Icon Brickell Tour – Common Areas
November 5, 2008 by Lucas Lechuga
The valet area is grand to say the least. The large columns that greet you as you enter the property resemble the stone heads on Easter Island called Moai. $10M was spent on these monstrous columns.
The windows of each lobby has a yellow film on them to distinguish the room from the rest of the building. It felt a bit like a haunted house to me. Above, you see the concierge desk with an over-sized armoire behind it.
The fireplace located in the lobby of Icon Brickell is surrounded by classical furniture and large, frameless Renaissance portraits.
Another shot of the lobby.
Another look at some of the artwork in the lobby of Icon Brickell.
The hallway leading to the mail room and elevators creates a sharp contrast from the lobby.
The mail room at Icon Brickell.
The Icon Brickell Cafe serves food and beverages to the pool area and makes deliveries to all of the residences.
The Icon Brickell pool deck has a Delano-style to it.
Over-sized chessboard located off the Icon Brickell pool deck.
Outdoor dining table with room for 50 people.
Outdoor gas fireplace and furniture located off the pool deck.
The theater room was locked but I was able to a shot of it through the doors. We were told the room will be filled with beds instead of leather recliners.
The Icon Brickell club room.
Another shot of the Icon Brickell club room. Although I did not get a chance to see them, I was told that there is a separate billiards room and poker room.
Above, you'll find the thermal spa room which is reminiscent of an ancient Roman bath.
Spinning room at Icon Brickell.
The fitness center at Icon Brickell has free weights, machines, cardio equipment with personal TV screens and two boxing bags.
The locker room at Icon Brickell.
The men's spa. We were told that the men's and women's spas are identical.
The steam room. There is also a separate sauna room.
A treatment/massage room in the Men's spa at Icon Brickell.
Icon Brickell was different to say the least. It is very over-the-top with an Alice in Wonderland type feel and a hint of South Beach flare to it. The 2 acre pool deck was incredible with its lengthy dining room table, large fireplace, over-sized chessboard and Delano-style Infinity-Edge pools. Most will also appreciate the extensive collection of artwork that fill the various rooms throughout Icon Brickell. My favorite room was the thermal spa room with plunge pools and floor-to-ceiling bookcases on each end. Although it may not appeal to some, it is still a sight to see in person. The Icon Brickell Cafe is definitely an amenity that most will appreciate. There will also be two signature restaurants located at Icon Brickell. I did feel, however, that the fitness center was a bit small to accommodate 1700+ units. Overall, the development may not conform to the tastes of some but I think everyone will agree that it is unlike any condo development that we have seen in Miami.
Icon Brickell has a total of 1,783 units in the three towers that comprise the development. Closings are scheduled to begin next week. Our tour guide notified us that 90 percent of the units had been presold. It will be interesting to see how Icon Brickell fares with their closings in the months ahead.
Alice…..I found your Wonderland….
Very interesting…I definitely want to see this in person
I am curious to see this, the same way I’m curious to see a massive car wreck.
The problem is, who wants to live in this? It’s gimmicky and the theme is bound to get tired after a few years. The mnt fees in this building are going to be insane.
Definitely worth a visit, but certainly over-the-top to say the least. Can’t wait to see how closings go in a project of this magnitude.
Epic failure. Really epic. Seriously, these aren’t real pictures, just a photoshopped joke right? This might work as a 50 unit boutique hotel. 1,700 units?
The concierge desk looks like it needs a pumpkin lantern
Icon Brickell really screwed up here. You won’t even be able to find buyers in the $200-$300 per sq ft. range because they will overwhelmingly have very traditional tastes. This project has no floor in the price.
A tasteless hulk.
THX LUCAS!
That was great!
We should all give thanks to Lucas more often, he shows us some great stuff here.
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Wow, this is so over the top that I may like it!
The gaudiness of it is awesome!
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Now, what are those HOA fees?!!!
Anyone know?
50 cents per square foot.
what a joke. i’ve been to easter island and it’s an insult to call those columns moais.
Lucas
is the .50 what was originally quoted during preconstruction? regardless, that HOA is bound to go up fast.
If 50 cents holds that isn’t bad. Just depends on % closings, I guess.
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I don’t know guys, criticism seems harsh.
Yea, definitely seems gaudy, but it’s so over the top that it’s kinda decadent, in the nicest possible way that is, like Berlin in the 1920s.
It’s like on purpose over the top.
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The Boteros at Four Seasons are more tasteful, but some wouldn’t like those either.
This could be a great place for rehab or a psych ward.. LOL Actually would be neat as a hotel to stay at but as a place to live…..very odd. It will definitely get comments.
Which room does Siegfried and Roy perform in? I’d be afraid someone from the Blue Man Group would chase me down that white hallway with an axe….redrum, redrum, redrum. Does HAL get your mail for you?
I think a CSI miami episode was shot in the pool area. Or there is another place in miami that has a simialr looking pool deck area. I distinctly remember the table with 3 chairs in the middle of the pool. The episode that I am talking about is when there is a solar eclipse and someone gets strangled during the “darkness”. lol
Besides the pool area, the common area is gaudy. I doubt anyone with mainstream taste would find it appealing.
