800 Lincoln Road
Built in 1936 and designed by Robert Law Reed, 800 Lincoln Road was first home to the Burdines Department Store, where the streamlined steel and concrete frame provided a pedestal for the future addition of five more stories. After Burdines moved to a different location, Richard’s Department Store occupied the building alongside other commercial businesses before the space became home to Art Center South Florida.
Decades of neglect covered the original surfaces with layers of paint and saw the loss of storefront area, a major entry feature, and important trim elements. The building’s acquisition in 2014 by a new owner prompted the restoration of the façades and an expansion of the retail area.
The redesign focused on two major initiatives: bringing back the original character of the building—restoring the cast concrete panels of the façade and the polished aluminum trim denoting bands of discrete surface treatments—and establishing a clear demarcation between the original building and the addition. The latter was accomplished by continuing the use of concrete façade in the addition, though using board-formed concrete to contrast the smoothness of the original panels. The volume of the addition is set back from the plane of the original building and separated from the historic structure by a continuous band of glass that runs from the addition’s entry at the southern edge up to the rooftop restaurant.
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Miami’s design language is rooted in our sunny but challenging climate, and somewhat wild nature. It is lighter, brighter, and freer. When desired, it can immerse us in nature while still having protective boundaries from the sun, heat, and storms when needed.
At the heart of our practice is listening: listening to the unique dreams and passions of our clients and weaving their visions into the vibrant tapestry of our dynamic city. The client envisioned a home that was thoroughly modern yet grounded in historical architectural precedents; like many of our projects, 101 Hibiscus was crafted to respect past design traditions while capturing aspirations for the future.
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The design for Coral Gables Residence exhibits a dual nature: a more traditional façade juxtaposed against a sleek and modern rear exterior.