Yabu Pushelberg's latest hotel project resets the notion of modern luxury
Set to open 19 January 2012, the
St. Regis Bal Habour Resort
brings the supremely luxurious service and accommodations the brand is
known for to the worldwide destination of South Florida. Designed by
Seiger Suarez Architectual Partnership with interiors by renowned studio
Yabu Pushelberg,
the property sets a new standard for the St. Regis brand. Previewing
the property last month I found a brilliant combination of materials and
patterns; the aesthetic continuity is maintained from restaurants and
reception to guest rooms and spa, yet the spaces are also clearly
differentiated. My test for evaluating the effectiveness of a hotel
brand's design language is to imagine waking up in any of the spaces—a
guest room, a chair by the pool, the spa or even a restaurant booth or
the lobby floor—if there's no doubt where you are, the design is well
executed. In this case, I'd wake up feeling right at home and never
wanting to leave.
Boasting 27 stories, housing 243 guest rooms and suites and 307
residences, the resort, built from the ground up on the site of the old
Sheraton Bal Harbour, features extravagant detailing throughout. Just a
few steps into the main hall Yabu Pushelberg's consuming style
transports you to a world of Deco-inspired modern luxury. Highlighting
the extravagance are floors of Chinese God's Flower marble sourced from a
private quarry opened exclusively for the project, mirror-laden walls
and chandeliers made of hand-hung crystals.
To further set the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort apart from the other
destination resorts in the Miami area, the hotel is defined by its
extensive collection of contemporary art from both local and
internationally known artists—including works by Japanese artists
Hirotoshi Sawada, Kohel Nawa, Miami-based graffiti artist Santiago
Rubino and French photographer Jean Francois Rauzier.
To pay homage to legendary architect Morris Lapidus—creator of the
iconic neo-baroque modern hotel style synonymous with Miami—guestrooms
echo a contemporary Art Deco aesthetic. With warm yellow and whites and
mirrored surfaces, the interior design nod can be seen in the subtle
details throughout the hotel.
