Raffles Selects Coconut Grove for Its First Standalone Residences, With 35 Homes From $4.5 Million

Raffles Hotels & Resorts is bringing its first standalone residential development to Coconut Grove. Announced October 29, Raffles Residences Coconut Grove is planned as a collection of 35 private residences at 2545 South Bayshore Drive, with prices starting at $4.5 million. Mast Capital and BH Group are developing the project with the Accor hospitality brand.

Brandon Haw Architecture is leading the design for the Biscayne Bay address. Haw established his practice in 2014 after 26 years at Foster + Partners, where he directed the firm’s U.S. operations. The project will include a limited penthouse offering, according to the development team.

The announced collection spans two- to 4.5-bedroom residences, with sales anticipated to launch this fall. Douglas Elliman Development Marketing is handling exclusive sales and marketing, led by sales director Matthew Chook alongside Lourdes Alatriste, Jennifer Goldstein and Jorge Sanchez.

The Coconut Grove development extends Raffles’ residential business through a property dedicated entirely to private ownership. Its North American debut, Raffles Boston, combined a hotel with residences; the Miami project will introduce the brand’s first standalone residential model. Accor One Living is supporting the development, design and operation of the community.

“At this scale, the Raffles philosophy of hospitality can be experienced on a deeply personal level,” said Isaac Toledano, Founder of BH Group. The developers describe a service approach tailored to individual homeowners and their daily routines, bringing Raffles’ hospitality identity into a residential setting.

Owners will also have access to the Accor Ownership Benefits Program. According to the announcement, benefits include global VIP recognition, Elite membership in the ALL Accor loyalty program and preferred rates across participating Accor hotels and resorts.

Renderings: DBOX/Raffles Residences Coconut Grove.

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Miami Developer Gregg Covin Announces Plans For Fairmont Hotel Branded Residences

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, part of world leading hospitality group Accor, in partnership with Gregg Covin, notable Miami real estate developer, announced the signing of definitive agreements for the development and management of the first luxury branded residential offering in the Blue Ridge Mountain region of North Carolina - Fairmont Heritage Place - The Cedars, Hendersonville. Set to debut in 2025, the residences will build upon The Cedars’ legacy as a significant landmark while ushering in a new era of contemporary design, outstanding amenities and engaging service infused with local culture and premier hospitality.

Fairmont Heritage Place - The Cedars, Hendersonville will join an exclusive collection of extraordinary Fairmont-branded residences worldwide, offering private ownership with the option to participate in a rental program. Owners will enjoy all the benefits of owning a home with singular access to luxurious amenities and world-class services at Fairmont’s legendary hotels and resorts.

“We are pleased to announce the addition of Fairmont Heritage Place - The Cedars, Hendersonville, the first Fairmont-branded residences in North Carolina. For over a century, Fairmont has been intrinsically tied to the communities the brand calls home and committed to the stewardship of landmark hotels, restoring and preserving historic buildings with great care,” said Heather McCrory, CEO, Accor North & Central America. “A rare opportunity to own a piece of one of the Blue Ridge Mountain region’s most celebrated national buildings, The Cedars will be the most luxurious branded residential offering in the state. We are proud to add The Cedars iconic landmark to our rapidly growing luxury portfolio and continue its legacy for years to come.”

Fairmont Heritage Place – The Cedars, Hendersonville, a 127-unit luxury residential community, is set to transform the mountain city that has become the preferred second-home destination for generations of South Floridians and Northeasterners, due to its central East Coast setting and friendly outdoor culture. The 3.55-acre development includes a magnificent restoration of the original Antebellum grand hotel, which sits on the National Register of Historic Places, as the focal point. Two new six-story, mid-rise buildings will be comprised of studios, 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units and stunning penthouses, all with sprawling terraces and impressive mountain views. Prices are expected to range from USD $400,000 to USD $3.8 million.

The Cedars hotel was originally built in 1914 in Neo-Classical Revival style for Jeannie Bailey, whose husband, railroad tycoon J.W. Bailey, headed Southern Railway at the time. Just a few years prior, Theresa Fair Oelrichs and her sister, Virginia Fair Vanderbilt, debuted the first Fairmont hotel in San Francisco in honor of Nevada Senator and mining magnate, James Graham Fair. The historic similarities made for a harmonious union between The Cedars and Fairmont brand.

In 1976, the property was acquired by Clifton Shipman, great grandfather of Gregg Covin’s children. Covin began exploring the property’s potential in 2018 and has since partnered with the Shipman family and Brian M. Gaines to make his vision a reality.

