Tag Archives: celebrity news

Waldorf Astoria Hotel and Residences Miami

Waldorf Astoria Residences Miami Officially Breaks Ground

Lucas Lechuga at Waldorf Astoria Residences Groundbreaking

The day has finally arrived for the Waldorf Astoria Residences Miami with its official groundbreaking ceremony.

Setting records as Miami’s first “supertall” tower, the structure, will rise 1,049 feet and 100 floors above Biscayne Bay. This will be the tallest residential tower south of New York City.

In attendance were Ryan Shear, managing partner at PMG Development, Mohair Hospitality, Bamo Inc, Greybrook, and architect Carlos Ott.

Along with 205 guest rooms and suites, the Waldorf Astoria Hotel & Residences Miami will have 360 private residences. Nine glass cubes that resemble Jenga will be part of the tower itself.

The building’s design, which was overseen by Sieger Suarez Architects in association with renowned architect Carlos Ott and award-winning interior design firm BAMO, is incredibly distinctive and stands out even among the busy Miami beachfront.

According to the developers, 180-foot-deep foundation piles are now being built by drilling and concrete pouring. According to the developers, 180-foot-deep foundation piles are now being built by drilling and concrete pouring.

Work won’t be slowed down because a building permit to start the vertical work will likely be obtained in a few months, according to the developers.

The tower is expected to be finished in 2026.

If you or anyone you know has an interest in acquiring it, contact Lucas Lechuga via email at [email protected] or by phone at 786-247-6332.

Waldorf Astoria Residences Miami
Pharrell Williams Opens Billionaire Boys Club Store in Wynwood

Pharrell Williams Unveils Billionaire Boys Club’s Wynwood Flagship

Pharrell Williams Opens Billionaire Boys Club Store in Wynwood

Fans of the upscale streetwear company Billionaire Boys Club (BBC)/ICECREAM are in for a treat with its newest 5,000-square-foot location designed by Snarkitecture in Miami’s Wynwood. Pharrell Williams and NIGO founded the retail company, which has been shaping societal conventions since 2003 with its cutting-edge collaborations and statement artwork with a sporty flair.

Williams has a long history of influencing Miami culture through several hotel-related projects, most notably The Goodtime Hotel, which he co-founded with Groot Hospitality chief David Grutman. His most recent BBC location in Wynwood is sure to bring about a fresh surge of success for the retail industry.

According to Williams, “I’m very grateful that we have the opportunity to bring our flagship store to Miami. It’s going to be a place where people can come in to get inspired by the mix of fashion, culture, art, and design. I can’t wait for everyone to see what we’ve created here, it’s really special.”

By designing the store as an art gallery in an effort to inspire new forms of customer connection, the founders have produced an immersive brand experience that has transformed the D2C paradigm, the brand’s other U.S. flagship located in New York.

While the inside design was imagined through the eyes of an artist and will display regional and international works, the exterior walls of the store will act as a blank canvas for specific art installations by affiliated artists.

With its brick-and-mortar facility situated in a neighborhood infused with the same street spirit the company is established upon, BBC ICECREAM intends to tap into the creative energy of the locals.

The store, which is both modern and earthy, serves as an appropriate backdrop for enduring brands like Bee Line, Human Made, Adidas, MEDICOM, and more, as well as for special collaborative products from designers like Bunny Shapiro and CDG Play, selected by Sarah Andelman.

According to Alexandre, the overall goal of BBC ICECREAM is to act as a platform for creatives, which is what Pharrell and NIGO kept in mind while they created the brand and incorporated its numerous cultural facets.

W South Beach Miami-Zaha Hadid

Zaha Hadid’s Former Condo Sells Again at $6 Million

W South Beach Miami-Zaha Hadid

World-renowned architect Zaha Hadid’s former W South Beach condo was just sold, AGAIN at $6 million.

Data reveals M. Reada “Ray” Bassiouni was the seller of the combined units 726, 728, and 730 at 2201 Collins Avenue, which was acquired by Thomas Robert and his wife Ann Chan, the owner of the security firm ATI Systems in Boston is Bassiouni. In Ponte Vedra Beach, Robert is the owner of GC Land Development LLC.

