A classic waterfront mansion located on Miami’s Biscayne Bay gets a spectacular redesign and expansion that maintains its architectural integrity while completing it with a clean, contemporary finish for modern luxury living.   The stately picturesque look of this traditional 1940’s brick exterior set back formally beyond the property’s canopy of twelve grand oak trees, is the only thing that isn’t new with this home.  It was this look and feel that the new owner most wanted when he first knocked on the door to make an offer to buy the home.

He was successful in obtaining the waterfront mansion and its picturesque setting, but the home’s state of disrepair delayed his moving in.  Miami-based property developer Todd Michael Glaser came in to assess the damage and determined that a renovation of the existing structure was impossible.  It would have to be rebuilt.  The front facade remains but the project otherwise required the removal of the entire back two-thirds of the house and the gutting of the rest.  The developer brought in architect Ralph Choeff and interior designer Charlotte Dunagan to collaborate on the home’s new design.  The necessary rebuild also provided an opportunity to expand the dwelling, and so it was.  The home expanded over 10,000 square-feet with new side wings added perfectly maintaining the homes symmetry and architectural harmony and ultimately creating the 18,000 square-foot mansion it now is.

WATERFRONT MANSION REDESIGN

The centrally located double-height entrance rotunda remains, though enhanced with the addition of a new coffered dome ceiling above.  The elegant foyer features a gently winding staircase.  Dunagan covered the steps in dark walnut and added a delicate wrought-iron balustrade.

The foyer opens to a spacious double-height, classic-contemporary living room.  Plastered walls and detailed millwork combine perfectly with the clean lines of the contemporary furnishings. The room is bright and awash with natural light pouring in from the wall of windows and French doors along the back providing beautiful views of the water.  The designer kept the colors subdued and monochromatic to allow the homeowners vibrant art to shine.  This is a waterfront mansion after-all and the owner had requested spaces with relaxed elegance where the family could feel comfortable.

A pair of Belgian linen upholstered sofas and a pair of wing bergères define the sitting area gathered around a pair of slate-topped, black cocktail tables by Lars Bolander beneath a black wrought iron chandelier by Dessin Fournir.

In the dining room, a pair of bespoke walnut tables with sunbursts marquetry tops by Dessin Fournir group gather with a rare find of sixteen antique leather chairs from Randall Tysinger.  A superb Napoleonic ebonized Bibliotheque, circa 1865, anchors the room, flanked with colorful works by the Colombian artist Fernando Botero featuring his over-sized, bloated figures.  White linen drapes and shaded chandeliers by Carotto give the room a simple feel of understated elegance.

In the new family room, Dunagan created a coffered ceiling to mask the structural elements joining the new and existing parts of the house along with a pillared support at the pass-through into the kitchen.  She gathered custom contemporary furnishings, upholstered with fabrics from Monica James, on a textured NIBA rug.

The light-filled transitional kitchen blends old and new.  Traditional white painted, glass-fronted cabinetry gives the room an expansive feel.  A custom milk glass and pewter hood above the stove adds visual interest.  An oak island with marble countertop includes a breakfast bar.  A banquette and table form additional eat-in areas.  The designer upholstered the chairs and bar stools with fabric from Monica James.

“He was open to so much. His only specifications were traditional comfort and a two-story library where men could gather to play pool, watch a movie or have a cigar.” Dunagan said of the owner

A two-story library stands opposite a space for playing pool along with a full bar.  There is also an automated theater screen.  The hand-laid herringbone floors are quite handsome and compliment the wood paneling in the library well.

In addition to the full bar, another space was created to relax and enjoy a drink.  A designated wine room holds 200 bottles of vintage wine in temperature controlled storage units in custom milled cabinetry.  This rooms antique leather furnishings and warmer colors create a gentlemen’s club effect.  At the back of the room, hidden doors provide access to a bay-windowed games room.

The master bedroom suite is a supremely comfortable space.  Grasscloth wall-coverings by Phillip Jeffries covers the walls.  The owner enjoys the spectacular view of the Miami cityscape from his  bed with its custom tufted wool-flannel headboard.  A pair of 1820’s burled walnut Biedermeier chests by Louis Philippe stand on either side of the bed.   An armless settee and a pair of charcoal gray armchairs form a sitting area.  They gather on the NIBA wool area rug.  The master bedroom suite includes spacious separate bathrooms and dressing areas for each spouse.  A luxury that cannot be overstated.

The project took eight months to complete from tear down to the creation of the owners dream luxury home.  What does he think of his finished mansion?  He is ecstatic with the timelessness of his charming sea-side home.  It is easy to see why.

That concludes our design inspiration for today, my friend.

For more iconic, restored mansions, be sure to see:

Modern Luxury Design: Greenwich Estate

Southern Classic Mansion: Historic Charleston

Biscayne Bay Waterfront Mansion

Since 2002, Charlotte Dunagan Design Group, one of the top interior design firms in South Florida, has specialized in high-end luxury residential projects. In 2016, the firm evolved into Dunagan Diverio Design Group, a team of discreet professionals with their focus on interiors and exteriors with a deeper, richer, more intuitive understanding of the client’s needs; to uncover the true objective driving the design of the home. Dunagan Diverio Design Group, believes in building meaningful relationships with their clients and approaching each project with a distinctive and personal process, with special attention to detail. Their mission is for every space to embody ‘timeless understated elegance.’

Development:  Todd Michael Glaser

Architecture:  Ralph Choeff Architect

Interior Design:  Charlotte Dunagan- Dunagan Diverio Design Group

photography:  Mark Surloff

Thank you so much for reading along with me.  What do you think of this Biscayne Bay Waterfront Mansion Redesign?  Let me hear from you in the comments.

Have a great day!