Vivienne Westwood is intensifying its plans to open a boutique in Miami South Beach. Nearly two years after acquiring the three-storey property at 736 Collins Avenue and a period of vacancy, the luxury fashion brand has now submitted a building application for the 1921 edifice. This undertaking marks a significant step towards establishing a presence in the prominent location.
The planned use envisions a 4,356 square foot retail space on the ground floor, equipped with three changing rooms and two storage rooms. The first floor will house offices and meeting rooms, while the top floor is set to feature a bridal showroom and a rooftop terrace. A neon sign is also planned for the entrance facade.
The project aims to "honour the 1921 building’s Art Deco and Mediterranean Revival heritage while introducing contemporary elements," explained Daniel Gabay of the National Permit Group, who submitted the application. This underscores the ambition to combine the historical building fabric with modern design.
Modern design elements include "Florida limestone cladding, a polished brass storefront and motifs, a rigid canopy that reinterprets the documented historic false eave, a distinctive pink neon signature, and the iconic Orb statue in the forecourt," as stated in the application. The Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board is expected to review this design next month.
The British brand acquired the 14,692 square foot building, located just a few blocks west of Ocean Drive between Seventh and Eighth Street, in 2024 for $6 million. Unlike most luxury brands of its size, Vivienne Westwood remains independent under the direction of the family of the late designer, who passed away in 2022. The company is banking on high-end retail returning to the heart of South Beach.
In the 1990s and 2000s, the area housed boutiques of renowned brands such as Versace, Hugo Boss, and Barney’s. However, almost all of these stores closed and relocated their presence to the Bal Harbour Shops to the north or the Design District to the west, which have developed into some of the country’s highest-grossing upscale shopping centres. Vivienne Westwood's investment could initiate a turnaround for South Beach.
