The Fasano Coming To South Beach After JHSF Acquires The Art Deco COMO Metropolitan Miami Beach Hotel

The Brazil-based real estate development firm JHSF, led by Fábio Auriemo, has acquired the COMO Metropolitan Miami Beach hotel at 2445 Collins Ave. for $70 million, roughly $946,000 per key. The off-market transaction was overseen by Susan Gale of ONE Sotheby’s International Realty, who represented both the buyer and seller. The acquisition is JHSF’s first in South Florida and they plan to renovate the property and rebrand it into a Fasano.

The property features 74-keys and was first developed in 1939. It was previously known as the Traymore Hotel. It features a beach club, a ground-floor swimming pool with pool garden, a rooftop swimming pool, gym and a restaurant which is currently Traymore by Michael Schwartz.

Imagery via Susan Gale, ONE Sotheby’s International Realty

SHVO Wins Approval To Move Forward With The Development of The Raleigh Hotel Masterplan In South Beach

Real estate owner and developer Michael Shvo, chairman and CEO of the NYC-based real estate investment and development firm SHVO, has won approval from the Historic Preservation Board (HPB) of the City of Miami Beach to move forward with the three-acre master plan development of The Raleigh Hotel. The three-acre site includes the neighboring South Seas and the Richmond, located on Collins Avenue and 18th Street in Miami Beach.

"The Raleigh Hotel is the crown jewel of Miami Beach,” said Shvo. “This approval marks a new milestone in the partnership between SHVO, South Beach and the surrounding community. SHVO will continue to honor Miami's rich history and culture. We vow to play a significant role in the city’s continued growth and transformation.”

The board approved The Raleigh Master Plan to fully restore the three properties and to unify them as one site in order to operate them as a luxury hotel and condominium building, as presented by developer Michael Shvo and his partners. The approved plan includes construction of a new 175-foot oceanfront residential tower designed by Kobi Karp behind the Richmond and South Seas.

The plans, which were submitted to the board in April, will restore The Raleigh Hotel and its iconic pool, and the historic frontage of the Richmond and South Seas Hotels to their original 1941 grandeur, conceived by legendary architect L. Murray Dixon.

Shvo and his team worked diligently over the past 18 months with the HPB and held over 100 meetings with Miami Beach stakeholders to ensure that the proposed plans would maintain the building’s original façades, effectually restoring the streetscape. Shvo describes the redevelopment will restore the existing façades “exactly the way it was when it was originally built.” This includes the removal of the penthouse floor that was added to The Raleigh in 1961, the restoration of the original façades of the South Seas and the Richmond hotels. 

SHVO purchased The Raleigh Hotel from Tommy Hilfiger in February 2019 for $103 million and later purchased the Richmond and South Seas for a combined $140 million in August 2019.

Given The Raleigh’s storied history, SHVO is committed to returning it as a cultural beacon for the greater Miami community. Last year, SHVO installed The Raleigh Gardens, an immersive and free temporary installation on the grounds of the hotel, featuring extraordinary sculpture from Les Lalanne.

Check Out This Miami Beach Home Built By Lawrence Murray Dixon, The Architect Behind the Historic Art Deco District

Miami Beach has been known for it's historic Art Deco architecture since the movement began in the 1930's. One of the most crucial figures responsible for the development of "Tropical Art Deco" style was architect Lawerence Murray Dixon. Dixon was a prolific figure who put South Beach on the map by designing the buildings and interior decor of many Miami Beach homes and most notably responsible for 42 hotels located in what is now known as the Historic Art Deco District, including the Raleigh, Ritz Plaza, Victor, Tides, Marlin, Tiffany and Betsy Ross.

One of his many works of art includes this recently listed Miami Beach home on Michigan Avenue which was built in the 1940’s. The charming architecturally significant residence features 2,730 square foot with 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. The home was recently renovated with by renowned interior designer Tomas Frenes, known for his furnishings featured throughout many 5-star hotels nationwide. Frenes was responsible for the updated design of the house while preserving the historic elements of the late Dixon's work.

