The original 1929 Surf Club was one of the last grand, Jazz Age, Miami Beach private clubs. Designed by noted architect Russell Pancoast in the exuberant, high Mediterranean style replete with high vaulted ceilings, immense fireplaces, majestic colonnades and all the extravagant details that have come to define the style of the golden era of South Florida hotels. Our mission as the Landscape Architects for the project was twofold: First, we looked at the landscape as a bridge from the original ornate Mediterranean Revival architecture to the contemporary, exquisitely clean design from Richard Meier & Partners. Second, our goal was to insure that even though the site is divided into separate areas for the hotel and condominiums, that overall, it maintains an aesthetically pleasing continuity and fluidity that marries all of the buildings.
The overall landscape design was created to compliment and frame the architecture as well as provide appropriate view corridors that enhance the Atlantic views as well as create a civilized jungle environment that is conducive to relaxation and the existing topography of the stunning Miami Beach oceanfront.
