Lobby of The Breakers Palm Beach
While the appeal of many grand hotels seems to fade over time, the charm of The Breakers Palm Beach only grows, enhanced by the patina of age. The “secret sauce” of this more than century-old property has been the owners’ ability to maintain a delicate balance between preservation and modernization.
Originally built in 1896 by Henry M. Flagler, the sprawling, 140-acre oceanfront resort is now owned by his direct heirs, the Kenan family. Notably, The Breakers Palm Beach is the last family-owned grand hotel in America. As stewards of this historic property, the family has remained staunchly committed to its sustainability, already having reinvested more than $30 million in capital improvements and revitalization.
Something new afoot at The Breakers Palm Beach
The resort’s latest refresh is the standout carpet that graces the lobby. Conceived by celebrated hospitality designer Adam D. Tihany (in collaboration with Peacock + Lewis Architects), it is covered with colorful bouquets of vibrant lilies, amaranths, irises and other florals native to South Florida that almost appear as if they are in bloom. A statement piece in the resort’s already impressive lobby, its design was inspired by the vivid paintings of French Symbolist Odilon Redon.
The Breakers New Lobby Carpet
Creating the hand-tufted, one-piece carpet was a feat in itself: Produced by Sacco Carpet of New York City, the carpet measures 161-feet in length, 25-feet in width and weighs 1,500 pounds. It took 35 skilled weavers, incorporating 70 hues of the finest New Zealand yarns, to create this virtual garden.
Also new: the collection of seafoam green, blue and tan upholstered sofas, lounge chairs and tables that have taken residence in the same space. While contemporary in design, the dark burl woods and brass detailing of the furniture pays homage to the The Breakers’ storied past.
Designer Tihany is no stranger to the property, having partnered with the hotel team for more than eight years.
"Through my years of working with The Breakers and observing guests coming and going around the property, one of the most memorable feelings is a distinct, almost contagious energy of celebration," said Tihany, in a press release announcing the redesign.
“In imagining the lobby redesign, I wanted to capture and complement that feeling within the first steps into the hotel,” he added. “Elevated by thoughtful, contemporary furniture, the captivating new carpet transforms the space into a beautiful, charming garden - an eternal spring in peak bloom. It is a 'wow' statement piece that will quickly become a signature element of the hotel."
The bespoke floor covering oozes with personality, a far cry from most commercial installations based primarily on considerations of price and performance.
A lobby built to impress
The legendary Breakers Palm Beach, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, first opened in 1896. Modeled after an Italian Renaissance-style villa, its architectural heritage has been meticulously preserved.
Entrance to the Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida
Architects Schultze and Weaver (who also built the Pierre, the Sherry-Netherland and Park Avenue’s Waldorf Astoria in New York City) rebuilt the property in 1926 after a fire, creating the impressive 200-foot-long lobby with vaulted ceilings and hand-painted elements. The lobby design is reminiscent of that of the Great Hall at the Palazzo Carrega (now the Palazzo Carrega-Cataldi) in Genoa, Italy.
Historic photograph of The Breakers Lobby in 1927
Every week, the resort’s in-house Design Studio creates a magnificent floral display that welcomes guests. Those flower arrangements have served as the backdrop for photos taken by countless visitors from around the world who choose the destination resort for vacations, meetings and special celebrations.
