Miami’s Artful Comeback Story

Words Vidula KotianDate 05 June 2025

This month, a Miami Beach icon has reemerged—refined, reimagined, and deeply rooted in local culture.

The Shelborne By Proper, nestled along 18th Street on the famed Collins Avenue, reopens with a bold new vision that honors its storied Art Deco past while embracing the creative pulse of contemporary Miami. Originally debuting in 1940, The Shelborne was conceived by architects Igor Polevitzky and Thomas Triplett Russell as a glamorous escape for the golden age elite.

In the 1950s, the legendary architect Morris Lapidus added his signature flair, expanding the hotel with poolside cabanas and Miami Modern-inspired guest rooms. Over the decades, it has stood as a symbol of South Florida sophistication. Now, following an extensive reinvention, the hotel steps into its next chapter, curated by Proper Hospitality with reverence for history and a fluid, art-driven aesthetic.

This rebirth is most vivid in the hotel’s commitment to art—a thoughtfully assembled collection that transforms the property into a living gallery. From Kenny Nguyen’s ethereal silk installations in the west lobby to the bold collages of Jo Hummel upstairs, each piece weaves local texture and global artistry into the guest experience. The collection leans heavily on Latin American voices and Miami-based talents, ensuring the art doesn’t just decorate the space—it defines it.

Regina Jestrow’s abstract fabric compositions and Jessy Nite’s woven topographic cityscapes connect visitors to the rhythms of Miami, while Lauren Shapiro’s sculptural ceramics bring the tropics indoors in a tactile, organic way. Even the guest rooms speak through art: Hayley Moree’s palm paintings and Clara Arbuniés’ delicate ceramics extend the hotel’s creative dialogue into every corner.

Design-wise, the hotel echoes its Art Deco roots through soft curves, honed marble, and a palette of moss, terracotta, and powder blue—hues that feel both timeless and unmistakably Miami. The interplay of vintage charm and modern tropicalism finds its most striking form in the lobby, where geometry and lush greenery coexist in perfect balance.

With a culinary program led by Florida-born, Michelin-starred chef Abram Bissell and cocktail savant Christopher Lowder, The Shelborne By Proper is more than a comeback. It’s a cultural landmark reborn—where heritage meets hospitality, and every detail, from brushstroke to building line, tells a story of Miami.