Bal Harbour was founded by Robert C. Graham sixty years ago as a “dream village,” and the community’s small size has never been exploited; developers have long adhered to a philosophy of “quality, not quantity” here, and the result is a 245-acre enclave of luxury and exclusivity nestled at the northeast tip of perennial favorite, Miami Beach. Bal Harbour is just a short drive from South Beach and Ft. Lauderdale, and jet-setters, celebrities and those who simply have a great love of luxury have made Bal Harbour their destination for shopping, fine dining, sunning, swimming and more for years.

What’s For Sale

The St. Regis at Bal Harbour, set for completion in 2009, will offer a broad range of ownership opportunities for their one-, two- and three-bedroom units. Full ownership condominiums are available for the buyer seeking a primary or second home, but the property will, unusually, also offer both fractional and condo-hotel options in the same development. The 1,300 to 1,400 square-foot condo-hotel units start at $1.8 million, with whole ownership hotel residences starting at $1.8 million and ranging up to well over $10 million for units between 1,777 and 3,884 square feet in size. Though pricing information has not yet been released on fractional units at the property, sales are slated to begin towards the end of this summer.

Units will feature ample balcony space with views of the Biscayne Bay and Atlantic Ocean, with ten-foot ceilings aim to enhance the flow of space from the entranceways to the outdoor living areas. The fully furnished condo-hotel units, designed by Yabu Pushelberg (whose clients have included Bergdorf Goodman and Tiffany & Co.), will have four-fixture bathrooms, a kitchenette and, of course, the breathtaking ocean views that characterize the neighborhood. Fractional and full ownership residences will feature European-style kitchens complete with granite countertops, top of the line appliances and wine-refrigerators; their five-fixture bathrooms will include walk-in showers, soaking tubs and a separate water closet with a bidet. There will even be fireplaces, for use on the off chance of a chilly evening, and residents will have full access to the property’s fitness rooms and swimming pools.

What You Get

St. Regis is big on wowing its guests and owners with luxury and architectural beauty, and the three towers that will comprise the Bal Harbour development are no exception to the rule. Designed by the Sieger Suarez Architectural Partnership, the nine-acre property will feature two heated pools facing the ocean (one for residents only), multiple reflecting pools, lush gardens and a premier selection of outdoor sculptures. Oceanfront cabanas will be outfitted with flat screen televisions, minibars and WiFi to make the most of the beach.

Amenities are what one would expect at St. Regis. The property will feature a 12,000 square-foot oceanfront Reméde Spa, and fitness facilities will offer personal trainers and nutritionist services. Twenty-four hour St. Regis butler and concierge services will be available for all guests and residents, as well as in-home chefs, housekeeping, childcare, pet care and chauffeur services.

The Halogen Guides Take

The St. Regis at Bal Harbour is a mix of residential, fractional and condo-hotel units in one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Miami Beach. This will be the first time St. Regis Hotels and Resorts has offered all three of these ownership options in one property, making their brand of high-end resort living available at a variety of price points. There are plenty of fractionals available in Miami Beach, but for those set on Bal Harbour, few will deliver on the level the luxury and attention St. Regis provides.

The only unknown is the South Florida real estate market. It’s certainly no secret that the condo market in the area has been one of the hardest hit in the recent slow down, with condo-hotel projects falling flat before they ever make it off the ground. The good news for those considering luxury offerings like the St. Regis? The high end (read: price tags topping $1 million) of the market is faring much better than the low.