Construction continues at a steady clip at the site of the old Ankara Motel for a 2015 opening as the Aloft South Beach. The Ankara site will be, according to the architects ADD Inc., "the first resort destination for an Aloft hotel" which is normally the type of boutique hotel that goes in urban settings, like Brickell. The Aloft South Beach is undoubtedly urban too, a low-to-midrise tower rising from behind the Ankara's former mass, on a very dynamic site, surrounded by other development, and waterways, and about about a block from the ocean.
It'll have 239 hotel rooms in the two-story historic building and an 8 story tower. Renderings show the motel's signature features all restored, including the swooshy lobby, the Ankara pylon sign, and the wrapping motel staircases. In addition to the lobby area, three other public spaces will be the historic pool deck and restaurant, a waterfront lounge along the Collins Avenue canal, and a third floor rooftop lounge.
· Ankara Motel/Aloft South Beach coverage [Curbed Miami]
· Hotels Week 2014 coverage [Curbed Miami]