Fashion Branding Sets the Scene for World-Class Living Spaces

Miami real estate rules when it comes to trend-setting luxury living. Residential and mixed-use buildings literally reach new heights enriched by essential conveniences and exceptional amenities. A recognizable brand name completes a property’s identity and draws people in to the condominium lifestyle.

Looking back over the decades, the names of South Florida residential developments – and Miami Beach hotels –  reflect their era. Spanish, Italian and French phases gave way to scenic and arty descriptive monikers followed by the cachet of still popular numbered addresses. Branding ramped up as some of the world’s leading "starchitects" arrived in Miami to design inventive, cutting-edge structures.

The trend for projects associating great development with great names continues, but it is expanding from famed architects to pairing with internationally recognized luxury lifestyle brands. The Aston Martin Residences, Porsche Design Tower, Armani/Casa Residences, Fendi Chateau, Diesel Wynwood and Missoni Baia all attract discerning buyers to their respective versions of upscale residential living in greater Miami.

Missoni Baia at 0700 NE 26th Terrace in Edgewater, soon to be topped off, is anticipating completion by the end of the year. The Italian fashion house is partnering with developer OKO Group in the 57-story tower designed by Hani Rashid of Asymptote Architecture.

“It’s very important that people identify with the name and relate to its association with luxury and lifestyle,” said Kari Fernandez, VP of Sales at Fortune Development Group, a project partner. “Buyers recognize Missoni for its sophistication and bold style in playful, colorful, eye-catching fashion and furnishings.”

The company’s distinctive color palette will be reflected in the tower’s décor, including its public spaces and amenity areas. The interiors by New York City-based design firm Paris Forino under the direction of Missoni contrast authentic Italian style with the minimalistic design of the building.

Missoni Baia’s glass-walled tower will offer panoramic water and city views from floor-to-ceiling windows and private deep-set terraces in each of the 249 residences. Amenities include the Bayside Deck with cabanas, five separate pools including an Olympic-sized swimming pool and a cantilevered infinity pool, one of Miami’s largest private spas and an elevated tennis court. Units range from one- to five-bedroom layouts measuring between 776 and 3,788 sq. ft., priced from $600,000 for 1-bedroom residences up to $10 million for two penthouses.

Fernandez sums up the new real estate trend thusly: “Brand names enhance the perception of buyers as a legacy that translates into a valuable, enduring connection to development.”

New Condos on Biscayne Boulevard

The long vacant Lear School land next to the Jockey Club at 11295 Biscayne Blvd. may finally see some development. Integra Investments has submitted plans for Biscayne Shores, a residential tower and townhome community on the 8.55 acre site. A 15-story tower will have 264 apartments above three floors of parking screened by 11 townhomes. There will also be 105 two-story townhomes elsewhere on the site. This project is not to be confused with the name of an existing apartment complex in Miami Shores.

Neighborhoods to Know

Plenty is cooking in Wynwood. What? Reporting on Wynwood again? Yes! Wynwood continues to be one of the Biscayne Corridor’s most active development hot spots for people to live, work and play. Transformation of the formerly derelict industrial warehouse district into a vibrant internationally recognized arts destination with thousands of new residents and half a million square feet of office projects is ongoing. A recent influx of eateries – 11 notable restaurants in the last three months – add to the area’s luster.

According to Albert Garcia, co-founder and chairman of the Wynwood Business Improvement District (BID) which was created in 2013, the changes didn’t happen overnight.

“It was a herculean task to make the neighborhood clean and safe with improved street lighting and police presence,” he said, adding that BID set progress in motion with a special taxing district so that money stayed in the neighborhood and allowed owners to take control of their destiny.

“We always contemplated Wynwood as a neighborhood and not just a tourist attraction which has its ups and downs,” said Garcia. “For real sustainability we want to keep the scale of our 50 city blocks so it always feels comfortable for people walking. Foot traffic is our lifeblood!”

New buildings in the heart of Wynwood are restricted to five to eight stories with 12 stories permitted on the perimeter. The BID has released a streetscape master plan for the next 20 years which gives priority to pedestrians by widening sidewalks, creating crosswalks and directional signage, and more open space.

In response to COVID-19, Wynwood restaurants last year pivoted successfully from delivery to expanded outdoor dining areas on streets and parking places. This brought people back to the neighborhood and showed that there was a strong market of patrons even without international visitors.

Many of Wynwood’s restaurants occupy preexisting retrofitted warehouses – solid, generously proportioned concrete structures with exposed ducts, high ceilings and abundant character. Warehouse space has also proved ideal for the neighborhood’s numerous breweries in the birthplace of Miami’s craft beer movement. Currently, about seven restaurants are in newer construction mixed-use buildings.

Wynwood’s popularity as a top culinary destination has led to a shortage of suitable turnkey spaces. Local and national restaurants on the waiting list may have to wait for more old warehouses and aging structures go on the retrofitting menu.

New Book Highlights Local Architecture and Design Icon

Architect Kobi Karp is the subject of a lavishly illustrated new coffee-table book from prestige publisher Assouline. Based in Biscayne Times territory, Kobi Karp Architecture and Interior Design has been creating private residences and hospitality, retail and high-rise residential developments around the world for 20 years. The new book examines some of Karp’s visionary, original and innovative work, and describes what inspired him to implement designs that make sense in the surrounding natural and contextual environment. Quotations across the book’s pages create their own self-contained mini conversations.

“Kobi Karp” by Ian Volner. 267 pages. Assouline. $175.

Quoted sizes and prices of real estate are provided for informational use only.

Helen Hill is a freelance writer specializing in real estate, design and lifestyle topics. Please send relevant news items on local real estate to contact@hhwrites.com.