 AQUA is an 8.5-acre residential neighborhood nearing completion, located on the southern tip of Allison Island at Collins Avenue and 63rd Street in Miami Beach. The $225 million planned community is developer Craig Robins's most recent and ambitious project. Drawing on the expertise of Miami's design superstars Andres Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk (DPZ), this 151-dwelling development boasts a master plan that fuses modern architecture with traditional urbanism.
By making pedestrians a determinant of its design, AQUA represents an important step in the evolution of Miami's urban landscape. Its community-friendly layout renders AQUA unique among more traditional residential projects.
The success of Robins's development lies in the range of its modern architecture, which harmoniously comes together to reflect the designers' master plan. Providing a diversity of voices are well-known and emerging architects from New York and Miami: Walter Chatham, Alison Spear, Alexander Gorlin, Emanuela Frattini Magnusson, Suzanne Martinson, Allan Shulman, Hariri & Hariri, Brown Demandt, Albaisa Musumano, and DPZ.
The streetscape surrounding the concrete, palm-tree-lined entrance off Alton Road is dominated by a parking facility - the last remaining building of the St. Francis Hospital complex that previously occupied this site. (Robins was born at the hospital.) Walter Chatham refurbished the parking structure, constructing sixteen stylish apartments on top of the existing edifice, including one he now owns. Partially covering the garage's southern wall is a 150-foot mural. Created by Richard Tuttle, Splash depicts a large water spatter made from colored glass and ceramic tile.
Near a partially completed terrazzo tile sculpture by Guillermo Kuitca stands Alison Spear's signature building - a hip white edifice embellished with blue-tiled walls and salient glass balconies. Alexander Gorlin's neighboring beige structure is elegant and sculptural, showcasing deep balconies, and crowned by a swooping rooftop.
Aqua Avenue divides the project's three mid-rise buildings from its 46 townhouses built on the island's western side and clustered around lush, tropical courtyards. Most streets end at the water's edge, affording future residents views of Indian Creek.
When the newly planted trees are fully grown, AQUA will be a pedestrian's heaven, decorated with narrow streets ornamented by an abundance of foliage. In addition two groves - one citrus, one mango - will nestle among the homes and provide plenty of shade. New Times spoke with the developer and a number of AQUA's architects at their respective buildings.
By Alfredo Triff May 19, 2005
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