MURANO EMBARKS ON A RENAISSANCE IN MIAMI BEACH

Murano, South Florida’s premium waterfront residences located in the historic South of Fifth district of Miami Beach, is embarking on an evolutionary transformation for the first time in more than two decades, with the help of today’s leading design and architectural icon—marking a rebirth of the renowned residential community known for its intimate luxury on the bay.

The Murano homeowner’s association and its Board of Directors is led by President, John Caprio, who has formed an esteemed executive team to steer the three-year redevelopment project towards completion and fulfillment of its prolific vision and embodiment in luxury property design and development. As an acclaimed leader in world-class residential hospitality, Murano has already become the gold standard in ultra-luxury service and is recognized by Forbes Travel Guide as one of the few luxury residential developments in the world to be certified by the global industry authority. In an unprecedented move, Caprio brought together Shark Tank panelist and brand entrepreneur, Rohan Orza; developer, President and CEO of Procida Companies, Mario Procida, luxury property developer and realtor, Tony Giulino, and Canada’s preeminent insurance broker, Jeff Rodin, to mutually preside over the waterfront property comprising of 189 units across three towers, each boasting priceless views of the bay and downtown Miami skyline.

The executive leadership team was not only proactive with having the foresight ahead of the 20-year recertification before the laws were enacted in Florida, but had the collective vision and goal to bring Murano into the same competitive arena as its South of Fifth neighbors, Continuum and Apogee. With a view to installing superior amenities and a design aesthetic that would be revered, the board commissioned the award-winning international architecture and design firm, Arquitectonica, to spearhead the redevelopment.  Board member, Rohan Orza, an avid resident at Murano for more than four years, has been instrumental in tailoring the vision and design aesthetic for the property, advocating for an Aman-style level of comfort and beauty across the portfolio of amenities.

Board President John Caprio comments on the project underway, anticipated to be completed by 2027:  “One unique aspect of our building is that over seventy percent of our apartments are more than 2,000 square feet in size and three bedrooms. Our residents own their units as a second or third home and expect a world-class level of service and amenities. Since the renovation began, our price per square foot has incrementally increased over the last two years. Our goal is to make the transformation of Murano an elevated living experience that equals or even surpasses our most sought-after neighbors, in a rapidly advancing real estate environment that is driven by luxury in the South of Fifth neighborhood. We’re extremely pleased to have brought a world-class General Manager on-board, Rene Faustin, to oversee the redevelopment project with one of today’s most iconic visionaries in outdoor design. Rene has revitalized the culture at Murano—one that all the residents are responding to in a very positive way.”

Transformative Redevelopment

Since 2005, Miami-based outdoor landscape and structural specialists, ArquitectonicaGEO, has been designing contemporary, ecologically responsive landscapes that embrace technology and address the evolving challenges of our environment—while elevating the human experience. The company has been commissioned to revitalize and modernize the exterior and common areas of the Murano property, in order to elevate and accommodate a new series of luxury amenities and a design footprint that will transform the community in to a “boutique resort” experience.

“Our redesign of the pool deck is about realizing untapped value,” says Ben Hutchens, Principal at ArquitectonicaGEO.  “We are elevating the outdoor experience with the highest level of finish and curating a resort lifestyle that sets a new benchmark for quality in a competitive luxury landscape.”

ArquitectonicaGEO began work on the façade and the building’s exterior in 2023, working across 27,000 square feet that encompasses the entrance, arrival and drop-off area. With the main goal of upgrading and refurbishing the ground level entryway, the work is also carried-out in accordance with Florida’s recertification law, to ensure the property meets and exceeds minimum safety standards, structural integrity and stability.

