We helped Aloft Brand Hotels convert their 1954-hotel into a vibrant getaway while preserving its original architecture
Built in 1954, the former site of Motel Ankara in South Beach, Florida required some significant renovations. The facility would become an Aloft Hotel, and our team would revive and expand the existing 1954-building into a hotel that South Beach could be proud of. The design called for the original four-story structure to be restored, while a new eight-story tower was created to transform the site into a 235-room resort.
Our team strived to retain components from the original form, such as the classic brick walls of the historic wing, the refurbished Ankara Motel signage, and the shape of the outdoor pool. Throughout the hotel, however, new designs and furnishings were chosen to strike a balance between the property's beachside location and historical significance. We integrated a palette of concrete and maple wood, with shades of blues, corals, and yellows. The modern design welcomes guests into a two-story atrium by way of a translucent staircase with custom leather wrapping.
As a nod to Miami's Wynwood Arts District, a vibrant urban theme is present throughout the hotel with colorful carpeting, headboard accents, and graffiti murals displayed outside. The Aloft Hotel is now known as The Gates Hotel by Hilton.
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