"Who would turn down the chance to design an apartment in Miami? Certainly no one, especially not when the neighbor is the greatest of all, Leo Messi. Yes, I was given the opportunity of a lifetime to fly to Miami and design an investment apartment for an Israeli businessman, which he bought in one of the most prestigious neighborhoods, Sunny Isles Beach," explains architect Hagar Lushi, owner of an architecture and planning firm.
According to Lushi, "The apartment is in a building adjacent to where Messi and his family stayed while their mansion in the city was being renovated. The building, and the neighborhood in general, is very special due to its proximity to the sea—first line to the water, with buildings facing the sea from both east and west, which is very unusual and, of course, something to consider in the planning."
The neighborhood is known for its affluent Russian residents, which also influenced the project's design and planning. Lushi notes, "Miami is made up of many neighborhoods, each with very distinctive characteristics, even at the licensing level. Each area has its own licensing system with specific standards and regulations."
The 180-square-meter apartment includes three spacious rooms: a master bedroom with a white leather-finished king-size bed, a large walk-in closet, and a sizable bathroom featuring both a shower and a bathtub, in this case, a double shower. Large openings facing east and west allow views of the ocean, integrating it into the home. The color scheme is light and pleasant, harmonizing with the sea, and ample cabinetry ensures quality storage.
Lushi discusses the design choices and the potential Russian tycoons who might stay in the apartment: "We designed one child's bed and another pull-out bed in a windowless room, as is common in the US. Our research indicates that most families visiting the area typically have only one child."
She adds, "The living room features a well-known Italian brand, favored by the Russian audience. We used glossy tiles and gold plumbing fixtures, and incorporated light, shiny finishes in the cabinetry."