Up Close and Personal with Powerhouse Residential Broker Dora Puig

/0 Comments/in ,

SPACIO Design Build is very proud of real estate brokers who succeed in the challenging Miami real estate market. We applaud Miami Beach-based Luxe Living Realty Owner Dora Puig and want to share a portion of a recent Q&A with the South Florida Business Journal.

How did you get into the real estate business?

As a total fluke. I wanted to be on the business side of the entertainment business. I moved out to Los Angeles. I was one of nine MBAs recruited in the international business division of Columbia Pictures. Then Sony bought Columbia. The MBA recruits were all on hold for jobs. I did the craziest jobs in the world while waiting. I worked for a retail company. I worked on movie production sets. I worked on commercials as a production assistant. I started working for Harvey Rice with Alvarez, Hyland and Young, one of the big boutique brokers in LA. He was the top-producing broker in the firm. That was the first time I’d seen so many woman executives be successful. I wanted to sell because I loved it. I partnered up with Ryan Hilckmann, and we worked for Fred Sands. I got into the top offices in Beverly Hills because he was my partner.

Why did you decide to start your own firm?

We sold out Bristol and Santa Maria. And then I went to work for Fortune International Realty, back to general real estate. I got hired to run sales at the Bath Club in Miami Beach. Then I decided I didn’t want to be in-house for a developer anymore, and started my own brokerage company.

How do you compete with the large national real estate firms?

I got used to a boutique setting, and that is where I’m at my best. I’m a meat-and-potatoes relationship broker. Some new brokers are internet-savvy tech agents. I’m on the internet because I have to be. I come from the age of getting referred.

What advice would you give to a female broker who wants to become a firm owner?

I got really good at marketing from being a director of sales and marketing for a big developer. If you understand a media budget and the components of a full-fledged marketing campaign, then you can run your own company. Accept the fact that you have to spend money to make money. You can’t just list properties on the MLS and expect to sell. I do websites for each property. I have a social media team. I do VIP broker events at top listings.

When clients can seek you out 24/7, where do you go to find quiet time?

Sometimes I jog the Venetian Islands, where I live, at sunset. Then I go to my gazebo in my backyard and I meditate there and I’m at peace with myself. I leave the phone inside.

To read the entire article visit: https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2017/11/21/executive-profile-dora-puig.html

Congratulations to Arquitectonica Co-Founders on receiving ULI’s Lifetime Achievement Award

/0 Comments/in

Our team would like to congratulate Arquitectonica co-founders Bernardo Fort-Brescia and Laurinda Spear for receiving the very prestigious Urban Land Institute’s Lifetime Achievement Award. These amazing architects have truly transformed Miami’s skyline and created a brand for our city.

From the Atlantis condominium, featured in the opening credits of Miami Vice, to the recently built Brickell City Centre, Arquitectonica is one of Miami’s most important architecture firms. The firm continues to contribute impeccable work to Miami’s evolving urban landscape.

As Related Group’s Jorge Perez said in a video honoring this couple, “they have a unique ability to successfully mix modernity with light and water. When you look at Miami, you see tropical modernity and the image that Arquitectonica has created.”

As a general contractor, it’s always an honor and privilege to bring the vision of incredible architects like Bernardo and Laurinda to reality. Working with visionaries such as them helps the SPACiO team push boundaries to reach a higher level of sophistication and craftsmanship in our work. We look forward to Bernardo and Laurinda’s future projects, as they never stop surprising us.

Outdoor Kitchens Take Your Home to the Next Level

/0 Comments/in

With cooler temperatures gracing us, South Florida becomes the ideal setting for outdoor gatherings and al fresco dining, making folding arm awnings a practical addition to your outdoor kitchen. Our love for the outdoor kitchen knows no bounds—it serves as a gateway to elevate your luxury home experience, offering opportunities to play with vibrant colors and styles that might diverge from your home’s interior.

Consider adding a charming touch with a stylish window canopy, enhancing both aesthetic appeal and functionality to your outdoor oasis. And when it comes to sourcing the perfect aluminum window, exploring reputable window suppliers can ensure you find the ideal match for your outdoor space.

Before you draw up the blue prints, there are some factors, as highlighted in the following Mansion Global article, you need to consider to make an outdoor kitchen a functional yet stylish place to entertain.

