Via Bice sports an impeccable new design with even more distinctive elements set to debut this fall.
Lush greenery adorns each storefront
Last fall, Via Bice on Worth Avenue revealed a swanky new look to the residents of Palm Beach. The inimitable retail street’s Phase 1 project reveal came heavily anticipated, encompassing all of the four buildings that house upscale, must-visit retail, boutique and dining spaces. From authentic Italian eatery Bice to the contemporary iconography at Taglialatella Galleries to the Gil Walsh Interiors pop-up, the redesign added modern elements throughout the exterior space while staying true to the via’s original old-world Mediterranean ethos.
Dine outdoors at Bice Ristorante’s outdoor patio
Jeffery Smith, lead architect and founder of award-winning Smith Architectural Group, led the redesign for the entirety of its two-year completion. Beginning with the addition of shaded areas to ensure a continued comfortable shopping experience, he says, “Our vision for the renovation of Via Bice was to mask the sun-drenched via with a pergola draped in bougainvillea for a respite from the hot Florida sun.” In a nod to architect Gene Lawrence’s original 1980s design, the bougainvillea adds an element of tranquility, adorning various walls and winding throughout the space. More greenery, including jasmine and chalice vines and Asian snow shrubs, were introduced by Nievera Williams landscape architecture founder Mario Nievera and team, culminating in what Coastal Girls Co. co-owner Dionne Schneider calls a “tropical, enchanted atmosphere.” She adds, “I think the renovation of the via has created a buzz on the island. I hear customers say that Via Bice will be the first place to come to when they visit again!”
The renovated via boasts a deliciously relaxed Mediterranean feel
And all that was only the start of this multiphase overhaul. This fall, Phase 2 will be completed with an extension of the marble pavers to both the Worth Avenue and Peruvian Avenue entrances. One of many collaborations between Smith and Nievera, the black-and-white tile is inspired by the pair’s obsession with the intricate stone patterns found throughout Lisbon. Says Smith, “We selected the large-scale custom black-and-white marble patterned floor to offset the irregular shape of the via.” The impending unveiling of these effervescent final touches is set to debut with a celebratory event or two—but in the meantime, a weekendlong shopping spree will certainly do.
Photography by: Courtesy of brand
