Located in the heart of Miami Beach’s Faena District, the Aman Hotel Miami Beach is a high-profile redevelopment project that transforms the historic 1940s Versailles Hotel into a 56-suite luxury hotel. The broader site includes a second, adjacent tower of private residences, not within KLINE’s scope.

The redevelopment of the Versailles is more than a simple retrofit. Per Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board requirements, three perimeter façades of the original hotel—North, West, and South—must be preserved and fully integrated into the new structure.

KLINE is proud to serve as the Structural Engineer of Record for this technically demanding project, overseeing all structural engineering aspects of the hotel redevelopment from early evaluation through new construction. The hotel is being rebuilt behind three preserved façades while integrating new underground levels and 15 post-tensioned concrete floors above grade.

This landmark project demonstrates KLINE’s deep expertise in historic preservation, complex demolition, and post-tensioned concrete structural design, all while working within the constraints of a tight urban site and a hurricane-prone coastal environment.

Project Highlights:

🔹 Phases 1–3: Historic Preservation, Stabilization & Selective Demolition

Executed in partnership with specialty subcontractor Structural Builders & Restoration (SBR)

• Structural Condition Assessment:             
  Comprehensive evaluation of the existing concrete frame and CMU walls of the Versailles Hotel to assess structural integrity and inform restoration and demolition strategies.

• Façade Stabilization and Protection:       
  Structural design of a specialized Category 5 hurricane-resistant bracing system to support the historic perimeter walls. This includes:

• Steel plates at column lines

• Outrigger beams

• Vertical bracing towers anchored by deep foundations and pile caps

• Temporary structural systems to maintain stability during all phases of construction

• Shoring and Bracing Execution:    
  The steel bracing frame is currently visible from Collins Avenue, actively supporting the preserved façades during demolition and construction.

• Selective Demolition Planning:     
  Structural procedures for floor-by-floor removal of internal concrete slabs, beams, and columns on the east side of the hotel, leaving the North, West, and South façades standing.

• Foundation Holding Design:            
  Sequenced engineering for the removal and replacement of the original foundation. Scope included:

• Column removal to 10’-0” NGVD

• Rebar exposure and splicing up to 14’-0” NGVD

• Installation of micropiles and robust pile caps

• Pouring of new structural columns tied into the future superstructure

🔹 Phases 4–5: New Construction Design

• Foundation System Design:             
  Structural design of two below-grade reinforced concrete levels, coordinating closely with existing historic façades and underground infrastructure.

• Superstructure Design:       
  Design of 15 post-tensioned concrete floors above grade, engineered for durability, performance, and integration with the preserved envelope and hospitality programming.

• Façade Integration:
  Precise alignment of new structural elements with the historic façades, preserving architectural continuity while meeting modern codes and load demands.

• Construction Support:         
  Ongoing structural engineering and site coordination, including shop drawing review, field response, and phased design delivery to support real-time construction needs.

PROJECT STATUS:

• Phases 1–3: Preservation, bracing, and internal demolition completed by early 2024

• Phase 4: Foundation work and early construction in progress

• Final completion anticipated by late 2026

Read More     
Explore the full behind-the-scenes story of managing this project in our blog post by Mathewos Michael, PE: From Preservation to Innovation: Managing the Aman Hotel Redevelopment.

Innovation in Monitoring: SHM System Installation by ITEK

This project marks the first U.S. installation of our InfrastructureTek (ITEK) Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) system, enhancing long-term durability of the new construction.

The SHM system includes:

• Embedded humidity and corrosion sensors in key structural elements

• Real-time data collection and cloud-based transmission

• Continuous monitoring of moisture, chloride ions, and saltwater exposure—critical factors in Miami’s coastal environment

Learn more about the SHM system at www.infrastructuretek.com

Photography and Renderings: ©SBR @Suffolk @KLINE