BD Hotels Breaks Ground on The Nora Hotel in West Palm Beach’s Nora District

The highly anticipated Nora District in West Palm Beach marked a significant milestone with the groundbreaking of The Nora Hotel, a new 201-key boutique hotel developed by BD Hotels, in collaboration with Sean MacPherson, NDT Development, Place Projects, and Wheelock Street Capital. This project represents BD Hotels’ first new construction hotel outside of New York City and is set to bring a unique blend of luxury and high-design to the area.

Richard Born of BD Hotels shared, “The Nora Hotel represents our vision of transforming West Palm Beach’s hospitality landscape with a bespoke experience that caters to today’s sophisticated travelers. We are thrilled to collaborate with the district's developers to make this a reality.”

BD Hotels, known for iconic New York properties such as The Greenwich and The Bowery, has teamed up with Wheelock Street Capital for the second time, following the successful relaunch of Hotel Chelsea in 2023. NDT Development and Place Projects are also key partners in this endeavor. “The Nora Hotel will serve as a cornerstone for the district,” said Ned Grace, Co-Founder of NDT Development. “It aligns seamlessly with our plan to position the district as a premier lifestyle destination, offering top-tier dining, retail, and wellness experiences.”

Joe Furst, Founder of Place Projects, expressed excitement about partnering with BD Hotels. “Their ability to tailor each hotel to its neighborhood while maintaining their signature style is unparalleled,” he noted.

The design of The Nora Hotel takes inspiration from Mediterranean and Spanish Colonial Revival styles, an homage to Addison Mizner’s architectural legacy in Palm Beach. New York-based Gachot Studios and architectural firm Stantec are behind the hotel’s interiors and structure, featuring arched walkways, rich hues, and intricate tilework. The property will also include a tranquil loggia and garden area for guests.

Highlighting the hotel’s dining scene, Stephen Starr’s STARR Restaurants will debut Pastis, a 13,300-square-foot Parisian-style brasserie with expansive indoor and outdoor seating. STARR Restaurants will also curate offerings for the hotel’s rooftop space, which will include a pool, two bars, private cabanas, and a restaurant. Additionally, in-room dining will be available, further enhancing the guest experience.

The Nora District itself is undergoing a transformation, with Phase I of the master plan underway since June 2023. Upon its early 2025 completion, the district will feature over 150,000 square feet of both adaptive reuse projects and new developments. Historic railway warehouses are being reimagined into vibrant retail spaces, celebrating art and local talent. Phase I will also introduce over 55,000 square feet of Class-A office space.

With its dynamic blend of dining, arts, and lifestyle offerings, Nora is poised to become a cultural and commercial hub in Downtown West Palm Beach. Confirmed retailers include Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, Sana Skin Studio, and more, creating an inviting atmosphere for locals and visitors alike. The district’s master plan was developed in partnership with the City of West Palm Beach and urban planning firm PlusUrbia, aiming to revitalize the area with thoughtful, community-oriented design.

Stantec-Designed Avalon Doral Residential Building Brings Modern Tropical Living To Doral

Leading global design firm Stantec designed the eight-story Avalon Doral, located along one of the main corridors of the City of Doral at 3940 N.W. 79th Avenue. Featuring a central courtyard surrounded by 350 residential units and a seven-story, 595-space parking garage, the development sits adjacent to the planned 80,000-square-foot retail development known as Atrium at Doral. Stantec served as the architect and engineer on the project.

“Avalon Doral’s design was inspired by the duality of the urban and natural environments, allowing both to exist simultaneously,” said Andrew Burnett, senior principal at Stantec. “The building’s stylish units, amenities, and proximity to the city life are balanced by the lush, tropical landscape and open-air courtyard, creating a serene environment.”

The courtyard serves as the central gathering space for residents, with a resort-style pool, cabanas, and a BBQ area surrounded by ample green vegetation. The courtyard also connects to a pedestrian plaza, bike path, and dog park.

