Last week I had the opportunity to take a “sneak peek” tour of the new W South Beach, which is scheduled to open on July 4, 2009. I have a client who bought one of the amazing beach houses, with a private rooftop. plunge pool, outdoor shower and even an outdoor summer kitchen. He organized a tour for me last week and asked me to take some photos.
Wow! It is without a doubt one of the most beautiful properties I have seen in Miami. In case you are unfamiliar with this high-profile project, the W South Beach is located just north of Setai, at 22nd Street and Collins Avenue. This beachfront complex is not only a super-luxury hotel, it is also being sold as a condo-hotel. This means that unit owners have the option of including their unit in the hotel’s program, allowing management to lease it while you are not using it.
From the moment you walk into the lobby, you can tell that the developers did their best. The design, the furniture, the artwork and even the doors are amazing. This is a full service luxury complex with restaurants, bars, clubs, spa, etc. And just by being there for a few moments, I know that it is destined to be the most popular place in town. Everything was done with the best taste and it seemed very expensive … what it is.
When I stepped out onto the pool deck, I realized how well everything was designed. There is a huge infinity pool with great landscaping and several seating areas. However, what really stood out was how well the outdoor space was designed. It didn’t seem too tight, as you can find at some of the other resorts here in South Beach. Please note that the pool furniture is not set up yet, so I am basing this only on what I saw at the time. And the fact that the pool is also on the ground floor allows for easy direct access to the beach. This is a great advantage.
After the pool tour, I was allowed access to my client’s unit. The moment I opened the front door, I was blown away. Whitewashed hardwood floors, oversized white spiral staircase, and direct views of the Atlantic Ocean. The contrast of the white room and the turquoise water was beautiful and had a very tropical feel. The interior was a bit small at just over 790 square feet. of interior living space. It is a large studio and consists of a large open living room and does not have a full size kitchen. But, it has over 1,000 square feet of decks and for those of you who live here, you know that we locals spend most of our time outdoors anyway.
The outdoor space was spectacular. There are two huge terraces, both facing the direct sea. The ground floor terrace has an outdoor shower and designer furniture, most of which has yet to be delivered. The upstairs terrace was huge and had a small pool, a summer kitchen, and lots of seating areas. In addition to this, you looked directly over the pool so you can always see the action below.
While this may not be suitable as a long-term residence, it is perfect as a weekend getaway or bachelor flat. My client bought this unit for this exact reason.
Overall, the new W South Beach is amazing and I can’t wait to see it when it’s complete. If you are interested in more information on this property or would like to see more of my photos, please email me. Thanks- Josh
