Architecture

Miami's first supertall skyscraper stacks up superb views of Biscayne Bay

Miami's first supertall skyscraper stacks up superb views of Biscayne Bay
Waldorf Astoria Miami is due to begin construction in mid-2022 and is expected to be completed in 2026
Waldorf Astoria Miami is due to begin construction in mid-2022 and is expected to be completed in 2026
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The Waldorf Astoria Miami will be located at 300 Biscayne Boulevard and will overlook the city's famous Biscayne Bay
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The Waldorf Astoria Miami will be located at 300 Biscayne Boulevard and will overlook the city's famous Biscayne Bay
The Waldorf Astoria Miami will reach a maximum height of 1,049 ft (319 m) and take the form of nine stacked glass cubes
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The Waldorf Astoria Miami will reach a maximum height of 1,049 ft (319 m) and take the form of nine stacked glass cubes
Waldorf Astoria Miami is due to begin construction in mid-2022 and is expected to be completed in 2026
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Waldorf Astoria Miami is due to begin construction in mid-2022 and is expected to be completed in 2026
Waldorf Astoria Miami's apartments start at US$1 million
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Waldorf Astoria Miami's apartments start at US$1 million
Waldorf Astoria Miami's interior design is being handled by Bamo and looks very plush, with high-end materials and large, open layouts
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Waldorf Astoria Miami's interior design is being handled by Bamo and looks very plush, with high-end materials and large, open layouts
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Miami is slated to gain its new tallest skyscraper, the upcoming Waldorf Astoria Miami. Taking the form of nine stacked glass blocks and reaching an impressive height of 1,049 ft (319 m), the eye-catching building will consist of a hotel and plush residences, offering luxury amenities and choice views of the Biscayne Bay.

In addition to becoming Miami's tallest tower, Waldorf Astoria Miami will also be the city's first supertall skyscraper – that is, a tower measuring between 300 to 600 m (984 to 1,968 ft) in height.

Its offset glass cube-like exterior brings to mind BIG's now-abandoned design for the Two World Trade Center and will consist of 100 floors. Inside, the lower cubes will host the entrance lobby and a Waldorf Astoria hotel, while the upper floors will contain 360 residences, which start at US$1 million and are sure to rise in cost considerably, depending on the placement and size of the apartment. The uppermost cube will be given over exclusively to penthouse suites, while amenities will be generous throughout the building.

Waldorf Astoria Miami's apartments start at US$1 million
Waldorf Astoria Miami's apartments start at US$1 million

"Signature spaces will include Peacock Alley; a specialty restaurant; indoor/outdoor pre-function and function spaces; meetings and boardrooms; a resort-style pool deck with private cabanas; and a spa and fitness center," explained Waldorf Astoria Miami's development team. "Residential amenities will include owners-only lobby and lounge; hospitality suite for chef's tastings and private soirees; billiard room; kid's club; and private pool deck. The residences will offer the latest smart-home technology with custom mobile app access to concierge service. The app will feature a full menu of available offerings, including dining reservations, 24/7 room service, spa and fitness treatments, house car reservations, access to valet service, package delivery service and dog walking services."

Waldorf Astoria Miami will be located at 300 Biscayne Boulevard and is designed by Sieger Suarez Architects, in collaboration with Carlos Ott, with Bamo on interior design duties. It's being developed by PMG, along with Greybrook Realty Partners, Mohari Hospitality, S2 Development and hotelier Hilton. It's due to begin construction in mid-2022 and is expected to be completed in 2026.

Sources: Waldorf Astoria Residences Miami

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5 comments
5 comments
Cryptonoetic
That is about the ugliest thing I've ever seen. Might be OK for Amazon HQ building.
jayedwin98020
This proposed building, as the article states, is "eye-catching", but for all the wrong reasons.
It is probably one one of the ugliest 'new' buildings I've ever seen.

The design firm who "proposed" this building should be 'tarred & feathered' and run out of
town, for their unimaginative and lackluster exterior design. Come on folks, surely you can
do better than this!

Let's go a step further. The 'City of Miami' should be ashamed for having ever approved such
an ugly and unimaginative project in the first place. It would seem the 'city fathers' have a
nonexistent concept of what a beautiful 'skyline' should actually look like. Or even worse,
they don't really care!

Lastly, I'm curious, how well would this type of design stand up to storms with high winds?
I'm sure this has been considered, but it looks like it might have a 'sail' effect in strong winds.

My only suggestion would be to go back to the 'drawing boards' before your city can be
embarrassed by such a lackluster structure.
Nelson Hyde Chick
Will the bottom floors be sacrificed as water levels rise with climate change?
GregVoevodsky
I wonder how much it will rock and sway in a major hurricane. I'd also worry about the porous ancient reef limestone 'bedrock.' I'd think a shorter more rounded aerodynamic building with balconies would perform better, look better, and offer awesome outdoor space like the top Miami condo buildings do. This looks like it was designed by the Borg from Star Trek. Just look at San Francisco's Millennium Tower, "one of glitziest residential buildings in the city, is now tilting more than two feet north and west and continues to tilt at a rate of three inches a year because it's sinking into the ground. In fact, it has already sunk between 17 and 18 inches." - Google.
TpPa
I think the bottom floor is for a future salt water swimming pool, or perhaps an aquarium. I agree with ugly 100%, and a good class or 5 hurricane shall enjoy ventilating all that glass - oh wait they will send maintenance out there with 20,000 sheets of plywood - silly me