Located in one of the hottest submarkets of Miami, the mid-rise sits only 100 yards from the water, proffering views to downtown Miami and South Beach across Miami’s beautiful Biscayne Bay. Embarking on a three-year process to materialize the aesthetic and vision of the project, Raymond Nicolas expertly designed 11,000-square-foot worth of common areas, including the lobby, business center, fitness center, conference rooms, and lounge areas. Raymond Nicolas drew inspiration from the surrounding intracoastal views to create a sanctuary that pays homage to the natural elements through a refined, elevated lens. In doing so, the DESIGN HOUSE was able to create a soothing, monochromatic color palette with subtle, and not so subtle varying pops of color while also incorporating architectural elements and details such as custom-made columns to match the exterior of of the building, bespoke furnishings, and layered finishes.
The first space seen upon entry is the two-story, boutique-style lobby featuring multiple paneled walls with hidden doors and storage, large format porcelain tile floors emulating poured concrete, floor-to-ceiling windows draped in off-white linen sheers, and geometric, architecturally detailed columns. Within the lobby sits a rectangular calcutta gold marble reception desk with an artfully lowered and offset bronze-mirrored structure over a brass-finished base. The lower bronze-mirrored structure strategically provides a modern asymmetrical look while simultaneously serving as a countertop/desk that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act; also known as ADA. Varied seating arrangements were purposefully positioned around two oversized ‘Wireflow’ light fixtures from Vibia allowing for the space and lobby to have a dramatic sense of arrival upon entering the 297 unit building.
The crown jewel of the upscale and well appointed common spaces within Modera Edgewater is the Clubroom, outfitted with four separate seating areas. Each seating area is separated by custom-made, geometric columns interjected with double-sided television boxes, composed of black, reflective laminated glass designed to completely hide and obscure the televisions when they're not on. The flooring throughout the Clubroom is composed of two halves: herringbone oak wood floors on the outer-facing half intentionally set underneath the clubrooms’ free-standing furniture and poured concrete on the inner half along the clubrooms’ natural path and two custom stationed banquettes.
The clever floor finish layout sets the tone for the complimentary dance between the industrial and sophisticated, high-end styles within the space. Also above the poured concrete flooring sits a custom oak finished, floor-to-ceiling bookshelf entirely stained in black, with a brilliantly adorned sliding library ladder to match. That same inner wall was also cladded in large format floor-to-ceiling porcelain marble slabs behind a custom metal bio-ethonal fireplace. Over the light european oak wood floors sit multiple seating arrangements with oversized neutral, taupe and earth-toned sofas to which are expertly placed in efforts to create spacious gathering spaces, suitable for multiple parties. Above each gathering space, iron pairs of oversized, ‘Camino Vintage Candelabras’ from Restoration Hardware fortify the high-end meets industrial aesthetics of the space. Without the lack thereof, the attention to detail exhibits itself with the use of reflective finishes and accessories that gracefully mirror the building’s clean, interior and exterior architectural features.
The business center sits directly above the lobby on the mezzanine level, overlooking the attractive entry-level below. Composed of smaller common spaces where one could lounge or work remotely at individual work stations, a large conference room that sits up to eight, and a smaller meeting room for more modest gatherings, the business center compliments the lobby with its ultra-modern, crisp, geometric designs. Yet its darker, monochromatic color palette allows for a clear distinction to its open-to-below counterpart, while simultaneously rendering itself conducive to productivity. The common area of the business center acts as a natural bridge between the east and west wing corridors of the building. The walls to the open space are cladded in a jet-black vertical tongue and groove shiplap with a custom-made, wrap-around desk for individual and personal use.
Amidst its surroundings, the design team decided to expose the original concrete slab and treat it with a stained, semi-gloss finish. Allowing the raw aggregates of the concrete to speak and coexist with the spaces’ industrial, masculine, and refined allure. The conference and work rooms are outfitted with the geometric ‘Impression’ carpet tiles from ShawContract to optimize acoustics, add texture, and pattern. A perfect compliment to the unique floor application include irregularly patterned walls covered in Twill & Texture wallpaper featuring oblong-ed shapes in reds, peach, light blues, and blacks.
With two fitness centers, the larger one serves as the apartment building’s main exercise room including a tucked away sauna, and steam room. The other, designed for smaller groups and personal training - is equipped with a free-standing punching bag, modern-day Peloton bikes, and a quaint virtual and interactive yoga studio. Both exuding tranquil elegance through the nature-inspired decor and floor-to-ceiling views of the property's rooftop and pool deck terrace, including vibrantly energized wallcoverings, and subdued yet tantalizing textures. Consciously installed to be reminiscent of an athletic football field, a thin strip of green astroturf sits beside the expansive windows on the perimeter of the larger fitness center for those looking to add yards of lunges or sled-work to their training. Lastly, white wash chicago brick, and a white acoustical slatted ceiling flank the beautiful custom greenwall that backgrounds the yoga studio for those looking for a zenful, more tranquil workout.
