www.PrimeMiamiBeach.com» Bal Harbour Archives -Prime Miami Beach

ONE Bal Harbour Condos, Resort and Spa

Ines Hegedus-Garcia — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:27:59 +0000

When you think of exclusive real estate and luxury living in Miami, Bal Harbour always comes up….and that undoubtedly leads to One Bal Harbour Resort & Spa. The site was home to The Old Harbor House that many of us remember from years ago because of the incredible boardwalk that leads to one of the most beautiful and secluded shores in Miami Beach. The building is nothing short of fantastic and takes advantage of endless views of the Haulover Inlet and The Atlantic Ocean.

Anyone that knows me KNOWS that I’m all about the views and that’s why One Bal Harbour Condo is one of my faves. The lobby and common areas are not overstated and I assume done modestly as not to appear pretentious but instead classy and low-key, very similar to the profile of the European and South American buyers the condo attracts.

Of course I have to mention the architects – NBWW, or Nichols Brosch Wurst Wolf and Associates, formerly (Nichols Brosch Sandoval and Associates) – known mostly for their hotel architecture and done local projects like Fontainebleau II and III, The “W” Hotel in South Beach and The Loews Hotel, to mention a few. The truth is that the floor plans work – although not as clean and simple as I prefer, I was taken aback by the framing of the views (which is major brownie points in my book). The building is a bit labyrinthian in nature, but I love the location and also the location (now you know why my kids think I exaggerate).

So here’s the 411:

Out of 124 total condo-hotel units at One Bal Harbour Resort & Spa, there are 40 units left in inventory. What’s amazing here is that the prices start at $700/per square foot and the units are totally furnished and decorated with mahogany wood floors, stone counters, leather accents, custom artwork by Jay McCafferty and Darren Waterston, plasma TV’s as well as fully equipped kitchens. The residences are either 550 square foot studios or 1100 square foot one-bedroom suites (or combo of both). They all come fully furnished and equipped and hotel rental program is optional.

Many of you will call to discuss cap rates and rental income, but as I have explained before with condo-hotels, we are only allowed to sell the real estate and prohibited from discussing economic tax benefits from rental arrangement or projections on rental income – we can, on the other hand, arrange a meeting with the party in charge of the rental aspect of the condo-hotel.

So you can own a spectacular studio starting in the $350,000’s or a one bedroom in the $750,000’s – not bad when you compare to prices in other “exclusive Miami Beach Condos”.

I love when I can share distributions with our readers – here are some rendered floor plans for you to see the flow of the residences.

One Bedroom Suite

2 Bedroom Suite

Studio

One Bal Harbour was built in 2007 and the Interior Designers were Culpepper, McAuliffe and Meaders. Building amenities include restaurant (One Blue Restaurant) • 10,000 square foot L’Institute de Guerlain Spa • Oceanview pool and beachfront cabanas • Beachside service

The Developer description reads as follows:

The ultra-chic oceanfront ONE Bal Harbour Hotel & Spa is located on teh northeastern end of Bal Harbour Village, bordered by Baker’s Haulover Inlet and the Atlantic Ocean. Almost 750 feet of pristine beachfront and world-class amenities on a spectacular five-acre site only 15 minutes away from renowned South Beach and right next the exclusive Bal Harbour Shops. Our Bal Harbour hotel offers easy access from both Miami and Fort Lauderdale International airports.

Innovatively modern in design with a curved shape and glass exteriors, our 18-story Hotel elegantly combines state of the art technology, refined and peaceful contemporary interiors, unique custom made artwork and an exquisite ambiance for those expecting nothing but perfection.”

Blog Action Day at Prime Miami Beach

Ines Hegedus-Garcia — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:22:05 +0000

This year over 9,000 blogs across the world have registered to write about Climate Change because there is power in numbers and together we can make a difference.

So how does Miami Beach Luxury Real Estate relate to Climate Change? easy, think of green products, how real estate is built, what waste is produced, what appliances are used, the “walkable” factor of your real estate to shopping and business. No matter the industry, there is something you can do to help our planet.

I have talked about Green Urbanism because it’s a topic dear to my heart and somehow it seems like Miami is distant from many of the walkable communities concept because of Urban Sprawl. I’ve even talked about Green Designer Finisher for your kitchen, identifying recycled glass counter tops. My favorite is Miami Green Houses from the past where I identify 3 Green Mid-century architects and their masterpieces. And lastly, 5 Green conscious moves for your home (anyone can do these).

