BOCA RATON, Fla.- The Robb & Stucky design team of Rick Veller, ASID, and Sandy Welsh have completed a refurbishment of the lobbies and hallways at the Anchor Bay Club, a waterfront apartment complex in Hallandale Beach, Fla. built in 1981. The building now sports a fresh, "classic modern" look and a more upscale image.
According to Veller, the residents had a wave of misfortune several years ago when an apartment leak above the main lobby caused water damage below. Shortly after, a hurricane caused further damage to the exterior of the building.
"The building was in a renovation mode. But it appeared as though it had been redecorated in stages," Welsh, a design consultant, added. "The space had little cohesion, but great potential and fabulous views." She and Veller quickly won over the board of residents and were given the go-ahead to enhance these public spaces through floor plan reviews and space planning. They also did all color coordination, and specified and arranged for installation of new flooring, wall and window treatments, wall systems, staircase and mirror design, coffered ceilings and lighting.
The interior renovation included the main and lower lobbies, as well as hallways on all 21 floors. Alabama marble, carpet (in hallways), Venetian plaster columns, glowing window sheers and frosted glass, with a sophisticated color palette of neutrals and gold with black accents, contributed to the designers' revamped décor, which they say has elevated the elegance of the building.
The team's inspiration came from the architecture and structure of the building, in addition to the cosmopolitan and international energy of South Beach, which is located about a half hour south. "This resulted in clean lines and a feeling of resort styling, including entrances that one might find in a high-end hotel," Veller pointed out. "The change is striking because we took the building's tired and dated look and brought it to a sophisticated level." An example is the 21 feet of down lit, sheer draperies that create drama in the lobby entrance.
"We were able to accomplish everything on schedule with the least amount of disruption in the daily lives of residents at AnchorBay," he noted.
"The public spaces of an apartment building or a condominium are important because it is like walking into a home. The first impression sets the tone and that affects the pride of residents, leasing desirability or the resale of individual units," Welsh added.
Veller and Welsh have been design partners since 1994.
Founded in 1915, in Fort Myers, Fla., Robb & Stucky is a nationally recognized interior design and premier home furnishings retailer with showrooms in Florida, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, and Costa Rica. Robb& Stucky offers a unique lifestyle shopping experience with an unparalleled collection of fine furnishings and award-winning ensemble of designers. For more information, visit www.RobbStucky.com. Robb&Stucky is certified by the state of Florida to practice interior design, license number IB0000745. The company is an industry partner with the American Society of Interior Designers.