Latest news with #VersaceMansion
Forbes
22-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
A Donatella Versace Hotel And Restaurant Is Opening In Miami Beach
Donatella Boutique Hotel & Restaurant will make its Miami Beach debut in May. Miami Beach is no stranger to opulent restaurants and luxury hotels. Opening in a former 1920's bungalow in the heart of the city's historic Art Deco District, Donatella Boutique Hotel & Restaurant will be upping the luxury ante when it opens its modern meets Mediterranean style doors in May. 'From the moment you enter, you're transported, stepping into a oasis that feels suspended in time into something that is serene, and deeply personal,' Jamil Dib, co-founder and owner of Vida & Estilo Hospitality Group tells Forbes. The sister property to the iconic Versace Mansion (now 'The Villa Casa Casuarina'), Donatella Boutique Hotel & Restaurant channels the same timeless elegance and allure. Just two blocks away from the legendary Versace Mansion on Collins Avenue, Donatella Boutique Hotel will serve as the sister property of Miami's iconic landmark. Dating back to 1922, the building that now occupies the hotel was designed by acclaimed architect Wallace Tutt who also also responsible for designing the Versace Mansion. After the building was acquired in 2022 by the Nakash family and Vida & Estilo Hospitality, it underwent an extensive restoration and has been completely reimagined into a six key luxury retreat and restaurant. The hotel was designed by the Nakash Group and Vida and Estilo Hospitality, the forces behind Miami's The Setai and the Versace Mansion. 'Every detail, from the architecture to the menu, is thoughtfully designed to carry you away from the everyday and into a world where time slows, and the sea breeze lingers,' Dib said. With room rates starting at $450-per night, a stay here includes a dedicated concierge and butler service, ensuring personalized attention and seamless hospitality throughout your visit. Distinguished sister property to the legendary Versace Mansion, the hotel is designed with a Mediterranean revival-style elegance in mind. Each Italian named guest room includes design details that combine raw natural textures and materials including stone and wood elements along with golden accents and mirrored ceilings. Each room features stone headboards and luxe vanity areas along with thoughtful décor along with locally inspired art and handcrafted decorative pieces to connect guests to Miami's vibrant cultural heritage. 'This isn't just design, it's emotion,' Dib said. 'Every element of Donatella's architecture was created to stir nostalgia, romance, and a sense of place far from home.' Donatella Restaurant in Miami Beach The Donatella Restaurant will debut as a Coastal Southern Italian dining destination when it opens next month. Helmed by Executive Chef Alessandro Morrone, the restaurants cuisine draws inspiration from Neapolitan cooking which is celebrated for its simplicity, vibrant flavors, and focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients. 'At Donatella, our vision was to create more than just a restaurant—we wanted to craft a journey to the Southern coast of Italy, where every dish tells a story of tradition, simplicity, and soul,' Dib said. The menu will feature traditional Italian dishes with signature dishes that include Pólipo al Insalata, Rigatoni Nduja, Black Truffle Cacio e Pepe, Veal Milanese, and Skull Island Prawns. Donatella Restaurant, a stunning Coastal Southern Italian dining destination led by Chef Alessandro Morrone. With seating for up to 170 diners and a private dining room accommodating small parties of up to 15 guests, the restaurant will offer an intimate dining experience that reflects the timeless charm of Italian cuisine. 'For over a year, we explored, tasted, and partnered with artisans who share our passion for quality and authenticity,' Dib tells Forbes. 'In a city where dining can often feel out of reach, Donatella invites you to return again and again to experience timeless food in a place where elegance meets warmth, and every guest feels at home.'
CBS News
31-03-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Clean up underway after rain caused patio ceiling collapse at University of Miami dorm
Clean up is underway after Sunday's heavy rain caused the partial collapse of a patio ceiling at a University of Miami dorm. Crews worked through the morning to clear the debris caused by the collapse at the Mahoney Pearson dorm. "It was pretty crazy. I didn't really think that that was gonna happen. Obviously, it's just the fact of the weather and they're old buildings, which is no excuse to say that they should have fallen down, but still, you know, things happen," UM student Dylan Prefontaine said. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. "It was raining and pouring and super windy, so i don't think anybody would be out there anyways, but you know, it was definitely scary to see," Prefontaine said. University officials said they are assessing the damage and trying to determine why the collapse happened. In Miami, some streets turned into streams. The doors of Kiki on the River had water rushing in as drivers navigated the flooded road. Near Northwest 15 Street and 7 Avenue, cars were stalled out as the roadways flooded. On Miami Beach, some residents were trapped in their homes by rising water levels. Those dining at the Versace Mansion on Ocean Drive ended up soaked as water poured down. Ultra Music Festival goers in Downtown Miami made the best of the rainy weather. Festival goers were seen diving into the mud puddles. The party was put on a brief pause because of the torrential rain. But after a short break, it continued. "Crappy weather, but you know, it's still worth it. The people, the music, the sounds, the set up," said Sylvio Prosser. "I mean it kind of sucks because I'd rather it be sunny but it's fine, it's Ultra day three so it'll be fun still," Rianna Hasbani said
Miami Herald
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Can Miami Beach be a healthier place to live? Here's how a ‘Blue Zone' works
