Two MICHELIN-Starred Chef And Restauranteur Ryan Ratino To Open New Restaurant In Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale

Fort Hospitality Group, owner of Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale, today announced that two Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur, Ryan Ratino, of Hive Hospitality restaurant group’s Washington, DC-based concepts, two Michelin-starred JÔNT and Michelin-starred Bresca, will bring a new dining destination to the property’s beachfront.

Located along the prime northern end of the oceanside boulevard, in the heart of Fort Lauderdale’s celebrated coastal community, the restaurant designed by London-based Tara Bernerd & Partners will bring a new inimitable culinary experience to Four Seasons guests and residents, as well as to the greater Fort Lauderdale community.

Led and managed by Executive Chef Ratino, Culinary Director Chef Brendan Mahon, and Director of Operations Jhonatan Cano, the restaurant, slated to open in 2023, will focus on pairing exceptional hospitality with flawless execution. Taking advantage of its oceanfront location and abundance of rich ingredients, the team will work in deep connections with those who grow, harvest, fish, forage, hunt, and farm.

The culinary team aims to tear down the walls between kitchen and patron and immerse guests in a progressive tasting menu where they will age, ferment, and pickle new paths in the pursuit of dynamic flavor profiles. Breaking with traditions, each taste is playful with process and tricky with techniques at the intersection of place and possibility.

Whether in the dining room or on the lush and intimate oceanfront outdoor garden, guests will have the opportunity to order a la carte or select the signature chef tasting menu consisting of six to eight courses. Nestled within the dining room will also be an intimate chef’s table offering eight to 10 prix fixe courses.

The restaurant will complete the dining experience at Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale, the newest addition to the city’s luxury landscape in the nation’s yachting capital. Earlier this year, the property opened with Honey Fitz, an inviting café and wine bar located in the lobby also designed by Tara Bernerd, and Evelyn’s Fort Lauderdale, an eastern Mediterranean restaurant located on the Ocean Sun Deck with elegant interior design by renowned hospitality designer Martin Brudnizki.

Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale is also home to two oceanfront pools, a serene spa sanctuary, 189 accommodations including suites and hotel residences, and 83 two- to four-bedroom private residences with generous outdoor terraces with panoramas of the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. There is currently one four-bedroom, six-bathroom penthouse residence, offering a private elevator, rooftop deck and phenomenal views, still available for purchase.

In addition to Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale, the Fort Hospitality Group portfolio of Four Seasons in South Florida includes Four Seasons Hotel and Residences at The Surf Club, Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach, and Four Seasons Hotel Miami.

Fort Partners Pays Off $210 Million Construction Loan at Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale

Miami-based development firm Fort Partners has today announced that the $210 million construction loan for the Kobi Karp-designed Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Fort Lauderdale has been paid off. The loan, financed by Madison Realty Capital, became the largest residential construction loan in Fort Lauderdale history when it closed in 2019, and still holds that title today.

“With the opening of the hotel, closings well underway and only a handful of residences remaining for sale, we are incredibly proud of our team at Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale,” said Nadim Ashi, Founder of Fort Partners. “Paying off this construction loan is a very important milestone for us, and comes just as the project is debuting to the world for the first time.”

Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale features 148 guest rooms and 83 residences ranging in size from one- to four-bedrooms, with each residence offering expansive living spaces and generous outdoor terraces overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway. The hotel celebrated its official opening earlier this month, and residents began moving in shortly thereafter. Sales have been incredibly strong at the development, and now there are only three residences left for sale. Current availability is priced from $4.6 million.

"The pace in which we were able to achieve near sellout and pay off Fort Lauderdale’s largest construction loan in history is unprecedented for the area," added Ramzi Achi, Principal of Fort Partners. “Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale is a first-of-its-kind luxury development, and it’s been gratifying to see buyers recognize this tremendous value.”

Images via Rich Stapleton

Four Seasons Private Residences Fort Lauderdale Begins Closings At Record Price Per Square Foot

Four Seasons Private Residences Fort Lauderdale, the first five-star development to debut in the nation’s yachting capital, has commenced closings. The first residences have closed at an average of $2,000 per square foot, an unprecedented price for the Fort Lauderdale condominium market. Only seven developer residences of the initial 83 remain for sale as the project is quickly approaching sellout and buyers can now tour the completed residences for the first time as the building readies for opening. Initial occupancy will begin this quarter, in conjunction with the opening of the hotel.

