NEWS RELEASE
Contact:
Lemor Moses
Director of PR
Lemor.Moses@hbadesign.com
+1 818.642.1245
HBA GIVES A HISTORIC MANSION A FACELIFT IN THE UNITED
STATES’ WEALTHIEST ZIP CODE
HBA Atlanta Renovates the Historic Vanderbilt Mansion on Fisher Island with a Classic
and Respectful Tone.
New York, May 30, 2013 – The historic Vanderbilt Mansion on Fisher Island, Florida, the private
residential enclave routinely named as the country’s most expensive zip code, has been restored by
HBA to its original glory as part of a $60 million island-wide restoration project. The interior design
was awarded to HBA as part of a design competition. HBA was selected out of four other firms.
The Mediterranean-style mansion, built by William K. Vanderbilt II in 1925, is now the centerpiece
of the Fisher Island Hotel & Resort, a 216-acre property housing a luxuriously-appointed 45-room
boutique hotel. Other luxe amenities include a brand new private beach club and revamped 9-hole
professional golf course, tennis center and marina.
Accessible only by ferry, boat or helicopter, Fisher Island is named after Miami Beach founder Carl
Fisher, who traded the entire island to the dashing Vanderbilt heir in the early 1920s in exchange
for his 250-ft. yacht, the Eagle. Vanderbilt and his wife Rosamund surrounded the mansion they
built with lush landscaping and gracious guest cottages, entertaining the luminaries of their time in
high style. Located minutes from Miami Beach, it boasts amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean and
the iconic Miami skyline.
Shawn Kronen, Associate at HBA in Atlanta said, “We did not come to this project with an agenda to
re-brand this project with a specific look. Simply, our goal was to maintain the integrity of the
interior design that a home of this significance required.” The interior design is a respectful and
complimentary homage to the historic character of the building, which is timeless; and, appropriate
in consideration of its tropical waterfront setting.
HBA’s scope of work included renovation of the hotel and club member reception areas; Plus,
library, private dining room, city view terrace and Snooker Club. In the main building, The Living
Room and Library spaces were renovated to promote social gatherings with furnishings selected
for comfort and versatility. Fireplace were made focal points and given authority in the existing
spaces. The design team used a lens that is classic, comfortable and functional. The spaces are rich
in history and unique only to this location.
Significant to HBA’s design philosophy, is that the design support the business goals of the owners.
Thus, HBA created an environment that would draw event business, positioning the property as a
premier venue for meetings and events. Doing so, HBA thoughtfully considered maximizing
function and wearability for each of the spaces.
The Vanderbilt Mansion is an important project for HBA, “aside from the prestige of working on a
Vanderbilt home, which is used as a clubhouse by some of the wealthiest people in the world, it
allows us to demonstrate our expertise in making historically relevant and culturally significant
design for the 21st Century,“ commented Kronen.
For more information on The Vanderbilt Mansion please visit: http://www.fisherislandclub.com
About HBA
World-renowned as the “Number 1 Hospitality Design Firm” (Interior Design) and honored in 2012
by the Gold Key Awards, Hospitality Design, Perspective Awards, the Boutique Design Awards and
the European Hotel Design Awards; HBA/Hirsch Bedner Associates, unveils the world’s most
anticipated hotels, resorts, and spas. Leading the hospitality interior design industry since 1965,
HBA remains keenly attuned to the pulse of changing industry trends governed by today's
sophisticated traveler. The company’s international presence, depth of experience, and detailed
industry knowledge enables them to identify interior design trends at their source, make definitive
predictions about new directions and innovations, and influence design standards at a global level.
HBA’s ultimate objective is to add value, raise standards and enhance the brand of a project's owner
and operator.
For HBA in Los Angeles, Atlanta, San Francisco, London, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo, Singapore,
Melbourne, New Delhi, Dubai Moscow, Istanbul, Thailand and Manila, visit www.hba.com.
###