On Top of the World: Welcome to Sunny Isles Beach, Miami

Miami is certainly having a moment. The overwhelming feeling of positivity and possibility that pervades the city is tempting more and more tech business owners and start-up founders to put down roots here. This has as much to do with the tropical climate as it does Miami mayor Francis Suarez’s enabling catchphrase, “How can I help?” And given that the Financial Times recently quoted experts describing Miami as “Silicon Valley in 1999” and a “mecca of freedom,” things don’t look like they’ll slow down any time soon.

But where to set down those roots? The private city island of Sunny Isles Beach—aka Florida’s Riviera—is quieter and more select than South Beach, and lies halfway between downtown Miami and Fort Lauderdale. It’s attracting investment because it’s safe, spacious, and diverse.

The development has been designed for a well-traveled, cultured jet-setter who is accustomed to the best things in life—Edgardo Defortuna

While the beaches are, of course, a huge draw, so is the access to nearby natural and man-made attractions—Bal Harbour to the south, Aventura to the north and west, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. The vast expanse of Oleta River State Park is minutes away and the half-mile-long historical Newport Fishing Pier is close by, too. For big-game fishing enthusiasts, dive vessels are easily available, while spear fishing and wreck diving off the reefs allow a closer inspection of life below the glittering surface.

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This special enclave is also home to The St. Regis Residences, Sunny Isles Beach. At 62 stories, it will be the tallest project on the oceanfront, its two shimmering towers situated on a 4.7-acre (1.9 ha) plot. Importantly, the towers are residential only.

From the outset, it’s clear to see that this is a development of discernment. The grand driveway and impressive double-height porte cochère set the tone. Communally, there is a beach club, a cutting herb garden, a wellness center, private dining areas with chef’s kitchen, a cognac room, a wine vault, guest suites, spas, and a cigar lounge among more than 70,000 square feet (6,503 sq m) of amenities, and the sunset deck boasts a pool that is over 300 feet long (91 m). Children are well catered for, too—this is a place to build a home rather than just visit.

The exquisite penthouse collection is the epitome of high-style living, with amazing 360-degree views—Edgardo Defortuna

“St. Regis is a name with stature, quality, and a service level that can’t be matched,” says Edgardo Defortuna, president and CEO of Fortune International Group, an exclusive affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate in the area. “The St. Regis Residences, Sunny Isles Beach, not only has the weight of the brand, but is also developed by Fortune International Group & Château Group—established developers known for changing the Miami skyline with some of the top luxury condominiums in South Florida.”

The towers are the work of Arquitectonica, a practice that has been creating refined work internationally for more than 40 years. With an aesthetic that is modern and uncompromising, among the company’s award-winning creations is the University of Miami’s School of Architecture building, a first-of-its-kind structure that itself serves as a teaching tool. Interiors are by sought-after Brazilian designer Patricia Anastassiadis, whose interest in art, history, and anthropology is revealed in a quiet sophistication that mirrors the ambitions of the architecture.

All the residences are fully finished and have private elevators and entry foyers, Italian-designed kitchens, smart-home technology, state-of-the-art appliances, walk-in closets, and 10-foot-high (3 m) ceilings.

High-Style Penthouse Living 

Undoubtedly, the cream of this particularly elegant crop is the development’s penthouse collection. Encapsulating an entire floor, these phenomenal penthouses have generous proportions and lofty 12-foot-high (3.7 m) ceiling heights. Each offers sweeping views over the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Intracoastal Waterway to the west. Spacious terraces with a private pool and summer kitchen make the enviable alfresco Miami lifestyle a reality.

“The exquisite penthouse collection is the epitome of high-style living,” Defortuna continues. “With amazing 360-degree views, living in one of these beautiful penthouses, which start at 7,000 square feet (650 sq m), will feel like being in a palace on top of the world.”

By owning one of these rare properties, you are essentially joining the St. Regis family, which will give you access to the considerable benefits of a personal butler service to welcome you ‘home’ in whichever of the 60 resorts you may be enjoying. “This development has been designed for a well-traveled, cultured jet-setter who is accustomed to the best things in life,” says Defortuna. “The quality lifestyle and white-glove service are two important components buyers seek.”

Importance of Location 

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The right location is also crucial. Defortuna explains it has been chosen for very good reasons. “It’s just 20 minutes north of South Beach, and right outside Aventura and Bal Harbour. It has an island ambience but with international stature. All the fine dining, shopping, first-class entertainment, professional sports, art, culture, and glamour of Miami and Fort Lauderdale are only a car ride away, including the famous Bal Harbour shops, South Beach’s Lincoln Road and Ocean Drive, the Miami Design District, Brickell Avenue, the A1A highway, and Las Olas Boulevard.”

The devil being—as it is—in the detail, the meeting of world-class innovators at the top of their game has been essential in creating this notable development. From the architects to the landscapers, the interior designer to the logistics developer, every aspect has been considered to bring these tempting towers to life.

Banner image: The St. Regis Residences, Sunny Isles Beach. Image by DBOX