Consider the logistics

“If you’re on the ocean, understand that every metal—even stainless steel—will eventually rust to some degree, so it needs maintenance. It should be cleaned and protected at least seasonally to extend the life. Think of the house as being in a salt bath all the time. Countertop materials have to be able to withstand sun exposure, so natural stones and concrete work well, whereas many composite materials break down in UV. So if you’re planning to use concrete as your material, then you may consider getting help from a Concrete pump service. “One of the biggest decisions is whether you want your guests to be involved with the cooking. Are you doing the cooking and want to be part of the party? Or, do you have staff that would function better elsewhere? Travel distance (and routes) from cooking to serving to cleanup also need to be thought through. “Subtle lighting is best—you can function with a lot less light than you might think. If your outdoor space is too bright, you might as well be inside. Outdoor spaces tend to get a lot of spillover light from the inside of the house. The goal is to have lounge lighting, not surgical suite lighting.”

Define the space

The outdoor kitchen is an area where you can play and experiment, but it should still mix with the rest of the aesthetic inside the home to create a cohesive story and  how you want your kitchen cabinet respray. This might be a good place to try out a funky tile that you’ve been eyeing, or brass hardware, but don’t go crazy with a scheme or vibe that doesn’t match the interiors, here are the Important Things to Keep in Mind Before Renovating Your Home. If you want to drink your morning coffee in your outdoor kitchen, you may purchase gag coffee mugs.

When renovating, you should also take into account the clutter and mess that you’ll be accumulating. Therefore, it’s good to have a Garbage Disposal Bin Rental service when you renovate. “Functional furniture is key for an outdoor entertaining area, but that doesn’t mean it should sacrifice on style. Focusing on durable perennial fabrics and the right sealants and treatments for wood and stone will keep the area useable and durable over time. “Bistro lights or large hurricane candles in tall pillars create ambient lighting, as do tea light candles around the table. As for wired lighting, be sure to install dimmers to set the mood—that’s half the point of eating outside. “Materials like stainless steel, concrete, quartz, and caesarstone are durable, easily cleanable materials that can hold up to the weather.”

Work out the details

“The more trips you can reduce between your outdoor space and your main kitchen, the better. Key elements include a sink and faucet, two mini fridges—one for beverages and one for food—and a grill with ample prep space. My favorite one is from Caliber Appliances—the lid folds all the way back and goes flush with the countertop. It’s very sleek and unintrusive. “Consider a unit that’s mobile to give you more flexibility. Furthermore, did you also know that tiny appliances such as toasters, bottle warmers, popcorn poppers, slow cookers, and portable heaters may have asbestos-containing parts, depending on their age? Some older portable heaters with asbestos-based coil wrapping and insulation may still be in use. You should be aware of the dangers of asbestos installation since breathing asbestos fibers may raise your risk of developing serious diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer.
I recently collaborated with Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens and Dekton to design my vision for the ultimate outdoor kitchen. Its freestanding modular design includes plenty of storage on both sides of the kitchen to keep counter space clear, allowing it to be a gathering spot from all sides for both guests and the chef—sort of like an island. “Just be sure it’s at least 10 feet from your pool. No one wants their steaks or cocktails splashed with pool water.”

Fashion Designer Giorgio’s Announcement This Week Compelled Us To Look Back

/0 Comments/in

Last week, Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani unveiled his succession plan, which is in place to preserve and protect his legacy, a fashion empire, after the 83-year-old designer dies.

The news of this plan led us to pause and reflect on how fortunate SPACiO has been to work closely with Armani through the Residences by Armani Casa project in Sunny Isles.

As a boutique, highly specialized general contractor, we were trusted with building the development’s luxurious Armani Casa sales center. Armani is hands-on, and he was responsible for the interior design of the luxury condo high-rise.

The sales center was built to resemble one of the tower’s most expensive units, featuring high-quality finishes and materials imported from Italy. It was not uncommon for Armani to walk into the sales center while it was under construction to check the quality of our work, and to ensure that it was in line with the integrity of his brand.

The build-out included precise work, such as the inclusion of book-matched stone flooring installed in complex radiuses.

Armani hand-picked all furniture and materials for use in the build-out of the sales center. Our experience with Armani, his complex designs and luxurious taste, allowed us the opportunity to sharpen our craftsmanship skills. Today, we are a more seasoned general contractor firm thanks to our experience working under Armani’s guidance.

We look forward to seeing many more years of his design genius.

Plumbing Maintenance Made Easy: A Homeowner’s Guide

/in

Plumbing maintenance might seem daunting, but with a little knowledge and routine care, homeowners can keep their systems running smoothly and prevent costly repairs.

