The Estates at Acqualina

Karl Lagerfeld left an immeasurable mark on the fashion industry throughout his storied career before his death in 2019. But there are many ways his talents live on. Virginie Viard at Chanel worked under him for a number of years and continues to honor his legacy. There’s his namesake label which continues to create sought-after collaborations, like the partnership with Cara Delevingne earlier this year. Now, there’s a new design project he worked on before his death that’s being unveiled.

The Estates at Acqualina, a $1.8 billion residential development in Miami’s Sunny Isles Beach, unveiled the new South Towers lobby, designed by none other than Lagerfeld himself.

The Estates at Acqualina

The newly completed South Tower’s entry space features a 61-foot long backlit glass mural titled “A Tale of Two Fountains,” made up of a collage of black and white photos that Lagerfeld took of the most striking fountains and arches in Rome. The banquettes are covered in silver pearl fabric with cast-aluminum swans situated above them. And the large fountain in the center evokes the feel of a traditional Roman piazza, and nods to the waterfront views The Estates offers. Lagerfeld also tied in Miami influences through the use of cerulean blue, white, silver, gray and pale pink.

The shimmering floors catch the eye thanks to the geometric aluminum tiles that fade into a Bisazza glass mosaic “carpet” at the base of marble fountains. The walls are designed with a silver leaf-finish and the elevators feature chainmail and laminated glass.

The Estates at Acqualina

“We are proud for having chosen Karl Lagerfeld to create the first impression at The Estates, and we also take great pride in the fact that Karl chose Acqualina as his first condominium project in the United States,” Jules Trump, developer of The Estates at Acqualina, tells GRAZIA USA. “Everything Karl Lagerfeld touched benefitted from his brilliant point of view. The lobbies at The Estates at Acqualina reflect his exquisite taste and impeccable eye for detail with custom features, finishes and furnishings, all conceived and designed by Mr. Lagerfeld himself. Within the lobbies, you’ll find precious and rare materials, exquisite craftsmanship, unerringly and sophisticated style, but you’ll find unexpected and whimsical details that bring a frisson of excitement and delight. This was one of his supreme talents, knowing how to create in a way that is both timeless and of-the-moment all at once.

The Estates at Acqualina

And the one-of-a-kind design is appreciated by all. “Mr. Lagerfeld’s high-end designs are greatly valued by our residents, who desire an incomparable level of opulence, luxury, design and style,” says Trump. “He was a master at creating a mood and eliciting an emotion. That’s what I wanted most of all from him for the Estates at Acqualina. Think about how he created his fashion shows: Each one conjured a very particular state of mind and takes you on a journey that he is guiding. He seduced and created desire.”

He knocked it out of the park, again.