The updated Lawrence Murray Dixon charming masterpiece blends the warmth of history and modern style.The floor plan is built for a seamless indoor and outdoor living environment and filled with an abundance of natural light. The home comes equipped to provide endless entertainment with a formal dining area, expansive living room and a gourmet chef's kitchen. When living in Miami Beach an outdoor paradise is almost a requirement, the backyard of this home serves as an entertaining with a heated pool and spa topped with your own modern summer kitchen. The home is listed for just under $2 million with Francisco Navarro and Sam Gaita of Douglas Elliman. 

Images via Douglas Elliman

Owner of Bâoli, Massa Investment Group, Acquires Miami Beach's Paris Theater For $13 Million

Massa Investment Group has acquired Miami Beach’s Paris Theater, located at 550 Washington Ave., for $13 million; $508 per square foot. The Art Deco building, which was first built in 1935, spans 25,589 SF. The building was designed by architect Henry Hohauser and has operated over time as a cinema, adult movie house, nightclub and film studio. U2, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera and Ricky Martin have all shot music videos at the theater. Big Time Productions was the seller after acquiring the Paris Theater for $975,000 in 1992 and first listing the property for $23 million in 2015. The transaction was financed with a $15.2 million loan provided by IberiaBank. Massa Investment Group is led by Mathieu Massa who is also the owner of Mr. Hospitality, the firm behind some of Miami’s most exclusive venues including Bâoli, Marion and El Tucan.

Image via Paris Theater

Historic Art Deco Home Renovated By Bravo’s Alex Alonso Hits Market On Espanola Way

An art deco home renovated by Bravo’s “Best Room Wins” winner and awarded designer, Alex Alonso, has been listed for $1,390,000 with Sam Gaita and Frank Navarro of Douglas Elliman. Built in 1936 by architect Harry O. Nelson, the historic Miami Beach home is listed in the National Historic Register and is a prime example of the “Med-Deco” style, a fusion of Mediterranean and Art Deco, which is found primarily in the historic area of Espanola Way. The home is located at 836 Espanola Way, Miami Beach, FL and the original Art Deco architecture was preserved including original tile floors, ceiling beams and art deco fire place. Mixing the old with new elevated style Alonso added a Bertazonni Italian Kitchen, Phillippe Starck and Porcelanosa bathrooms, custom Italian-style cabinetry and wardrobes and wood herringbone floors throughout.

The furniture seen throughout the upgraded Med-Deco home is actually from the Art Deco or Mediterranean periods, and customized pieces with upholstery were placed to make things feel more modern and whimsical. The 3 bedroom 2.5 bath charming home also features an added salinated modern pool that rivals Miami’s best boutique hotels and sits on a ¼ acre lot.

Located on Espanola Way, during the Florida land boom in the 1920s, Miami Beach was quickly becoming a scene for the rich and famous. Española Way was the brainchild of real estate developers N.B.T. Roney and William Whitman who envisioned a place with Barcelona’s flair and the luxury of the French Riviera. This area of Miami Beach was built in 1925 as a “Historic Spanish Village,” and no detail was left untouched. Like much of South Beach, Española Way lost a bit of its charm by the mid-20th century due to crime, gangsters, and neglect. It wasn’t until the '80s when developer Linda Polansky worked to revive the city and specifically Española Way. By the mid-'80s the area had become one of the backdrops on "Miami Vice."

For more information about 836 Espanola Way, Miami Beach, private showings or purchasing/ leasing information please fill out the form below:

Tour This Modernized 1934 Art Deco Masterpiece On Miami Beach Asking $5.6 Million

Skinner House, a 1934 Art Deco estate by legendary architect duo John and Coulton Skinner, is on the market for the first time since the art deco masterpiece has been masterfully restored and modernized. The home was already permitted for demolition before before Michael Raynes, a developer whose company, R Investors, restores architecturally significant homes in Miami Beach, stepped in to save the residence and restore the home to its original splendor.

