ITALIAN ROMANCE DANCES WITH SOUTHERN FLORIDA SOPHISTICATION IN B&B ITALIA’S DAZZLING NEW SUPERTOWER, SET TO ASCEND OVER THE MIAMI SKYLINE IN 2025

BY AMANDA McCOY

By 1970, the young Italian furniture brand B&B Italia by Meda native Piero Busnelli was already rattling the design industry. Its inaugural project, the Coronado (circa 1966), introduced a revolutionary technique that matched an iron frame with cold molded polyurethane foam, which allowed cushions to maintain a permanent structured shape.

Unconventional proportions became a cornerstone of the brand, manifesting in the female silhouette inspired UP Series of 1969, the now iconic le Bambole sofas of the early ‘70s, and the modular Sity collection of the 1980s, the latter nabbing the brand’s fourth Compasso d’Oro award, heralded as the top honor in Italian industrial design. More than five decades, 1,200 products, and 70 single brand showrooms later, B&B Italia remains one of the most venerated names in the business, still lauded for pioneering shapes and launching trends with subtlety and sophistication. Ultra luxury hotels in Arts & Cultural District, CasaBella will comprise 312 ultra luxury residences and penthouses, ranging in size from 711 square feet to a sprawling 5,714 square foot five bedroom palace in the sky. All units will feature two biometric access controlled elevators along with exclusive vestibules for complete privacy, and most homes offer spacious pass through layouts with ten foot ceilings. The wraparound terraces pay homage to B&B Italia’s heritage of challenging traditional proportions, boasting a curved edge design that lends a fluid wave like aesthetic to the building’s contemporary facade.

The exclusive Penthouse Collection spans 24 massive mega condos with 11 foot ceilings on the top floors, plus four “Upper” penthouses with soaring 12 foot ceilings. Italian sophistication radiates throughout every corner of these two story addresses, from double height living rooms with towering windows overlooking Biscayne Bay to unit specific rooftop terraces with private spa tubs and premium summer kitchens.

Each home features a master bath personally designed by Lissoni. Think imported porcelain with deep gray veins covering the floors and walls, offset by warm wooden cabinetry and backlit vanity mirrors. Frameless glass enclosed rain showers and oversized porcelain tubs create a spa like experience. The same Calacatta backdrop continues in the kitchens, dressed in sleek Italian cabinetry also hand selected by Lissoni. A top of the line black glass appliance package includes an integrated, paneled 36 inch Sub Zero refrigerator/ freezer, silent paneled dishwasher, Wolf Paris, Milan, Dubai, Shanghai, Lake Como, and beyond all don B&B regalia, but perhaps its most ambitious global project to date is currently underway right here in the states. CasaBella by B&B Italia, the brand’s first residential development, is preparing to break ground.

A round table of industry luminaries came together to conceptualize the upcoming 55 story mega tower. Alta Developers and Related Group lead the development, while Miami based Arquitectonica (Brickell City Centre, Microsoft Europe Headquarters) is spearheading the architecture. As for the interiors, from the dedicated wellness center to the opulent penthouse collection, world renowned designer and architect Piero Lissoni is hand curating a living experience that epitomizes Italian luxury. “To design, you must first have an intimate relationship with a place,” said the Milan based Red Dot Award winner. “It is a romance.”

Rising from the heart of Miami’s thriving built in convection oven, Wolf built in speed oven, ceramic glass countertop, and wine refrigeration.

Two full floors of amenities bring the luxuries of a five star resort to residential living, from a full service beauty salon with dedicated mani/pedi stations to a fully equipped business center with a sunny conference room, plus a creative co working space with comfortable lounge seating.

Lissoni curated all public spaces, choosing rich textiles, natural materials, and contemporary accents to create chic, minimalist oases that blend the Italian South Florida lifestyles. A gathering hub celebrates one of Italy’s most precious commodities vino. The seductive wine room is fully encased in floor to ceiling glass enclosed cellars, displaying an impressive array of Italian and global vintages. Minimalist dining tables and plush lounge seating invite denizens to uncork a ‘69 merlot and discuss the secrets to the universe.

An immersive 360 degree wellness center is stacked with amenities, from the state of the art fitness studio overlooking Biscayne Bay to a world class spa with on demand services along with a dry sauna and thermal baths. There are also private yoga and spinning rooms inside, but if you prefer to sweat with the Florida sun on your face, an outdoor yoga lawn and pickle ball court are also on tap. An 11th floor pool deck features a modern 78 foot lap pool and is sprinkled with several private cabanas, shaded lounge seating, and outdoor grills. Grab a cocktail from the poolside bar and enjoy the views of the Bay under the shade of a vine covered pavilion. Celebrity landscape artist Enzo Enea was tapped to dress the outdoor areas in rich shades of green.

For the best views in the house, journey to the 56th floor rooftop terrace to find yet another pool and extraordinary vistas of the bay and cityscape. Once the sun melts into the horizon, drink in the night sky from the rooftop observatory, replete with a state of the art telescope for prime star hunting. Owners will also be treated to all the concierge services of a five star resort, including 24 hour valet, butler and housekeeping, nanny and childcare, pre arrival grocery and delivery, courier, and dry cleaning.
Prices for a one bedroom unit begin in the high $600,000s.

Casa Bella by B&B Italia
1444 Biscayne Boulevard / 305.307.5948 / casabellaresidences.com