The Sherry Frontenac, a post-war modern hotel in Miami Beach, is getting a poolside makeover.
On Monday, the Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board approved a request allowing the hotel owner to build a new deck with a concrete canopy, underground parking and a rooftop dining area for the property at 6565 Collins Avenue in North Beach.
S.F. Land LLC can now demolish the existing pool deck and cabanas, as well as tear down parts of a three-story pedestal that houses the lobby to make room for new elevators. The historic preservation board also unanimously approved 12 waivers and variances involving the property’s rear and side yard setbacks to accommodate the new pool deck and cabana area.
Originally designed by famed Miami Beach architect Henry Hohauser, the Sherry Frontenac consists of two nine-story towers sitting on opposite ends of a three-story pedestal where the lobby and a gallery are located. The towers feature a “saw-tooth” design that gives the hotel’s 330 rooms a corner location with maximum light and ocean views.
“We believe that the design we have put forward is consistent with the historic nature of the building,” the hotel owner’s attorney Monika Entin told board members. “We believe that it actually creates a better condition in the rear than what exists now.”
S.F. Land, which is managed by Perri Stern and John and Ira Sussman, has been renovating the Sherry Frontenac since 2015, according to a Jan. 5 letter the company submitted to the city. That year, the historic preservation board approved a request to add balconies and larger windows along the east sides of the towers.
Now, S.F. Land wants to move forward with revamping the pool deck and cabana area by elevating it so that there is a clear path from the hotel lobby, through the pool section, to the beach. Plans and renderings submitted by project architect Jose Gomez show hotel owner is proposing a concrete canopy structure with post-war modern elements to provide a breezy cover for the cabanas. Shaped like a U, the structure would run along the perimeter of an infinity pool and is surrounded by lush open green spaces with trees.
The renovations are necessary for the Sherry Frontenac to remain competitive and make it a place people want to visit, Entin said. “It is one of the most beautiful buildings that is still around,” she said. “The lobby is incredible.”
Raising the pool deck will also allow the owners to add underground parking to the property, Entin said. In addition, S.F. Land wants to add elevators to the third-story pedestal that will transport guests to a renovated roof deck with a restaurant.