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Bay Harbor's Pearl of a Project

by 9Fi5th

Small is beautiful, says the new Brazilian-South African development team S2. Their latest boutique project “O” Residences has just 41 units, perfect for Bay Harbor, itself a “super cozy” hidden gem. ““O” is walking distance from some of the best shops and restaurants in the area, which is ranked one of the safest neighborhoods in the country and has one of the best schools. Plus, there’s no traffic”, said S2’s South African President Marc Schmulian, extolling the property’s locale. “The island is up and coming to the extreme.” The developers plan their project around a concept, from a place of inspiration, and for “O” (French eau for water) the theme is all things aquatic. Everyone can take advantage of the panoramic views since every single residence will have a waterfront view. On top of that, “O” is loaded up with more water features – pools, a waterfall, hot tubs, bay view lounges, and the building’s signature, “water deck,” a gorgeous, glassy wading pool where owners will be able to kick back when the scorching summer heat hits. “We were determined to bring the theme of water indoors.” Said Schmulian. “Instead of creating closed-off corridors, we created a trellis system and natural atriums on each floor so that you are protected from the elements, but in nature at the same time,” he explained. Sound good to us! Vertical gardens are the trendy thing these days, and the project’s architect Charles Benson is famous for them. In “O”’s case, a cozy building doesn’t mean meager amenities; that much should be clear now, but S2 told us, there’s much, much more. Amenities include a breezy summer kitchen, 1,000-square-foot gym with state-of-the-art equipment, boat slips, and free membership with the well-known Palm Restaurant and Club for all owners! Remember that prices at “O” (from $600,000) to $1 million, approximately) are a value when you consider where you are. Adjacent to Indian Creek, Bal Harbour and Sunny Isles, “O” will be the epicenter of multi-million dollar living. “We aim to give people tons of amenities and the same lifestyle that you would get in one of these places, but for an affordable price,” Claudio Stivelman, CEO of S2 Development said. One high-tech extra will be “O”’s smart-home technology in form of a touch panel within each unit that will interface with building amenities, to bring the car around or book the summer kitchen or a cabana. S2 is also partnering with local restaurants and shops to integrate their services. For the technologically precocious, lights, shades, and appliances will also be able to get with the program. “O” will also afford its owners a number of low-tech luxuries, such as 9-foot floor-to-ceiling windows, glass panel-terraces that will run the full length of most units, high-end appliances, and designer fixtures all around. For the interiors, S2 has partnered with Nuspace Designs. “They will sit down with buyers to help them plan and decorate their new units, which will be completely customizable,” Schmulian said. “Nuspace can do them from top-to-bottom, to the buyer’s taste.” Based on the renderings, we think “O” will be totally gorgeous as-is and plenty of buyers agree. Despite the 70 percent deposit needed before closing, S2 has welcomed South Americans, from Argentina, Venezuela, and CEO Claudio Stivelman’s native Brazil. A number of Canadians and locals have also signed on the dotted line. Most buyers plan to make the Bay Harbor property their year-round home. “It means they are buying into our concept,” said Stivelman. “It is an emotional buy and we appreciate that since we put a tremendous amount of passion into what we do.” Just as they want buyers to want to buy at “O”, S2 wants realtors to sell it. That’s why they’re sweetening the deal for all of the pros out there with high 7 percent commission. “Outside brokers will make a good 3.5% before we even break ground,” Schmulian expanded. With said groundbreaking planned for the very beginning of next year and completion in the second half of 2016 there’s still time to get in on this prize of a project. But, if you miss the boast on “O”, S2 has more on the Bay Harbor horizon, namely La Boutique, another 41 unit, you guessed it, boutique waterside project that, from what we’ve heard, will be splendid. S2 is also co-developing Muse with PMG, keeping themselves busy all over town. Whatever your plans, keep an eye on S2 – they may think intimate and exclusive, but we see big things for them in this business.