A mainstay of Miami’s Ocean Drive, The Carlyle represented an evolution of the Art Deco style that had dominated architect Richard Kiehnel’s previous works, while still retaining standards like the rule of thirds and elegant curvatures nestled among sharp geometry.⁣

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Opening in 1941 with a sparse color palette of white and sea foam green, The Carlyle is a significantly more understated and nuanced take on the bright pastel colorways seen on other South Beach hotels, like The Pelican or The Berkeley Shore. With approximately 900 other buildings which comprise the Miami Beach Art Deco District, The Carlyle remains a lasting monument to a golden age of new architectural ideas.⁣

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Once the hotel to see and to be seen, and situated a mere block away from Gianni Versace’s residence Casa Casuarina, this newly restored series of private residences has appeared in many forms of media over its near eight decade lifespan, lending its facade to films like Scarface and Bad Boys 2, and most notably, giving up its name to become the titular setting of 1996's The Birdcage.