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Historic facade to be saved as Bvlgari team wins approval to demolish interior floors at Seagull Hotel site
Summary
The Historic Preservation Board approved modifications May 13 allowing demolition of interior floor plates while retaining and shoring the street‑facing north façade of the Seagull Hotel at 120 First Street to permit construction of the new Bvlgari Hotel.
The Historic Preservation Board on May 13 approved staff‑recommended changes that allow the partial demolition and reconstruction of the Seagull Hotel at 120 First Street while retaining and shoring the building’s architecturally significant north façade.
The applicant — the development team building the new Bvlgari Miami Beach hotel — told the board that structural testing found the existing eight‑story building was founded on spread footings rather than deep piles. Engineers concluded floor plates and two facades behind the principal north elevation must be removed and the new hotel rebuilt behind a braced, preserved facade. The work will include temporary towers to pin and shore the north wall while floor plates are demolished and new foundations are installed.
Why it matters: The proposed approach keeps the street‑facing elements that carry the building’s historic character while enabling a full rebuild behind them. Staff reviewed preliminary shoring and bracing plans and recommended approval; preservation advocates supported retaining the facade while allowing the team to address safety and stability concerns.
Details: The project team said investigations showed concrete and subsurface conditions were inadequate to meet code for the approved plan without significant risk. The proposed solution will install new deep foundations and a steel bracing system — the applicant estimated the temporary bracing at roughly $6 million — to support the facade while reconstructing the interior. The applicant said the broader hotel design previously approved by the board is not changing.
Board action: A board member moved and the board approved staff’s recommendation to permit the expanded demolition for structural reasons and to require the shoring plan and details be implemented as submitted. The board’s roll call vote was unanimous in favor of approval.
Next steps: Staff will incorporate the approved modifications into the project’s order and the applicant will proceed with detailed structural design, permit changes and construction sequencing. The applicant said the new work will add months — possibly up to a year — to the construction schedule but that financing and ownership remain in place.
Context: The Seagull is a contributing building within its historic context; the board and staff framed the decision as balancing preservation of the facade and the public interest in a safe, code‑compliant project.