As Dan Burden walks along Miami Beach's oceanfront, inhaling the salty ocean air, he's struck by how lively it is on an early February morning, with bicyclists, runners and dog walkers. South Pointe Park is just one of many landmarks the walkability expert sees during a tour of the city. Miami Beach Vice Mayor Tanya Bhatt and city workers, serving as tour guides, share the history behind the sites, including Versace Mansion on Ocean Drive, where Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace was murdered in 1997, and the famed 5th Street Gym where boxer Muhammad Ali trained. They tout the city's amenities meant to encourage people to walk, exercise and socialize, including the fitness equipment at Muscle Beach, bowling and ice skating at the city's recreation center, events at the Lincoln Road pedestrian mall. But they also talk openly about the challenges the city faces with traffic — including a legal battle over the city's pedestrian plaza on Ocean Drive, development, affordability and food insecurity. That's why Burden and his team are in Miami Beach. READ MORE: Miami Beach to remove Ocean Drive bike lane, pedestrian promenade. Here's the timeline What is Blue Zones? The touring experts, each specializing in different areas, are part of Blue Zones, a company founded by Miami Beach resident, National Geographic Fellow and longevity expert Dan Buettner. Many may recognize Buettner from the Emmy-award winning docuseries 'Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones.' The Netflix series, based on Buettner's ongoing worldwide longevity study, introduced viewers to the diets and lifestyles of centenarians living in the world's five Blue Zones, areas where people live the longest and healthiest lives. The company has used Buettner's research to help more than 90 communities across the country start sustainable policy changes across businesses, schools, social networks, faith-based communities and neighborhoods to encourage healthy choices. Miami Beach has tapped the company to be its personal trainer and life coach as it seeks to become the world's next Blue Zone. Miami Beach city commissioners voted unanimously in June to set aside $220,000 for the assessment and work needed to turn Miami Beach into a 'Blue Zones' city. The funding will cover the six-month assessment, the development of a plan for the city, and the crafting of a proposal for a five-year partnership with Blue Zones, according to city documents. The city plans to also seek local sponsorships to help fund the program. 'You can build for people or against them,' Burden, who served for 16 years as Florida's state bicycle and pedestrian coordinator and is now one of Blue Zone's infrastructure experts, told the Miami Herald as he examined the city's streets, intersections and traffic flow. The Feb. 5 tour took the team of experts across Miami Beach's neighborhoods and into some of its parks and schools. It was the official launch into the six-month assessment that will include meetings and focus groups with more than 200 people across the city. Once Miami Beach's assessment is complete, Blue Zones workers will create a blueprint for the city of changes that can be made through the years to help improve the 'Life Radius,' which is the area close to home where most people spend 90% of their lives. If all goes well, Miami Beach could be the first city in South Florida to receive a Blue Zones certification, which means the community has started policies and initiatives designed to promote healthy lifestyles. Several other cities in Florida have already received or are in the process of becoming Blue Zones-certified. What Blue Zones is pursuing In getting familiar with Miami Beach, the Blue Zones team wants to see what is and isn't working, where people spend most of their time, and what type of amenities and healthy choices people have access to. During visits to schools including Miami Beach Fienberg-Fisher K-8 Center, where the majority of students walk to school, and Miami Beach Senior High, Blue Zone experts asked about traffic safety features for kids walking and biking to school, along with health, wellness and nutrition for students and workers. At Hebrew Academy, school officials suggested adding a crosswalk in front of the new school building due to heavy traffic and the soon-to-open Bayshore Park next door. Bhatt said the city would handle it. 'That's what Blue Zones is all about,' one of the experts said of the real-time example. But it's not just traffic issues Blue Zones is paying attention to. As the tour bus traveled across city neighborhoods, Claudia Morales inquired about how close residents live to affordable grocery stores, farmer markets, community gardens, food pantries and healthy food choices. Understanding where and how people get their food in a community, what type of food insecurity exists in neighborhoods, and whether people have affordable access to nutrition education and healthy food choices is critical to the process, according to Morales, one of Blue Zone's food and nutrient experts. Partnerships and volunteer opportunities were also key areas of interest for the group. But the real work begins in meetings with people who live and work in the city to see their wants and needs. On Thursday, Feb 6, during a focus group with parents, teachers and public and private school and early childhood program representatives, the discussion zeroed in on the high levels of stress and anxiety among students, teachers and parents, as well as the sedentary lifestyle of young people. Traffic concerns surrounding pick-up and drop-off times and a desire for better food quality at public schools also emerged. 'It's not about changing Miami Beach,' said Kelsie Cajka, transformations operations director for Blue Zones. 'It's about enhancing it.' What comes next for Blue Zones and Miami Beach? While it will take several months for Blue Zones to craft its recommendations, there is good news for Miami Beach. The Blue Zones team indicated that the city has a solid foundation for its wellness journey. Once the six-month assessment of Miami Beach is complete, Blue Zones workers will create a blueprint for the city of changes that can be made through the years to help improve life. The wellness plan that will be created for Miami Beach, which attracts millions of tourists a year and has more than 79,000 residents, is expected to 'look like nothing that we've ever done before because Miami Beach is so unique,' Danny Buettner, the founder's son and the current executive vice president and chief development officer of Blue Zones, told the Miami Herald in a recent interview. But becoming a Blue Zones-certified community doesn't happen overnight. The city will need to get a certain percent of schools, businesses and other key community hubs on board to make any necessary changes. Bhatt's mind is also already racing with ideas after the tour. 'I keep hearing questions about sort of Farm to Table initiatives and other kinds of food insecurity initiatives and healthier eating,' Bhatt said. 'And I think that's a real opportunity for improvement.'