Well that WAS funny Tom.
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I was thinking more along the lines of having semi-naked girls dressed as Alice moving the chess pieces around while having a lunch where no utensils are allowed on that 50 person table. But to each his own fantasy.
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Did anyone expect anything else from Jorge’s legacy?
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This is the ultimate “let them eat cake” as the world enters a depression.
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jcrimes #3 and JL #4. I completely agree with you.
I mean JL #5
RT #14, absolutely hilarious.
I am posting a link tomorrow to this site in a couple of places I visit.
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I keep smiling every time I look at the pictures.
I’ve got to share this.
jcrimes,
The maintenance fee of 50 cents was quoted to me yesterday. I agree that the maintenance fee will eventually go up but I don’t agree that it will go up fast. The upkeep of the building will be very expensive but there are 1,783 units to split the bill. It’s not like there’s 500 or 600 units but rather 1,783 units!!! The developer is responsible for paying the maintenance fee on any unclosed units until the building is handed over to the condo association. That likely won’t happen for at least another year.
Speaking of Botero, his work along with Zaha Hadid and some artist Decevero or something (never heard of him) will be on display at Fairchild Tropical Garden this winter… The Delano is the original location where Starck put lawn furniture in the pool, it’s sexy I gotta say…I think that’s where that CSI episode was filmed. Didn’t the guy get impaled on an ice sculpture in that episode??? I think I saw it… Philippe Starck is at least unique, I’d say this now qualifies as the hippest place on Brickell, and quite possibly all of downtown, but keep in mind,… Read more »
it certainly is overwhelming. i like the thermal spa area, but not a very big fan of the overall decorating scheme. guess i am too simple for their tastes. epic seems to be a comparable building on the horizon, any ideas whether it will be more traditional in decor? these shots have really turned me off to considering a unit in icon. kind of bummed about that, thought it would have potential for a buy…
Knowing Revuelta and his previous designs, Epic will be NOTHING like Icon. You will get solid quality of construction and restrained elegance in his buildings though…
Pictures do not reflect the real scene. One has to see it in person whether to appreciate the artful work or tasteless grandioso. When I visit Miami I’ll make my business to go there. I can foresee the type of people who would like to own a space in the building just to visit. they are going to be people to whom money is not a consideration. They can afford it easily. What makes me think is the # of units. It will be very curious to know how the project will develop.
Does anyone remember a strange film from cc 1960 “last year at marienbad” some sort of mittle europe spa/asylum where cameras panned down long long corridors and the voiceover in french kept repeating the words”sinistre et lugoub-” sp- these pictures of icon called that to mind -an unworldly place.. Re #24+Epic lala you called it right as I attended 2 ” events” at Epic in late 07 early 08 at the dt sales center and the display model was very classy : only negative to me thought the kitchen-what IS a kitchen in this eat out society ? was out… Read more »
The columns are horrible…..the Lobby very interesting and over the top….pleasant to look at but I would not want to see it every day as I would tire of it. Icompletely agree with you Kevin….the outdoor space is great. The oversized fieplace and the long table are the best. The chess set is nothing new…it has been done many times.
Thank you Kevin for the preview……greatly appreciated.
Lara, you hit the nail on the head… “I can foresee the type of people who would like to own a space in the building just to visit. they are going to be people to whom money is not a consideration. They can afford it easily. What makes me think is the # of units.” The problem is, there might be 50 of these people with that taste in this world right now. Not 1700. This was built for the multiple home owner who might use it as an option #3 or #4 that they would spend 3 weeks in… Read more »
“Outdoor dining table with room for 50 people.” Impractical, try walking around that to sit across from your guest. For 50 people and 1700 units. Where are they hiding the other 15+ tables. “Outdoor gas fireplace and furniture located off the pool deck.” Great for the 30 people that can get around it to enjoy it. — The only thing that is appropriately sized are the swimming pools. It’s obvious by the relatively small scale of the amenities and the eccentric design that the goal was to have 1700+ owners that spent occasional weekends in their units over the course… Read more »
1. Ghastly
2. Ghostly
3. Ghoulish
4. Freaky
5. Terrifying
6. Nightmarish
7. Horror Movie
8. Psych Ward
9. Ring I
10. Whore House
11. Vegas Boudoir
12. Headache
13. Over the top
14. Cheap
15. Cheesy
16. Impractical
17. Confusing
18. Claustrophobic
19. Overwhelming
20. Philippe Starck = Marcel Wanders = Lunatic
Having a degree in architecture as I look at some of the common areas they seemed to be a mix of various styles that in my opinion just doesn’t really work well. Awkward common areas and somewhat out of proportion furniture and rooms all over. It’s like the designer was still in the process mode of design and not yet finished what was started but yet it still got turned in, incomplete into a real life project of what we see today. I kind of like it. But keep in mind that this is what was asked to be produced.… Read more »
AJ
re: post #30
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Yes, but now tell us what you really think.
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Muir.
31 posts and everybody’s in agreement.