“The buyer of this residence will be living in one of the most unique environments – a completely modernized, updated home with every technological amenity and advancement imaginable,” said Batchelor. “An estate of this architectural caliber -- one that so beautifully blends original designer details with modern comforts and conveniences -- is an opportunity that cannot be overlooked.”

“Not a single detail has been overlooked in the painstaking restoration of this estate,” added Batchelor. “This residence is a masterpiece – one that’s sure to be the pinnacle acquisition of a lifestyle connoisseur's collection.”

Located near the entrance of La Gorce Island and facing Poinciana Park, the two-story Skinner House features four bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms spread throughout 4,860 SF. The home offers a grand entrance with soaring French doors and a 24' ceiling. Finishes include hand-blocked wall coverings imported from France, a state-of-the-art modern kitchen with Calcutta gold marble slab countertops, and a cantilevered open-shell form staircase in the living room. The dining room features an adjoining butler’s pantry with a wine cooler and is accessed through a pair of grand, black ebonized doors with PE Guerin doorknobs. All of the bedrooms in the home have custom walk-in closets, while all baths have custom built-in vanities with honed marble plinth-style counters.

Adding to the Skinner House's unmistakable draw are its hand-selected furnishings, a number of which can be purchased in a separate agreement. The pieces, works of art in and of themselves, were chosen by the residence’s design team, collectors of important 20th century designs. Many were purchased at auction through top dealers worldwide, including a rare pair of Jean Michel Frank beds from the famed Born estate in Argentina; Fontana Arte sconces from Max Ingrand; a Jansen mirror; Jacques Adnet leather arm chairs and an oak bar; an Alessandro Albrizzi periwinkle blue desk; lounge chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar; and rare Stilnovo standing lamps. Also available for purchase are the home’s newly-made custom beds, sofas and lounge chairs, all upholstered in the finest fabrics that echo the design and personality of the dwelling.

Skinner House sits on a 12,300 SF double lot with lush courtyard and a Parisian-style garden dotted with exotic specimens and hexagonal fountain, as well as a stone drive, all conceived by award-winning landscape architect Fernando Wong. Out back is a private backyard with a natural-gas-heated pool and patio area, outdoor dining spaces, and an outdoor shower. 

6332 Alton Rd, Miami Beach is currently listed for $5,600,000 with Nancy Batchelor of EWM Realty International. 

Marriott to Reopen 1940's Art Deco-Inspired Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club, Autograph Collection This April

Inspired by European service, Marriott's new Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club, Autograph Collection will open in April after undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation (2018). Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club, Autograph Collection defines a new kind of Miami Beach experience while paying homage to Miami's 1940's art deco. Located at 3925 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, the building was first designed by Roy France, renowned for his art deco work, and built in 1940. Interior design firm Bill Rooney Studio oversaw the redesign, preserving some of the hotel's classic features such as the original terrazzo floors in the lobby. The hotel will offer 357 hotel rooms, meeting space, event space and 2 pools, one for adults and one for families. Marriott is currently accepting reservations with standard rates starting from around $280 per night for a city view king standard guest room. 

Menin Hospitality to Open Al's Diner in Iconic Former Firestone Service Station

Menin Hospitality continues to grow its footprint on Miami Beach as it has added yet another project to its rapidly growing portfolio. Al's Diner, a 24 our eatery with gourmet treats will replace the iconic Firestone service station at 1500 Alton Road that opened in 1939. The shop opperated as a car service station until early 2016. The announcement brings Menin to 15 projects under operation. Late July, the Miami Beach City Design Review Board approved a variance to convert the properties' zoning to mixed-use retail/ restaurant with outdoor café seating as well as take-out window. ARRP, an affiliate of Crescent Heights will fully restore the iconic cantilevered porte-cochère and the Firestone roof sign.