“Fort Partners has always recognized the potential that Fort Lauderdale held,” said Nadim Ashi, Founder and CEO of Fort Partners, who developed the project. “I am proud of the talent that we assembled to provide exceptional exclusivity, design, and service in a city that was ready to be reimagined as a luxury oceanfront destination.”

Prospects touring the building can experience the luxurious interiors designed by award-winning London-based designer Tara Bernerd, and understand how Miami-based architect Kobi Karp, the mastermind behind the building’s distinctive shape, designed the building so that every residence offers views of the ocean. They can also walk the building’s private gardens, which were designed by landscape architect Fernando Wong. In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, Fernando is offering residents at Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale exclusive, complimentary landscape design services at their private terraces. Residents can work directly with Fernando to transform their outdoor spaces into enviable lounges with lush greenery. The unique service adds to the allure of the indoor-outdoor lifestyle at Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale, one of the finest in all of South Florida.

“Fort Partners is proud of the standards it has set for hospitality and residential living in Fort Lauderdale,” said Ramzi Achi, Principal of Fort Partners. “The Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences is an iconic development that has been created by a team of visionaries and will provide the best in services as well as beautiful design and exclusivity for its residents.”

In tandem with the opening of the residences and the highly anticipated new hotel, two culinary concepts will also debut early this year. They are Evelyn’s Table, an upscale oceanfront restaurant located on the Ocean Terrace, and Honey Fitz, a casual café and bar located in the lobby. In addition to offering residents a dynamic resort experience, the restaurants will bring fresh, elevated cuisine to Fort Lauderdale, with elegant interior design by hospitality designer Martin Brudnizki. Named for Evelyn Fortune Lilly Bartlett, the Fort Lauderdale luminary who founded local landmark Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, Evelyn’s Table honors Evelyn’s commitment to bringing art and creativity to the beaches of Fort Lauderdale.

Evelyn’s Table will serve coastal cuisine with eastern Mediterranean flavors, and exude the tradition of a yacht club combined with the glamour of Four Seasons in Fort Lauderdale. The design features a polished palette of blues, whites and woods, along with sophisticated and fresh nautical accents. Honey Fitz is the lobby café and champagne bar named after the Presidential yacht made famous by John F. Kennedy. It will offer gourmet coffee creations and pastries during the day and wine and champagne at night.

Amenities and à-la-carte services managed by Four Seasons include a state-of-the-art fitness center, two pools with luxury cabanas, beach butler service, signature Four Seasons spa, yachting services and a pet concierge with an on-call veterinarian. Residents also receive special courtesies at Fort Partners’ premier portfolio throughout South Florida and the Caribbean.

Pricing for two- to four-bedroom private residences begins at $4.6 million. Sales and marketing are overseen by Douglas Elliman Development Marketing.

Imagery via Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale

For more information about Four Seasons Private Residences Fort Lauderdale, private showings or purchasing/ leasing information please fill out the form below:

Four Seasons Private Residences Fort Lauderdale Passes $250 Million In Sales With Closings Set For December

Four Seasons Private Residences Fort Lauderdale, the first five-star development to debut in the nation’s yachting capital, has announced that sales have surpassed $250 million. The important milestone was achieved in advance of first closings, which are slated for this December, and signifies the strength in the market for Four Seasons-branded services and amenities and oceanfront new construction. When Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale opens at the end of the year, Fort Partners, the Miami-based company leading the property’s development, will also unveil model residences that showcase the residences’ unique combination of luxurious design, water views and private outdoor spaces.

“Fort Lauderdale is ready for its first five-star development, and the sales success of Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale proves that,” said Nadim Ashi, Founder of Fort Partners. “The Four Seasons brand, synonymous with luxury, has been known to elevate cities into international destinations for the most discerning travelers and second-home buyers. We’ve seen that here as people from all around the world— and from our own backyard in places like Miami and Palm Beach—have descended on Fort Lauderdale to own a piece of this marquee Four Seasons development. We’re excited to welcome our new residents home later this year.”

“It has been amazing to watch our vision for Fort Lauderdale’s most luxurious development come to life,” said Ramzi Achi, Principal of Fort Partners. “We worked with the best and brightest names in the industry to deliver modern, oceanfront residences that will forever change the landscape of Fort Lauderdale, and we are proud to offer buyers a high-end lifestyle that is second to none in the area. Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale has already become an icon along the shoreline, and we look forward to unveiling the property this December.”

Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale features 83 residences and 148 guest rooms designed by a team of world renowned global visionaries, including award-winning London-based designer Tara Bernerd, who led the interior design for the residences and hotel; Miami-based architect Kobi Karp, the architectural mastermind behind the development; hospitality designer Martin Brudnizki, who created the design of the signature culinary experiences at the forthcoming Ocean Terrace restaurant; and landscape architect Fernando Wong, who envisioned the grounds of the development and will also offer private terrace landscaping services to private residence owners in a first-of-its-kind collaboration. Fernando will make his esteemed talents readily available at a time when private outdoor space is the most important home feature for luxury buyers.

“Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale has created the blueprint for luxury and class in Fort Lauderdale with its first-class amenities, five-star services and unmatched views,” said Dan Teixeira, the Director of Sales at the development. “Surpassing a quarter of a billion dollars in sales is a true testament to the vision of the development and design teams to build one of South Florida’s most desirable addresses. Our success to date has set a new precedent for what’s possible in this market.”

As one of the most iconic properties within the Four Seasons portfolio, Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale is fast-approaching sellout at over 85 percent sold. The residences range in size from one- to four bedrooms, and have lured buyers for their sprawling living spaces and generous outdoor terraces featuring unparalleled views of the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway.

One of the last and most spectacular listings to hit the market is the tower’s crown jewel, Penthouse 2202, priced at $15.9 million. The 6,168-square-foot penthouse features direct elevator entry, a picturesque open floor plan and 5,550- square-feet of terrace space, including a private rooftop pool.

All residents at Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale will have access to the wide array of amenities and à-la carte services managed by Four Seasons, including a state-of-the-art fitness center, two pools with luxury cabanas, beach butler service, signature Four Seasons spa, yachting services and a pet concierge with an on-call veterinarian. They will also receive special courtesies at Fort Partners’ premier portfolio throughout South Florida and the Caribbean.

Prospective buyers touring the property and the last remaining listings this December will have the opportunity to experience the completed pool deck and hotel, elevated finishes by Tara Bernerd, as model residences designed by top industry names. Pricing for two- to four-bedroom private residences begins at $3.595 million. Sales and marketing are handled by Douglas Elliman Development Marketing.

Imagery via Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale

For more information about Four Seasons Private Residences Fort Lauderdale, private showings or purchasing/ leasing information please fill out the form below:

PROFILE Exclusive Podcast Season 1 Episode 6 Featuring Dev Motwani of Merrimac Ventures

Season 1 Episode 6 of the PROFILE Exclusive Podcast by PROFILEmiami features Dev Motwani of Merrimac Ventures. Dev serves as Managing Partner of Merrimac Ventures, a Fort Lauderdale based real estate firm that focuses on value-add investment and development opportunities. Property types owned and operated include hotels, condos, retail, office and rental apartments primarily in South Florida but also throughout the United States.

Dev is also Founder and Managing Partner of Ramesh Properties, a distressed real estate investment fund focused on opportunistic investments in residential and commercial development sites throughout South Florida. He currently oversees nearly $750 million in development projects. Current projects include the Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences, The Gale Boutique Hotel and Residences, as well as Las Olas Riverfront, all in the Fort Lauderdale area.

Dev is Founder and Managing Partner of Chieftain Residential, a yield-oriented distressed residential fund purchasing single-family homes, and residential land, primarily in the Southeast US and Texas. The fund aims to balance current income opportunities through the rental markets for its single-family home inventory, while also targeting capital appreciation in single family homes and land as the US Residential Market continues to rebound.

The PROFILE Exclusive Podcast by PROFILEmiami, the leader in South Florida residential and commercial real estate news and content, profiles and gets intimate with the movers and shakers in the South Florida real estate industry. Throughout the series we will interview and get inside the minds of South Florida's top developers, investors, brokers, architects, designers, etc. The PROFILE Exclusive Podcast is hosted by Demetri Demascus Co-Founder of PROFILEmiami and Director of Business Development at private equity group Galium Capital as well as Katya Demina, Co-Founder of PROFILEmiami and Development Associate at development firm Royal Palm Companies.

This Podcast is Presented By:

Four Seasons Private Residences Fort Lauderdale Reaches 75% Sold With $15 Million Penthouse Sale

Sales have passed the 75% mark at Four Seasons Private Residences Fort Lauderdale, the first five-star development in Broward County, amid the sale of its massive $15 million penthouse. The sale of Penthouse 2201 comes as demand for bigger homes, with panoramic water views along Florida's oceanfront, is skyrocketing.

Penthouse 2201 spans 5,766 square feet of interior space with four bedrooms, six bathrooms and 5,442 square feet of outdoor space, including a wraparound terrace. The residence offers coveted features, including direct elevator entry, a foyer with adjacent powder room, and a library located off the oceanfront living room.

Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale features 148 guest rooms and 83 residences ranging from one- to four-bedrooms, with each residence offering expansive living spaces, large private terraces and unparalleled views of the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway. Amenities and à-la-carte services managed by Four Seasons, include a state-of-the-art fitness center, two pools with luxury cabanas, beach butler service, signature Four Seasons spa, yachting services and special courtesies at Fort Partners’ premier portfolio throughout South Florida and the Caribbean. Pets will have their very own pet concierge and on-call veterinarian.

Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale was designed Miami-based architect Kobi Karp with interiors by Tara Bernerd and hospitality designer Martin Brudnizki, and landscape architecture by Fernando Wong.

With the sale of 2201, there's only one penthouse remaining at the development, a 4-bed, 6.5-bath home with a rooftop pool now on the market for $15.9 million. Pricing for two-to four-bedroom private residences starts at $3,595,000 and occupancy will begin later this year. Douglas Elliman Development Marketing exclusively overseeing sales and marketing for the project.

Imagery via Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale

For more information about Four Seasons Private Residences Fort Lauderdale, private showings or purchasing/ leasing information please fill out the form below:

The Kobi Karp-Designed Four Seasons Hotel And Private Residences Fort Lauderdale Tops Off Over 70% Sold

Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Fort Lauderdale has officially topped off, with the tower reaching its full height of 22 stories. Developed by prominent Miami-based development firm Fort Partners, Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale offers a combination of five-star service, luxurious design and homes with unobstructed waterfront views. The project is currently more than 70% sold and is slated to open later this year.

“Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale is a significant development for Fort Partners and Fort Lauderdale as it redefines this city as an international luxury destination,” said Ramzi Achi, Principal of Fort Partners. “Watching the building achieve its full height has been incredibly exciting and we look forward to seeing its elegant and contemporary design come to life as we approach completion later this year.”

Construction on Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale is being handled by Coastal Construction, one of the Southeast’s preeminent construction companies, and overseen by premier national construction management company Lehrer Cumming.

“It is a privilege to once again work with Fort Partners and bring to life this transformative tower, which is setting a new benchmark for luxury living in Fort Lauderdale,” said Thomas P. Murphy, Jr., Chairman and CEO of Coastal Construction.

A team of lauded global visionaries is bringing the development to life, including London-based interior designer Tara Bernerd, hospitality designer Martin Brudnizki, Miami-based architect Kobi Karp and Miami based landscape architect Fernando Wong. In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, Fernando Wong is offering complimentary landscaping services for the development’s residences, making his esteemed talents readily available at a time when private outdoor space is the most important home feature for luxury buyers.

Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale will include 148 guest rooms and 83 residences ranging from one- to four-bedrooms, with each residence offering expansive living spaces, large private terraces and unparalleled views of the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway. Amenities and à-la-carte services managed by Four Seasons, include a state-of-the-art fitness center, two pools with luxury cabanas, beach butler service, signature Four Seasons spa, yachting services and special courtesies at Fort Partners’ premier portfolio throughout South Florida and the Caribbean. Pets will have their very own pet concierge and on-call veterinarian.

Pricing for two-to four-bedroom private residences starts at $3,595,000 and occupancy will begin later this year. Douglas Elliman Development Marketing exclusively overseeing sales and marketing for the project.

Photos by Lifestyle Production Group

For more information about Four Seasons Private Residences Fort Lauderdale, 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:

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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.

Construction At Fort Partners' Kobi Karp-Designed Four Seasons Hotel And Private Residences Fort Lauderdale Passes Halfway Point

The Miami-based development firm Fort Partners has announced that construction at Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Fort Lauderdale has now surpassed its halfway mark. The construction velocity has put the development on schedule to top off later this year, ahead of its 2021 opening. Offering a combination of luxurious design by a world-renowned team, first-class amenities and five-star services, Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale will be the first five-star development in Broward County. The construction news is made all the more momentous by the development's latest sales update, with more than 65% of the luxury residences sold. 

“Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Fort Lauderdale is making incredible strides toward completion,” said Ramzi Achi, Principal of Fort Partners. “We are proud to deliver a five-star development in Fort Lauderdale that will redefine thoughtful design for generations to come. We are pleased to watch the Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale come to life and we look forward to welcoming our first buyers home next year.” 

