Fisher Island Club Completes $60 Million Renovation

The fabled island off the tip of Miami Beach and home to the privileged global elite, has completed restoration to its historic Vanderbilt Mansion, the final stage of a major $60 million renovation to its amenities, including the Resort, Spa Internazionale, Beach Club, Tennis Facility, Golf Clubhouse, Marina and other key assets, announced Bernard Lackner, CEO of Fisher Island Club.

As the former winter retreat of William K. Vanderbilt II and his wife, Rosamund, the baronial Mediterranean-style estate overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and the striking Miami skyline with its grand ballroom, snooker parlor and Napoleon-vintage, walnut-paneled rooms. The Mansion was host to luminaries of its time and now serves as the center of Fisher Island life. Today, the island is home to nearly 650 families from more than 42 countries, and in 2011 was named the richest U.S. community by Forbes.

In a quest to elevate the already high service standards of Fisher Island Club, members appointed a new CEO, Bernard Lackner, who hails from New York's Hotel Plaza Athenee. Since taking the helm, he enlisted the help of Forbes Travel Guide to conduct a comprehensive analysis, implemented an extensive Executive Training program, and made the bold decision to reduce inventory at the prestigious resort–a member of Leading Hotels of the World and favorite among celebrities, sports stars and heads of state– from 38 guest rooms to just 15, creating an intimate and exclusive experience for the most privileged guests.

Specific upgrades to the club's amenities and facilities include:
• Fisher Island Club Hotel: The 15-room Fisher Island Club Hotel consists of six Courtyard Villas, four Historic Cottages and a Guest House comprised of five Junior Suites. The Courtyard Villas were completely refurbished and include dark wood plank flooring, new upholstery with a light gold and blue-green palate and intimate patios with private Jacuzzi's. The Historic Cottages–original to the Vanderbilt estate–feature light stone flooring with blue and white tones throughout. “Rosemary's Cottage,” which was built for Vanderbilt's stepdaughter, was converted from a two-bedroom home to a three-bedroom accommodation, and the original chandeliers in the units were restored. The five Junior Suites, also historic to the Vanderbilt estate, feature a similar palate to the Historic Cottages. Plus, the original, two smaller suites set on the second floor of the Guest House were combined to make one comfortable, spacious Junior Suite.
• Golf Clubhouse: The Golf Clubhouse features a new pro shop with the latest fashions, as well as updated locker and restroom facilities. The new Golf Grill restaurant has a modernized kitchen, dining room and card room, among other notable improvements.
• World-Class Tennis Center: The Tennis Center offers 18 courts, including two grass, two hard and 14 clay. Currently underway is a new pro shop, a conference center to accommodate meeting space for groups of up to 72 people, and nearly 20,000 square feet of open patio space
• Spa Internazionale: Rejuvenation to the 24,000-square-foot spa and fitness center is comprised of an impressive sky-lit reception area, new retail space, upgraded state-of-the-art gym equipment, spinning and Pilates studios, expanded wet and dry areas, a Roman waterfall, tranquility pool, and more.
• Salone Di Bellezza: The 3,500-square-foot Salone Di Bellezza offers a full-service beauty salon with hair and nail services, facials and skin care.
• Beach Club: The Beach Club was completely refurbished, and boasts airy and elegant white seaside pavilions, soft turquoise hues that contrast the imported Bahamian sand beach, two new bars with ocean and city views and an updated restaurant facility.
• Private Yacht Marinas: Fisher Island Club offers two state-of-the-art, deep-water marinas with over 100 slips that can accommodate luxury yachts up to 250 feet. Upgrades to the marina include all new teak finger piers and greenheart pilings, as well as electrical and gazebo renovations.
• Island Market: Renovated to nearly double its original size, the Island Market is an all-in-one blend of old-style town deli, wine shop and grocery store. It boasts an added bakery and ice cream parlor, along with new décor that emulates a rustic, yet industrial feel with metal and granite floors, and subway tile walls
• Vanderbilt Mansion: The historic Vanderbilt Mansion–the final renovation phase in the rebirth of Fisher Island–is undergoing notable transformations. Executed by architect of record, Richard Heisenbottle, well known for historic renovations in Miami, and interior design firm Hirsch Bedner & Associates, the goal of the Mansion renovation and restoration project is to enhance the property and restore it to reflect the home's family history. Paying homage to the mansion's storied past, much of the millwork was stripped and restored to its original glory, while other parts are being left untouched due to their historical nature. Upgrades to the Mansion include expanded outdoor decking for the City View Café, transformation to the second floor, originally the Vanderbilt's bedrooms, into a lounge area and private dining to appreciate the ocean and marina views. The Vanderbilt Pool is also being restored.

“The goal of the restoration initiative was to bring the iconic landmark up to the high standards of our privileged residents, members and guests, and we look forward to welcoming them to experience a superior level of quality and service,” said Lackner.

The 216-acre tropical paradise is a favorite destination for celebrities and business royalty. Accessible only by a seven-minute ferry ride or private motor yacht, Fisher Island boasts its own palm-lined private beach with powder-soft sand imported from the Bahamas, a beach club, a P.B. Dye 9-hole championship golf course, 18 world-class tennis courts, two deep-water marinas, seven dining options, a full-service spa, salon and fitness center, a private day school accepting preschoolers through fifth graders, an observatory for stargazing, and an aviary with dozens of exotic birds.

For more information on Fisher Island Club visit www.fisherislandclub.com