Formal Contemporary Design in a Brickell Penthouse

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When Washington, D.C. residents Juan and Kai Morillo decided to establish a second home in South Florida, the husband and wife were charmed by Miami’s Brickell neighborhood and its metropolitan vibe. Their desire for sophisticated vertical real estate led them to Echo Brickell Residences, a shimmering glass tower designed by renowned architect Carlos Ott, where they purchased a 4,500-square-foot penthouse on the building’s 55th floor.

Before the ink on their real estate deal was dry, the Morillos had already decided their new residence’s interiors would be overseen by Solís Betancourt & Sherrill, a D.C.-based design firm they had worked with before. Coming into the project early, while the building was under construction, designers Jose Solís Betancourt and Paul Sherrill were able to reconfigure the floor plan to meet their clients’ wishes and make necessary changes to generate a unified and elevated architectural vocabulary. “We thought through how the spaces would be used for a multi-generational family,” says Betancourt. “Because we had designed the couple’s Washington home, we understood their keen sense of style and flair for formal contemporary design.”

The penthouse’s 360-degree views of ocean and landscape capture vistas of downtown Miami, South Beach, and Key Biscayne, and its expansive square footage includes a primary suite, five bedrooms, five-and-a-half bathrooms, multiple wraparound terraces, and a private elevator entrance. Upon setting foot in the apartment through grand double doors, an elaborately carved gilt mirror hanging over a console grabs the eye. Throughout the residence, all the doors feature high-gloss graphite-stained elm wood with gleaming polished nickel inlay and matching hardware. Artfully designed custom furnishings suit the scale of each space, and reflective glass and marble surfaces interplay with the shimmering views both day and night.

“The interiors had to be as dramatic as the views,” notes Sherrill. “We were able to take off running with the palette and the aesthetic with beautiful stone floors that define the overall color scheme of brown, gray, and charcoal. We wanted rich and tactile layered finishes, including Venetian plaster, lacquered millwork, marble flooring, and wool sateen draperies.” Adds Betancourt, “We incorporated bespoke furniture with exotic woods, handmade bronze sculptures, cut velvets, deep pile carpets, and textured glass lighting to prevent the sleek interiors from coming across too cold.”

A glimpse across the living room reveals a panoramic seascape through a wall of glass doors opening onto a large balcony with a plunge pool. The fluid floor plan encompasses the kitchen, dining room, and library, and the scale of the 16-foot-high rooms is so immense, that it was essential for the SBS team to delineate them. The draperies, intentionally not placed on the windows, help create a sense of definition and enclosure with an elegant softness that emanates warmth. Emphasizing the verticality of the rooms, these fabrics also significantly improve the acoustics. “Both of our homes focus on an attention to detail using sophisticated materials,” says Juan, an international law attorney. “The hands-on approach of SBS and senior designer/project manager Nicholas F. Marcinko was invaluable; their flawless eye for detail delivered a beautiful result.”

Gracious hosts who love to entertain family and close friends on a regular basis, the owners wanted their second home to exude comfort and a welcoming atmosphere for everyone. “Our home is ideal for everything from dinners and cocktail parties to my husband’s client and office meetings,” says Kai, “and guests are always quick to point out the memorable experiences they had while being here.”

Story Credits:

Interior Design Jose Solis Betancourt & Paul Sherrill, Solis Betancourt & Sherrill, Washington, D.C.

Text by Jeanne de Lathouder

Photography by Marcos Galvany, Washington, D.C.

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