The 22-story hotel and condominium development will include 148 guest rooms and 83 residences ranging in size from one- to four-bedrooms, with each residence offering expansive living spaces, generous private outdoor terraces and unparalleled views of the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway. Elegant kitchens are complete with custom Tara Bernerd-designed European cabinetry and top-of-the-line Miele, Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, while custom European vanities and select branded fixtures adorn the well-appointed master baths. 

“We have always seen a very strong interest in the lifestyle offered by Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale. The spacious residences with private outdoor living spaces, which offer an abundance of natural light within, combined with the privacy and service afforded by Four Seasons, make these homes exactly what buyers are looking for today,” said Dan Teixeira, Director of Sales, Four Seasons Private Residences Fort Lauderdale. 

Four Seasons Hotel And Private Residences was designed by an internationally acclaimed design team with architecture by Kobi Karp, interiors by London-based interior designer Tara Bernerd who was responsible for the elegant design of the lobby and private residences; hospitality designer Martin Brudnizki designed the development’s signature culinary experience; and landscaping by Miami-based landscape architect Fernando Wong. Construction at Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale is being overseen by Coastal Construction by premier construction management company Lehrer Cumming. 

“As the building is forming into its dimensional physical shape, the presence of the sculptural form is becoming visible to the public,” said Kobi Karp, Founder and Principal-in-Charge of Kobi Karp Architecture and Interior Design. “Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale goes beyond the typical residential building and will become the defining address for Fort Lauderdale.” 

Providing an exceptional, five-star lifestyle, Four Seasons Private Residences Fort Lauderdale offers an array of amenities and à-la-carte services, including a state-of-the-art fitness center, two pools with luxury cabanas, beach butler service, signature Four Seasons spa and yachting services. Pets will have their very own pet concierge and on-call veterinarian. Residents of Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale will also receive special courtesies at Fort Partners’ premier portfolio throughout South Florida and the Caribbean. 

Pricing for two- to four-bedroom private residences starts at $3,595,000 and occupancy is scheduled for 2021. Douglas Elliman Development Marketing is the exclusive sales and marketing firm for the development.

Four Seasons Hotel & Private Residences Fort Lauderdale Tabs Coastal Construction As General Contractor

Following the announcement that Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Fort Lauderdale is more than 50% sold, Miami-based development company Fort Partners celebrated the success and progress of the luxury development at an exclusive luncheon announcing their selection of Florida-based construction company Coastal Construction as the general contractor for the project with premier construction management company Lehrer Cumming overseeing construction of the luxury tower. Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis also addressed the audience, speaking to the state of the city’s real estate market, highlighting the growth and transformation of Fort Lauderdale into an international destination. Upon completion, Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale will be one of Fort Partners’ iconic properties within the Four Seasons portfolio and Fort Lauderdale’s first true five-star destination.

“Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Fort Lauderdale is making incredible strides to help redefine this city as an international destination, and we are pleased to celebrate our recent success as we progress towards completion,” said Nadim Ashi, Founder of Fort Partners. “We’ve selected the best industry leaders to oversee this monumental development throughout each stage of development, and are thrilled to welcome both Coastal Construction and Lehrer Cumming to our team.”

Coastal Construction is one of the Southeast’s preeminent construction companies and is ranked in the top 100 construction management companies in the country. The firm has a distinguished roster of clients including Fort Partner’s distinguished development, The Surf Club in Miami, as well as Porsche Design Tower and Miami Beach’s Faena District. Led by Chairman and CEO Thomas P. Murphy, Jr., Coastal Construction was founded in 1988 and has been under the Murphy family’s leadership for four generations.

“Coastal Construction is honored to have been selected by Fort Partners as the general contractor of record for Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Fort Lauderdale. It is a privilege to once again work with the Fort Partners development team, on this transformative tower which is setting a new benchmark for luxury living in Fort Lauderdale,” said Thomas P. Murphy, Jr., Chairman and CEO of Coastal Construction.

The 22-story hotel and condominium development will offer 130 guest rooms and 90 residences ranging in size from one- to four-bedrooms, with each residence offering sprawling living spaces and generous outdoor terraces with unparalleled views of the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway. Residents will receive special courtesies at Fort Partner’s premier portfolio, including Four Seasons Hotel and Residences at The Surf Club in Surfside, Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach, and Norman’s Cay, an exclusive island in the Bahamas. Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale broke ground in spring 2018 and construction remains on schedule. Pricing for two- to four-bedroom private residences begins at $3.795 million.

For more information about Four Seasons Hotel & Private Residences Fort Lauderdale, private showings, availability or purchasing/ leasing information please fill out the form below: