ON DECEMBER 2 hotelier Ian Schrager will celebrate the opening of his newest hotel with an Art Basel Miami Launch party at the hotel’s new Studio 54-inspired nightclub, Basement. A long time ago, in a galaxy far away Schrager you may recall was co-founder of the original Studio 54 in New York.
‘It will be like a sensory explosion,’ Schrager has said. ‘You’ll get the kind of lighting effects you got at Studio 54, but updated. You’ll be dancing like you are in a sound studio or onstage performing.’ And be warned there are no seats. ‘If you need to sit, then you have to rest outside’ says 68 year old Schrager in a way that suggest sitting is for party-poopers only.

Alongside the night club on this fun-filled floor there is also an ice skating rink, a bowling alley and an outdoor theatre, Apparently the zappy lighting in the club, the alley and the ice skating rink have been created by Patrick Woodroffe, a lighting specialist who has worked with Lady Gaga, Beyoncé and the Rolling Stones. So this really is party central.

With Miami Beach EDITION Schrager has returned to his old stomping ground, where he opened the style-smashing Delano twenty years ago. Although, ‘it’s a new Miami now,’ says Schrager, ‘It’s global.’

The landmark 1950s building is located between South Beach and North Beach in what was formerly the Seville Hotel. Madison Cox designed the lush landscape which surrounds the hotel and the two beachside pools Case in point:
The hotel’s restaurant, Matador Room, is housed in an historic, oval-shaped dining room which harks back to Miami’s heyday. Food-wise the Matador Room offers Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s distinctive modern interpretation of Latin cuisine influenced by Spanish, Caribbean and South American flavours. The expansive Matador Terrace has bright bougainvillea and beachfront views.

Most exciting for TLTB readers are the 28 private bungalow, some with two stories, all with separate private bedroom, dining area, living room and private balcony, light wood-panelled walls and ocean views. Then of course there are the residences designed by uber-architect John Pawson, The Residences will sit on the top floors of the existing, building housing the hotel, as well as in an adjacent,18-story tower. Although part of The Miami Beach EDITION, The Residences will have their own dedicated private entrance as well as an anonymous ‘celebrity’ entrance, for ultimate privacy.

During Art Basel Miami the hotel will host a number of Basel-related events and we predict be the after-show watering hole of choice for the design-conscious participants. The EDITION concept is of course a joint venture with Marriott although they keep the use of the M word to a minimum since it doesn’t rate so well in style circles.