design et al are delighted to announce that Kobi Karp Archtecture & Interior Design have been shortlisted for Hotel Under 200 Rooms – Americas & Caribbean Award in The International Hotel & Property Awards 2019.
Originally built in the 1930s’ as a private social club, this historic building is located in North Miami Beach. Kobi Karp’s primary objective was to incorporate the existing surf club building into a comprehensive development with new structures to meet the client’s aspirations. The project became a luxury branded hotel and private residences, including 80 hotel rooms and 100 residential units, all approximately 560,000-square-foot, five star hotel amenities; four pools; and two restaurants. This expansion was achieved by adding three 9-story high glass towers, cantilevering over the existing structure.
The desire to maintain the existing structure in its original form lead to many structural challenges not foreseen before the design process. The original structure could not support additional loads; therefore, the glass towers needed to be built around and above the existing conditions.
The overall design is a juxtaposition of historic South Florida and modern Miami lifestyle. The two blend harmoniously in its interior as well as the exterior spaces. Many characteristics of the former building were preserved, including high beamed and vaulted ceilings, arcade walls, massive fireplaces, and some of the original tile floorings. The restoration of the existing courtyard, leisure areas, restaurants, bars, and lounging areas, allows residents to enjoy a vacation lifestyle and hotel amenities in their property while hotel guests interact with locals in their hotel destination, with exceptional turquoise views of the Atlantic Ocean for all occupants.
It is exciting to appreciate the contrast of the new vertical modern buildings and the existing horizontal roof-tiled Surf club, the new structure cantilevers over the historic Surf Club which gives rise to an appreciation of the new building technologies while embracing the historic sites.
The design integrates a harmonious dialogue between the old and the new structures. Its program layout is organised in a way, so the main entrance and public spaces are the renovated structures and it transitions to the new hotel and residences. The program was thoughtful in offering something for everybody. A state-of-the-art spa and fitness centre, childcare area, four swimming pools, 40 beach cabanas, an expansive park and 965 feet of Atlantic Oceanfront.