In South Beach, a Home for Pop Art

General / People / Places / December 7, 2010

After Katrina roared through his hometown of New Orleans in late 2005, attorney Stuart Smith purchased a condo at the Continuum South Tower at the tip of South Beach and called in interior designer Claire Tully & Associates.

Her assignment?  To build out the space in a clean, contemporary way that might complement Stuart’s collection of pop art, including a substantial number of Andy Warhol and Keith Haring prints.  His reference point?  The Mondrian Hotel in Los Angeles.

“We built it with the artwork in mind,” Stuart said.  “We changed all the finishes, with Venetian plaster on the walls and Montblanc brushed white, reconstituted marble floors.”

In the bath, on a wall above the sauna, an Italian firm installed a custom mosaic scene lifted directly from Vincent Van Gogh, with one modification.  “It’s there to test people’s knowledge of art,” he said.  “It’s ‘Starry Night’ without the town.”

Perhaps the biggest challenge lay in an extensive web of electronics for the smart home.  Touch screens control the lights, music, entertainment center and burglar alarm, which can also be accessed by iphone or ipad.

At the 33rd level of the 50-story Continuum South complex, the unobstructed views encompass much of Miami Beach.  “It’s literally on the last piece of South Beach,” said local realtor Dina Goldentayer.  “And he’s got the largest terrace in the building – it’s 700 square feet overlooking the ocean, almost like a cruise ship looking out.”

Interestingly, while other nearby properties have dropped in value during the recent downturn, the Continuum South is holding its own.  “It’s a Class A+ property, and it’s held its value,” Dina said.  “Everything else collapsed except this building.”

For more on Claire Tully & Associates, go to http://www.clairetullyandassociates.com

For more on the Continuum South and Dina Goldentayer, go to http://www.thedsteam.com

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Mike Welton




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3 Comments

on December 9, 2010

It clearly is some sort of homage to 80’s design. As Philipe points out, it’s furnished with stainless steel sculpture, black and white photography, and neon lights. If that’s not 80’s I don’t know what is. The main flaw I see, is what Philipe describes as it’s greatest strength:”the obvious choice for furnishings would be black leather.” It’s so obvious as to border on banal. It looks like a staged apartment not a well designed condo. Fail.

on December 9, 2010

I tend to disagree. This is a classic example of an interior that houses Pop Art in South Beach. (Note the Pop Art Pieces in the Dining Room, as well as in the Hall) In contrast to all of the stainless steel sculpture, black and white photography, and neon lights, the obvious choice for furnishings would be black leather. As far as a mural in that bathroom is concerned, what is housed in one’s potty is really a matter of personal taste, and in all things, ones man’s sanctuary can be another man’s prison. Lovely piece Mr. Welton.

on December 7, 2010

Wow, that is really awful. It looks like really cheap furniture from the 80’s and the VVG tile mural is tacky as well. Even the kitchen is right out of the 80’s and dark.If this place is all about Pop art, why is there not even one piece of art visible in the photos? Too bad money can’t buy taste.



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