Records show that Bassiouni paid $5.8 million for the condo in 2018. The combined units feature 2,541 square feet of living space with three bedrooms and four bathrooms.

Since asking $8 million for the condo in March 2021, Bassiouni has intermittently offered it on the market. According to the Multiple Listing Service, the unit only brought in roughly $500,000 more than its previous asking price of $6.5 million.

Hadid designed the makeover herself after purchasing the apartments for $4.2 million in separate purchases over a five-year period. The Riverside Museum in Glasgow, the London Aquatics Centre for the 2012 Olympics, and Galaxy SOHO in Beijing were all designed by the Pritzker Prize-winning architect. When she passed away in Miami Beach in 2016, she was supervising the development of the Miami apartment complex One Thousand Museum that she had designed.

W South Beach is a luxury, oceanfront condo-hotel development located at 2201 Collins Avenue in Miami Beach, Florida. Built in 2009, W South Beach was developed by Tri Star Capital, Related Urban Development, and Starwood Properties.

With 300 feet of water frontage, W South Beach is considered to be one of South Beach’s finest residential developments. The W South Beach building was designed by award-winning architecture firm Nichols, Brosch, and Sandoval with interior design work by Yabu Pushelberg.

W South Beach rises 20 floors and includes 511 condo-hotel units comprised of studios, one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom options plus penthouses.

Lil Wayne Sells Miami Mansion

Lil Wayne Lists Allison Island Mansion for $29.5 Million

Lil Wayne Lists Miami Mansion

Grammy Award winning rapper Lil Wayne is selling his Miami mansion on Allison Island for $29.5 million after purchasing the home in 2018 for $17 million.

The seven-bedroom, nine-bath, and two-half-bath residence located at 6480 Allison Road features 10,632-square-feet of living space with 110 feet of water frontage, a pool, and a cabana. A wine cellar, a movie theater, and a great room with 22-foot ceilings are all included with the mansion.

It is situated on a little more than half-acre, the mansion was created by spec-home developer Laurent Harrari in 2017.

Before purchasing the Allison Island estate, Lil Wayne paid $10 million for a La Gorce Island mansion in 2017.

According to records, in January, Lil Wayne’s Allison Island property’s neighbor, kitchen, bath, and flooring tycoon Alan Courey, sold his beachfront mansion for $16.5 million.

On Allison Island, recent transactions include developer Todd Michael Glaser’s $7.9 million acquisition of a waterfront parcel on the opposite side of the island with partners Scott Robins and Jonathan Fryd. On the property, Glaser intends to erect a 10,000 square foot mid-century modern home.

Palm Island in Miami Beach

Major Food Group’s Mario Carbone Buys Palm Island Estate

Palm Island in Miami Beach

Major Food Group’s co-founder, Mario Carbone and girlfriend Cait Bailey, have recently bought on Palm Island in Miami Beach.

The 3,422-square-foot refurbished home cost Carbone roughly $4.3 million. According to the listing, George Fink, an architect, created the two-story house in 1925. It was listed at the end of June for $4.2 million and closed at the end of August 2022.

The estate located at 275 Palm Avenue in Miami Beach features 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms with a 2 car attached garage. The Mediterranean style home boasts high-impact windows, high-end stainless steel appliances, renovated bathrooms, and a spacious courtyard. There are guest quarters located over the garage.

The sellers are listed as Gregory Rumpel who is the senior director of JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group and his wife, Jacqueline. They originally purchased the home in 2013 for $1.3 million.

Since landing in Miami in late 2020, the New York-based Major Food Group, led by Carbone, Rich Torrisi, and Jeff Zalaznick, have experienced rapid growth in South Florida. Last year, Zalaznick and his wife Alison spent $15 million on a property on Miami Beach’s Sunset Islands. Mike Piazza, a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, and his wife, Alicia, sold the land to the Zalaznicks.

