The Meridian Condominiums
The design of this 111-unit, six-floor condominium represents the simplest response to a difficult site. The highly irregular and restrictive property is located within the urban core of South Beach and includes one triangular corner as well as an extraordinarily long frontage along the boulevard elevation. Additionally, it faces a public memorial associated with numerous height and view issues. In the center of the site were hundreds of industrial piles, left from a previous uncompleted project. The firm incorporated the eccentric piles into the structural design by creating one large slab that extends across the site.
On the boulevard side the long, continuous façade undulates. At the apex where the two streets meet, the architecture rises above the sloping elevations in order to articulate the corner, in much the way of New York City’s Flatiron building. To satisfy the zoning requirement regarding height and views, a penthouse level was created with large, semi-enclosed terraces.
The Meridian comprises industrial-style lofts of various sizes and amenities, penthouses, townhouses, and two levels of parking. All lofts have twelve-foot-high ceilings and high windows and doors that open onto balconies. The top floor lofts have double height ceilings and rooftop terraces. A glamorously landscaped rooftop pool overlooks the city skyline.