MIAMI BEACH, Fla.—Nautilus, a SIXTY Hotel opened today as one of the most vibrant hotel properties on South Beach. Since 2011, when the property was purchased as a distressed property by international real estate development and investment firm Quadrum Global and partner InSite Group, the hotel has undergone a major restoration. The 250-key Nautilus will now operate as SIXTY Collective’s newest hotel.
Restoring the building to its original 1950s splendor, Quadrum and InSite were careful to preserve various elements of famed architect Morris Lapidus’ neo-Baroque style, including the reconstruction of the porte cochere; 25-foot lobby ceilings; the noted Staircase to Nowhere, beveled windows like the curved wall of glass blocks at the hotel entrance; teal green tile that’s reminiscent of the original tower; and the legendary Driftwood Room supper club, where Ralph Font And His Orchestra helped ignite the worldwide cha-cha craze.
“Miami Beach is world-renowned for its hotels, entertainment and nightlife, and the demand for rooms in walking distance from the heart of South Beach will always be strong,” said Oleg Pavlov, Quadrum Global’s chief executive officer.
Ben Shmul, president of InSite Group, added, “The Nautilus was such an important part of Miami Beach’s history. We have been privileged with the opportunity to restore a landmark property to its original character and present the market with a truly unique experience, one that harkens back to Miami Beach’s first golden age while immersing the visitor in the suave panache of the contemporary city.”
Along with Lapidus’ original design elements and elegant contours, Nautilus fuses mid-century Miami Beach with modern beach culture, including “jet set” style furniture layered with deco accents and contemporary pieces. Draped in neutral colors, the guest rooms and suites feature 48-inch, flatscreen televisions, vintage-style mini-bar chests with gourmet offerings, and custom artwork from notable American photographer Sante D’Orazio. Many rooms and suites also offer balconies with ocean views, and an eighth-floor penthouse suite includes two bedrooms, a dining area, kitchen, and a lush garden terrace.
Hotel amenities include a 1,890-square-foot heated salt-water pool with underwater sound system, a 24-hour health-club-quality fitness center, and a retail boutique where various brand collaborations will rotate throughout the year. In addition to the Driftwood Room (a ground floor, lobby bar), guests and visitors will be able to dine or enjoy cocktails at the Nautilus Cabana Club, a dining room, outdoor deck, cabana-lined poolside retreat, pool bar, backyard, and 200-seat signature restaurant helmed by Alex Guarnaschelli and operated by China Grill Management.
“From the day we acquired the property and began to reposition it, our goal has been to recreate the sense of liveliness that once filled Nautilus’ halls and common areas,” said Seth Schumer, Quadrum’s head of U.S. investment. “While the aesthetics and finishes will set the perfect tone, the Driftwood Room and the Nautilus Cabana Club will provide the energy a hotel needs in order to thrive in Miami Beach.”
