Aloft opens in South Beach
Moving away from the brand’s traditionally business-focused locales, Aloft has opened its first resort destination – Aloft South Beach.
Built on the site of the former 1954 Motel Ankara, the original four-storey structure was restored while a new eight-storey tower was created to transform the site into a 235-room resort. Designed by ADD Inc. and built by Plaza Construction, the property showcases Miami Modern kitsch that has long been associated with the preserved motels on the Biscayne Boulevard Corridor. A concept of JMH Development and Madden Real Estate Ventures, the Miami Beach hotel is on Collins Avenue, nearby Ocean Drive and the Atlantic Ocean.
The site was designed to preserve the Miami Modern-inspired architecture on the exterior, while breathing fresh life into the new construction with contemporary elements throughout. Components of the hotel that have retained their original form include the classic brick walls of the Historic Wing, the refurbished Ankara Motel signage and the pool shape. The Aloft brand embodies a modern approach to spatial design, the overarching design concept revolving around a loft-like layout, in order to maintain a visual connection between all public spaces on the ground floor.
Throughout the hotel, the design and furnishings were chosen to strike a balance between the property’s beachside location and historical significance by integrating a palette of concrete and maple wood with blues, corals and yellows. Modern design takes centre stage upon entering the lobby, as guests are welcomed into a two-storey atrium by a translucent staircase with custom leather wrapping. Additionally, the W XYZ bar and lounge features a custom chandelier by Yellow Goat Design, made of 1,000 coloured acrylic lighting rods that descend from the ceiling.
A carpeted runway leads guests to Aloft’s signature circular check-in desk which is wrapped in patterns – changing on a quarterly basis – reminiscent of street art. As a nod to Miami’s Wynwood Arts District, a vibrant urban theme is present throughout the hotel with colorful carpeting, headboard accents and graffiti murals displayed outside.
