Owners of historic Shelborne hotel in South Beach seek approval for renovation

Historic preservation board will review plans next week

The hotel was built in 1940, with an addition constructed in 1958. (Shelborne)
The hotel was built in 1940, with an addition constructed in 1958. (Shelborne)

The owners of the historic Shelborne Hotel are planning a renovation of the oceanfront South Beach property.

Shelborne Hotel Partners WC LP submitted a proposal to the Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board for the partial demolition, renovation and restoration of portions of the hotel. The ownership group also wants to add a retractable rooftop canopy system, and make changes to the backyard site plan. The entity is seeking approval at the board’s meeting on Tuesday.

W.P. Carey and Russell Galbut sold the majority of the condo-hotel at 1801 Collins Avenue to a joint venture between King Street Real Estate GP, Westdale Properties and Cedar Capital Partners in early 2020 for about $120 million.

The Shelborne, built in 1940, was designed by Igor Polevitzky and his partner Thomas Triplett Russell. In 1958, Morris Lapidus designed an eight-story addition west of the hotel, according to the proposal.

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The hotel is currently open.

The King Street, Westdale and Cedar Capital joint venture is proposing to renovate the common spaces on the ground floor, demolish the townhomes in the lobby, install a retractable awning over the mezzanine terrace, and build a new pool and garden on the eastern portion of the property. The owners also plan to add operable windows to the penthouse unit.

Sandor Scher’s Claro Development will manage the renovation, and Bermello Ajamil & Partners is the architect of record. Martin Brudnizki Design Studio is the interior design firm.