I find this strange.
Kevin said: “and somewhat out of proportion furniture”
– Ya think? Now what makes you say that? Would it be the 10 ft. high paintings on the floor, the 12 high fireplace mantel, the giant front desk, or the huge armoire? Yep that must be it. LOL
– What would really be funny is if you have a friend that has drank too much and is asleep, place him in one of the rooms and watch him freak out when he wakes up!
Unfortunately for Mr. Perez this will prove to be his folly. This was planned in a different economic cycle and obviously will not hold up in today’s economy. The shear enormity of the project dooms it to fail.Three years ago it was very easy to attract investors who never had any intention of moving here but preferred to make a quick killing on a Jorge project,take the money and run. Today however Iam afraid these 90% who allegedly bought into the building have no intention of coming to the party. The HOA feees alone will run much higher than the… Read more »
Way too over the top. I prefer simple elegance over this gaudy attempt at making Icon stand out from all the other product offerings on the market. One thing is for sure, it will defnitely stir debate and be a catalyst for manay a conversation.
As the saying goes, “there is no such thing as bad publicity”. ( Except in the worst real-estate market downturn in hostory.)
-Seems like the overwhelming majority of comments so far are negative
-Could a project of this size bankrupt the Related Group?
-Lucas, how does this project compare in quality/finishes to other buildings in Miami? (Where would it go in your condo rankings list?)
-Although gaudy common areas, the pool area/restuarants will probably become the hippest places in town to hang out
AZ88
to answer one of your queries…this won’t bankrupt related. although i’m sure they’d like to have the $10m for those columns back. jesus, how the hell does easter island mesh with an 18th century theme and a south beach white wall chic theme? whoever engineered this concept must have adult ADD. tony montana would be jealous if he saw this place.
A modern day replica of The Mutiny in Coconut Grove circa 1978. And nobody no matter the line has a great water view.
@Muir:
Are you typing posts out with a teletype?
Whats with all of the “-” line dividers?
“L’année dernière à Marienbad” —great call!
However, for “the Marienbad effect” to work, guests must be dapper to match the surroundings. Alas, the people moving in and wearing sweatpants to the lobby are unlikely to meet that standard, thereby ruining the whole atmosphere.
I remember a post here a long time ago that was critizing the architecture of all the recent buildings in Miami saying that they are too boring, square and white. The post cited all the great buidlings that created the Brickell area in the 70’s and 80’s and that we had lost that edge in the newer buildings. Well, no one can say that about this building. It definitely sets a tone. I bet those buildings in the 70’s received the same negative feedback at that time, but aren’t we all glad that they exist today? I mean, do we… Read more »
Hugo P said: “1) 1,700+ units coming online in this market is a major challenge. Period. You can almost bet that no more than 20% of the presales will close (if that) and that means the developer will have 1,400 units to sell which at today’s selling pace, won’t happen for a LONG time. My guess is that the bank will take over at some point which will hurt the HOA a lot.” ICON is the “Titanic” of Brickell condo construction. One little “fun fact”: I understand Lehman has a $75,000,000 to $100,000,000 slice of the construction loan on ICON.… Read more »
un-related
if i was a deep pocketed vulture fund (with some developer experience) and that loan was available for sale, i’d pick it up in a hearbeat. i presume it’s a mezz loan or perhaps, a first loss position in the senior piece (lehman was always chasing yield). chances are the recourse provisions are tight and allow you take over the equity in the project upon an EOD. not to mention, the senior slice would be outright terrified to do anything to upset this project.
Well, it will probably be renamed as ICAN’T during this real estate bust. Clearly this thing was conceived during the boom to be over the top to attract as much attention and excitement as possible to lure in the emotional investment buyer and build a sense of urgency…don’t miss out on this one of kind building (as if other buildings could buy a few large pictures and oversized furniture too). Overwhelm them with the lobby and common areas that make it incredible….BUT maximize profits by having 1700 units sitting on top of all this. Someone beat me to the punch… Read more »
Wow, what an ostentatious piece of trash. They could film the sequel to Beettle Juice at this place and they wouldn’t even need a set designer.
This could very well become the poster child of the real estate bust for Miami. In any investment bubble, after it has popped, people look back at some of the wild things money was spent on and say “what were they thinking” yet at the time, during the mania, it seemed to make perfect sense and was probably encouraged in a self-reinforcing feedback loop. Will ICAN’T become the pets.com of the condo market?
This building will most likely turn into a huge rental building. The developer can rent the space for television and movies and recoup massive amounts of money. Once it’s turned over to the condo board in three years they will have to spend a minimum of $300,000 redesigning it.
” If you wanted to invest in a building in Miami (at the right price, of course), would you want to own in a “regular” building where your competition is every other building in the area? Or would you want to live in a different building that creates its own mini market?” Honestly, if I was going to invest in a building (i.e., put capital at work with the expectation of revenue/gain on that capital from rent or future sale), fungibility is much more desirable than unique-ness. I would rather compete with thousands of other units for the corresponding larger… Read more »
are you sure those photos aren’t from Liberace’s yard sale?