A major architectural improvement for the arrival experience will be made to the porte-cochère. The current steel structure will be replaced with a slick outdoor concrete roof that will serve as a covered entrance, providing ample shade for when passengers are exiting or entering their vehicle. Lighting fixtures around the driveway and porte-cochère will also be upgraded. Landscaping for the driveway entrance and drop-off area will be selectively enhanced, with native plant material and trees added that are tropical yet robust to endure any weather conditions. Highly sustainable and resilient plant life will include Green Buttonwood, an evergreen coastal native with vibrant green leaves; Cocoplum, another South Florida native and textured plant with a beachy look, along with Spider Lily for contrasting color and texture. Granite curbs will also be added to the entire driveway for a more luxurious look to the arrival experience. A new dog park will also be added to the property’s grounds, surrounded by Green Buttonwood foliage, featuring a lush lawn with seating and pergola that overlooks the bay - facing the Miami city skyline in the distance. An additional improvement will be made to the concrete Murano signage at the driveway entrance, that will have the water fixture replaced and garnished instead with additional vegetation, new stone finishes and upgraded lighting.

The pool deck on the property’s fourth level will be completely overhauled and redesigned to encompass new amenities and resort-style common areas with a more contemporary aesthetic, covering 53,100 square feet of natural limestone. Along with a newly repaired and replaced layer of waterproofing across the entire pool deck, walkways will be reimagined and adorned with tropical plant life and Phoenix Palms to resemble a “garden-walk,” with residents walking through the garden to access the main pool. Monstera Deliciosa, the Swiss cheese plant is a tropical shrub that will also be situated along the pathways. A slightly elevated and curved aluminum pavilion will be installed with beige textured finishes and stylish lounge furniture situated on a composite wooden deck, serving as an ideal area for large groups and family gatherings or as an event space that overlooks the entire pool deck and bay.

The main pool will be modernized, refinished and framed by Medjool Date Palms.  The existing hot tub will remain and a cold plunge will be added as an extra amenity. Five private cabanas or “outdoor suites” with lounge seating will be located alongside the pool, each one enclosed with ceiling fans, electrical outlets and flat screen TV – ideal for small private groups or families. An additional three cabanas with beds will be situated poolside for individual use. Additional plant life and vegetation will surround the pool area. Adjacent to the pool will be a covered fitness area and workout lawn that will allow magnificent views of the bay and face the Miami city skyline. This wellness pavilion and group amenity will be used for morning yoga classes and be available for individuals to enjoy their own routine in a tranquil setting. Murano will be the first property to pioneer a full-service racquet sport amenity, with a tennis court, Pickleball court and Padel court all under one roof. By walking down several steps, roughly five-foot below the pool deck, will bring residents and guests to this sporting club amenity, surrounded by lush vegetation.

Call Me Gaby

The idyllic restaurant and Beach Club at Murano has proven to be a valuable Lifestyle proposition and popular amenity for residents and their guests, with a number of event activations taking place on-site, arranged by management with top-tier brand partners. One of South of Fifth’s most acclaimed restaurants, Call Me Gaby, will take over Murano’s food and beverage operation and restaurant amenity from the 2026 season onwards. The Al Fresco dining favorite will introduce a revamped Mediterranean menu courtesy of Executive Chef Andrea Amelio.

A slightly refurbished restaurant space with extended pergola and new lounge furniture will delight residents, who will be offered a new breakfast and lunch menu starting in December 2025.  A dinner offering is being planned at the restaurant, that will be open to the public for evenings in Spring-Summer 2026. Call Me Gaby will also offer a Beach Club amenity with poolside loungers adjacent to and inside the restaurant area.

The Murano Beach Club on the sands of South of Fifth, adjacent to the Continuum Beach Club, will offer beach concessions to residents who wish to spend the day relaxing by the sea. A special Beach Club food and beverage menu will be offered seven days a week from sunrise to sundown. As an additional luxury amenity for residents and their guests, a Courtesy vehicle and golf cart is offered by Murano management to transport residents from the property throughout Miami Beach and to all the various amenities outside the residences.

“Our redevelopment will set a new and improved standard for boutique luxury residential living,” says Rene Faustin, General Manager at Murano. “With cutting-edge world-class amenities comes a new mindset and way of living. In addition to the external façade, arrival experience and pool deck, we have commissioned the modernization of the building’s elevators, a reconfigured two-floor gym with new locker rooms and saunas, as well as renovated management offices. We are uniquely located in South of Fifth and our unprecedented range of luxury amenities will be unmatched in the neighborhood. We’re elevating Murano to a new level that will redefine the luxury lifestyle experience in the region.”

Written by Monique Severino