Understanding Your Plumbing System

Before diving into maintenance, it’s crucial to understand the basic components of your plumbing system:

  1. Pipes: These transport water to various parts of your home and carry waste away.
  2. Fixtures: Faucets, showers, toilets, and sinks.
  3. Valves: Control the flow of water.
  4. Water Heater: Provides hot water for your home.

Routine Checks and Maintenance

1. Inspect for Leaks

Regularly check under sinks, around toilets, and near your water heater for any signs of leaks. Even a small drip can lead to significant water waste and damage over time.

2. Clean Drains

Avoid using chemical drain cleaners, as they can damage your pipes. Instead, use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar followed by hot water to keep your drains clear. Regularly clean out hair and debris from shower and sink drains.

3. Check Water Pressure

Ensure your water pressure is between 40-60 psi. Low pressure can indicate a leak, while high pressure can strain your pipes and fixtures. A pressure gauge can be attached to an outdoor faucet to measure it.

4. Test Shut-Off Valves

Locate and test the main water shut-off valve and individual shut-off valves for sinks, toilets, and appliances. Make sure they turn off and on smoothly, so you can quickly stop the water flow in case of a leak.

5. Examine the Water Heater

Annually flush your water heater to remove sediment buildup, which can reduce efficiency and lifespan. Check the temperature setting, ideally around 120°F, to prevent scalding and save on energy costs.

Preventive Measures

1. Install Drain Screens

Drain screens can catch hair and debris, preventing clogs in sinks and showers. This simple measure can save you from frequent and annoying blockages.

2. Use Water Softeners

If you have hard water, consider installing a water softener to prevent mineral buildup in your pipes and appliances, which can cause clogs and reduce efficiency.

3. Insulate Pipes

Insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas, such as basements and attics, to prevent them from freezing and bursting during cold weather. Foam pipe insulation is inexpensive and easy to install.

Seasonal Maintenance Tips

Spring and Summer

  • Inspect outdoor hoses and faucets: Check for leaks and ensure they’re in good working condition after the winter.
  • Check your sump pump: Ensure it’s working properly to handle spring rains and prevent basement flooding.
  • Well pump: If you have a well pump, inspect if it’s working by hiring experts like well & well pump services in Arlington, WA.

Fall and Winter

  • Disconnect and drain garden hoses: Store them indoors to prevent freezing.
  • Winterize your plumbing: Shut off and drain outdoor faucets, and consider insulating your water heater if it’s in a cold area.

When to Call a Professional

While regular maintenance can prevent many issues, some situations require professional help:

  • Persistent or severe leaks
  • Major clogs or slow drains
  • Strange noises from pipes or water heater
  • Low water pressure in multiple fixtures

With these simple tips and routine checks, plumbing maintenance can be straightforward and manageable. By staying proactive, you can avoid unexpected repairs, extend the life of your plumbing system, and maintain a comfortable, efficient home. Remember, when in doubt, don’t hesitate to consult a professional plumbing contractor to ensure your home’s plumbing remains in top condition.

Behind the Scenes: Building an Urban Oasis in the Heart of Miami’s Brickell Financial District

/0 Comments/in , ,

Surrounded by the elegant and majestic high rises of Brickell Ave, stands 1525 S. Miami Avenue, a luxury custom home we built in the heart of the Brickell Financial District. It was an exciting and challenging project for our custom homes division since it required not only the demolition of the previous residence but also building the exterior and interior of the new house. We never would’ve been able to build a modern home that’s warm and charming in the heart of the concrete jungle without the great creativity of our team and amazing relationship with our client. This job required a lot of coordinating and collaborating with the client, architect and sub-contractors from demolition of the old structure to the completion of the new 2-story home with a rooftop. Additionally, our use of Interior mapping solutions was crucial in efficiently planning the layout and optimizing the available space. The challenges we conquered included building a 6,000-square-foot home on a very narrow 7,500-square-foot lot. This called for the SPACiO team of experts to analyze the set backs required by the city to produce a luxury home of this size. Miami’s urban core is running out of land, which makes it increasingly difficult for general contractors to do more with little space.

The planning was crucial in this project, which allowed the team to accomplish the project more efficiently. Another crucial component was being the liaison between the client, architect and sub-contractors to ensure that everyone was on the same page and ensure that SPACiO was turning everyone’s vision into reality. This involved holding weekly meetings from the pre-construction stage all the way through to post-construction stage. For more detailed oversight during this process, utilizing a comprehensive snagging report can significantly enhance communication and efficiency, as found at https://snaggingreport.co.uk/.