“My family grew up at The Cedars and there is no better time to welcome the next generation to discover and feel at home in Hendersonville. Fairmont brings decades of experience restoring historic properties to their former grandeur and will deliver a level of sophistication the market has been waiting for while complementing the region’s inviting culture,” said Gregg Covin, Developer. “Fairmont Heritage Place - The Cedars responds to increasing desires for second-home ownership in Western North Carolina. Market studies show less than two months’ supply of available housing inventory, with demand outnumbering supply”.

The property will bring a new level of luxury, unforgettable experiences and outstanding service to the Blue Ridge Mountain region known for its beautiful scenery, rich culture and history, and welcoming community. Situated two blocks from the historic Main Street, the residences will be the new home to many of the area’s five-star amenities, offering an exceptional cuisine and beverage program appealing to owners, guests and locals, including a signature restaurant, a lobby bar and a specialty café. Additional property features will include flexible meeting and events space; an expansive wellness center with spa, multiple swimming pools and fitness center; a cooking school; a multifunctional family room; and retail space. Residents and guests have access to nearby private club with Tom Fazio-designed Champion Hills Golf Club. All of the area’s popular destinations are located within a 30 minute radius of Hendersonville, including Downtown Asheville, The Biltmore Mansion, the Asheville Regional Airport, the Blue Ridge Parkway and both Pisgah National and Dupont State Forests.

In addition to onsite privileges, Fairmont-branded residence owners are invited to join the Accor Ownership Benefits Program, presenting them with an invitation to join Diamond status in ALL-Accor Live Limitless, with access to a VIP reservation desk, and special residence owner rates at more than 5,000 Accor hotels and resorts worldwide.

Established in 1907, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has built beacons of hospitality, magnificent architecture and service in extraordinary destinations; playing a significant role in shaping the social fabric of each location. Renowned for creating unforgettable grand hotels and residences in the heart of each destination, Fairmont was a natural match to continue the next era in The Cedars’ longstanding history. With more than 80 locations around the globe, and several under development, the Fairmont brand boasts some of the most renowned hotel and residential addresses in the world, such as The Plaza, a Fairmont Managed Hotel in New York City, The Savoy in London, Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont Banff Springs in Canada, Fairmont Heritage Place Mayakoba in Mexico, and the recently reimagined Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles, among others.

Fairmont is part of Accor, the second-largest operator of luxury hotels in North America and a leading hospitality group worldwide. Fairmont Heritage Place - The Cedars, Hendersonville joins an expanding list of highly anticipated openings in Accor North & Central America’s growing portfolio, including Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo Panama in 2022, Raffles Boston Back Bay Hotel & Residences in 2023, Fairmont La Paz Puerta Cortés Resort and Residences in 2023, Mayaliah Tulum Hotel & Residences – MGallery Hotel Collection in 2024, Fairmont Orlando and Fairmont Phoenix in 2025, among others.

Mondrian South Beach Celebrates Reopening Revealing $20 Million Renovation And Baia Beach Club

The Mondrian South Beach has reopened, revealing its $20 million renovation and Baia Beach Club. The 220-room hotel, which is located at 1100 West Ave. in Miami Beach, recently completed a complete renovation including lobby, pool area, gym, spa, restaurant, event space, common areas and guest rooms. The renovation was designed by Peter Oleck and Danny Cubes of OS Design Group. The Mondrian South Beach also revealed the Baia Beach Club, a members-only club located within the hotel which is overseen by LDV Hospitality. Baia Beach Club offers a new dining concept, multiple areas for dining and entertainment throughout, seaside cabanas and pavilions, boat dockage, access to a full-service wellness facility, a fitness center, curated programming, and exclusive member-only events.

“Since partnering with Russell Galbut, I knew this property deserved a complete makeover. As the audience of the hotel grows up, so should the property. Whether visiting as a Baia Beach Club member, dining at our bayfront restaurant or staying in one of our new guest rooms, Mondrian South Beach will be a new and exciting experience for all,” said Mondrian South Beach co-owner Michael Liebowitz, CEO and founder of Harbor Group Consulting.

The Mondrian South Beach was originally designed by Marcel Wanders and first opened in 2008. In December 2019 Michael Liebowitz acquired 50% of co-owner Russell Galbut’s stake in the hotel for an undisclosed amount.

Mondrian South Beach is one of five hotels worldwide carrying the Mondrian name, which as launched in 1996 by SBE. Other Mondrian hotels currently include Los Angeles, New York, Doha and Seoul, with future locations opening in Bordeaux and Cannes in 2021. In November 2020 Sam Nazarian’s sold the remainder of his 50% stake in SBE Entertainment Group to the Paris-based Accor, who had previously acquired an initial 50% stake in the company in 2018. The acquisition included a $300 million investment from Accor who will take ownership of all hotel operations including Mondrian, SLS and Delano hotel brands. Nazarian will focus on food and beverage operations through SBE’s Disruptive Restaurant Group.