Perched on the 16th floor of The Palace at Bal Harbour, this oceanfront residence sat at the intersection of extraordinary potential and significant constraint. Approximately 3,000 square feet, wraparound balconies, and panoramic Atlantic views. Yet the original floor plan was compartmentalized and its finishes dated, contradicting the fluid, contemporary aesthetic its new owners had envisioned.
Luciana Fragali and her team at Design Solutions were commissioned to deliver a full renovation: structural demolition, floor plan reimagination, and a complete material palette overhaul. The result is a luxury condo renovation that moves from understated arrival to spa-caliber retreat, with every detail resolved.
Arriving with intention: entry and dining
The dining area flows seamlessly from the entryway. A custom stone bar table anchors the space, functioning as both a service element and an artful display surface. At the room’s center, a round dining table in a muted champagne-brown-gray tone brings warmth without weight. Sheer drapery filters light along the full perimeter, softening the boundary between interior and the ocean beyond.
An open kitchen built for how this family lives
The original kitchen was enclosed. In this renovation, the wall came down. The new open-concept layout integrates black appliances, warm wood-toned cabinetry panels, and a sculptural stone-and-wood island that extends into an informal dining area. Concealed appliances preserve the visual continuity. Storage is maximized without cluttering the sightlines, because in a residence like this, the view is also part of the design.
The family room: depth, warmth, and architectural problem-solving
Custom wood paneling transitions the space into the family room, where a recessed ceiling wrapped in the same warm tones and accented with soft LED strips shifts the atmosphere from daytime openness to evening intimacy. This was also where the building’s structural constraints demanded the most creative resolution. Fragali’s team devised integrated solutions for lighting and built-ins that honored the existing architecture while achieving the owners’ vision without compromise.
The powder room: a deliberate moment of drama
In a home of this scale, the powder room could have been an afterthought. It was not. Bold textured wall coverings, curated directional lighting, and a floating marble vanity create a self-contained statement. The space is compact; the impact is not.
The primary suite: scale made intimate
The primary bedroom is generous in proportion but resolved to feel like a retreat. A handcrafted wood wall installation behind the bed anchors the room with quiet craftsmanship. Custom nightstands, suspended pendants, and a plush area rug layer warmth across the space. The design approach favors warm modernism: large rooms that feel inhabited, not cavernous.
The primary bath: materials with intent
The master bathroom reaches the emotional peak of the renovation. A step-up wet room clad in porcelain tile with a wood-grain finish delivers the atmosphere of a private spa. The double vanity pairs a rustic backsplash tile with polished fixtures. A freestanding soaking tub sits against natural wood flooring and ceiling paneling. The material references came directly from the owners’ travels, a deliberate choice Fragali has refined across her 20 years of practice: “We wanted the space to feel like an escape, one that effortlessly fuses relaxation and refinement.”
Execution under pressure: what this renovation actually required
A project of this scope never runs without friction. This one confronted pandemic-era supply chain delays, prolonged permit approvals, material shortages, and months-long service elevator outages that complicated every delivery. “Communication was paramount,” Fragali reflects. Strategic flexibility and rigorous planning preserved the design integrity through each obstacle. For clients considering a luxury condo renovation in Miami, this project is a clear example of why experience with South Florida building regulations, association rules, and local contractor networks is not optional: it is the foundation of a project that delivers.
A residence resolved in Bal Harbour
What was once a segmented, outdated apartment is now a 3,000-square-foot sanctuary. Textures complement rather than compete. Each space flows into the next with the logic of a well-edited home. The Atlantic is the backdrop; craftsmanship is the constant.
If you are considering a full-scope renovation for a luxury residence in South Florida, contact Design Solutions to begin the conversation..
