Lionstone Development

The right lion┬áFlorida-based Lionstone Development may well be the leading residential and hospitality developer in the Caribbean and Latin America, as well as its home state. Ruari McCallion has been sampling what it has to offer. The landscape of Miami seems to be constantly changing, and itÔÇÖs hard to find any building that can truly be described as a landmark in an area where so much is eye-catching. But thereÔÇÖs a new shape rising in the downtown area, where the Miami River meets Biscayne Bay, and itÔÇÖs enough to make anyone sit up and take notice.   Epic Residences and Hotel is a 54-story luxury high-rise condominium and hotel development that will quickly become one of the hottest addresses in Miami when it opens in early 2009. It offers one-, two- and three-bedroom tower, townhouse and penthouse residences, crowned with a rooftop penthouse featuring outstanding entertainment spaces, a private terrace on the top of the tower and unparalleled views across the city and out to the ocean. Residents will enjoy luxurious Snaidero ÔÇ£TimeÔÇØ cabinetry; Bosch and Miele appliances; Italian Calacatta white marble baths; Sub-Zero refrigeration and a six foot by five foot KOS tub and shower facility. TheyÔÇÖll also have access to the first-class hotel facilities, managed by Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, renowned boutique hotel operators. Naturally, visitors can park their boats in the private slipway before either having refreshments by the pool or in the lounge, or step straight onto the 1,000-feet-per-minute express elevators to their hostsÔÇÖ condo. The state-of-the-art computerized security key system takes you directly to your door, without tedious waiting.Even by MiamiÔÇÖs standards, Epic is a luxurious and standard-setting development. ItÔÇÖs the latest realization, in glass, steel, concrete and finest fittings and furnishings, of the vision of Lionstone Development, which has established itself as an astute and innovative provider of upscale hospitality and residential developments. Founded, owned and managed by father-and-son team Alfredo and Diego Lowenstein, the companyÔÇÖs heritage reaches back to the 1960s, when the family began acquiring hotel and commercial properties in Miami Beach as well as entering into real estate ventures elsewhere in South Florida. It has focused on developing, operating and expanding an enviable portfolio of leading hotels, residential and mixed-use properties in Florida and internationallyÔÇöin the Caribbean, in particular.The island of Cura├ºao, off the coast of Venezuela, is famous for its eponymous distinctive bitter orange liqueur. As the principal island of the Netherlands Antilles, it is rich in history, having been established as a trading center in 1634. Although it was devoid of gold and other coveted resources of the time, it had an advantage the Dutch colonizers spotted immediately: a natural harbor, where the capital, Willemstad, was founded. The colonial buildings have new neighbors: LionstoneÔÇÖs Cura├ºao Casino, Breezes Cura├ºao, the Hilton Cura├ºao, the Floris Suite Hotel and the Princess Casino.The Princess Casino is the largest casino on the island, with a 10,000-square-foot themed gaming area. Not that the Cura├ºao Casino is a slouch; itÔÇÖs modern, with 7,000 square feet of gaming floor. The Hilton Cura├ºao enjoys a spectacular shorefront location and the Floris Suite Hotel has a lush tropical garden and a swimming pool that can only be described as sumptuous. For those who want something a bit different but just as luxurious, Lionstone can accommodate their wishes at the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort on the neighboring island of Aruba. On their way back, travelers could break the journey at The Beach House on Isla Verde, Puerto Rico, and enjoy some French-Asian cuisine.Back in Florida, Lionstone is creating a development of just eight three-bedroom waterfront residences at Acqua Marina, near Fort Lauderdale. Each has a private dock for a 45-foot boat, extends to three stories and has a pool and private rooftop terrace. Lionstone has an eye for opportunity. It spots areas of growth likely to become centers of urban improvement and brings attention to detail to every aspect, from design through financing, management and marketing. With a portfolio of over a billion US dollars, Lionstone continually delivers outstanding building and financial results. The spirit of enterprise and drive to develop leads to distinctive projects that create and enhance their communities.┬á