AKA, a global leader in luxury hospitality, announced the opening of its second South Florida location, AKA West Palm, on Dec. 1. This five-story property, located in the heart of West Palm Beach's central business district, features 215 brand-new hotel residences, including studios, one- and two-bedroom accommodations. Also, penthouse suites combine a private residence's ambiance with a luxury hotel's indulgent services.
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The en-suite amenities include sleek kitchens, washers and dryers, and private terraces, while the public areas include an indoor/outdoor lounge and bar, a resort-style pool and deck, a state-of-the-art Technogym, an executive conference room and smaller conference nooks, and a dedicated pet spa.
AKA West Palm is near Rosemary Square, an events and cultural arts hub within walking distance of historic Clematis Street, which has gourmet dining, luxury retail, and lively nightlife. The area now has several premier office towers with financial, legal, and consulting corporate headquarters relocated from the Northeast due to Palm Beach's elevated living. The property is also located blocks from the Intracoastal Waterway. It offers water views and nearby beach access in Palm Beach proper, only five minutes west.
"With an influx of visitors from the Northeast, we are already seeing interest from travelers familiar with the AKA brand and our properties in New York City, Philadelphia, and Boston," said Larry Korman, CEO of AKA. "As West Palm's reputation as 'the Wall Street of the South' develops, we are confident that those who are traveling for work will be delighted to make a home away from home at AKA."
AKA West Palm strives to meet the needs of a wide range of discerning guests, including business professionals, leisure travelers, and locals. With so many businesses nearby, the property anticipates a steady flow of corporate travelers throughout the year. A mile from the Brightline train station, AKA West Palm, provides a smooth commute from Fort Lauderdale and Miami, allowing South Floridians to visit guests or check in for a getaway. The property also provides ideal long-term lodging for West Palm residents to host visiting friends and family, 'staycations' in the area, or when they are renovating or transitioning their homes.
Experiential Amenities Catering to Resident Needs
A sophisticated terrace lounge and bar are available at the property, designed to feel like an extension of AKA's residential living rooms. The glass-enclosed lounge is intimate and sophisticated, with high ceilings that enhance the views of the waterfront. Natural light enters the space to highlight the elegant Carrara marble and contrast it with the charcoal wood detail.
A chic pool area framed by lush landscaping is located beyond the terrace lounge and bar. Guests can sunbathe on lounge chairs, swim in the pool, or relax in the shade provided by overhead trellises. The space is also available for evening gatherings, with elongated fireplaces for cooler nights.
A cutting-edge Technogym fitness center provides residents with the Excite Live class series. This immersive experience includes personalized training, Technogym coaches, mobile connectivity, and more.
AKA West Palm also has a private and convenient conference space available for booking for executive meetings, with seating for up to 10 people to cater to business travelers.
The property is a pet-friendly hotel residence that also houses the brand's first-ever pet spa, which will provide pampering services by local professionals.
The property, which will open in 2023, will provide residents, visitors, and locals with F&B options in collaboration with beloved West Palm Beach restaurants The Blind Monk and Egg Bar.
Transformative Design and Art
AKA West Palm's design is inspired by nature and focuses on removing the excess. Textural elements such as dark wood grain and brushed aluminum define the public spaces designed by Claudio Salazar of RooTSDNA and Svjetlana Davidovic of SD3SIGN. Nicholas Cardone, AKA's VP of Design, was in charge of the room furnishings, which are set against a backdrop of stone, metal, and wood, creating clean lines and minimal contrast.
The building's exterior features artwork by Pere Gifre called "Current," a large-scale, ocean-inspired piece that directs guests to the property's lobby. This eye-catching piece employs over 200 colors to create a realistic ocean, capturing true hues, textures, and reflections. Gifre's sculptural work is inspired by the interaction and study of water and its beauty, purity, and force, and "Current" adds to his extensive portfolio of nature-inspired designs.
Corey Paige Designs' custom graffiti-style mural "stay happy, stay aka" greets guests in the parking garage. The mural is designed with blue and green spray paint, featuring smiley faces, hearts, and peace signs, to complement the "Current" piece, the waterfront views, and the property's calming aura. Corey, who is based in New York City, has an expressive style that is consistent with the AKA brand, exploring themes of joy, passion, and positivity. Her most recent work is a digital New York-themed mural displayed at the JetBlue terminal of John F. Kennedy International Airport, where thousands of passengers can admire it.
For more information about AKA West Palm, please visit the website.
Photography by: Courtesy of Seamus Payne
