Leading NYC-based design firm, Rockwell Group, has created a storied interior for Moxy Hotels’ first resort-style property.
Melding the glamour of mid-century Miami with the romance of cruise travel to Havana, this seven-storey boutique hotel taps into the carefree sophistication of South Beach.
Rockwell Group brought its special kind of magic to the hotel’s public spaces and guest rooms, while Miami-based Saladino Design Studios took charge of the F&B spaces. Colourful Havana textures and experiential installations create a playful yet refined aesthetic throughout the property’s 202 guest rooms, lobby bar, pool and rooftop terraces.
Entry to the hotel is via either a modern porte-cochère at the property’s east entrance, or the main walkway on Washington Avenue. Guests pass through a superbly preserved art deco façade into the colourful terrazzo lobby. Lush greenery and a remarkable site-specific architectural screen designed by Rockwell Group add to this impactful space.
“Commissioned by Rockwell Group, Brooklyn-based artist Edward Granger has created a colourful ceiling mural evocative of Miami’s thriving art scene”
The main focal point, however, is Bar Moxy. An infinity mirror installation above the bar area features the phone number of legendary Havana venue, El Floridita, in a nod to Miami’s Cuban heritage. A backlit storage bar beneath a breezeway panel ceiling welcomes year-round ambient light, with a striking 8ft cut-out glass oculus above the pool area. Quartzite tables with a blend of upholstered and brightly coloured metal chairs invite guests to relax, looking out over the open-air courtyard.
Adjacent is Los Buenos – a vibrant, all-purpose taco stand and bodega inspired by the newspaper, coffee and convenience kiosks of Little Havana.
With their sliding glass walls, custom tables and modular furniture, the nearby studios act as a flexible space for guests, transforming from a conference room into an evening lounge as required. There is nothing formal about the interiors here either, with a vibrant layering of textures and patterns. Toile bird wallpaper and rectangular art deco vitrines, plus smooth leather, curved-back sofas in black and white upholstery, blackened metal light fixtures and powder-coated blue sliding doors combine to create a visually-arresting venue.
As guests approach the side stairwell that takes them to the second floor, they can meander through the lush courtyard – an indoor-outdoor space awash with coloured tile work and planter boxes. Stained-glass detail work in the floor-to-ceiling windows, metal wall sconces and vintage-inspired furniture pieces add character.
The main event on the second floor is a spacious roof terrace and pool area, which will play host to local DJs and live acts in the evenings. Tiered and lounge seating, as well as luxurious private cabanas, surround the 72ft pool, while a shower area beneath the shade of the palms is adorned with striking flamingo artwork.
As a complement to the impressive pool space, the state-of-the-art indoor/outdoor fitness centre – with stairs leading directly to Muscle Beach – resembles an art installation. Its equipment is enshrouded within a muted pastel palette, complete with art deco tilework and lounge seating.
“Recalling historic Clyde-Mallory cruises to Havana, the ‘state rooms’ feature ocean views, clever storage solutions and vintage colour tones”
Completing this impressive array of public spaces, the hotel’s rooftop offers a more relaxed feel. The large lounging pool – complete with partially submerged wire and cord lounge chairs – is flanked by daybeds for sunbathing, and even a custom freestanding screen for outdoor rooftop movies.
The open, cabana-inspired concrete roof here delivers 360° ocean views. Commissioned by Rockwell Group, Brooklyn-based artist Edward Granger has created a colourful ceiling mural evocative of Miami’s thriving art scene.
Rockwell Group drew heavily from the cruise ship experience for the aesthetic of the guest accommodation. Recalling historic Clyde-Mallory cruises to Havana, the ‘state rooms’ feature ocean views, clever storage solutions and vintage colour tones.
Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the rooms with light, with those on the highest floors profiting from uninterrupted panoramic views. Rockwell Group has maintained clean lines here through the inclusion of a seamless under-bed storage rack, while a clever system of peg wall storage offers a functional means of displaying living and dining accessories.
The main source of colour stems from the bed headboards, whose gradient of greens, pinks and citrus shades has been formed from an outdoor woven material that brings to mind vintage beach furniture.
With its eclectic styling, vibrant and distinct public spaces and artful indoor-outdoor dynamic, Moxy South Beach offers a dynamic addition to the hospitality scene in Miami Beach.
