Faena Hotel Miami Beach © Todd Eberle

Always dressed in white, usually wearing a hat: This is how we expect to see Alan Faena. Born in Argentina, he has been one of the most flamboyant figures on the international hospitality scene since he opened his first major project in Buenos Aires. But his success story began much earlier when, in 1985 – driven by the irrepressible desire to create something – Faena founded his fashion label Via Vai. He was just 22 years old. He continued to work as a fashion designer for the next ten years, until he sold the brand. Faena was destined for greater things. 

Faena-Properties © Nik Koenig

His transition to a new life involved more than just a property, a restaurant or a hotel; his idea was to redevelop an entire neighborhood. Together with entrepreneur Leonard Blavatnik, star designer Philippe Starck and the architectural team of Foster & Partners, he took over the derelict port district of Puerto Madero in Buenos Aires. The hotel, designed by Starck, opened in 2004, and its design is a statement. A long, red carpet ushers you into Faena’s fantastical world and sets the tone, with many red accessories and glamorous details everywhere you look – from handmade throws, expensive textiles, and best of all, a huge golden crown that seems to float above the pool. It is no surprise that the area soon proved to be a magnet for tourists, but it also attracts locals, thanks to residential projects like the Faena Aleph Residences, the Faena Art Center, numerous restaurants and entertainment venues and the Faena Spa. An abandoned part of the city became its most vibrant neighborhood. “We create projects that have the power to positively transform cities, shifting old paradigms to rapidly become new cultural epicenters,” says the creator about his vision. “Faena is my personal way of doing things – a distinctive example of a resilient and innovative community to the world.” And it’s true: Wherever Faena goes, an illustrious crowd of guests follows. Faena Aleph Residences, the Faena Art Center, numerous restaurants and entertainment venues and by the "Faena Spa". From an abandoned part of the city became its most vibrant neighborhood. "We create projects that have the power to positively transform cities by shifting old paradigms and quickly becoming new cultural epicenters," the creator describes his vision. "Faena is my personal way of doing things, a distinctive example of a resilient and innovative community in the world." And indeed, where Faena goes, an illustrious crowd of guests follows.

Faena Spa waiting room © Nik-Koenig

Beach Glamour in Miami

And so it was in Miami Beach. Here, too, Faena didn’t just create a hotel: The area he took over in 2013 extends to a total of seven blocks. Two hotels, eight restaurants and bars, a theater, a “healing house,” the Faena Forum cultural center, stores and retail sales areas, and another Faena Art Center were the logical consequence of Faena’s innermost desire to create something new. He is indeed an hacedor. But Faena is something more – a creator of entire worlds. Because his events, parties and design concepts reflecting the glamor of the 1950s have literally switched on the lights in some of the darkest corners of a city.

Presidential Suite © Tim Clinch

“As a creator, you always give your all, no matter how small or big the project is,” says Faena. The fact that “the project” usually turns out big rather than small is no coincidence: “I always collaborate with great minds,” says the entrepreneur. Philippe Starck is one of them, artist Damien Hirst, director Baz Luhrmann and outstanding architects Norman Foster and Rem Koolhaas are some of the others. Despite his success and talent for self-publicity, you never get the feeling that Faena has lost his grip on reality. “In order to create my dreams, I first had to create myself,” he says. Admitting to weakness is part of the creative process for the nearly 60-year-old, something he confesses in his latest work, a book entitled “Architecture of Being.”

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Future plans

Faena isn’t thinking about slowing down any time yet and has just announced the plans for his next project: In 2024, he will open Faena the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia. Located on the southern coast of Shura Island, 150 villas and suites are planned, each with a pool and a clear view of the sea. The resort will include six restaurants and (alcoholic-free) bars, the Living Room for concerts and performances and the Tierra Santa Healing House for wellness seekers. It’s only a matter of time before it becomes an “it” place.