He knew it had to be smart, precise and integrated. Beyond the sleek Minotti, Rimadesio and Zanotta furnishings and the unobstructed views stretching out to Miami’s Biscayne Bay, the owner wanted to create a sophisticated smart home that allowed for expressive creativity and the ability to easily control everything — lighting, air conditioning, window treatments, closed circuit video security and audio/visual components — through a Crestron Home Automation System. His vision for the renovation of his two-bedroom, three-and-one-half-bath residence at Tower House on Collins Avenue was painstakingly exacting. It took him two years to realize his dream.
“He believes that we are entering a period in real estate development where much of this technology will become standard in any luxury residential environment and that people will demand it as part of their lifestyle going forward,” says the home’s listing agent Hope Fuller of Coldwell Banker Real Estate in Florida. “This is living for the 21st century.”
After touring the high-tech high-rise, Fuller’s sentiments ring true. The minimalist design of the 2,850 square-foot residence provided the perfect palette for all of the technological additions on the owner’s wish list — though you wouldn’t know it. “The doors, cabinets and even the electrical outlets, speakers and keypads are all flush, creating clean and seamless surfaces,” she reveals. Even so, the invisible nature of the smart home elements doesn’t make it any less impressive. Automated LED lighting, for example, can be programmed to change colors to create different moods. And when used in combination with the five independent audio sources and nine designated independent speaker zones, the interiors are truly transformed into an experiential environment.
“At night, it’s a very sexy apartment,” says Fuller. “From the mood lighting and music to the stunning city light views, it’s one of the most unique entertaining environments I have seen in any home in Miami.”
Numerous design and technological specifications include extensive soundproofing in the guest room, living room and kitchen walls, as well as all ceilings and subfloors allow guests occupying their room to play music without disturbing anyone, and likewise when entertaining in the media area or the living room. Three built-in dehumidifiers also allow the owner to precisely control relative humidity in the home. The Crestron Home Automation System itself is completely customizable to any owner’s specifications. The six-button panel at the entrance of the unit features buttons programmed for departure, arrival, long-term travel, returning from long-term travel and others. For instance, should the owner be traveling for an extended period of time, the ‘Bon Voyage’ button raises the air-conditioning temperatures on the unit’s six independent air conditioning zones, closes the window treatments, and turns off the lights, audio visual components. Upon your return, pushing the “Bienvenue” button lowers the temperatures, opens the shades and turns on the lights throughout the home. There are also special controls such as the “Good Night” and “Snack “buttons.
“It’s amazing that you can create an entire lifestyle around single buttons,” says Fuller as she provides a demonstration. “And the ability to remotely view everything while traveling from security cameras to the temperatures in the home to lowering shades on a sunny day protects furniture and floors, allows for the monitoring of service staff and deliveries and conserves energy better than any home I have ever seen. The ability to run the entire home while watching TV in the master bedroom and not having to get up from bed to turn off lights or to adjust temperatures has added an entire new dimension to using technology as part of your living experience.”
Adding to the high-tech ambiance of the residence, the owner fondly calls his living room a “Google Circle.” Representing the modern adaptation of an old fashion conversation around the campfire, the space promotes “face-to-face conversation and collaboration as pioneered in the collaborative work spaces of America’s new generation of companies,” explains Fuller. “The informal nature of circular seating in the living room puts people at ease and promotes an instant sense of relaxation and an opening for conversations to begin.”
Beyond the living room, the gourmet kitchen features an extra large marble cooking and serving island, Subzero, Gaggenau and Miele appliances, as well as Moldunova cabinetry with integrated lighting.
The wet bar and media center harmoniously blend into the sleek design of the common areas which are designed for relaxation and entertaining, while just beyond the new hurricane glass doors is the 300+ square-foot terrace furnished with Summit Outdoor Teak Furniture.
The master bedroom is a tranquil retreat with his and hers separate bathrooms with full-slab marble walls, custom air tub, steam shower and Toto washing toilets, as well as his and hers custom closets. The ensuite guest room features a large custom bathroom with walk in shower and custom closets. Other rooms in the unit include a large separate laundry room with Electrolux appliances, wine storage, a private garbage chute and its own service entrance. Gorgeous twelve-inch wide plank French Oak flooring runs seamlessly throughout. “The finishes and materials were all chosen as ‘best of breed’ items,” Fuller points out.
With all of these elements combined, Fuller thinks the future buyer of this residence could be “from virtually anywhere in the world.” He or she will have impeccable taste, and leads a lifestyle that prioritizes entertaining and travel.
“A private chef is provided for the 82 owners of the Tower House building,” she says. “It’s a very easy home to own remotely given its technological features and the full-service nature of Tower House. The materials, furnishings and technology are all points of distinction. No other properties in this marketplace at this price point compare.”
