Queen Latifah looks at Miami's Wynwood as operations base

By Catherine Lackner
    There'll be a joyful noise in Wynwood if the Miami Community Redevelopment Agency succeeds in its bid to bring Queen Latifah to Miami.
   Attracting such a luminary might serve as a cornerstone for a Miami Entertainment District, agency members said. The rapper, singer and actress currently records at a Doral studio; her production company is in Atlanta.
   "It would be a great booster," said Michelle Spence-Jones, agency board member and Miami city commissioner. "We went to Atlanta to visit her. She has three existing shows, on CBS, FOX and Viacom. Each show hires 200 to 250 people."
   The entertainer's representatives toured Wynwood and expressed interest, Ms. Spence-Jones said. They indicated they could move as early as September if a deal is struck, she said.
   A key provision would probably be incentives, she said. "Atlanta gives her a 30% tax incentive, so we're not talking about a big rebate here."
   While there's no indication where in Miami Queen Latifah would set up shop, speculation centers on the Wynwood Free Trade Zone along Northwest Fifth Avenue, a large parcel including several buildings owned by New York investor Moishe Mana. Included is a 160,000-square-foot studio where the "Charlie's Angels" television show was shot until the series was cancelled.
   "Moishe Mana owns 22 acres, and it's very high-end stuff," Ms. Spence-Jones said. "He was behind the meatpacking district in New York City," she added, referring to the transformation of a gritty industrial district into a trendy neighborhood. "It would be so cool to have something like that happening in the heart of Wynwood."
   The redevelopment agency is committed to "seeing what different people are interested in doing," said its spokeswoman, Julia Lopes. She said she hopes to announce a meeting within 30 days. "We want to talk to people who are doing business here, to see what incentives are available. We'll be brainstorming, trying to build or create a Miami entertainment district."
   "That has always been a concept of ours," said Tony Cho, a commercial real estate broker who represented Mr. Mana in the Wynwood Free Trade Zone deal and is again leasing the property. "We built the sound stage in the Free Trade property. We are always pushing the arts and absolutely are big fans of an entertainment and arts district."
   Willy Gort, Miami city commissioner and agency board member, backed the idea. The agency sent a delegation to the National Association of Television Program Executives' convention in Miami Beach last month and was well received, he said.
   "People from three major films said incentives brought them here," Mr. Gort said. "Lots of independents want to be here. Once it gets started, a lot of those producers will come. They told us the Number 1 place for talent is now Hollywood, and the Number 2 place is Miami. This is where they want to be."

After a 33-year hiatus, Miami Beach architect Robert Swedroe is back to creating collages.

A friend once told architect Robert Swedroe, “You’re going to end up making more money with your art than with your architecture.”

“Bite your tongue, that should never happen,” replied Swedroe, a disciple of Miami Beach architect Morris Lapidus.

More than 50 years after Swedroe began working as an architect and more than 40 years after his first gallery showing for his intricate collages on canvas, his friend was right.

Indeed, Swedroe’s colorful collections of everyday objects — from paint brushes to door handles to costume jewelry — are on display through March at Temple Beth Sholom in Miami Beach, the city that propelled Swedroe’s architectural career.

In 1960, Swedroe walked into the office of Lapidus — the Miami Beach architect who designed the Fontainebleau Hotel and whose work gave much of Collins Avenue its Art Deco look — and talked his way into a job.

Lapidus wasn’t hiring. “He took my portfolio. He disappeared and he came back in about five minutes. He gave me a smirk and said, ‘Come in.’ ’’

Over the years, Swedroe worked as the design architect for a number of Lapidus projects, his first being the Rabbi Alexander S. Gross Hebrew Academy in Miami Beach. He also designed Bal Harbour Tower and Acqualina, the tony resort and spa in Sunny Isles Beach.

While working for Lapidus, Swedroe dabbled in collage art, assembling tiles, pictures and other small objects to compose complete works in the themes of adult and children’s fantasy, as well as religion and sports. He was successful; he says he sold out eight shows in seven years. But his architectural career took precedence and Swedroe shelved his art.

After 13 years with Lapidus, Swedroe started his own Miami Beach firm in 1973. His firm had a breakthrough with the innovation of the direct-entry elevator — elevators in condos that open directly to one’s apartment.

