ROOFTOP RETREAT

A SAVVY DESIGNER ENCOURAGES A MIDWESTERN COUPLE TO EMBRACE WHAT PENTHOUSE LIVING IN MIAMI BEACH IS ALL ABOUT

WRITTEN BY JENEE DESTIN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRIS TAMBURELLO | STYLING BY PEGGY CHASE JORDAO

It didn’t take long for a Chicago couple seeking a pandemic refuge to realize Miami Beach could offer them a solution beyond the sublime. As newly minted empty nesters who love boating and being on the water, they instinctively fell hard for the hip, low-key vibe of Sunset Harbour after an exhaustive search in South Beach. While eyeing the light-bending magic of Monad Terrace, they quickly pivoted from buying a house to going all in on one of the building’s four penthouse properties. The main appeal? More than 7,000 square feet of outdoor living space, including a rooftop terrace boasting 360-degree views stretching from South Beach to Miami, Biscayne Bay, and the ocean beyond.

Dubbed “the reflection machine” by its architect, acclaimed French architect Jean Nouvel, Monad Terrace incorporates a reflective honeycomb façade that captures daylight, reflected and diffused from the glittering surface of a surrounding water garden and lagoon. At dusk, the building glows like a paper lantern. “At night, our Miami cityscape view feels strangely similar to the Chicago skyline,” says the homeowner. “We never tire of gazing out the floor-toceiling windows, marveling at all that surrounds us from sunrise to sunset.”

The couple’s primary interior design goal was blending their preferred aesthetic with the existing custom appointments, including an ultramodern kitchen, luxurious bath fixtures, and Italian wood and marble flooring. Impressed by designer Deborah Wecselman’s work (which they’d seen while touring other condos), they hired heR immediately after securing their purchase in 2021.

“The clients are members at the Sunset Harbour Yacht Club, so the Sunset Islands area is where they found their vibe,” says Wecselman, a tastemaker long recognized nationally and internationally for creating bespoke luxury interiors. “The wife is also an event planner, and she liked the idea of having a tropical modern theme and feel for each room. We went for soft and elegant in the main spaces and put color and energy into the guest bedrooms.”

The lavish interior spaces span 3,400 square feet, comprising five bedrooms and five-and-a-half baths. An open-concept floor plan inspired Wecselman to delineate areas into seating vignettes, including a cozy den with a sleek black marble and gold brass bar, a hexagon-shaped living area with a floating conversational sofa centered on a custom rug, and a custom millwork bench for extra seating and storage. The kitchen’s built-in leather banquette, surrounded by lustrous millwork, reiterates the living area’s wood flooring. “The clients love to entertain and they wanted a floor plan that enabled everyone to enjoy views of the water and downtown Miami while having an intimate conversation inside,” notes the designer. “The bar is the jewel box—the main focal point between the family and living areas, allowing the spaces to flow together and feel connected.”

Already fitted with a raised pool, a spa, and an outdoor kitchen, the rooftop terrace required only a few flourishes with additional palm trees, planting boxes, and flowers that thrive by the seaside. The owners opted for a massive living green wall to give the space a lush, tropical ambiance. A kitchen nestled between the east and west sides of the terrace offers all the tools necessary for daytime or nighttime meals with their daughters and extended family.

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“At first, this project was a little intimidating to us as we had always gravitated to more traditional/ transitional designs in our Midwestern homes,” says the wife. “But that’s not Miami. Deborah and her team designers, Alexandra Abouekde and Giovanna Posada, were a great fit, keeping our wishes in mind while pushing us out of our comfort zone.”

The essence of the home pays homage to the sea, sky, and landscape with calming tonal fabrics mixed with reflective glass and metal elements. Teal, green, and blue hues trace throughout the artwork, with some accents speaking to the ethereal setting while some nod to the inhabitants’ sense of humor. “I wanted the apartment to have a sophisticated feel with a little fun mixed in,” adds the wife. “Even simply enjoying a glass of wine while cooking dinner in our kitchen is pure pleasure.”

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