Cool Hunting

by Tamara Warren

It takes a fairytale to capture the imagination in Miami's over-blown hotel district. Hence, "Sleeping Beauty" stirs 4 December 2008 when the Mondrian South Beach Hotel Residences opens it doors. Conceived by Dutch designer Marcel Wanders, who nicknamed the property "Sleeping Beauty's castle," the one and two bedroom hotel residences overlook the Biscayne Bay, the Atlantic Ocean and the Miami skyline.

Named after the artist, the original Los Angeles Mondrian opened in 1996, leading the boutique hotel boom. The Morgan's Group has extended this venture to the East Coast with the Mondrian South Beach.

Enhanced by greenery and detailed etchings, the Mondrian South has subtle design cues from the legendary art deco hotels that color South Beach.

From the point of entry, the design language of the Mondrian is "island majestic" with 17' 6" ceilings leading to the 4,000 square-foot lobby bar, pool deck, lounge and restaurant. Surrounding gardens function as indoor and outdoor living spaces with seating areas, an outdoor bar, cabanas and a separate pool that make for a child-friendly destination. Two large meeting rooms with state-of-the-art audio and visual equipment are located on the Promenade floor with private balconies and a full service spa.

Wanders' accents emerge in nearly aspect of the interior structure. His furniture, lighting and accent pieces are found in virtually every section of the hotel. His mark is strewn on upholstery, window coverings and rugs, extending even to the bathroom. A vanity with integrated storage shelves and adjustable wall-mounted mirrors accommodates more primping than standard hotels and the neo-Baroque comes to an aquatic crescendo in the designer's signature crystal shower chandelier. Each hotel apartment comes with an iPod docking station and 42” flat screen monitors with integrated surround sound and CD/DVD player, adding to the atmosphere of technological polish.

The price on nouveau chic living isn't for the shy buyer with studios starting at $500,000, one bedrooms at $625,000 and two bedrooms at $1,000,000. See more renderings after the jump.

Mondrian South Beach Hotel Residences
1100 West Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139 map
tel +1 305 672 2662