Texture and Handcrafted Pieces Breathe Life and Warmth Into This Modern Outdoor Space
Once the headquarters of the Miami Heart Institute, the interconnected highrises that now house The Ritz-Carlton Miami Beach Residences (after a transformation by Italian architect Piero Lissoni) have earned a reputation as some of the sexiest luxury residences in Miami Beach. This spectacular penthouse spans over 9,000 square feet of indoor-outdoor space atop the former hospital and offers a new definition of luxurious waterfront living, thanks to designer-to-the-stars Catalina Echavarria of CEU Studio (an interior design and custom furniture firm with A-list clients like Cher, Shakira and Donna Karan).
How did Catalina turn businesslike concrete spaces into a tropical wonderland? “I think we homed in on how the Balinese design their homes,” she explains. “It’s a sensory experience with a total respect for space and the elements. The architecture of the building is by one of the best architects in the world, so we kept in line with that level of integrity and excellence inside the residence and focused on sight and touch. We ethically sourced one-of-a-kind pieces that were simply extraordinary, with natural textures and carved or woven by hand by the best artisans in the world. The furniture is bold and monumental yet warm and welcoming at the same time.”