Running the architectural firm left Swedroe little time to pursue his art. In fact, he didn’t make a single collage until 2006, 33 years since his last piece in 1973.

In 2006, when the bottom “slid” out of the real estate market, forcing him to pare his staff from 25 to 4, Swedroe found enough time to work on his art again. He works out of a converted three-car garage in his home on the Isle of Biscaya in Surfside. His home has been featured in Architectural Digest and on Home and Garden Television.

Swedroe collects — and carefully files away — all kinds of objects for his collages, from wine cases to spinning tops to latches to broken jewelry. He finds objects for his three-dimensional artwork from flea markets, antique shows and friends.

“You know the earring you lost that you think you’re going to find? Well, you ain’t gonna find it, so you might as well give me the other one so I can use it,” Swedroe once told a friend.

While Swedroe says he can do a piece in a day, it may take years to find the perfect items to complete a collage.

When he’s done arranging the objects, he applies a glaze with brushes to keep the objects in place on the canvas. He even incorporated his used, stiff brushes into a piece called “Brushstrokes.”

Since resuming his art, Swedroe, 77, has focused mainly on a celestial theme, consisting of images of heavens and galaxies from circular objects.

Swedroe didn’t start out as an architect nor an artist. His first passion was baseball. When he was a freshman at Christopher Columbus High School in the Bronx, he was invited to play for a neighboring top-ranked church baseball team, St. Thomas Aquinas. To play, Swedroe was required to be a member of the church — being Jewish he couldn’t join — so he played under an alias: Ralph DeSantis. He played for four years as a first baseman.

“It was kind of strange, being Jewish,’’ he said. “But those were wonderful times.’’

To avoid homework, Swedroe took mostly drafting and art classes, freeing up the afternoon for baseball practice.

When he graduated, his guidance counselor laughed at his grades and told him he’d have a tough time getting into a trade school. Swedroe, however, had enough talent to win the prestigious St. Gaudin’s Medal of Art, which led him to the architecture school at Carnegie Institute of Technology, now Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.

From there he earned a scholarship to complete a master’s degree from the Yale School of Architecture, where he studied under Paul Rudolph, the architect known for his work with the Tuskegee Institute and for his design of the Yale Art and Architecture Building.

Swedroe’s architectural work has included luxury high rises, single-family homes, resorts and religious buildings.

His art work also has good company. Swedroe’s collages have been displayed alongside works by Robert Rauschenberg and Andy Warhol.

Said Swedroe: “It always freaks me out, because I’m an unknown artist.”

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/02/06/2627765/miami-beach-architect-returns.h...

MIAMI - It’s 73 degrees on a Saturday night in January and the crowds are promenading slowly along this pedestrian mall in South Beach. Young women in 6-inch heels toss their long tresses and tug at their skin-tight dresses as they stroll, mingling with perfumed Latin men, families pushing strollers, T-shirt-clad gawkers, manicured metrosexuals, sunburned tourists, Joan Rivers look-alikes leading tiny dogs on rhinestone-studded leashes, cigar-chomping elders, skateboarding teens, tattooed twentysomethings, stylish gay couples, and me.

“I’ve never been anywhere where there’s such a mix of people,’’ said Rick Hanley, owner of the Pink Palm, a fun, sophisticated urban card and gift shop. “That’s what I love about the street. I’m constantly meeting people from every walk of life.’’

Hanley is talking about Lincoln Road, a shopping-eating-drinking strip that’s once again riding a wave of popularity and renewal. This may or may not have surprised Carl Fisher, referred to as “the founding father of Miami Beach,’’ who in the early 20th century envisioned this street as the “Fifth Avenue of the South.’’

“The road itself is at least 100 years old. That will take a lot of people by surprise,’’ said Becky Smith, head of the library and archives at History Miami. “The road was named after Abraham Lincoln. Fischer was a big fan.’’

In its long history, Lincoln Road has experienced cycles of boom-bust-boom-bust-boom.

“In the 1930s, Lincoln Road was like Rodeo Drive,’’ said Hanley. “It was where the super-rich came to shop, arriving in limos at Saks Fifth Avenue, Harry Winston jewelers, and Bonwit Teller.’’

Decades later, as business slumped, the city hired architect Morris Lapidus to redesign the strip in 1959. He did so with the same flair employed at his famed Fontainebleau and Eden Roc hotels, enlivening the road with gardens, fountains, bold-patterned paving, and architectural shade structures in his signature Miami Modern architecture (“MiMo’’) style.