The next step in the project involved building out the interior. We used Porcelanosa products  throughout the entire house, including the flooring, bathrooms, cabinetry, faucets, wall coverings with glass partitions. We also built a stunning glass atrium in the entryway. Black chandeliers seus lighting may also be installed to add a touch of luxury to the building’s interior. Following the interior, we built the pool and pool deck as well as the rooftop that is surrounded by the Brickell skyline. It has an outdoor kitchen and a seven-person Jacuzzi. The team also installed an intricate AV system throughout the house and customized electronic gates on the outside of the house. Additionally, for exterior maintenance, we offer professional services such as shot blasting and painting near me. It’s truly a gem among the skyscrapers and condo towers that line Brickell.

Building custom homes often turn into nightmares for owners if they don’t hire the right general contractor. We take pride in producing high quality craftmanship and are committed to helping owners have a positive experience. Our entire team is there from the beginning to help the owner feel at ease to make decisions. We assign a team leader to communicate and coordinate with all the sub-contractors’ schedules so the owner always knows where we are in the process. We over communicate and report the project’s status and provide our clients with a detailed timeline and weekly update including photos or videos as needed. We are here to make the process as painless as possible.

Give us a call to find out how we can help you build your dream home.

Tips for Rebuilding Following Weather-Related Events

/0 Comments/in , , , , , , , , ,

As Puerto Ricans, Floridians and Texans begin to rebuild their homes and communities from the damage caused by Hurricanes Maria, Irma and Harvey, we’d like dedicate a blog post offering advice to homeowners and business owners on how they can rebuild following catastrophic weather-related events. Although no one wants to get hit by a hurricane, having to rebuild or do major repairs is an opportunity to upgrade your home and, in some instances, your quality of life. Here are some tips from General Contractor Alexander Wertheim, president of SPACiO Design Build.

 Remove Sheetrock, Insulation and Flooring Immediately

If your home is damaged by flooding or storm surge, you should have 24/7 water damage restoration immediately. With the help of a water damage restoration service, it’s crucial to remove your sheetrock and insulation as soon as the water recedes to prevent mold. You should also consider removing flooring such as carpet or hardwood floors if you can’t dry them out. Tile is the best option since it requires only cleaning. For specialized tasks like spray foam removal, it’s advisable to seek professional help from reputable spray foam removal providers. If you’re on a tight budget, you can handle the drywall removal yourself, but we highly recommend hiring a professional general contractor to tape and float it.

Hiring a General Contractor

While you can do some of the work yourself such as ripping out the drywall, you will most likely need to hire a general contractor to help you rebuild. You should be careful of scams that often follow hurricanes. Everyone and their mother will slap a magnet on the side of their truck and say they are a general contractor. We suggest checking licenses online, asking for references and even doing a site visit to look at the contractor’s prior work. Make sure the contractor holds liability and workers’ compensation insurance, and you are added as an additional insured on any policy while work is being done on your site. If a bank is involved, it should name the bank as well.

Opportunity to Renovate and Upgrade

You can upgrade to higher-end cabinets in your kitchen and bathrooms if they suffered from water damage. If you need to remove the sheet rock, think about adding French or sliding glass doors to the backyard or throughout the house where there used to be a wall, or expanding the kitchen and closets. About your windows you can check  upvc vs. aluminium windows to see the difference. It’s also a good time to update to PVC piping if your current home or business has lead, copper or steel pipes as well as renovate the electric wiring throughout your home and adding an AV system. Additionally, consulting with insulation experts can help ensure optimal energy efficiency and comfort. Lastly, you can think about creating an energy-efficient home by installing wind turbines. You can click here to learn more.

Fortifying your Home and Business

As you rebuild and renovate your home or business, you should consider updating your home with the latest storm proof materials; for instance, you may use metal materials on your roof repairs or have metal roofing instead. You can call experts who do roof repair in Weatherford, TX or roofer & roofing services in Elizabethtown, PA to install them for you. In addition, it would be a good time to install hurricane impact windows and reinforced wind resistant garage doors. For a comprehensive list of the products available, read this article titled “8 ways to protect your home against tornadoes and hurricanes.”

The Iconic Metro Mall in Downtown Miami: A Diamond in the Rough Ready for a New Beginning

/0 Comments/in , , , ,

Having built out high-end luxury jewelry stores across South Florida from Breitling at Sawgrass Mills mall to Swarovski in Brickell City Centre, we are excited to hear that Metro Mall in the downtown Miami’s Jewelry District is up for grabs and with potential for redevelopment.

