Miami vibe: Armani/Casa launches first US homes in sailboat-shaped Miami tower
There are stellar names in Miami’s property world, too. The Twenties pastel-perfect Art Deco buildings on South Beach have been matched by high-rise masterpieces from modern architects including Lord Foster and the late Zaha Hadid, while designers including Armani and Missoni are turning their talents from fashion to interiors.
“We believe in branding with real depth, not just putting a name to something as a gimmick,” says Jorge Perez, chairman and founder of The Related Group, one of South Florida’s largest developers.
“The Miami market is aspirational and international and our South American and European buyers feel at ease with certain brands.”
ITALIAN STYLE
Related and Dezer Development are working with Italian fashion supremo Giorgio Armani on Residences by Armani/Casa, a 60-storey tower in Sunny Isles 30 minutes north of central Miami and 20 minutes south of Fort Lauderdale.
Built to resemble a sail rising from the ocean, the beachfront building will have 308 homes, an extraordinary 35,000sq ft of amenities including a gym, spa, pools, wine cellars and even a cinema, along with beautiful coastal views.
This is Armani’s first US property project and joins Armani/Casa Dubai and Milan. Prices for the two- to four-bedroom homes of 1,400sq ft to 4,200sq ft started from £970,000, with three-bedrooms now from £2.6 million.
Residences by Armani/Casa will be finished next year and is 75 per cent sold, including one of two penthouses at £12.5 million.
Homes have big balconies, wonderful marble bathrooms and fabulous kitchens. The quality is unmistakably high. They are for sale through Aylesford International and Sphere Estates.
“Effective branding is not just slapping a name on a building,” says Gil Dezer of Dezer Development. “Armani and his team are working on every aspect of this building. Their influence can be seen in the curved walls, the textiles, finishes and furniture.”
Dezer has a strong track record with branded properties in Sunny Isles. He recently completed the Porsche Tower where a lift delivers owners and their cars to their individual apartments. The penthouse sold for £18.62 million, a record for Sunny Isles.
“Three of Miami’s most desirable neighbourhoods — Golden Beach, Bal Harbour and Aventura — surround Sunny Isles,” says Dezer. “Miami is now a world-class city with excellent museums, art galleries and the annual Art Basel Miami Beach and the Boat Show. Property prices have trebled since 2009 and the quality of luxury homes has risen steeply.”
NEAR THE CITY’S BEACHES
Once down-at-heel, Edgewater is another much-changed Miami district. Its wide, well-lit pavements and proximity to the Design District, Downtown and the beaches have made it a hit with younger residents.
“No area of Miami is unchanged over the last eight years,” says Carlos Rosso, president of The Related Group. “Edgewater is a cool, safe area full of affordable homes that rent well and property prices are 30 per cent cheaper on average than Brickell.”
Hyde Midtown is a completed Related development in Edgewater with 410 one- to three-bedroom condos over a new hotel. A one-bedroom home of 790sq ft priced £360,000 has monthly service charges of £410 and would achieve a long-term rental of around £1,700.
Good facilities include a tennis court, public lounges, rooftop bar, pool and gym, while carefully chosen artwork in public spaces reflects the youthful vibe. “Downtown Miami has a population of 400,000 with an average age of 35,” says Rosso. “Millennials want this urban lifestyle.”