Gabellini Sheppard partnered with AKA to design the Hotel AKA Brickell in Miami. The studio completely transformed the space from its previous life as a Conrad hotel, ushering in a new era for the property and fully embodying the luxury hospitality brand’s ethos. The property’s new additions include a lobby, lounge, bar, and restaurant by Michelin-Starred chef David Myers.

Hotel AKA Brickell’s renovation is reflective of the firm’s focus on creating environments rich with a sense of discovery and spatial harmony through our signature ability to hone light, space, and materials. To achieve this feeling, the team at Gabellini Sheppard carefully considered each and every aspect of the Hotel AKA Brickell’s design and its impact on the guest experience. Organic shapes and natural materials, including warm-toned wood and stone, envelop visitors as soon as they’re welcomed through the building’s front doors. From the materials used to the way light flows within the spaces, all elements of the hotel’s interiors have been designed to evoke peace and tranquility. The restaurant is home to a massive light installation with 100+ custom lanterns situated at varying heights and interspersed in clustered arrangements inside the restaurant. These floating art pieces bring a sense of whimsy and spectacle to the space’s more than 10-story atrium.

Photography by William Waldron and Michael Pisarri.