In addition to Carbone and HaSalon in South Beach, Dirty French Steakhouse in Brickell, Sadelle’s at The Boca Raton Resort & Club, Sadelle’s in Coconut Grove, and the members-only ZZ’s Club in the Miami Design District, Major Food Group has opened more than 30 restaurants, hotels, and private clubs around the world.

A gourmet market will be a part of the 10,000 square feet Sadelle’s Restaurant and Market Place that the company hopes to open at 1212 Lincoln Road in Miami Beach.

Palm Island is an 82-acre man-made island just south of Hibiscus Island in Biscayne Bay, and only accessible by land via the MacArthur Causeway. It is known for its gorgeous landscaping, luxurious homes, breathtaking bay views, and exclusivity, making it a premier location for the Miami Beach elite.

Bad Bunny Airbnb

Need an Airbnb in Miami for the Weekend? You Can Now Stay in Bad Bunny’s Semi Truck

Bad Bunny Airbnb

Yes, you heard that right. You can now stay in the Puerto Rican reggaeton superstar’s truck. Starting March 29th at 1 pm EST, Bad Bunny will play host to guests who rent his converted 53 ft custom tour truck.

For three individual one-night stays, a fan will be able to book the truck for $91 a night (not including tax or Airbnb fees). The dates are scheduled for April 6th through the 8th and with the price comes a lot of perks!

Guests who end up booking the tour truck will also receive VIP tickets to Baby Bunny’s Miami Tour that is set for April 1st-3rd, access to the truck’s sound system, a photoshoot with the truck, and a tour to all of Bad Bunny’s favorite Miami spots. Although Bad Bunny won’t be there to host, there will be a virtual hello each guest can look forward to.

Bad Bunny, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio is his real name, is a Puerto Rican Rapper, record producer, singer, actor, and professional wrestler. His genres include reggaeton and Latin trap, but he is known for his versatility and his ability to incorporate soul, rock, and bachata into his music. Born in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Bad Bunny became famous through SoundCloud and ended up signing with a label in early 2016.

He is known for his collaborations with Cardi B, Drake, Dady Yankee, and J Balvin. In 2018, he was awarded a Latin Grammy for Best Urban Music Album. He also performed at the Super Bowl LIV halftime show alongside Shakira and Jennifer Lopez. More recently, he became the first Latin artist on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.

According to Bad Bunny, “I’m hoping that by hosting guests in my truck I can give them a chance to feel like they’re on tour with me. This truck has played such a big role in the concept of my tour and my last album that I want to share this unique experience with them.”

The truck was designed by West Coast Customs and has made an appearance on stage during a few of his shows. The truck includes a pined bedroom with a neon bunny on the wall, a dining area, and a mini-fridge. And don’t worry about parking because the truck will be located in a private lot with 24-hour security during your stay.

Bad Bunny’s El Ultimo Tour Del Mundo in Miami is sold out but with this Airbnb opportunity, tickets are closer than you think! To reserve his tour truck or to get more information, click here.

Bad Bunny Airbnb Truck Interior
Bad Bunny Airbnb Dining Room
Bad Bunny Airbnb Bedroom
Star Island Mansion Front View

Star Island Waterfront Mansion Just Listed for $90 Million

Star Island Mansion Front View
Photo credit: Alyssa Morgan

Star Island is known for its exclusivity along with its custom mega-mansions and just released yesterday is the most expensive property ever listed on the Island at $90 million. If sold for the listing price, it will also be the most expensive sale on Star Island in front of a mansion that sold last month for $75 million.

Located at 27 Star Island, this waterfront mansion is sited on 40,000 square footage of east-facing water frontage. The expansive property includes 2 separate homes. The main home showcases 23,737 square feet of living space and was designed by Starchitect SAOTA and was constructed by Coastal.

This property features 6 bedrooms with 12 bathrooms. The most unique amenities of this home include the gym located on the water with a sauna and steam room, cold plunge, massage room, and hair salon. Soundproofing and chef’s kitchen with high-end appliances really makes this place spectacular.

