FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – (May 22, 2015) – For Jiro Yates, vice president and design partner at Fort Lauderdale-based FSMY Architects and Planners, form, proportion and scale trump all else, including style.
“When I first begin designing a new project I do not have a particular end result in mind. Instead, I focus on the fundamentals,” said Yates. “If one was to strip away the non-essential, exterior embellishments, the core architectural form of a building needs to stand on its own and be pleasing to the eye.”
Yates designed Riva, Fort Lauderdale’s first major luxury waterfront condominium residence along the Middle River, to have a sleek, mid-century modern design aesthetic which embraces simplicity, large exterior spaces and natural light. Riva’s design introduces a new contemporary sensibility to Fort Lauderdale’s condo landscape and is a turning point from the dated, faux Mizner-esque appliques. According to Yates, Mizner’s traditional Mediterranean–Spanish revival style is best left to its original intention: private estate homes.
Riva is located along 400 feet of prime waterfront across from George English Park and Yates took inspiration for the design from its pristine natural surroundings. With only 100 exquisite residences, the 15-story condominium’s curvilinear design emphasizes horizontality and complements the river with reflective exterior glass walls and railings which blend organically into the backdrop.
“Ultimately my goal is to produce a timeless architectural design that creates spaces and moments that elicit happiness from the residents,” said Yates. “At the end of the day, the success of the project hinges on how well the project functions and how much the inhabitants enjoy it.”
Riva’s design will provide residents with an indoor-outdoor lifestyle that is unique, even for Fort Lauderdale. Extraordinarily large east and west facing 70-foot terraces offer panoramic views of the ocean and downtown Fort Lauderdale skyline. Residents will enjoy river gardens which grace the two-acre waterfront site, private boat docks and private water taxis. Riva’s River Club includes a 60-foot lap pool overlooking the river, a fitness center and Borghese spa. A watersports center offers storage for residents’ kayaks and paddleboards.
“Jiro is an exceptionally talented architect who for the past 20 years has created many of Fort Lauderdale’s most recognizable and prominent buildings including, Strada 315, The Pelican Grand Beach Resort and the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort,” said Premier Developers’ principal Bradley Deckelbaum. “His design for Riva is timeless and exemplifies the casual elegance and lifestyle our new residents desire.”
Yates’ modern sensibilities also are influencing Fort Lauderdale’s booming rental community with his distinctive design of URBN @ Flagler Village, a proposed new 32-story condo tower in the city’s downtown Flagler Village. The proposed +200-unit building will feature one-, two- and three-bedroom units starting at 600 square feet. Yates designed URBN @ Flagler specifically for a young, dynamic and socially active crowd. He has incorporated numerous lifestyle amenities which encourage social interaction between residents and the general public, such as a rooftop lounge, bar and basketball court. Residents will also interact with one another at an elevated running track, swimming pool and dog park. Large-scale art will adorn the building’s walls and revolving exhibits are planned to be showcased in public spaces.
Premier Developers is creating Riva in partnership with Index Investment Group, a real estate investment group based in Jupiter, Florida with major investment initiatives throughout South and Central Florida. Construction on Riva is underway and completion is scheduled for fall 2016.
Riva is located at 1180 N. Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale. The new Riva Sales Center is moving to 1200 East Las Olas Boulevard. For information visit riva-condo.com or call (954) 233-3288.
Founded in 1977, FSMY Architects and Planners is a Fort Lauderdale-based full service architectural firm. For information visit http://www.fsmyarch.com