The light colors used in the building’s faceted exterior were selected to create a modern, tropical feel, while the facets subtly change in color as the sun moves throughout the day, breathing life and movement into the building. The entry pavilion and the activated spaces use warm wood tones, steel, and glass to contrast the courtyard walls and create a streetscape that complements the adjoining retail buildings. The entrance of the building is glass that has been integrated into a small plaza and connects to the future retail development.

Avalon Doral’s residential units range from studios to one-, two-, and three-bedroom units with floor-to-ceiling windows, balconies, and modern kitchens, featuring quartz countertops and stainless-steel appliances. Other amenities include a clubhouse, craft room, gym, bicycle storage, dog wash area, and a lobby lounge that includes a bar and pool table.

Avalon Doral is designed to achieve Silver Certification through the Florida Green Building Coalition.

Stantec is ranked among the top 10 architecture firms by Architectural Record. The firm has designed numerous prominent projects throughout Florida, including Solitair Brickell; YotelPAD Miami; Bezel at Miami Worldcenter; Yard 8 in Midtown Miami; 17 West in Miami Beach; Avalon Doral; Adela at MiMo Bay; and Strata Wynwood.

About Stantec:

Communities are fundamental. Whether around the corner or across the globe, they provide a foundation, a sense of place and of belonging. That's why at Stantec, we always design with community in mind.

We care about the communities we serve—because they're our communities too. This allows us to assess what's needed and connect our expertise, to appreciate nuances and envision what's never been considered, to bring together diverse perspectives so we can collaborate toward a shared success.

We're designers, engineers, scientists, and project managers, innovating together at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships. Balancing these priorities results in projects that advance the quality of life in communities across the globe.

Stantec trades on the TSX and the NYSE under the symbol STN. Visit us at stantec.com or find us on social media.

For more information about Stantec’s response to COVID-19, visit Responding to COVID-19.

Images via Stantec

This article was produced in partnership with Stantec

MiamiCentral Station Reveals Stantec Interiors for Park-Line Miami Residences By Brightline

MiamiCentral Station has revealed the new Stantec-designed interiors of the new two-tower, 816-unit Park-Line Miami Residences by Brightline. The globally-acclaimed architecture and design firm Stantec designed the lobby interiors of the north tower plus the amenity spaces, corridors, and unit finishes of both 30-story towers, located above Brightline’s MiamiCentral passenger rail station.

“Our vision for the design concept was the refined tailored traveler that resides in the heart of the city and travels the world,” said Raed Alawadhi, senior designer at Stantec. “We incorporated dark colors found in tailored suits and the brown tones of antique leather luggage and travel bags along with warm woods, creamy neutral tones, and deep blues to create the timeless sophisticated interiors.”

The lobby interiors feature wood ceilings, herringbone stone tile flooring, and warm wood with metal accents. Open seating areas are anchored by custom leather wall panels and a dramatic chandelier with shimmering mesh metal fabric that illuminates the room. A green wall at the end of the entrance creates a focal point and brings a touch of nature to the space. The lobby lounge, which is decorated with natural hues and textures and complimented with luxury fabrics, leads into the valet waiting area, where TV screens let residents know when their car will arrive. Residents are also an elevator ride away from the train station, where they can access service to Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, with service to Aventura and Boca expected in late 2021 and to Orlando in 2022.

In addition to the lobby, Stantec designed the interiors of the amenity decks located on the seventh floor of both towers. The interiors of the north tower feature stylish lounge areas,  intimate lighting, and  dark blue and green velvet and leather furnishings. A gaming area offers foosball, shuffleboard, and a pool table while the entertainment space has a dining area and wet bar. There’s also a private meeting room and co-working space available for residents. 

The south tower’s amenity level includes a reception desk with a custom woven screen wall, a 3,500 square-foot gym, a fitness lounge with sofas, med spa and massage rooms, and a dog spa. The yoga room is surrounded by windows with views to the outside deck, known as SkyPark, which sits between the two towers.

Park-Line Miami has a total of 816 residences that include studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. The units have floor-to-ceiling windows, walk-in closets, bathrooms with chrome fixtures, and kitchens with modern Italian cabinetry, quartz countertops, and subway tiling. 

