Top 7 Modern Buildings in South Florida Based on Architecture & Technology

In Miami, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, it's not just the weather that's heating up—the real estate market is on fire, too. Over the past few years, South Florida has experienced a real estate boom, bringing a slew of cool and modern buildings to the entire region. From sleek, high-tech skyscrapers that touch the clouds to eco-conscious wonders that embrace sustainability, South Florida's sprawling urban canvas has undergone a transformative evolution. Here, we’ve rounded up seven of the Tri-County's most modern buildings—both finished and under construction—that are turning heads for their architectural wonder and advanced technology. 

WEST PALM BEACH 

ALBA Palm Beach 

BGI Companies—along with co-developer Blue Road Group are on a mission to redefine waterfront living in West Palm Beach with its newest development: Alba. Once complete, the 55 carefully designed, intimately sized residences will represent modern elegance in The Palm Beaches. Alba stands out from other properties because of its incredible amenities on the sixth floor, like a state-of-the-art theater and multi-sport simulator rooms. That’s not all—each residence offers spacious layouts featuring summer kitchens, spa-like baths, floor-to-ceiling hurricane impact windows, and Italian-designed kitchens by Italkraft. In addition, every residence comes furnished with cutting-edge smart-home technology, enabling residents to effortlessly control lighting, window shades, sound systems, and thermostat settings. Residents with electric vehicles will each get a parking space equipped and ready for EV charging.

West Palm Beach’s Spina O'Rourke + Partners designed the modern, sleek development, which features an elevated amenity deck with uninterrupted views of breathtaking sunrises, sunsets, and sparkling waters. Privacy is also a top priority, with only a limited number of residences on each floor. Private elevators add an extra layer of seclusion and exclusivity to this exceptional living experience. 

Expected completion: 2025

The Bristol Palm Beach 

With its gorgeous glass façade setting the scene, The Bristol Palm Beach blends timelessness with elegance inside the 25-story waterfront condominium. We love this property for its unobstructed views of the Intracoastal, Atlantic Ocean, and the island of Palm Beach. Once completed, The Bristol will offer three- to five-bedroom luxury homes ranging from 3,700 to 14,000 square feet, plus private guest suites. 

Each residence is accessible through private elevators that open directly into the unit; separate service elevators are available for staff and deliveries. These residences are fully move-in ready and feature the highest-quality finishes, top-notch appliances, cutting-edge technologies, and all the modern conveniences one could desire. Living rooms can be adorned with white marble, limestone, or European white oak flooring;  kitchens come with Gaggenau double ovens, gas and electric induction cooktops, double dishwashers, three Sub-Zero under-counter refrigerator drawers and 100-bottle wine cooler. 

The best part? The amenities are said to rival those of 5-star resorts. Imagine a cutting-edge fitness center, a 75-foot lap pool for leisurely swims, versatile spaces for socializing and conducting business, an intimate private dining room offering mesmerizing Intracoastal vistas, lush garden terrace areas, and both wet and dry spa facilities, creating the perfect environment for relaxation and rejuvenation.

FORT LAUDERDALE 

Four Seasons Hotel & Residences Fort Lauderdale 

Reviving the vibrant spirit of Fort Lauderdale beach's waterfront is the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale. This property features an 189-room hotel alongside 83 private residences, offering luxurious accommodations and impeccable services.

The property features a treasure trove of exceptional amenities that cater to everyone. A luxurious rooftop pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a rejuvenating spa featuring captivating spa water journey experiences are just the beginning. Beyond these amenities are an inviting lobby lounge (Honey Fitz) and an exquisite on-site restaurant dubbed Evelyn's. 

At The Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale, what’s on the inside is just as important as the outside. The property enlisted the expertise of British designer Tara Bernerd and South Florida's Kobi Karp to create something truly exceptional for the city. Bernerd's firm was responsible for the guest rooms and public space design, infusing them with her distinct style and sophistication. Collaborating with her was Kobi Karp, the acclaimed architect known for his work in the region. Together, they have brought a touch of magic to the city, ensuring that the property's design and architecture are nothing short of extraordinary. 

The hotel and residences at Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale offer dual aspects, with one side providing breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean; the other side overlooks the scenic Intracoastal. The unique architecture of the building is reflected in the layout and design of the rooms. The residences come with private gardens designed by landscape architect Fernando Wong, each living space is replete with marine-inspired details, creating a bright, modern, and airy escape. 

