OKO Group and Tao Group Hospitality To Launch 'Miami Members Hospitality' Joint Venture

OKO Group, the international development firm founded by international investor and real estate developer Vlad Doronin, and Tao Group Hospitality, led by Co-CEOs Noah Tepperberg and Jason Strauss, have announced a joint venture to introduce Miami Members Hospitality. Born from the relationship between Doronin and Mohari Hospitality, the global investment firm that owns Tao Group Hospitality, the two leading forces in the real estate and hospitality industries will partner together on one shared vision.

Miami Members Hospitality’s first venture will consist of a Mediterranean restaurant and club which features a private members-only lounge, expected to open in 2025. Located atop 830 Brickell, a 724-foot-tall architectural icon designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, the restaurant and the club will offer complementary concepts providing a refined experience catered to business professionals and residents of this evolving district.

"This partnership represents a true meeting of minds between two organizations that share a vision for redefining luxury hospitality on a global scale. Miami, with its dynamic international appeal, and 830 Brickell, the city’s prestigious office tower and symbol of excellence, fully leased by some of the world’s leading finance, technology and professional services firms, is the perfect setting for the first collaboration. Together with Tao Group Hospitality, we will craft an elevated experience that resonates with the district’s dynamic spirit and sets a new standard for the city and beyond,” said Vlad Doronin, Chairman and CEO of OKO Group.

“Miami is a world-class destination, and we are excited to further expand our presence in this vibrant market,” said Noah Tepperberg, Co-CEO of Tao Group Hospitality. “This collaboration with OKO Group allows us to build on our success in Miami, introducing premier dining and social experiences, and solidifying 830 Brickell as a key hub for the city’s business and cultural leaders.”

Developed by OKO Group and Cain International, 830 Brickell is a newly delivered contemporary office tower that brings a prestigious commercial offering to Miami’s Brickell Financial District – often referred to as the “Wall Street of the South.” 830 Brickell’s roster of best-in-class global tenants includes Microsoft, Citadel, Kirkland & Ellis, Marsh, Sidley Austin, Corient (formerly known as CI Financial), Thoma Bravo, Santander Bank, A-CAP, among others.

830 Brickell is part of an extensive portfolio of leading projects being delivered across South Florida by OKO Group and Cain International Their joint ventures include both luxury residential and commercial properties, such as Una Residences, a luxury condominium under construction in Miami’s Brickell enclave; Missoni Baia, a recently completed luxury condominium in Miami’s Edgewater neighborhood; and One River, a rental condominium in Downtown Fort Lauderdale.

The joint venue with OKO Group follows the success of Tao Group Hospitality’s latest Miami venture, Casadonna, a Coastal Italian-inspired waterfront restaurant developed in partnership with Groot Hospitality. Tao Group Hospitality is a global leader in premium hospitality, operating over 80 branded locations in over 20 markets. From world-class cuisine, including Michelin-starred restaurants, to award-winning nightlife and globally renowned daylife, Tao Group Hospitality’s widely recognized brands include TAO, Hakkasan, Crane Club, OMNIA, Marquee, LAVO, Beauty & Essex, Yauatcha, Cathédrale, Ling Ling, Little Sister, The Highlight Room, Sake No Hana, Jewel, and more.

Groot Hospitality and Tao Group Hospitality Set To Open Ken Fulk-Designed 'Casadonna' On The Biscayne Bay Waterfront in Edgewater

Casadonna, a first-of-its-kind partnership between Groot Hospitality and Tao Group Hospitality, is set to open its doors in Miami’s Edgewater neighborhood alongside Biscayne Bay on October 26. The ultra-luxurious Ken Fulk-designed waterfront destination spans 20,000 square feet across indoor, outdoor and bar seating, matching a sophisticated, storied atmosphere and an expansive, inventive menu designed around coastal Italian cuisine.

Accommodating up to 366 patrons, Casadonna’s Riviera-style Italian cooking takes center stage as the gentle teal of Biscayne Bay, and Miami Beach’s iconic skyline, shimmers in the backdrop. The menu features the freshest local and imported-from-Italy ingredients, with signature dishes including Crispy Young Artichoke, Royal Dorade Aqua Pazza, Bistecca Fiorentina, and a selection of handmade pastas including Campanelle Bolognese, and more. Recipes are based on classic culinary techniques found in seaside towns such as Naples, Taormina, Bari, Positano and Gaeta, yet each is presented in a contemporary and global fashion. A comprehensive crudo bar including Langoustine Ceviche, Tuna Carpaccio and Caviar elevates the aperitivo offering in tandem with traditional antipasti starters. Bespoke cocktails and an extensively curated wine cellar complete the spirit of seaside dolce vita.

“Casadonna is unlike anything we’ve ever done before,” says David Grutman, Founderof Groot Hospitality. “In partnering with Tao, I cannot wait to see our synergies take hold and for our guests to experience the unique magic we’ve created. From the fresh Italian menu to its unbeatable waterfront views, we see Casadonna bringing something new to Miami dining–and we know it will be unforgettable.”

“This is our first foray into the Miami market,” says Noah Tepperberg, Co-CEO of Tao Group Hospitality. “It’s an honor to be in such an important landmark within the city, and it’s exciting to have partnered with Groot Hospitality on this venture. David and his team know Miami deeply, and with our combined strengths, I have no doubt Casadonna is going to become an instant classic.”