“Park-Line Miami’s thoughtful design and finishes combined with our multitude of modalities allow us to offer a living experience unlike anything Miami has ever seen,” said Najam Syed, head of asset management at Brightline Trains. “The almost two-acre private park-like setting with an outdoor track, a world-class fitness facility, and forward-thinking live, work, and play amenities make Park-Line Miami a truly unique asset. We are proud to have partnered with Stantec in bringing our vision of Transit Oriented Development to life.” 

Stantec is ranked among the top 10 architecture firms by Architectural Record. The firm has designed numerous prominent projects throughout Florida, including Solitair Brickell; YotelPAD Miami; Luma at Miami Worldcenter; Yard 8 in Midtown Miami; 17 West in Miami Beach; Avalon Doral; and Wynwood Square. Stantec trades on the TSX and the NYSE under the symbol STN.

Related Group Selects Stantec To Lead The Architecture & Engineering Of Manor Miramar

The global design and delivery firm Stantec has announced that it has been selected by Related Group to provide architectural and engineering services for the Manor Miramar residential project located in the Miramar Town Center at 1 Main Street. Manor Miramar will rise eight stories and include 393 high-end residential units, 28,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, and a 650-space parking garage.

The project’s Mediterranean-inspired design will feature elegant arched windows, terracotta barreled tiled roofing, and a main entrance whose porte-cochère is adjacent to a landscaped plaza furnished with paved pathways and benches. The ground floor’s arched covered walkways and large windows are fit to attract any passerby to the various residential amenity spaces, including a bowling alley, game room, fitness center, spa, dining areas, and retail stores.

Manor Miramar is within walking distance to several of the city’s landmarks within the Miramar Town Center, such as the city hall, the cultural arts center, library, an education facility, and a transport hub.

“The residential complex will be an important component of the City of Miramar’s master plan to transform the Miramar Town Center into a true hub for the community,” said Christina Villa, senior associate and project manager with Stantec’s Miami office. “The building’s design will complement the area’s existing Mediterranean style of architecture and the city’s vision of a vibrant main street with promenades and retail shops.”

Residences comprise of studios, one-, two-, or three-bedroom units and range anywhere in size from 420 square feet to 1,600 square feet. Seven two-story, three-bedroom units will have their own private terraces that face both the interior courtyard and pool. Construction for Manor Miramar is scheduled to begin in 2020.

By Isabella Zimmermann

CIM Group & OneWorld Properties Go Vertical At Mixed-Use Wynwood Square

Two tower cranes are now installed at 2201 N Miami Ave. where CIM Group and OneWorld Properties have gone vertical with the Stantec-designed Wynwood Square. When complete the mixed-use development will feature 2 towers rising 12-stories complete with 257 residential rental apartments complete with a full suite of amenities, 60,000 SF of office space, 27,000 SF of ground floor retail and 480 parking spaces. The development partnership was able to lock-down a $71.2 million construction loan from Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and completion is expected at one point in mid-2021.

Stantec Completes Interior Design For Muze at Met In Downtown Miami

Global design and engineering firm Stantec has completed the interior design of the new 43-story residential tower, Muze at Met in downtown Miami. Developed by ZOM Living and managed by ZRS Management, the 391-unit luxury high-rise is part of the Metropolitan Miami mixed-use complex located at 340 SE 3rd Street.

“We made the essence of the interiors come to life by merging urban elements with raw materials,” said Maureen McLaine, interior designer with Stantec’s Miami office. “Sleek metal and bold black accents were blended with stone, wood and leather, creating a natural, sophisticated design concept.”

The use of reclaimed wood, living green walls, and low VOC paints in the common areas signal the project’s adherence to green elements. The lobby is adorned with an undulating light fixture that cascades down to the white marble reception desk. A metal accent running through the dark wood lobby flooring ties the exterior to the interior, while a custom three-dimensional, floor-to-ceiling backlit metal panel screen serves as a focal point near the elevators.

The seventh floor amenity level includes a relaxation lounge with plush white sofas, polished black petrified wood end tables and decorative wooden slabs anchored by lounge rooms with living green walls, complemented by an adjacent two-story high bookmatched Calacatta Italian stone wall across the room. The fitness and wellness center offers a spa, sauna, steam room, yoga room and fully-equipped gym with top-of-the-line Peloton treadmills and TechnoGym fitness equipment.

A floating wooden staircase connects to the eighth-floor amenity deck featuring a clubroom and entertainment area complete with designer lounge furniture, large screen TVs and a billiards table. Surrounded by glass doors and floor-to-ceiling windows, residents can enjoy the pool deck views while experiencing the resort style pool with cabanas, outdoor lounge furniture and wet bar. Large custom art pieces dispersed throughout the amenity levels cohesively tie in with the raw materials and furnishings.In addition, the amenity deck features a 24-hour co-working and business center designed with wooden work pods and a separate conference room with glass doors. Other amenities include an indoor pet salon with grooming and washing stations, and a playground area decorated with custom dog-themed artwork.

Residences at Muze at Met offer studios, one-, two-, three-bedroom units and penthouses, featuring tile flooring throughout, European-style kitchen cabinetry and bathroom fixtures, a chef’s island and stainless steel appliances, including dual zone wine fridges.

The 714,000 SF mixed-use project also includes retail space, four restaurants, and an 18-screen Silver spot cinema.

The Perkins + Will-Designed Kenect Miami Revealed At Miami Worldcenter

The Chicago-based Akara Partners has revealed their plans for Kenect Miami at Miami Worldcenter. The Perkins + Will and Stantec-designed tower will feature two towers, one rising 39-stories, 410’, and a second rising 79-stories, 810’. The 39-story tower will be built first and will feature micro-units with a unit count of 450 residences and 436,258 SF of total development. The 79-story tower will feature 468 larger units. In total Kenect Miami will bring 918 residential units, 16,000 SF of retail and 1,100,000 SF of floor area. The property will also feature landscape architecture by Savino & Miller Design Studio. The proposal is currently submitted to Miami’s Urban Development Review Board.

CIM Group & One Real Estate Investments Lock Down Construction Financing For Wynwood Square

CIM Group and One Real Estate Investments has locked down construction financing for Wynwood Square as the project gears up to break ground. The loan is for $71.2 million and was provided by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation. The developers have applied for construction permits after getting the green light for water and sewer connection to the property. Wynwood Square was designed by Stantec and will feature 257 apartments, 54,000 SF of office space, 25,000 SF of retail and 481 parking spaces.

Global City Development & Asia Capital Real Estate Management Break Ground On MiMo Bay Apartments In Miami's Upper East Side

Asia Capital Real Estate Management (ACRE) and Global City Development, led by Principals Brian Pearl and Diego Procel, celebrated the groundbreaking of MiMo Bay Apartments, a 236-unit mixed-use waterfront community in Miami’s Upper Eastside. The project is a joint venture between ACRE and a large Canadian Pension Fund, and will be built on the 3.6-acre site of the former American Legion Post No. 29 building. The five-story waterfront building is being built by Miami-based Coastal Construction Group and financed via a $51 million construction loan from TD Bank. Designed by Stantec's Miami office, MiMo Bay Apartments will comprise of 236 LEED-certified market-rate rental apartment units, as well as 15,000 SF facility to be owned and operated by Post No. 29 for the use of its military veteran members. The Post No. 29 space will feature a gym, areas for physical therapy, a wellness center, and a swimming pool with services will include group therapy, acupuncture, post-traumatic stress disorder treatment, and more.

MiMo Bay Apartments is located adjacent to Legion Memorial Park at 6445 NE 7th Avenue in Miami’s MiMo District, the ceremony included remarks from Global City Development Principal Diego Procel, as well as ACRE Managing Partner Blake Olafson. Commander Robert Bellamy representing Post No. 29 and City of Miami Commissioner Ken Russell were also in attendance to initiate the ceremonial event.

“We’re incredibly proud to officially break ground on MiMo Bay Apartments and begin the process of developing this project with an extraordinary group of individuals,” said Olafson. “MiMo Bay Apartments will bring a world-class standard outdoor and waterfront living concept to Miami’s Upper Eastside, whilst being built and designed by local Miami firms.”

