A luxury 'mega development' conceived by (and named after)
real estate developer Alan Faena is taking shape in Miami Beach. Here, we
highlight the key projects set to transform the neighborhood, designed by a
star line-up of architects, artists and creative members of the team.
Argentinean hotelier and entrepreneur Alan Faena is not
exaggerating when he says he is building a 'mini city' in Miami. What started
out with his purchase, two years ago, of the 1940s Saxony Hotel in South Beach
has snowballed into the redevelopment of six entire blocks. When it opens later
this year and next spring, the Faena
District will consist of apartments, shops, restaurants, art, opera
and theatre. 'It will be how a city should look,' he explains.
Faena has a
track record of turning his utopian visions into reality. Over the past decade
he has transformed the rundown area of Puerto Madero in Buenos Aires into a thriving
oasis of luxury hotels, apartments and culture. He plans to make the same impact
on Miami Beach, but on a larger scale.
The Gatsby-esque developer, who tends
toward an all-white wardrobe and trademark fedora, approached director Baz
Luhrmann and his wife, set-and-costume-designer Catherine Martin to collaborate
on the Saxony. 'They signed up straight away, saying: "You turn what we do
in the movies into reality,"' he explains. Only two apartments are
still for sale in Faena House,
a 19-storey block of luxury condos designed by Foster + Partners (Faena himself
owns one). And a program of exhibitions and artist residencies is currently
being devised for the Arts Centre, being built by OMA. It will connect with its
sister organization in Buenos Aires. They will redesign the Versailles Hotel, which
Faena purchased in August last year.
Alan Faena was quated: Often
a place finds you, rather than you finding it. Two years ago, we had the chance
to buy the Saxony, and later a site came up on Collins Avenue [where Faena
House is under construction]. Miami is a fantastic place. It's two hours from
New York, and with its climate in winter, it's like the difference between life
and death. A lot of South Americans also come here. It's buzzing.
What made you embark on a project of this scale?
In Buenos
Aires, we have changed the Puerto Madero neighbourhood entirely. This is what I
love: to develop districts, to humanise places through urban regeneration. I
don't just want Faena Miami Beach to be interesting for residents and hotel
guests, but also for the taxi drivers who come here and for locals who can come
and shop, eat, and see art. So much talent is going into creating these six
blocks, but that can't be where it stops. The art centre, the theatre and
cabaret [both inside the Faena Hotel] and Casa Claridge [the newest addition, a
small hotel that will nurture local artists] will ensure the talent keeps
coming.
Does Faena Miami Beach have a Latin flavour?
In some
ways, yes. The apartments [in Faena House] are wrapped with huge balconies. We
call them aleros in Argentina, and they are where a large part of daily
life takes place. In Miami, you can spend 60 per cent of your time outdoors, so
they make sense. This is the first time that we in the South are bringing our
culture to the North on such a large scale. We are proud and there is a lot at
stake. I believe we have the best real estate in the city. Faena Miami Beach is
a country, with a flag, a coat of arms and heraldic symbols. It will change
Miami Beach forever.
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