Take a look at who else is participating in this year’s Blog Action Day:

7 things to consider when buying a Miami Waterfront Home

Ines Hegedus-Garcia — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 03:12:52 +0000

If you are buying a Miami Beach waterfront home, you are likely to have a boat or will be considering a boat in the near future. We are constantly asked a number of questions regarding waterfront purchases and Rick and I decided to write a list of 7 important factors to consider when buying a waterfront home in Miami Beach.

Condition of Sea wall - It is important for anyone buying a waterfront property to get a seawall inspection by a structural engineer or a seawall specialist. Inspections should include not only the actual seawall but also settling cracks within the main house, patios and pool as well as dock areas. Because most canal systems in Miami and Miami Beach are artificially made or made with landfills, the integrity of the seawall could ultimately determine the integrity of the structure of the home. Doing a visual inspection of seawalls of adjacent properties is also recommended in order to avoid future settling.

Type of waterfront property – If you look at an aerial view of Miami Beach, you will notice that there are numerous types of waterfront properties: lakes, rivers, canals with direct ocean access, canals with fixed bridges, canals with no ocean access, non-navigable canals, and bayfront homes, to name a few. Depending on the type of boat you have, you will need to consider fixed bridges (clearance heights), depth of canals, and proximity to bay and or ocean access.

There are several waterfront communities in Miami Beach that have direct ocean access but you have to navigate at idle speed for miles which can mean being on your boat for a couple of hours before you can really do some boating.

Boat Dock – it is important to inspect not only the condition of an existing dock, but also if the type of dock can accommodate your boat. There are a lot of canals in Miami with natural coral sea walls and no docks – you may not want to dock your boat next to natural coral. If there is no dock on the property, it may be a good idea to contact DERM (Department of Environmental Resources Management) about what kind of dock they will allow in a particular canal. DERM may even send an inspector out to the property in order to make recommendations.

Davits and/or Boat Lift – depending on the size of the boat, most boat owners will not keep the vessel inside the water and use davits and/or boat lifts to raise the boat out of the water while not in use. Whichever your choice, make sure to inspect existing davits or make sure the existing seawall can accommodate a boat lift of your choice.

Protection from the elements - Bayfront homes are obviously the most desired type of waterfront property but can also leave your property very exposed to the elements (weather and hurricanes). Canal front properties are said to protect not only your house but boats as well in case of increment weather. This doesnt mean that you should not purchase a bayfront home, it means you should consider location when purchasing.

Location of home within a canal – because of the intricate design of canals in Miami and Miami Beach, some canals may be comparable to dead-end streets. These canals, depending on currents and wind may accumulate debris and garbage that can become a nuisance. If a property is located at the end of a dead-end canal, make sure you ask about accumulation of debris throughout the year.

Insurance Costs – just keep in mind that property insurance costs will be higher for waterfront homes, especially open bay properties.

There is nothing like owning a waterfront home in Miami Beach. To be able to enjoy our beautiful weather as well as the views is priceless and it is what makes Miami Beach Waterfront Real Estate so unique.

Miami Beach Luxury Real Estate – St. Regis Resort & Residences – Bal Harbour

jimmarks — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 16:02:52 +0000

In the middle of what many are calling a Miami housing slump, there are on-going developments like The St. Regis Resort & Residences in Bal Harbour. Total luxury, the best amenities, and a perfect location for your vacation getaway, indulging lifestyle and elegant living.

Experience the future of Legendary Luxury. St. Regis Resort & Residences, Bal Harbour is a peerless haven of oceanfront elegance; quiet, unwavering taste; and anticipatory service.

Legendary Luxury

St. Regis Resort & Residences, Bal Harbour is a medley of personalized service, exquisite design and unmatched amenities that create a lifestyle like no other on Florida’s Gold Coast. Just steps away from the famous Bal Harbour Shops and minutes from the whirlwind energy and Art Deco magic of South Beach, St. Regis Resort & Residences, Bal Harbour is a world of compelling amenities and impeccable standards.

This Miami Beach Luxury Real Estate project is currently under construction and the site is where the known Sheraton Bal Harbour that attracted people from all over the world because of its magnificent beaches, once stood – 9 acres of stunning oceanfront property. I feel a bit nostalgic about this project because of the fond memories I have at The Sheraton, but know The St. Regis will do those memories more than justice. Also good for you to know that the project is self-financed by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and The Related Group, which makes the estimated completion date of “end of 2010″, very believable. The location is 9701 Collins Avenue, Florida 33154.