“We look forward to contributing such an important development in this growing neighborhood,” added Procel. “As the proud father of a Marine and recognizing the need for a community that serves the Legion, this development will realize an incredible opportunity for veterans to enjoy vastly enhanced amenities in the area.”

“Our vision for MiMo Bay is to pay homage to the surrounding neighborhood and its Miami Modern (MiMo) style of architecture, and to establish a connection between the bay and the park,” said Christina Villa, senior associate with Stantec’s Miami office. “We mixed modern and sharp angles to maximize water views from all areas including the units, public spaces and the American Legion facility. Natural fauna and landscaping will be implemented to enhance the site, blend with the park and provide a secluded retreat for residents.”

YOTELPAD Miami Reaches 50% Sold Six Months After Launching Sales In Downtown Miami

Aria Development Group, a New York and Miami-based real estate investment and development company, along with joint venture partner, AQARAT, one of Kuwait's leading real estate companies, has announced that YOTELPAD Miami is now 50% sold just six months after launching sales in June 2018. OneWorld Properties led by Peggy Olin is the exclusive sales and marketing team for YOTELPAD Miami. The mixed-use hotel and residential development, which will be the first YOTELPAD on the East Coast, is located in Downtown Miami and is slated for completion in early 2021. The development’s attractive short-term rental options without any restrictions and leaseback program offer owners flexibility. More than 40% of YOTELPAD Miami’s buyers are investors from Mexico and China with a substantial amount of investors also coming from Argentina, Colombia and other South American markets.

“Our team has sold over 18 units per month over the last six months – that is 111 units and counting. This is something we have not seen in Miami in a long time,” said Peggy Olin, president and CEO of OneWorld Properties. “Buyers understand the value and freshness of the YOTEL brand and are looking for flexibility and a prime location. Miami serves as a significant gateway to global markets and has one of the largest financial districts in the U.S. Our team was able to take all the incredible elements of this project and the Downtown area to deliver the right product for this market.”

“The realization of YOTELPAD is a major milestone for Downtown Miami,” said David Arditi, principal of Aria Development Group. “It’s the first time a global hospitality brand will offer luxury living at an attainable price point. The innovative PAD concept, with its clever and adaptable floorplans and flexible rental options, is being received with great enthusiasm by local and international buyers alike. We are excited to forge ahead with construction and bring this highly-anticipated project to life.”

Upon completion of the project, YOTELPAD Miami will incorporate three Techi robot butlers capable of delivering beverages, food, gifts, documents and more. Raising the standard for residential amenities, two robots will be available to residents and one will be designated to guests of the hotel. The robots can be programmed to speak a variety of languages, dialogues and play digital files with music and voice recordings. Other amenities include concierge services, secure bike storage, gourmet matcha bar, full-service restaurant and bar with outdoor seating and private dining, state-of-the-art fitness center, co-working space, a lounge, pool deck and pet salon. In addition, each PAD will come with a dedicated storage unit. Global design and engineering firm Stantec is the lead architect, interior designer and engineer for the project.

“As global experts in the residential real estate market, we believe in YOTEL’s new ‘live smarter’ PAD concept,” said Fahad Al-Shamlan, vice president of Investments & Acquisitions for AQARAT. “Our partnership with Aria Development Group on this project will transcend the boundaries of luxury in high-end resort destinations for the modern person.”

The 31-story YOTELPAD Miami, which is located at 227 NE 2nd Street and designed by Stantec, will feature 222 Yotel-branded “cabins” (hotel rooms), 231 “PADs” (condominiums) and amenities such as a Skytop Lounge, pool deck with restaurant and bar, fitness center, co-working space and pet spa. The hotel portion is located on floors 2-12 with the condominiums on floors 15-30. Condominium owners and residents will have access to exclusive amenities such as a 2,000 SF “Lounge in the clouds” with game area and chef’s kitchen. The high-tech units include studios to one- and two-bedrooms and range in size from 417 SF to 708 SF with top-of-the-line flooring and lighting, floor-to-ceiling glass windows, custom European cabinetry and Smeg brand Italian appliances. YOTELPAD Miami is scheduled for completion in early 2021.

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