Carrie's Design Musings: A Design Driven Experience ~

is what developer or "cultural entrepreneur" as he prefers being called, Robert Wennett envisioned when he and architects Herzog & de Meuron created 1111 Lincoln Rd. It is a "parking sculpture meets retail complex" (and so much more) at the gateway of the pedestrian walkway on South Beach's famous Lincoln Rd.

It was designed to almost look like a deck of cards. The Sun Trust building, which sat vacant and was an eye sore for 40 years, was incorporated into the design. It is filled with creative minded tenets like MTV and Nickelodeon. The street level is occupied by restaurants and high end stores like Taschen, designed by Phillipe Starck ~

Nespresso ~

This fabulous kiosk blew me away with its array of gourmet potions, lotions, chocolate, and bold-faced designer products including Fornasetti tableware, Paul Smith leather goods, Oliver Peoples sunglasses, to name a few. Robert chooses tenets based on their design-driven aesthetic. He is committed to furthering South Beach's international reputation as a destination rich in culture, commerce, design, and art.

It could also be considered somewhat of an art gallery. The white interior walls, exterior walls, and the parking structure itself become a blank slate for different artists to showcase their work throughout the year. I am sure it is quite a scene during Art Basel.

Chandelier 2002 by Eli Sudbrack.
Eli works in a variety of mediums and has shown at The Whitney & MOMA

unknown sculpturist

On the 5th Floor is The Alchemist, a high end clothing store filled with avant garde designers. I don't think I will ever come across a store with a better view( seen below).

They would not allow me to take a picture in the store so I am standing in the parking area looking thru the store.

1111 Lincoln Rd. has a full catering staff and state of the art sound system should you ever want to rent it for an event.

ph: Eikongraphia

The pise de resistance is the top floor with 5 residences, 360 degree views, and a lush rooftop garden. Mr. Wennett will occupy one. It's very "top secret" and secluded. I took the elevator to the top floor and this is the only indication there is more to see ~

All you can see is a sliver of the residences ~ a cool, contemporary space that is completely private. I am sure there is a private elevator hiding somewhere.

To see more of the interiors spaces: So Be Real Estate

To die for panoramic views ~

With our feet back on the ground, outside the building we see an oasis of water with native flora and fauna created by Raymond Jungles. He wanted to humanize and soften the concrete environment, thereby mimicking the motion and movements around it.