MIAMI 

One Thousand Museum 

One Thousand Museum is renowned for its futuristic and avant-garde design, which was the last residential building designed by the renowned architect Zaha Hadid before her passing. The building is a true testament to her innovative architectural vision. The 700-foot ultra luxury tower features 83 luxury condos (a mix of duplex townhouses, full-floor residences, and half-floor residences) and is most known first for one of its striking features—the exoskeleton, a structural system of curvilinear supports that not only provide stability but also serve as a distinctive architectural statement. This exoskeleton sets it apart from traditional skyscrapers and is a marvel of engineering and design. It also was built ahead of its time and was said to be designed to be “11% more efficient than current Florida Energy Code.”

Aside from the engineering marvels, the residences boast several distinctive features that set them apart. Notably, the lobby's ceiling stands out as a striking design element, formed by a series of rounded-edge panels that echo the same design motif seen at the reception desk. Additionally, the 60th-floor indoor pool presents a remarkable sight, featuring a waterfall shear wall adorned with a distinctive feathered pattern, adding an extra layer of elegance and artistry to the building's interior spaces.

Paramount Miami Worldcenter 

Another jaw-dropping area downtown is Miami Worldcenter,  a 27-acre mixed-use development. The $6 billion project includes residential, retail, hospitality, and commercial uses, with some projects open and completed, some are being built now, and some are planned for future phases. One of the most well-known projects is the Paramount Miami Worldcenter, built in 2019. The 569-unit signature luxury condominium tower is fully sold out to buyers from 60 countries around the world.

Perhaps one of the most captivating highlights is the property's awe-inspiring LED screen. It's renowned as the world's most technologically advanced Color Kinetics Lighting System, composed of an astonishing 13,400 light-emitting diodes (LEDs) artfully embedded in 10,000 panes of high-impact-resistant glass. This unique and visually stunning lighting system, which involved the efforts of 12 technicians over three years, is said to have come at a price tag of $3 million. It allows for the creation of a mesmerizing array of multi-million color combinations, ensuring that the experience of Paramount Miami Worldcenter residents is nothing short of extraordinary.

Aston Martin Residences 

This residential tower is the result of a collaboration between the renowned British luxury car manufacturer Aston Martin and G&G Business Developments that’s giving new meaning to the car’s tagline: “Passion for Perfection.” It's not just a building with the Aston Martin name; the design and attention to detail reflect the brand's commitment to excellence and luxury.

Every living space within the Aston Martin Residences has been thoughtfully curated, offering a lavish array of features that cater to the highest standards of luxury. These features include top-of-the-line appliances, cutting-edge home technology, private terraces, and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows. Homeowners here experience a lifestyle of exclusivity, with access to four levels of Sky Amenities. These include a curated art gallery, a business center, conference rooms for productive meetings, wellness amenities for a balanced life, state-of-the-art movie theaters for entertainment, virtual golf for recreation, an upper-level fitness center for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and an infinity-edge pool that provides breathtaking views of Miami's magnificent skyline.

The kitchens in Aston Martin Residences are a pinnacle of luxury, boasting Bulthaup cabinetry and Gaggenau appliances. The premium marble flooring adds an extra touch of opulence, setting the stage for a comfortable and elegantly designed living space.

Expected completion: December 2023 

Missoni Baia

Missoni Baia is ideally situated in Edgewater and offers residents breathtaking views of Biscayne Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Miami skyline. The 57-story luxury condominium marks the Italian fashion house's first-ever branded residential tower. Missoni Baia’s modern architectural design and sleek, minimalist art-inspired façade was brought to life by architect Hani Rashid of Asymptote Architecture, with a richly layered landscape designed by Enzo Enea of Enea Garden Design.

The development is known for its unique and eye-catching architectural design. The signature feature is its distinctive "zig-zag" pattern on the facade. In this venture, Missoni's distinctive and lively design sensibility, featuring their trademark use of colors, finds expression not only in the tower's interiors but also in all communal spaces and amenities. Spearheaded by New York designer Paris Forino and creatively directed by Angela and Rosita Missoni themselves, the residences, furnishings, and artworks within the tower are elegantly crafted.

These thoughtfully designed homes feature 10-foot-high ceilings, spacious terraces measuring 8- to 10 feet deep, impact-resistant glass windows and sliding doors, floor-to-ceiling glazing, elegant bathrooms with European-style lacquered cabinets and mosaic tile floors, and custom-designed kitchen cabinetry with top-of-the-line appliances. Residents can enjoy five distinct pools, private cabanas, elevated tennis courts, an expansive spa with sauna and steam facilities, a state-of-the-art gym, dedicated yoga and Pilates studios, a private screening room, and more. Exclusive membership access to the Grand Bay Club, located on the beachfront of Miami's Key Biscayne, further enhances the lifestyle for residents.

Photo by Alejandro Luengo on Unsplash

South Florida has been reshaped by a real estate renaissance, ushering in a new era of modern and avant-garde architectural wonders. If you’re interested in learning more about these properties or would like to call one a home in the near future, you can check out all of the available listings at LiveModern.