For the wine connoisseur, you can enjoy the 1,400 bottle wine room that overlooks the exquisite kitchen. Enjoy views of the wraparound pool and cabana from the rooftop lounge. There is also a new boat dock and lift.

Star Island Mansion Wine Cellar
Photo credit: Alyssa Morgan

The second home is located at the front of the lot and enhabits the 20’s era with the 1924 Degarmo home that has been completely restored. The floors are the original but are restored Miami Dade Pine. The property was originally built by Walter De Garmo, a famous Miami architect in the early 1900’s. This home features 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.

According to the MLS (multiple listing service), this property was rented at $400,000 monthly. No other information was provided. The seller is also unknown.

Star Island is a man-made island located in Miami Beach along Biscayne Bay. Made up of just a few dozen homes, Star Island is one of the most coveted and exclusive islands in South Florida. Star Island is within close proximity to Hibiscus Island, the Venetian Islands, and Palm Island. Each waterfront lot offers at least 40,000 square feet of unobstructed water views and frontage.

Star Island can be accessed through one bridge with a guardhouse entrance. A large number of celebrities live or have owned on Star Island. Some notables include Gloria Estefan, P. Diddy, Lea Black from the Real Housewives of Miami, and Jennifer Lopez.

Star Island Waterfront Mansion
Photo credit: Alyssa Morgan
Jordan Belfort Moves to Miami

The Real Wolf of Wall Street Now Calls Miami Home

Jordan Belfort Moves to Miami

We can’t stress enough how hot Miami is right now! And we aren’t talking about the temperature. Notables, celebrities, and execs are moving to Magic City daily and another one just joined the ranks. Recently announced that the real ‘Wolf of Wall Street,’ Jordan Belfort is Miami’s newest resident.

Recently, Belfort eloped in Las Vegas with model and now wife, Cristina Invernizzi. Invernizzi is originally from Argentina and is listed as Belfort’s third wife. Belfort and Invernizzi are moving from Las Vegas.

So who is Jordan Belfort? You may have seen the 2013 The Wolf of Wall Street movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio portraying Jordan Belfort. But to dive deeper, Belfort was a former stockbroker who pleaded guilty to multiple crimes related to stock market manipulation and the running of a long-term scam involving penny stocks sending him to prison.

Belfort grew up in Queens, New York where he began selling at a young age. His friend any him would sell Italian water ice desserts out of inexpensive styrofoam coolers at a beach during the summer months where they would earn around $20,000 every summer. Belfort later went to American University where he studied biology and later went to dental school for a short period. In the 1980s Belfort founded Stratton Oakmont, an over-the-counter brokerage house and financial firm that did remarkably well until he was later caught.

Since his sentencing and prison sentence, Belfort has profited off of 2 memoirs that discuss his life during the Stratton Oakmont era, as well as a self-help book on persuasion and influence.

More recently, Belfort has been participating and becoming fully engulfed in the Miami scene. During Art Basel week, he released his very first NFT. The NFT portrays Belfort partying on a yacht surrounded by models, helicopters, and helicopters flying overhead. One of the fascinating depictions includes the yacht being surrounded by FBI agents. David Yarrow is the photographer for the piece.

Another announcement includes Belfort’s announcement for his very own tequila coming to a shelf near you, Mezcel Santo Inferno. We can’t wait to see what else The Wolf has in store for Miami!

Nick Jonas and Sophie Turner

Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner Make a Move to Miami with a Purchase of an $11 Million Waterfront Mansion

Nick Jonas and Sophie Turner

Joe Jonas and his wife Sophie Turner are the newest celebrity couple that has made the move to Miami along with countless others.

Their recent purchase of a waterfront property located at 4400 Island Road in the Bay Point Community, sits directly on a channel leading to Biscayne Bay. The couple paid $11 million for the 6 bedrooms, 8.5 bathroom estate.

This unique property was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright, an American architect who has designed over 1,000 structures over his 70-year career. This specific estate was designed with harmonic accents while incorporating outdoor aesthetics. The Island Road mansion utilizes indoor gardens, a koi pond, and a grand salon with 30-foot ceilings to create a tranquil ambiance.

