The day before the Art Basel Miami Beach, architect and artist Peter Marino was seated in a room that he designed, gazing at the ocean, dressed in his unique swimwear: leather pants, jacket, motorcycle boots, cap, aviator sunglasses, necklace, and brass knuckles with rats. Nearby was a bowl full of all black M&Ms.
Marino’s personality shone through as he spoke about his respect for architecture and his affection for the Raleigh Hotel. The hotel, a classic art deco establishment, has a rich history and is set to make a comeback with developer Michael Shvo’s ambitious plans. Shvo has enlisted Marino, a distinguished designer, to create a new hotel cluster and residential high-rise.
The temporary structure where we spoke embodied the fusion of styles between the classic deco and Marino’s bold designs. The replica of the original bar downstairs served guests martinis and dishes from Langosteria, the Milan seafood spot. The future is bright for the Raleigh, with luxury condos starting at $10 million. The level of Miami, as Shvo put it, is getting elevated, and nowhere is this elevation more evident than in Marino’s bold designs.