The Shelborne By Proper, Miami Beach, USA

Posted in Projects on 28 September, 2025

Once host to Monroe and The Beatles, the iconic hotel returns with purpose.

Originally unveiled in 1940 along the oceanfront of Miami Beach, The Shelborne was conceived by architects Igor Polevitzky and Thomas Triplett Russell as a statement of tropical Art Deco elegance.

A mid-century evolution followed in the 1950s under the direction of Morris Lapidus, who introduced the now-iconic pool deck, private cabanas, and expanded guest accommodations – seamlessly fusing the building’s Deco heritage with the breezy optimism of Miami Modernism (MiMo). The hotel quickly became a symbol of coastal glamour, welcoming cultural icons from Frank Sinatra to The Beatles.

A reimagined historic gem on the shores of Miami Beach, The Shelborne by Proper exudes nostalgic Art Deco and Miami Modernism charm, complemented by contemporary luxuries and sophisticated design pieces. Here, a lobby lounge adorned with bespoke artworks and furniture gives way to spacious guestrooms, suites, and villas, an iconic 1950s pool deck, a full-service private beach club, and five dining and imbibing destinations.

Reimagined in 2024 and reopened in spring 2025, the landmark has been sensitively restored and elevated. It now bridges decades of design heritage with a quiet, contemporary sophistication – signalling a bold yet respectful return to form for one of Miami’s most storied stays.

While Proper-branded hotels are shaped by the vision of celebrated designer Kelly Wearstler, By Proper properties invite other leading design voices to interpret their spaces. For The Shelborne, that voice is ADC Atelier. The award-winning studio approached the transformation with a deep respect for the building’s legacy – blending nostalgic MiMo and Art Deco references with a restrained, contemporary palette.

Key historic elements, including the original 18th Street façade and the iconic platform diving board overlooking the pool, have been preserved and subtly refined. Inside, the material story unfolds through honed Perlino marble, travertine, and finely grained wood – surfaces that quietly echo the building’s mid-century roots while ushering in a fresh, tactile luxury. A palette of soft moss, terracotta, and powder blue punctuates the interiors with a tropical warmth, balanced by tonal neutrals that bring cohesion and timelessness to the overall experience.

Whether poolside or oceanfront, every space at The Shelborne by Proper is designed to reflect the spirit of Miami – its palette, its energy, and its cultural roots.

Throughout its interiors, the hotel cultivates a tactile dialogue between craftsmanship and culture, where every detail has been selected not just for function, but for feeling. Pieces like Arflex’s Edo sofa, Respire wall sconces by DCW Editions, and vintage-style lounge chairs from Royal Stranger sit alongside custom rugs by Cotlin Raw and Larsen Fabrics’ refined upholstery – each element part of a considered composition. Emerging Latin American artists add narrative depth, grounding the visual language in place and time. In the west lobby, Kenny Nguyen’s sweeping hand-dyed silk installations respond gently to shifting light, while Regina Jestrow’s large-scale textile works animate the space with kinetic presence. Nearby, Lauren Shapiro’s ceramic sculptures offer organic, grounded contrast – part artefact, part living form.

This reverence for artistry extends into all 251 guestrooms, including 32 suites and villas. Miami-based artist Jessy Nite lends a personal topography to the Townhouses through handwoven interpretations of the city’s landscape. In Junior Suites, Hayley Moree’s painterly nods to palm fronds reinterpret Miami’s Art Deco vernacular with a sun-washed modernity. Ceramic works are integral: Carly Graceffa’s vessels add a hand-touched warmth to communal areas, while Clara Arbuniés’ bespoke bowls – crafted in Barcelona – bring a quiet intimacy to guest rooms.

Each space is shaped by natural light and a palette attuned to the landscape, with vintage glass panes refracting sky and sea across travertine floors. Bathrooms pair sculptural vanities and sleek fixtures with Aesop amenities – an understated luxury that feels both current and classic. Among the standout accommodations is the 1,700-square-foot Two-Bedroom Penthouse Suite, complete with a private terrace framing unobstructed views of the Atlantic. The Two-Bedroom Terrace Suite balances vintage and contemporary pieces in a curated interplay of form and scale, while the Pool Villas – located just steps from the deck – offer generous indoor – outdoor living, with terraces overlooking the waterline.

Culinary expression is woven throughout the property, with five distinctive dining and drinking venues curated in collaboration with Lowder-Tascarella Hospitality. Under the direction of Florida Keys native and multi–Michelin-starred chef Abram Bissell – whose pedigree includes Eleven Madison Park, The NoMad, and The Modern – and beverage visionary Christopher Lowder, each space reflects the layered rhythms of Latin American and Caribbean cuisine through a contemporary lens.

At Pauline, the hotel’s signature restaurant, a seafood-forward menu showcases local catch with compositional precision, served in an environment that balances elegance with energy. Little Torch, an intimate, low-lit lounge, offers a transportive cocktail experience, where craft and exclusivity converge in every pour. For daytime rituals, The Café pairs rich espresso with a rotating selection of Cuban and Caribbean pastries sourced from Miami’s storied bakeries – bridging tradition and innovation with every bite.

Downstairs, The Bar transitions effortlessly from a serene morning coffee stop into a dynamic evening hub. As daylight fades, it becomes the property’s social anchor, where inventive cocktails – like a coconut-aged Manhattan or a strawberry–tequila espresso martini – are paired with considered small plates: Cubano-style katsu sando, ancient-grain flatbreads fired in a wood oven, and elevated caviar service.

Outdoors, the experience continues with the Pool Bar and the Beach Club – each offering a different perspective on Miami’s effortless glamour. At the heart of the historic pool deck, surrounded by lush palms and framed by nine private cabanas, guests settle into sun-drenched loungers with uninterrupted access to all-day dining. The menu is playful yet refined: conch fritters, grouper club sandwiches, and jerk smash burgers reimagined through a Latin lens, served alongside seasonal paletas and chilled cocktails that echo the rhythm of the water.

Just beyond, the Beach Club extends this sensibility to the shoreline, offering a more relaxed elegance with dedicated chaise longues, shaded daybeds, and full dining and beverage service against the backdrop of the Atlantic.

Whether poolside or oceanfront, every space at The Shelborne by Proper is designed to reflect the spirit of Miami – its palette, its energy, and its cultural roots. From the rhythm of the food to the textures underfoot, each detail is intentional. The result is a hotel that doesn’t just nod to design – it lives it, balancing thoughtful craftsmanship with comfort and a clear sense of place.