Photo courtesy Arquitectonica

Arquitectonica-designed bus stop / Courtesy of Arquitectonica (top), Fontainebleau Hotel / Courtesy of Fountainebleau Hotel

Laurinda Spear, FAIA, is a founding principal of Arquitectonica and ArquitectonicaGEO.  She studied fine arts at Brown University, received her Master of Architecture degree from Columbia University and later a Master of Landscape Architecture from Florida International University.  She has taught at Harvard and the University of Miami.  

Best New Architecture
Arquitectonica
“Drive by the old Arquitectonica Headquarters at the corner of 5th Street and Jefferson Avenue, now belonging to Estefan Enterprises, or the new Arquitectonica offices under construction at Oak and Rice streets in Coconut Grove.  Discover Miami Beach’s Arquitectonica-designed bus stops and signage designed for and implement by Clear Channel.”

Standard Hotel
“Check out the Standard Hotel , renovated by Alison Spear, and have a drink on the bay at sunset.”

Best Historic Architecture
Fontainebleau Hotel
“Go visit the billion-dollar renovation at the Fontainebleau Hotel and wonder. I worked two summers for Morris Lapidus and truly respect and admire him and his work.”

Best Restaurants
Life Food and Om Garden
“Drive to the mainland and eat healthy at Life Food or Om Garden.”

Best Shopping
Julian Chang and Ana Guiulfo
“Check out the original clothing designers Julian Change on Michigan Avenue and Ana Guiulfo on Main Highway in Coconut Grove.”

The Bookstore in the Grove
“Make friends – human and printed – at The Bookstore in the Grove.”