“I designed Lincoln Road for people - a car never bought anything,’’ said Lapidus, in response to his decision to close the road to traffic, thus creating one of the nation’s first pedestrian malls.

By the 1980s many storefronts were again vacant, though as Ocean Drive was rediscovered and restored to its Art Deco glory, this area came to life again.
Today, the cliché “there’s something here for everyone’’ rings true on Lincoln Road. With over 40 restaurants and cafes, and 80 shops, plus bars, clubs, a megaplex, concert hall, and theater, this bustling eight-block stretch between Alton Road and Washington Avenue is booming. Those who love corporate retail shopping will find their favorite chains, and there are enough one-of-a-kind boutiques and eateries to keep more adventurous visitors entertained. Most restaurants offer indoor and al fresco dining. (Tables spilling across the sidewalk make walking difficult but are great for people watching.) Here’s a sampling of some popular spots, traveling west to east:

Though La Tasca Tapas at Panizza Bistro is located west of Alton Road, it’s worth starting a tour here with its sumptuous Argentine pastries. A favorite breakfast spot among locals, this cozy place with terra cotta walls and tile floors morphs at night into a Spanish tapas and wine bar serving tasty bites by Basque chef Fernando Echevarri. On Wednesday evenings, enjoy paella with live music and flamenco dancing.

Crossing Alton Road to where the pedestrian mall begins, look up at the eye-popping parking garage designed by the Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron. But don’t walk too far, as the first floor houses retail and dining opportunities, including Rosa Mexicano , a chic Mexican eatery with floor-to-ceiling windows and a travertine bar serving fabulous margaritas - especially at the half-price weekday happy hour. Across the lush landscaped plaza, not far from the thee-story movie theater, Doraku Sushi also offers happy hour drinks, as well as half-priced edamame and sushi rolls. (Warning: More often than not, a gratuity is added to all checks on Lincoln Road and most of South Beach, no matter the size of the dining party, so check your bill.)

On the corner of Lenox Avenue, check out the Art Deco facade of the Colony Theater . Originally opened as part of Paramount Pictures’ theater chain in 1935, this 430-seat entertainment venue recently underwent a $6.5 million restoration and renovation. Owned by the city and leased out to artists and performers, the Colony presents a wide variety of music, theater, opera, comedy shows, dance, performance art, and film programs. Nearby, an al fresco sprawl of couches and tables hosts Segafredo , a favorite cocktail spot to see and be seen.
For top-notch dining, consider splurging at Quattro , where the sleek interior with Murano glass chandeliers will transport you from South Beach to an Italian hillside villa. Chefs Nicola and Fabrizio Carro, identical twins, were born in the town of Alessandria in the Piedmont region, and Quattro’s northern Italian menu reflects their hometown roots. The agnolotti filled with braised beef, a recipe specific to the Carros’ hometown, is exceptional.

Nicola describes his kitchen as “a laboratory.’’

“Every time I prepare a new plate I use pure creativity. I think of things to put on the plate to surprise my guests,’’ he said.

The brothers also operate a thin-crust pizza bistro across from Quattro. Less formal but equally stylish, Sosta offers swoon-worthy pies such as black truffle with buffalo mozzarella, and a classic Margherita.

Continuing to stroll east you’ll find Meat Market , where chef Sean Brasel embraces the staples of a classic steakhouse - charbroiling and grilling prime cuts of grass-fed, organic, high-quality meats - adding a contemporary spin that focuses on sourced and indigenous products.

“Knowing where your products come from makes a big difference,’’ said Brasel, who flies buffalo in from a ranch in Nebraska, buys produce from farms in Homestead (south of Miami), and serves cobia, mahi-mahi, and stone crabs supplied by local fishermen.

For lighter fare, sit at the bar for raw oysters, clams, stone crabs, and ceviche. Some people, myself included, love to graze on appetizers, especially the cedar-scented hamachi with jalapeno, Asian BBQ lamb ribs with papaya slaw, and smoked Gouda Tater Tots.

This block of Lincoln Road offers two shopping destinations in the landmark Sterling Building: Base , and Books & Books .