Our good friend Investment Broker Mika Mattingly, with Colliers International South Florida’s Urban Core Division, is marketing the property. The new owner could turn the aging building into a state-of the art diamond or jewelry retailer. Not many people know that the neighborhood is one of the top three jewelry districts in the United States – generating more than $850 million in sales during 2016 alone. This signals the continued upward trend of consumer spending and investment in downtown Miami.

Downtown Miami is experiencing unprecedented transformation, and the Metro Mall listing is another example of how the neighborhood is reinventing itself into a major metropolis. The SPACiO Design Build team is already talking with some of the new owners of commercial properties along Flagler Street to reposition their retail space on the ground floor. They expect to attract specialty retailers capable of helping to build a true community, where area residents can live, work and play. In the last two years, investors have acquired $1.5 billion of real estate along the historic Flagler Street, where properties have been neglected for decades.

A significant number of investors are coming from New York and familiar with the process of preserving and restoring buildings in an effort to create trendy districts. As an experienced general contractor working on buildings of historic value, we can’t wait to help retrofit some of the amazing spaces in downtown Miami after decades of neglect. The work will require a high level of creativity and innovation in the build-out of that space but we are up to the task.

This is an exciting time for downtown Miami and Metro Mall, one of the few remaining developing sites to hit the market. It will play an important role in the area’s transformation. We’re looking forward to the wave of new development that will reinvent the urban landscape into a thriving metropolis.

SPACiO Builds Out Breitling’s New Store at Sawgrass Mills Mall

/0 Comments/in , , , ,


As Sawgrass Mills continues to bring in new stores, SPACiO Design Build completed a full interior build-out of Breitling. The Swiss watch retailer just opened a new store in Sawgrass, located in Broward County. It was an honor to be retained by Breitling, which is known for making precision-made chronometers useful to aviators, to help build (literally) their brand in one of America’s busiest malls. The classy and luxurious design of the 1,000 square foot store truly reflects the high-quality timepieces that Breitling is known for.

Our job as the general contractor on the project required running the daily construction activities, coordinating with the mall operations department as well as ensuring the designs were true to the finish. The store was a vanilla shell. We had to build the walls, drywall the ceilings, install flooring and work with the artisan behind the installation of the millwork display, which was imported from Canada. There were also a lot of electrical components, including the ac installation. The central air conditioning replacement, an essential upgrade for modern energy efficiency and indoor air quality, was a priority. We had to contact professionals such as this electrician in Cleveland, OH or JEOAH Electric to help us install the electrical wirings and do electrical panel repair. You may also contact an expert plumber to do the Chicagoland tankless water heater maintenance to make sure that it is in running condition.

Getting the job done required finding quick solutions to unexpected challenges. The biggest challenge involved the weather. When the mall closed for three days as result of flooding, we managed to get inspectors into the store and finish the job despite the rising water surrounding the mall. Another challenge involved coordinating the logistics for deliveries, which we had to arrange before or after mall hours – same with making any loud noise such as cutting concrete.

The SPACiO Design team successfully completed the project in 5 weeks due to SPACiO’s core values of transparency and open communication with the client. We also worked quickly to make any last-minute changes the client had following the project’s completion.

Time is money so delivering a finished product on time and on budget is the best way to keep our clients happy.

 

 

 

Forbes Features Wine Cellar SPACiO Built at 321 Ocean

/0 Comments/in , , , , , , ,

In case you missed it, Forbes recently published an article featuring a wine cellar we built out in a condo at 321 Ocean, an exclusive collection of 21 luxury residences in South of Fifth, one of Miami Beach’s most upscale neighborhoods. The Forbes article, titled “5 Luxury Homes with Exquisite Wine Cellars,” features five of some of the most impressive in-house wine rooms in homes that are currently on the market across the United States.

Building out the 50-square foot, climate-controlled wine cellar was a treat. It required us to work closely with the interior design firm Associated Design Co. to ensure that we could build out the design and execute the project without a hitch. We built the insulated glass enclosure, using customized acrylic and thermal metal framing, which was power-coated with a matte black finish to match the custom black finish on the rack.

The wine cellar was part of the build-out of the entire condo, which involved installing hardwood flooring throughout the condo, trim window coverings, staircase handrails, millwork and more.

It was a privilege to work with Associated Design Co. on the wine cellar. We’re looking forward to working with this very talented interior design firm again in the near future.

Click here to see the other wine cellars that made the list.