Sometimes a property arises that appears to be the absolute definition of obscenely luxurious decadence, to practically an irresponsible degree. That's one way to describe this rental that recently hit the market at 242 Washington Avenue for an absolutely lavish $21,000 a month, in the heart of South Beach's South-of-Fifth enclave.
This first floor unit in a small residential building tucked away in the urban, dense, and rather jungly South-of-Fifth part of South Beach has a lot of the privacy-oriented benefits of a house while being part of a condo building. Yes, you have people living above and next to you, but with your own sidewalk-facing entrance and two private terraces, it doesn't really feel like it.
The Continuum, that gigantic duo of residential towers at the southern point of South of Fifth, with its hundreds of units, acres of grounds, and oodles of amenities, is embarking on a multimillion-dollar renovation of its long entrance drive, which ascends two levels from the street to the main entrance, and will include the two roundabouts, the gatehouse, new pavers, a new fountain, and extensive landscaping. ArquitectonicaGEO, the landscape architecture arm of Miami megafirm Arquitectectonica, is handling the reno.
A few years ago. architect Rene Gonzalez designed the interiors and build-out of Unit 3701 at Icon South Beach for Ion Varouxakis, a Greek shipping magnate (yes, yes, that's a very Greek thing to be) who wanted an apartment modeled after his historic sailing yacht.
The privately owned public park at first street and Collins Avenue in South Beach continues to be locked and closed to the public almost a year after an article appeared on the Big Bubble questioning why it was closed. I don't think it officially has a name, but I call it One Ocean Park.
Louver House, a low-rise urban infill (okay, more of a mid-rise in the context of South Beach) condo South-of-Fifth recently topped off and its developers are holding a little topping off party very soon. It was designed by the fabulous local architect Rene Gonzalez. The party's on the roof of the building, which is still very much under construction. No I'm not saying when. It's a private party, so keep your hoi-paloi ass at home.
