The iconic Delano Hotel had become like one of those movie stars we loved in the 90s. Still had some of its glam, but had started looking a little… well, tired. The new owner’s desire? Bring back the glamour and sex appeal the Delano once had.
Enter interior designer Sam Robin, herself an icon – of the design kind.
The Delano Hotel, named in honor of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, was designed by architect Robert Swartzburg, built in 1947. Philippe Starck redid it in 1995 in his signature postmodern style during the Ian Schrager years. Soon the Delano became a worldwide destination. A star among hotels.
Sam Robin founded her eponymous design firm in 1972 after attending the Art Institute of Chicago. She came to Miami from Chicago in 1979 to do the interior of a private 707 aircraft and never left. After designing private plane interiors for a string of well-known clients, including Sheik Mohammed of Dubai and Harry and Leona Helmsley, she was hired by Don Johnson, who was filming the 1980s television hit, Miami Vice, to design his office and residence in Miami, then his Aspen and Beverly Hills homes.
Robin has designed for clients all over the world tackling grand private homes, restaurants, hotels and even 15 boutiques for the legendary Gianni Versace — she knows luxury and glamour. Well-known projects include the landmark celeb hangout, Joia restaurant on South Beach; the Hotel Astor; Metro Kitchen & Bar; the Colony Hotel; Tony Sushi and 900 Biscayne Bay. In 1996, Robin launched her own furniture line, Sirio.
Finely crafted, casual elegance with just a splash of dazzle can describe Robin’s style. Those of us who are delighted to call Sam Robin a friend, know she is one of Miami’s most renowned, creative party hosts. A major renovation that includes a restaurant and nightclub brings out some of her best skills.
At the Delano, everything from the pool table on out including the Blue Door restaurant and the Florida Room nightclub got Robin’s superstar makeover.
DAISY: What went through your mind when you were approached to redesign the Delano, an iconic hotel, and the previous designer, Philippe Starck so globally known?
ROBIN: (Laughs) I think it was a little suicidal for me to take this on. No matter what I do, some people are going to be horrified that it was changed but the front lobby interior and hallway is unchanged. The outdoor areas were really shabby.
DAISY: What was the plan when they came to you?
ROBIN: Delano is now owned by Morgan Hotels. The Light Group runs restaurants and clubs in Las Vegas and have the contract to run food and beverage at the Delano. They wanted to re-image the restaurants and bars and all the food out on the terrace. The Blue Door will now be Bianca and the old Florida Room will be FDR [as in Franklin Delano Roosevelt].
DAISY: How much did they know of your work?
ROBIN: Andrew [Masi CEO of Light Group] thought Joia [the restaurant on South Beach] was one of the sexiest restaurants in the world, but I still had to sell the presentation to the Morgan Hotel group. The restaurant side wanted organic, the Morgan side said “glamour, glamour!” Polar opposites! But I blended it and stayed within the energy of the Morgan Hotels. They liked that my palette was neutral. Because the budget was limited I had to have everything made instead of buying it. There was no time for prototypes, I drew them and made them.
DAISY: What are the differences between a residential project versus a commercial one?
ROBIN: Everything has to meet Florida codes, especially fire. The fire marshall has been known, when you’re doing a hotel, to come in and start a fire on a headboard! After designing airplanes, I’m very aware. Even flame retardant fabrics like wool, burn black smoke so… hello cockpit! Nowhere to escape!
DAISY: How does our harsh weather affect your outdoor choices?
ROBIN: Even the weight of the materials must be substantial; something that won’t be blowing around with sudden bursts of wind, materials that survive the salt water, even the plants. We did a lot of powder-coated metal and tried to stick to natural materials like natural linen, natural oak wood and some beautiful stone pillars from Indonesia.
DAISY: How did you choose the palette? Not one terrible Tropical Deco pastel anywhere!
ROBIN: To me tropical is beige and white not pastels. I do neutral backgrounds and a punch of color. When you get too trendy in your colors and patterns it doesn’t last. You want people to be the art. In Bianca the restaurant, I used a lot of mirrors, no art. That was sexy at Joia, makes people look beautiful with candles reflected in the mirrors. You could flirt with someone all night… and now the Delano is the perfect place for it!
PHOTOS: Sam Robin portraits by YOBE PHOTOGRAPHY
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