Jan 5 2007
Flagstone Property Group is set to begin building Island Gardens, one of the largest waterfront developments in the world to be located on Watson Island.
Surrounded by 360 degree views of Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline, the $575-million project will integrate a super-yacht harbor, a luxury hotel, a business hotel, fractional residences, high-end retail shops, waterfront dining, a leisure garden and a maritime gallery, all engaging the skyline of Miami and the setting of Biscayne Bay.
Island Gardens will feature two hotel towers; the Shangri-La Hotel and the Westin Hotel, as well as the Living Shangri-La fractional residences set amongst extensive signature gardens in partnership with Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. As one of the numerous public amenities that will enrich the Island Gardens experience, a maritime gallery will be created in conjunction with the Historical Museum of Southern Florida.
Island Gardens will boast the only marina in North America that is exclusively designed for mega-yachts. The super-yacht harbor will establish the City of Miami as an international destination on the same caliber as illustrious getaways in the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
"We are excited to bring a project to the city that will draw residents, visitors and guests from all around the world," said Mehmet Bayraktar, Chairman and CEO of Flagstone Property Group. "Super-yacht harbors are proven magnets in attracting crowds, as experienced in St. Tropez, Monte Carlo, and Monaco. Flagstone Property Group aspires to create the excitement surrounding a mega-yacht anchored lifestyle experience at Island Gardens."
A beacon to Miami, Island Gardens is designed to provide an engaging 24- hour experience to the public through its ample public space and variety of indoor and outdoor activities. The development will offer recreation, civic education as well as the unique legacy of Miami's exciting history.
Island Gardens was conceptualized by developer Mehmet Bayraktar and concept architect Eric Kuhne to utilize every aspect of Watson Island and offer Miami residents and visitors an extraordinary public area that will enrich the City of Miami. Piero Lissoni, world-renowned interior designer and co-founder of Studio Lissoni, is designing the interiors of various components of the development. The project architect is Spillis Candela DMJM, one of the oldest and largest professional design firms in the southeastern United States.