W south beach hotel: cultural retreat on miami’s art deco collins avenue
reopening of renovated w south beach hotel
Since opening in 2009, W South Beach hotel has been the destination for travellers looking for an eccentric yet luxurious stay along Miami’s art deco Collins Avenue. It realized the largest guests rooms in the area at the time, each with balconies with expansive views across the Atlantic. The landmark reopened in November 2020 after a renovation by Urban Robot Associates that built upon the hotel’s artful aesthetic yet captured the city’s ever-changing vibrant character. 357 guest suites are now accompanied by a tranquil spa, refreshed $100 million USD art collection, internationally acclaimed cuisine, and pioneering cultural programs to match.
designboom was invited to test the renovated whatever, whenever experience at the hotel during Miami Art Week 2022.
Ubrna Robot Associates renovated the 357 guest suites, including the marvellous suite with panoramic sea views
cultural hotspot during miami art week 2022
From cultural experiences to guest suite exhibitions of famed artwork, the W South Beach hotel has always been renowned for its museum-quality modern art. The collection, valued at $100 million USD, received a refreshed curation by Aby Rosen during the renovation. This includes 21 original Andy Warhol art pieces. With this setting as the backdrop, the hotel also engages its guests – as well as the community – with cultural programs. During Miami Art Week 2022, W Hotels collaborated with Mambo Creatives to install two large-scale installation in the guest experience, pool- and beach-side.
The W South Beach hotel’s museum-quality art collection, valued at $100 million, was curated by Aby Rosen
Future Transmutation by pilar zeta
On the lawn at W South Beach, artist Pilar Zeta laid a sculptural garden that played upon mathematics, astronomy and occult philosophies, called ‘Future Transmutation’. Bathed in the violet – a color known to elevate consciousness – a series of 44 tiles, matching the number of achievement, lead across the lawn in a checkerboard arrangement up to a masonic-like altarpiece. Users step along the rocking tiles, flanked by two candles, to look through the portal. The gateway acts as an opening to new dimensions for reality to transform and imagination to be realized.
Pilar Zeta laid a sculptural garden, called ‘Future Transmutation’, on the hotel’s lawn during Miami Art Week 2022
Several free-standing sculptures encircle the installation, arranged in triangular shapes. Two contrasting geometric bodies are derived from Pithagoras’ mathematical theorem: the sphere represents the fluid, flowing entities that adapt to the environment; and the pyramid signifies an energy of fire and forcefulness. A sundial in the center of the lawn tracks the sun’s movement and position as a reminder of the present. It shows that the future is happening in the transmutation now.
A sundial acts as a reminder of the present whilst also showing that the future is happening in the transmutation now
An Amphibious Love Affair by Miranda Makaroff
In ‘An Amphibious Love Affair’, Miranda Makaroff staged a vibrant, psychedelic exploration of freedom and self-discovery in and around the WET deck pool at the W South Beach hotel. The mythological tales of the Siren acts as the muse, as the art intervention invites guests into the watery depths as if they were falling in love with an amphibious, fluid creature. It is a venture into the deepest of their soul; a journey of self-discovery.
Several free-standing sculptures with contrasting geometric bodies encircle the altar and 44 tiles
The artist created a colorful marine universe for hotel guests to explore at leisure. The artwork intervenes at the WET deck pool with a collection of cabanas that are dressed in neon to match the vibrancy of Miami, especially during the art week. Abstract oceanic creatures buoyantly float in the pool. The underwater world continues with a series of exclusive pool towels created for guests.
