When most people think of Miami Art Deco, they usually think of the Delano Hotel. The restoration of this historic and iconic building, located right on the beach, is an amazing project that Quadra Consulting has had the pleasure of joining, offering our owner’s representative and hospitality development services to our client, SBE Hotel Group.
The History of the Delano South Beach
When the Delano Hotel opened on Wednesday, December 15, 1948, the slogan that promoted its opening day set the tone for the principle behind its architecture and design. “Nothing Finer,” the advertisements read, and what was true then is still true today. At the time of its unveiling, it was the tallest building in Miami Beach—with 14 stories and a 35-foot tower at the top, its size is commendable for its time. What separated the Delano from other hotels in Miami, though, was a brand-new technology that most of us take for granted today: air conditioning. As the first hotel in the city to be fully air-conditioned, the Delano paved the way for Miami’s transformation into a year-round tourist destination.
The Architect: B. Robert Swartburg
I would be remiss if I did not mention one of the most important people to be involved with the Delano: the architect. He has a fascinating story.
According to his obituary in the December 9, 1975 issue of The New York Times, B. Robert Swartburg “began work as an office boy for an architect at the age of 9.” After this early start, Swartburg worked his way through Columbia University as a soda fountain employee at a drugstore on Broadway. To finance his continued education at the American Academy in Rome, he taught dance. He also studied at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris.
Following his studies, Swartburg worked in Miami from 1925 to 1927. He then returned to New York where he designed some of the buildings at Fordham University. After designing such projects as Garden Bay Manor in Astoria, Queens, a $17 million Federal Housing Administration Project, Swartburg moved back to Miami in 1944 where he resided until his death in 1975. While in Miami, he designed several iconic buildings, including the Miami Civic Center, the Miami Beach Convention Hall, and the Delano Hotel.
During his career, which spanned 35 years, he designed over 1000 buildings.
Hospitality Development Services from Quadra Consulting
By 1995, the Delano had somewhat fallen out of its former glory, but with the help of Ian Schrager (one of the originators of the “Boutique Hotel”) and architect Phillipe Stark, that glory was not difficult to reclaim as they restored the hotel that same year. With these two visionaries at the helm, guests and residents could once again enjoy Swartburg’s original concept, with several updates.
The new scope of the Delano will include a complete overhaul of the existing hotel’s guestrooms, public areas, and amenities along with a new lineup of F&B venues. The hotel’s lobby and public areas will also be completely re-imagined.
Want to learn more about hospitality services from Quadra Consulting? Get in touch with us today.