Located in a waterfront landmark building that houses the Miami Women’s Club, Casadonna’s name pays homage to the restaurant’s site. The moniker’s compound elements–“casa” and “donna”– translate from Italian to English as “home” and “woman.” While the Miami Women’s Club was founded in 1900–making it one of the oldest formal organizations in the city–the current Mediterranean-revival structure opened in 1926, and was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1974. The Miami Women’s Club has been instrumental in supporting educational programs and promoting community stewardship in and around the Magic City. Its members have also helped with state-shaping policy and activism. Among their most notable achievements: The Miami Women’s Club took a prominent role in the founding of the State Federation Royal Palm Park. The Royal Palm would evolve and be absorbed into none other than what is now Everglades National Park.

“We delved deep into the history of Miami architecture and this building, and we landed on a shared vision that added the grandeur of nearby Vizcaya and the exotic allure of the Long Bar at Raffles in Singapore,” says designer Ken Fulk. “We then inserted modern luxuries and really leaned into a slow reveal of spaces, which is a hallmark of the Groot and Tao experiences.”

Spearheaded by Fulk in collaboration with Groot Hospitality and Tao Group Hospitality, Casadonna’s visual realization provides a highly transportive experience. A double-height Courtyard Bar welcomes guests–this stands in the building’s original atrium. Lush flora and a retractable roof give the space the feeling of a grand secret garden, replete with arched windows, open sky exposure and a second story arcade. As guests move further into the restaurant, with Biscayne Bay coming into view, a number of distinct chambers unfold, from The Garden Dining Room, which is designed to feel like a classic, plaster-finished conservatory, to the Loggia Dining Room, which boasts parquet wood floors, a coffered ceiling, detailed millwork, custom blown-glass chandeliers and breathtaking views of the Bay through the building’s original windows. The experience concludes at the Ocean Bar, which is composed of intimate lounges and al fresco dining areas that span the length of the bay-facing terrace. As guests move through this progression of rooms, the seductive waterfront views become more and more pronounced.

Casadonna will be open for dinner on Thursday, October 26th and for weekend brunch beginning on Saturday, November 11th 2023.

Groot Hospitality and Tao Group Hospitality To Bring Coastal Italian-Inspired Concept 'Casadonna' To Edgewater's Historic Women's Club Building

The historic Miami Women’s Club in Edgewater is set to be transformed with the opening of Casadonna, a Coastal Italian-inspired restaurant developed in partnership between Groot Hospitality and Tao Group Hospitality. The restaurant is slated to open Summer 2023 in the waterfront Mediterranean revival historic Women’s Club building, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. The name "Casadonna" is derived from the setting, a fusion of Italian words translating to "house of the woman." The restaurant represents the first partnership between hospitality and entertainment powerhouses the Miami-based Groot Hospitality, led by David Grutman, and the New York City-based Tao Group Hospitality, led by Jason Strauss.

Riviera-style Italian cooking serves as the heart of Casadonna's cuisine. The menu will feature the freshest and finest local and imported products, with signature handcrafted dishes. Plates are based around traditional recipes found in the coastal towns of Naples, Taormina, Bari, Positano and Gaeta, and each is presented in a contemporary fashion. Bespoke cocktails and an extensive wine list complement this approach.

Casadonna will seat up to 366 guests in both indoor and outdoor dining and bar areas, all of which have been visualized by the designer Ken Fulk. The atmosphere is lush, leafy, stately and golden, conveying both a nod to the site's legacy as the Women's Club building, and a reflection of modern Miami tastes. Design highlights include a tranquil indoor-outdoor flow featuring a covered, high-ceilinged atrium, iconic paned and vaulted glass windows, original gates, elaborate chandeliers and distinctive floor patterning.

Tao Group Hospitality delivers distinctive culinary and premium entertainment experiences through its portfolio of restaurants, nightclubs, lounges, and daylife venues. Tao Group Hospitality acquired Hakkasan Group in April 2021. The combined company operates more than 70 branded locations in over 20 markets across five continents and features a collection of widely recognized hospitality brands. These include TAO, Hakkasan, OMNIA, Marquee, LAVO, Beauty & Essex, Wet Republic, Yauatcha, Ling Ling, Cathédrale, Little Sister, The Highlight Room, Sake No Hana, Jewel, and more. Tao Group Hospitality is part of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (MSG Entertainment) (NYSE: MSGE), a leader in live experiences.

Groot Hospitality was officially formed in 2018 by David Grutman and is a Miami Beach-based collective of top restaurants, bars, cafés, nightlife ventures and hotels. Groot Hospitality’s portfolio includes The Goodtime Hotel, the nightclubs LIV and STORY, the restaurants Gekkō, Komodo, The Key Club, Papi Steak, Strawberry Moon and Swan. At both the Goodtime Hotel and Swan, Grutman is partners with the multi-hyphenate musician and producer Pharrell Williams and the pair will also open their first resort, Somewhere Else on Atlantis Paradise Island, in 2024. Grutman is also partners with the recording artist and actor Bad Bunny on Gekkō.