Editor’s Note: May is Historic Preservation Month across the USA, spearheaded by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Preservation Month theme is “People Saving Places” to shine the spotlight on everyone doing the work of saving places—in big ways and small. Do you have a local place or person you’d like us to feature? Contact us here.
About the Esmé Miami Beach
Location: 1434 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL
Official Website: https://www.esmehotel.com/
Historic Status: Designated as a Contributing Building to the local Española Way Historic District. Designated as a Contributing Building to the National Register of Historic Places (Miami Beach Architectural District)
Architect of the original building: Robert A. Taylor
Year of Original Construction: 1925
Current Owners: Infinity Collective
Architect of the renovation project: DNB Design Group
Interview with David Berg, Partner at Infinity Collective
What initially drew you to this Mediterranean-style property, and what personal or historical significance does it hold for you?
The history and story behind this property is endless. From NBT Rooney to Al Capone to Desi Arnaz, this property seemed timeless and rich with treasured history. The Mediterranean-style pre-dated Art Deco and provided a charm and differentiated architectural factor to many of our historic neighbors. Reviving the historical charm and reintroducing the storied history were the building blocks for our thesis on this property.
What were some of the most significant challenges you faced during the restoration process, and how did you address them?
Permit and HPB approvals and timing. It took over 18 months to get actually get permitted and entitled. When renovating historic structures, many unforeseen conditions appear that require new design changes and revisions to drawings to account for the revised scope of work. This is costly and time-consuming.
Could you highlight any unique features of your hotel that you have worked to preserve or restore?
Preserving the historic character of the lobby and paseos was paramount to our brand and overall design. Reintroducing the ‘village’ concept was a foundational item for us. We wanted the new design to feel like it had been there for 100 years, which drove our finish selections and overall design intent.
How has the community responded to your efforts to preserve this historic property?
Very well. We have won numerous design awards, the community feedback has been exceptional, and we were recently awarded a Michelin Key for 2024.
Looking towards the future, what are your long-term goals for the hotel, and how do you plan to continue preserving its historical and architectural integrity?
We plan to operate and own the asset for the foreseeable future. We do not intend to further redevelop it other than maintaining the renovation and integrity we have delivered to date.