The pricing is high, no questions about it. According to a St. Regis’ sales representative it is 2-3 times what everybody else is, but justified by the land, amenities and because it is a “trophy property”. The average price per square foot is $1650 – properties range between $2,000,000 and $11,000,000 and the best sellers are the biggest and most expensive units. Maintenance fees will range between $1.05 to $1.15 per square foot.

Because it is under construction, I wasn’t able to give you my eagle-eye critique on finishes but the fact is that this project architects are Sieger Suarez Architects, and interior design done by Yabu Pushelberg, the same ones that designed Apogee in South Beach. There is a sales office where you can see sample finishes, including kitchen, bath and living room (pictured above).

St. Regis Residences

extraordinary one, two and three-bedroom private residences

Panoramic windows offer expansive ocean and bay views

spacious outdoor balcony “living rooms” invite easy relaxation and carefree entertaining

Contemporary five-fixture master bathrooms feature walk-in shower and expansive marble surface treatments throughout

premium kitchen appliances and European style cabinetry

pre-wired for state-of-the-art communications and other control systems, including up to four double telephone lines, satellite or cable provider

10′ ceiling heights

Residential pool areas available exclusively to owners and their guests

dedicated residential porte-cochere and interior lobby custom designed by Yabu Pushelberg

The St. Regis Hotel-Condominium Residences (condo-hotel)

fully furnished condo-hotel residences will convey the inimitable style of award-winning interior design firm Yabu Pushelberg

Spacious executive suites, one-bedroom suites and convertible two-bedroom suites

Breathtaking ocean views

integrated, self-contained Midnight Kitchenette

spacious outdoor balcony “living rooms” expand your leisure and entertaining horizons

State-of-the-art intelligent controls for climate, lighting, window shades, and in-room electronics

walk-in closets with integrated European wardrobe cabinetry

Four-fixture bathrooms featuring a walk-in shower with richly finished marble floors, vanities, and walls.

Digital Video On Command (DVOD)

Wired and wireless High-Speed Internet Access

Hands-free telephones

Personal safes large enough to accommodate a laptop computer

10′ ceiling heights

Owner lock-out closet for secure storage of personal items

Services and Amenities

Remede Spa

24/7 St. Regis Concierge team to assist with all arrangements and requests

Celebrated St. Regis Butler Service

24-hour valet parking

24-hourr security

24-hour in-room dining service

Bellman

Busines services

Full-time maintenance staff

Newspaper delivery

Preferred access and signing priviledges for owners

Housekeeping

Pre-arrival provisioning/grocery shopping and delivery

In-room catering

Personal chef

Dry-cleaning and laundry services

Plant care maintenance

Overnight shoe shine

Pet services

Access to St. Regis events

Shopping bag pick-up service from Bal Harbour Shops

Oceanfront cabanas with flat-panel televisions, mini bars, ece makers and Wi-Fi connectivity

Signature restaurants

exclusive beach access

state-of-the-art business center

executive meeting rooms with integrated audio visual systems

a Grand Ballroom and premier banquet facilities

St. Regis Kids’ programming

Preferred theatre, events, sports tickets

Courier services

IT personal support assistance

Translation services

Personal security

At the pool & on the beach: services and amenities

refreshing cool-mist spritzers at the pool and beach

revitalizing cold towels poolsize

Gourmet lunch boxes for beach picnics

Oceanfront cabanas with flat-planel screen televisions, mini bars, ice makers, and WiFi connectivity for laptops

Pool bar and grill

Around town: services and amenities

Personal chauffeur and limousine services

Shopping bag pick-up service from Bal Harbour Shops

St. Regis Personal Shopping Services and VIP invitations to exclusive trunk shows

Remede Spa

A haven of pampering indulgences and advanced treaments

Complete offering of spa treatments including customized facials, massages, body treatments, waxing and nail services based on the exclusive Laboratoire Remede skincare line

The convenience of in-room treatments

Steam, sauna and jacuzzi

Couple’s room

Vichy shower room

Deluxe body treatment room

Fitness

State-of-the-art cardio and strength training equipment

Certified personal fitness instructors

Nutritionist services

Dining

Signature restaurants

St. Regis signature wine bar

Pool bar and grill

24-hour in-room dining service

NOTE: If you are interested in getting a full-color brochure and additional information sent to you about St. Regis Resort and Residences, Bal Harbor, please e-mail us at info@miamism.com with your name and address and will be happy to make the arrangements (all information will be kept confidential)

*renderings courtesy of St. Regis Resort & Residences – Bal Harbour*