Architects, honored for his award-winning designs and buildings and he is a licensed Professional Architect in 9 states and in Abu Dhabi (UAE). His firm has been featured in renowned national and local publications based on their major contributions in the preservation of historical areas.

ReefLine, Miami’s First Underwater Sculpture Park, On Track To Open Phase One In December 2021

Miami’s first underwater environmental public art project, to be known as ReefLine, is on track to open Phase 1 in December 2021. The project will be built in several phases with Phase 1 spanning one-mile long. The project is designed by OMA / shohei shigematsu in collaboration with a team of marine biologists, researches and coastal engineers whose goal is to protect and preserve the city’s marine life. The installation will feature environmentally-functioning artworks by major international artists and designers. ReefLine will begin in South Beach and run north, providing a critical habitat for endangered reef organisms, promoting biodiversity and enhancing coastal resilience.

The project will span 7 miles underwater and attract both art lovers and eco-friendly tourists to view the underwater sculpture park via a snorkel trail. ReefLine is being developed by BlueLab Preservation Society, led by Ximena Caminos, in partnership with the City of Miami Beach and Coral Morphologic.

City Of Miami Approves Wynwood Streetscape Mater Plan Designed by ArquitectonicaGEO

City of Miami Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the ArquitectonicaGEO-designed Wynwood Streetscape Master Plan. The approval follows over two years of public hearings and community workshops. The construction will begin immediately and is funded by the Wynwood Business Improvement District (BID) as well as local property owners. The streetscape will feature the conversion of three streets to Woonerfs, which open up space for pedestrians while also allowing car access. It will also feature a green half-mile pedestrian and bike trail; landscaping designed to help combat climate change by capturing stormwater runoff, as well as reintroduce native plant species and provide shade via tree canopies; additionally, the installment of safety and mobility improvements such as new crosswalks, widened sidewalks, updated signage and protected bicycle lanes.