Over the years, this home was renovated with no expenses spared in the designs. Walking through, you’ll find Calcutta baths, Ornare closets, a sauna, gym, and steam room. Other features include a climate-controlled wine cellar and gorgeous cherry hardwood floors. The home also features a 10-foot pool, 94 feet of water frontage, and a boat dock.

The home was previously owned by Cuban-American musician Willy Chirino. Chirino is a Miami native and began his artistic career in Miami, releasing his first album in 1974. Since then, he has recorded over 20 albums and was nominated for multiple awards in 2007 at the Latin Grammy Awards. Chirino sold the home in 2014 for $4.2 million.

According to county records, the current sellers are Luis Arguello Jr. and Sylvia Chamorro. Arguello is the chairperson and CEO of DemeTech, a Miami-based maker of surgical sutures, mesh, and bone wax.

Joe Jonas is known as an American singer-songwriter and boy band member of the Jonas Brothers who debuted in 2006. Their band split in 2014. In more recent years, Joe has reunited with the Jonas Brothers and has created songs that we all know and love, including What a Man Gotta Do, Cake by the Ocean, and Sucker. Joe married Sophie Turner in March 2021.

If you’ve watched Game of Thrones, you know that Joe’s wife, Sophie Turner doesn’t need an introduction. From 2011 to 2014, she played the very difficult role of Sansa Stark. Game of Thrones was her first television role at the age of 14. Her career also placed her in other movies including X-Men, Barely Lethal, and The Prince. She has also modeled for Louis Vuitton and Gucci.

The couple listed their Enchino, California mansion in June for $16.8 million. Their home is still on the market.

This Bay Point community has seen a lot of activity in recent months with a former Goldman Sachs exec purchasing a waterfront mansion for $11.3 million and a record sale of $17.4 million in May 2021.

4400 Island Rd, Miami, FL 33137
Photo Credit: Dina Goldentayer
Miami Dolphins

Former Linebacker for the Miami Dolphins Sells Miami Beach Home for $6.25 Million

535 Nautilus Ct, Miami Beach, FL 33140
Photo Credit: Julian Cohen

Orlandus Andre Branch III is a former outside linebacker for the Miami Dolphins, who played from 2016 until his retirement in 2019. Branch recently sold his mansion for $6.25 million after purchases in 2019 for $2.8 million. What an investment!

Located just a couple blocks from Biscayne Bay in the Nautilus neighborhood at 4535 Nautilus Court in Miami Beach. The modern mansion features 6,000 square feet of professionally designed living space.

The 6 bedroom, 6.5 bathroom new construction home features European oak and marble floors throughout and high-end kitchen appliances. The home is completely finished with a steam room, media area, and tall ceilings throughout.

Family Room of Miami Beach Mansion
Photo Credit: Julian Cohen

The exterior is perfect for entertaining with an expansive backyard with lush Florida landscaping featuring an outdoor kitchen, oversized terraces, pool, and jacuzzi. The mansion is perfectly located near South Beach, Bal Harbour, and the Design District.

According to Miami-Dade tax records, the home closed on September 3rd, to buyers Bryant M. Yunker Jr. and wife Nancy. Bryant is a retired Wall Street Broker. The Yunker’s also own Sway Lounge, located in Naples, Florida.

This property is the highest-priced sale for a non-waterfront home in the Nautilus neighborhood. This record-breaking sale is just one of the many that have occurred in Miami in 2021.

In July, a waterfront mansion sold as the highest-priced home sale ever in all of Miami-Dade. Bay Harbor Islands also had a record-breaking sale of $12.75 million on a recent waterfront home, making it the highest-priced sale in all of Bay Harbor. Our very own, Lucas Lechuga, also sold one of the highest-priced condo sales for the month of August 2021 at Setai South Beach for $12.3 million.

Miami Beach Mansion
Photo Credit: Julian Cohen
Professionally Landscape Yard of 4535 Nautilus Court
Photo Credit: Julian Cohen