It’s hard to categorize the merchandise at Base. A sales associate described it as a “concept store,’’ saying they sell whatever they want “as long as it’s conceptualized.’’ Uh-huh. (Or as my mom would put it: “If you say so.’’) Still, it’s fun to peruse the eclectic mix of limited edition menswear and women’s clothing, scents, jewelry, wallets, and other accessories from designers from around the world. There’s also a CD listening bar for sampling edgy new music including chill, lounge, dance, indie, jazz, soul, and world through stylish headphones.
A walk through the terrazzo-tiled courtyard, past cafe tables and magazine racks, leads to Books & Books, an independent, locally owned bookstore with several locations in South Florida. It’s no surprise that this venue specializes in art, design, fashion, and architecture books, though there’s also a large selection of fiction and a room of children’s and young adult lit. Check the calendar for author events - the stores host about 60 per month - to participate in the area’s vibrant reading and writing community.

The visual arts community also has a strong presence on the road, not only through commercial galleries but also by means of weekly artist open studios, exhibition spaces, and cultural programs provided by the nonprofit organization ArtCenter/South Florida , established in 1984. You can wander through AC/SF’s three buildings to see - and buy - what the current crop of artists are producing.

Artist Tony Chimento moved from Provincetown to South Beach over 20 years ago.

“Lincoln Road was different then,’’ said Chimento. “We went through many years of the wilderness. Now it’s incredible. People come from all over, including serious art collectors.’’

On Sundays, the street hosts a farmers’ market with vendors selling fruits and vegetables, cut flowers, live orchids, handmade soap, Peruvian ceviche, honey, jam, empanadas, guacamole and chips, fruit smoothies, fresh pressed veggie juices, fresh “agua de coco’’ (coconut water), “granizados’’ (snow cones), and sweets such as croissants, cupcakes, and strudel.

Like live music? The jazz bar Upstairs at Van Dyke Café , in the building where Carl Fisher housed his real estate company, is an intimate club where straight-ahead jazz, fusion, Brazilian, R&B, salsa, and occasionally world music play seven nights a week. Music starts at the early-for-Miami time of 9 p.m., though it’s best to go earlier to snag a seat. A dinner menu is available, though I prefer to dine elsewhere and stick with cocktails here.

Until last year, the Lincoln Theater housed the New World Symphony , an orchestral academy with performance programs under the artistic direction of founder Michael Tilson Thomas, music director of the San Francisco Symphony. The new campus is one block north - technically on the corner of 17th Street and Washington Avenue - but it’s a must-see part of any Lincoln Road tour. New World Center , designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry, features a 7,000-square-foot projection wall on which concerts, video art, and films are shown for free in SoundScape , a 2 1/2-acre public park designed by the Dutch architectural firm West 8. Check the schedule for events, and join the crowds who sprawl on the lawn.

Carl Fisher would have loved it.

Where to stay
Ritz-Carlton, South Beach

1 Lincoln Road

786-276-4000

www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/SouthBeach/Default.htm

Seasonal rates, from $749.

Where to eat

La Tasca Tapas at Panizza Bistro

1229 Lincoln Road

305-695-8800

www.panizzabistro.com

Tapas $2.50-$16.50.

Quattro

1014 Lincoln Road

305-531-4833

www.quattromiami.com

Entrees $18-$46.

Sosta

1025 Lincoln Road

305-722-5454

www.sostapizzeria.com

$10.50-$14.75.

Meat Market

915 Lincoln Road

305-532-0088

www.meatmarketmiami.com

Entrees $19-$95.

Rosa Mexicano

1111 Lincoln Road

305-695-1005

www.rosamexicano.com

Dinner $13.75-$27.50.

Doraku Sushi

1104 Lincoln Road

305-695-8383

dorakusushi.com

Sushi rolls $4.75-$14.50, hot dishes $8.50-$14.25.

Segafredo

1040 Lincoln Road

www.sze-originale.com

All cocktails $10, bar food $2.50-$15.

Where to shop

Pink Palm

723 Lincoln Road

305-397-8097

www.pinkpalm.com

Books & Books

927 Lincoln Road

305-532-3222

www.booksandbooks.com

Base

939 Lincoln Road

305-531-4982

www.baseworld.com

What to do

Colony Theater

1040 Lincoln Road

305-674-1040

colonyandbyrontheaters.com

Ticket prices vary.

ArtCenter/South Florida

800/810/924 Lincoln Road

305-674-8278

www.artcentersf.org

Free.

