In South Florida, luxury living is starting before residents even walk through the front door. A new crop of developments is turning the simple act of coming home into a design moment, with lush motor courts, private guard houses, soaring porte cochères, and even a car lift that travels directly to the residence. Here are six developments proving that, sometimes, first impressions really do count.
The Perigon | Miami Beach
At The Perigon, privacy starts at the street. Set at 5333 Collins Avenue, the 72-residence oceanfront development is designed by OMA with interiors by Tara Bernerd. Residents will arrive through a lush porte cochère and private guard house, creating a sense of separation before entering the property. From there, the setting opens toward the Atlantic, with views stretching across the ocean, Miami skyline, and Biscayne Bay.
Bentley Residences | Sunny Isles Beach
Your car gets the VIP treatment at Bentley Residences. The 62-story tower begins with a porte cochère designed with Bentley’s focus on craftsmanship in mind, but the real surprise comes next. The patented Dezervator car lift transports residents and their vehicles directly to private sky garages connected to their homes. For the world’s first Bentley-branded residential tower, it’s an entrance that puts the automobile right at the center of the experience.
Fouquet’s Hotel & Residences | Miami Design District
A landscaped motor court sets a calmer tone at Fouquet’s Hotel & Residences, Miami Design District. The greenery brings a sense of privacy to the entrance before residents move into a soaring 28-foot lobby and lounge. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect David Chipperfield, the 25-story tower will include 143 residences and marks the Miami Design District’s first residential offering.
The Ritz-Carlton Residences | South Beach
An attended porte cochère with 24-hour valet welcomes residents to The Ritz-Carlton Residences South Beach, a boutique oceanfront development set to offer just 30 residences. Kobi Karp Architecture spearheaded the architecture, with interiors by Alessandro Munge of Studio Munge. The smaller scale and hotel-style arrival give coming home a more personal and exclusive feel from the start.
Ocean Terrace | Miami Beach
Ocean Terrace takes a greener route to the front door. A cobblestone driveway winds through lush landscaping before reaching a triple-height covered motor court, creating a gradual transition from the street. Set along a full oceanfront block in North Beach, the development will include a 20-story residential tower with 52 residences. Architecture is by Revuelta Architecture International, with interiors by the renowned Robert A.M. Stern Architects.
Shorecrest | West Palm Beach
The welcome at Shorecrest doesn’t stop at the driveway. A porte cochère leads into a 24-hour attended lobby with concierge and valet service at the 28-story waterfront tower on North Flagler Drive. Designed by Roger Ferris + Partners with interiors by Rottet Studio, Shorecrest will include 98 residences when completed in 2027, with current availability starting at $3 million.
From lush landscaping and cobblestone drives to a car lift that takes your Bentley upstairs, these developments show just how far South Florida’s grand entrance has come. After all, why wait until the front door to make an impression?