Upstairs at Van Dyke Café

846 Lincoln Road

305-534-3600www.thevandykecafe.com

Weekdays $5, weekends $7.

New World Symphony

500 17th St.

305-673-3331www.nws.edu

Concert prices vary; outside events free.

For information, walking map

lincolnroadmall.com

Miami is a playground for the rich and famous. Celebrities flock to parties at South Beach clubs and then return to their $10 million mansions in Miami Beach and Key Biscayne. It’s a leading city in culture, finance and international trade. But away from the glitz and glamor, many ordinary Miamians are struggling.

A crippling housing crisis has cost multitudes of residents their homes and jobs. The metro area has one of the highest violent crime rates in the country and workers face lengthy daily commutes. Add it all up and Miami takes the top spot in our ranking of America’s Most Miserable Cities.

The most famous way to gauge misery is the Misery Index developed by economist Arthur Okun in the 1960s, which combines unemployment and inflation. Our take on misery is based on the things that people complain about on a regular basis.

We looked at 10 factors for the 200 largest metro areas and divisions in the U.S. Some are serious, like violent crime, unemployment rates, foreclosures, taxes (income and property), home prices and political corruption. Other factors we included are less weighty, like commute times, weather and how the area’s pro sports teams did. While sports, commuting and weather can be considered trivial by many, they can be the determining factor in the level of misery for a significant number of people. One tweak to this year’s list: we swapped out sales tax rates for property tax rates. Miami would have finished No. 1 under the old methodology as well (click here for more details about the criteria for the list).

In Miami there is a growing divide between the top 1% and the rest of the metro area. Life is good for the likes of LeBron James and Latin pop crooner Enrique Iglesias, who’s building a $20 million compound on a private island with girlfriend Anna Kournikova, but if you’re among the 75% of households with an annual income under $75,000, it can be a hard place. The median home price is down 41% the past three years, sixth worst in the country, to $169,000. It’s great news for first-time homebuyers; not so great for the 47% of homeowners in Miami sitting on underwater mortgages.

A whopping 364,000 properties in the Miami area have entered the foreclosure process since 2008, according to RealtyTrac. The number of foreclosure filings slowed in Miami and across the country last year, but the housing market is far from a comeback.

Miami voters are fed up. Last year 88% voted to throw Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez out of office in the biggest recall ever of a municipal government official. They were dissatisfied with property tax hikes he pushed though during Miami’s real estate meltdown, while doling out raises to staffers at the same time. Miami residents were further outraged by the city and county covering 80% of the cost of the Florida Marlins $634 million stadium set to open in April despite the Marlins turning fat profits in recent years.

To replace Alvarez, Miamians selected retired firefighter Carlos Gimenez in an election that featured Luther Campbell of 2 Live Crew fame, who famously was brought up on public obscenity charges for performing songs from his album “As Nasty As They Wanna Be.” The controversial rapper, who promoted an exotic dancer tax during his mayoral campaign, finished fourth with 11% of the vote. Consider: 11% of voters thought “Uncle Luke” would be the best choice to run the eighth most populous county in the U.S.

GREENWICH, Conn. and NEW YORK, Feb. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- A consortium consisting of affiliates of Starwood Capital Group, the LeFrak Organization and Invesco Ltd. announced today that they have jointly purchased one of South Beach, Miami's premier luxury mixed-use properties, including a hotel formally known as the Gansevoort. The property consists of 334 hotel rooms, 255 condo units totaling 294,000 square feet, 90,000 square feet of retail space including a 42,000 square foot David Barton Gym, three outdoor swimming pools, and multiple indoor and outdoor food and beverage venues. The property also includes a 26,000 square foot rooftop pool and lounge with sweeping ocean views, a 32,000 square foot elevated pool plaza and restaurant, and a 48,000 square foot private beach. The property occupies the entire block between 23rd and 24th Sts. on Collins Ave. and enjoys more than 600 linear feet of beach frontage. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The consortium is planning to invest more than $100 million in an extensive renovation of the overall property while repositioning it as one of the premier hotel and condo destinations in Miami Beach. The 334-room hotel will be renamed The Perry South Beach until it is re-launched in late 2013 with a new brand after an extensive renovation. The 255 luxury residential condominiums will also be improved and, it is anticipated, be offered for sale later this year. The condominiums will have access to the full hotel services as well as the project's pools and extensive food, beverage and fitness venues. The repositioning will also include several new local and national stores and restaurants in the retail corridor along Collins Avenue. For more information on The Perry, please visit its Web site at URL www.perrysouthbeachhotel.com .

Barry Sternlicht, the Chairman and CEO of Starwood Capital Group, is widely known for revolutionizing the hospitality industry during his 10-year tenure as the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Starwood Hotels and Resorts, including being personally credited with the creation of the W and St. Regis Hotel brands. Starwood Capital is one of the world's most experienced hotel and resort operators. Its current portfolio includes 50 full-service hotels, including some of the world's most famous properties such as Hotel du Louvre in Paris, the Martinez in Cannes, the Viceroy Anguilla resort and the Sea Island Resort.

"This is an incredibly exciting opportunity to create a premier luxury hotel and residences along one of the world's most beautiful and popular beaches at a time when global interest in the Miami marketplace is close to surpassing its all-time high," Mr. Sternlicht said. "This is a powerhouse asset with a unique beach footprint in one of the strongest hotel markets in the nation with high barriers to entry. We are excited to create an outstanding destination resort and residences in this dynamic city. Importantly, this partnership has extensive experience and a proven track record of successfully investing in and managing thousands of properties in this region."

"This investment represents both a strategic move into the vibrant Miami market as well as an expansion of our company's investments in the hospitality sector," said Richard LeFrak, Chairman and CEO of the LeFrak Organization. "We, in partnership with Invesco, are excited to combine our expertise with that of Starwood to renovate and reposition this property." The LeFrak Organization, one of the nation's largest privately held real estate development companies, is owned by the LeFrak family of New York. The company has developed more than 30 million square feet of built accommodation throughout New York, New Jersey and Los Angeles, including more than 25,000 apartments and approximately 15 million square feet of office, retail facilities and hotels. In addition to the Company's real estate activities, it is also an investment company, with holdings in public securities and private investments in energy, commercial banking and information technology.

Invesco participated in the transaction through its Invesco Mortgage Recovery Fund, a fund co-managed by its Invesco Real Estate, Invesco Fixed Income and WL Ross & Co. LLC investment centers.

Starwood Capital, LeFrak and Invesco all also participated in ST Residential, which acquired the loans and real estate owned assets formally owned by the failed Corus Bank, including more than 2,000 condominium units in Miami. The recent pace of sales of condominiums in Miami encouraged members of the consortium to pursue further investments there.

The property was sold by entities controlled by Credit Suisse, which had acquired it through foreclosure in 2010.

About Starwood Capital Group

Starwood Capital Group is a private, U.S.-based investment firm with a core focus on global real estate. Since the group's inception in 1991, the firm, through its various funds, has invested over $10 billion of equity capital, representing over $29 billion in assets. Starwood Capital Group currently has more than $18 billion of assets under management. Starwood Capital Group maintains offices in Greenwich, Atlanta, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and affiliated offices in London, Luxembourg, Paris, Mumbai and Sao Paulo. Starwood Capital Group has invested in nearly every class of real estate on a global basis, including office, retail, residential, senior housing, golf, hotels, resorts and industrial assets. Starwood Capital Group and its affiliates have successfully executed an investment strategy that includes building enterprises around core real estate portfolios in both the private and public markets. Additional information about Starwood Capital can be found at www.starwoodcapital.com .

About LeFrak Organization

Founded in 1901, affiliates of The LeFrak Organization own an extensive portfolio of real property throughout New York, New Jersey, and Los Angeles. The Company focuses primarily on residential and office sectors; but affiliates also own significant hotel and retail assets.

Recognized as one of the world's leading building firms, The LeFrak Organization and its affiliated companies have developed and built a majority of their own portfolio. The firm continues to maintain internal development and construction management capabilities. Acclaimed internationally for responsible community development and sensitivity to environmental sustainability, the LeFrak name has become synonymous with excellence in design, construction, engineering and urban planning. More information can be found at www.LeFrak.com

About Invesco Ltd.

Invesco Ltd. is a leading independent global investment management firm, dedicated to helping investors worldwide achieve their financial objectives. By delivering the combined power of our distinctive investment management capabilities, Invesco provides a wide range of investment strategies and vehicles to our retail, institutional and high net worth clients around the world. Operating in more than 20 countries, the firm is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol IVZ. Additional information is available at www.invesco.com .

SOURCE Starwood Capital Group

Copyright (C) 2012 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

So Christmas and New Year have come and gone again. We get to celebrate both twice, unlike you inoslavnym1-. Russian jews get to do it three times! Either way - it all adds up to three weeks of fun.

This year, Arkady and I flew to Miami on 21 December for three nights at The Setai, a truly wonderful hotel on South Beach. It is a little haven of calm with a great beach and divine service.

There are a lot of Russians in Miami. One reason is that many immigrants from Russia in the last century arrived and settled there.

Secondly, those immigrants who have built up successful businesses after settling in New York, often buy a dacha there.

And thirdly, wealthy Russians from Moskva are buying holiday properties there (on Fisher Island for choice) for the great climate, the glamour, the shopping and the nightlife - in essence, the same reasons that rich Russians go on holiday anywhere.

We call it Bling City. It's all big butts and big boobs, shiny dresses and shiny shoes, and no holding back on the brillianty2. Little wonder we feel so at home!

Russians also like Miami for the way it welcomes us. For example, one evening a bunch of us went to Tatiana - a cabaret restaurant serving Russian food (in pre-perestroika vast portions, of course!) - with a great stage show. The men didn't think wine was good enough, so it was vodka all the way, and it sure was a party.

The place was heaving with elderly immigrant Russians, the women with bleached hair, too much make-up and masses of bling. Add to this the dancing on stage, and in the restaurant, the singing, the carousing and the drinking until 7.30am, and we might as well have been in Odessa in the 70s!

The next morning, Arkady went to the banya with his friends for a traditional Russian bath and beating with birch twigs. They believe that it reduces stress and purges the body of toxins (i.e. it's good for hangovers!). They certainly came back in better spirits than when they went, but it may have had more to do with the fact that they serve Russian vodka there, rather than the beneficial effects of the steam baths!

Women are permitted, but my friends Svetlana, Masha and I preferred the more modern (and restful!) treatment at the Bliss Spa in the W Hotel.

I didn't do a lot of shopping - apart from a trip to Bal Harbour - but I did make a new discovery - a brilliant little boutique called Taj, where I bought some sundresses, and a few more bikinis and beach coverups.

I also visited two favourites: Missoni - where I bought kaftans in every colour in the sale - and Scoop, for sundresses. Most of these I will be able to wear again in the summer, but after that, it will be do svidaniya3. Even if Arkady doesn't notice what I wear, my girlfriends definitely do!

We departed Miami on the boat on 24 December. Our sons, Sasha, Nikolai and Valentin and their girlfriends flew down to join us that afternoon. Arkady had hired a yacht (Northern Light) + 11 crew for two weeks and the plan was to island hop through the Caribbean down to St Barts and from there back to Miami.

First stop was Nassau - it was a little too 'English colonial' for us, so the next day we set sail for Cuba. To visit Cuba is like going back in time 50 years. It is quite simply breathtaking - like walking on to a film set in the golden age of the movies: houses in faded colours, and 50s cadillacs on the streets. We were completely entranced and spent three days there exploring and drinking in the atmosphere.

Having stayed longer than planned, we cruised over to Jamaica for lunch with British friends who were staying at the Half Moon in Montego Bay; then on to the Dominican Republic, followed on subsequent days by Anguilla, St Barts and Antigua.

The holiday was really more about spending time with the boys than anything else, so most days, we spent just sailing, swimming and sunbathing, only going ashore for barbecue lunches or suppers prepared by the crew.

If you are yachting in this way, it can be easy to forget where you are, because if you keep to the empty beaches and undeveloped coasts of an island, you sometimes don't visit the port or the town at all.

Also, the archipelagos of (say) the Virgin Islands or The Antilles are so close together that you can pass several of them in a morning's cruising, almost without really taking it in.

One place we did stop though was St Barts, for a little light shopping and lunch. I picked out a pair of white and gold bangles at Cartier, and Arkady treated me to some really lovely pear-drop diamond earrings. Later, we ate lunch at the great restaurant on the beach at the Ile de France Hotel.

From St Barts we sailed on to Antigua before turning for home, and via Nevis, St Kitts, Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas, so back to Miami. From there we flew to New York and caught the flight to London.

Next week, it will be the Faberge launch and Paris for the Couture Shows.